About this Unit
USS King (DDG-41) was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in November 1960. Originally designated as DLG-10, she was reclassified as DDG-41 in 1975. Throughout her service, King participated in key Cold War operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and service off the coast of Vietnam, where she provided naval gunfire support and carrier escort duties. After nearly three decades of active duty, USS King was decommissioned in March 1991 and subsequently stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
• Originally Laid Down as a Destroyer Leader: USS King (DLG-10) was initially classified as a "Destroyer Leader" and later reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-41) in 1975, reflecting changes in naval terminology and mission focus.
• Named After Admiral Ernest J. King: The ship was named in honor of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations during World War II, who played a pivotal role in the U.S. Navy’s wartime successes.
• First of Her Class: USS King was the lead ship of the King-class guided missile frigates (later re-designated as destroyers), pioneering new technologies and capabilities.
• Commissioned During the Cold War: She was commissioned on 17 November 1960, at the height of the Cold War, and spent much of her career patrolling and conducting operations in this tense era.
• Vietnam War Service: USS King participated in numerous deployments during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station.
• Advanced Missile Systems: She was equipped with the Terrier surface-to-air missile system, giving her enhanced air defense capabilities compared to earlier destroyers.
• Homeport in San Diego: Throughout much of her service, USS King was homeported in San Diego, California, a major hub for Pacific Fleet operations.
• Involved in Rescue Operations: USS King participated in several search and rescue operations, including rescuing downed aviators and assisting vessels in distress during her deployments.
• Modernization and Overhauls: The ship underwent significant overhauls, including upgrades to her electronics, missile systems, and radar, keeping her at the forefront of naval technology during her service life.
• Decommissioning and Fate: USS King was decommissioned on 28 March 1991 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. She was eventually scrapped in 1999, ending nearly three decades of distinguished service.
