About this Unit
USS KING (DLG-10), later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser (CG-10), was commissioned in 1960 as the lead ship of her class. Named after Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, she served prominently with the U.S. Pacific Fleet during the Cold War. USS KING participated in multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, providing anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and missile support during the Vietnam War. She was decommissioned in 1977, having contributed significantly to naval operations and technological advancements in guided missile warfare.
Historical Facts
• Commissioning and Namesake: USS KING (DLG-10) was commissioned on 17 November 1960 and named in honor of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, who served as Chief of Naval Operations during World War II.
• First of Her Class: USS KING was the lead ship of the Farragut-class guided missile frigates (later reclassified as destroyers), pioneering new technologies in air defense and missile warfare.
• Vietnam War Service: KING played a key role during the Vietnam War, providing plane guard, search and rescue, anti-aircraft, and naval gunfire support missions for U.S. forces and aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
• Rescue Operations: The ship rescued several downed U.S. pilots and aircrewmen from the Gulf of Tonkin during her Vietnam deployments, earning praise for her crew’s courage and professionalism.
• Technological Innovations: As one of the first ships equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile System, KING was at the forefront of the Navy's transition to missile-based air defense.
• Reclassification: In 1975, the ship was reclassified from a guided missile frigate (DLG) to a guided missile destroyer (DDG-41), reflecting changes in the Navy's ship designation system.
• Humanitarian Missions: USS KING participated in refugee rescue operations in the South China Sea, assisting Vietnamese boat people fleeing after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
• Flagship Duties: At various times, KING served as flagship for Destroyer Squadron 3 and other task force commanders, demonstrating her importance within the fleet.
• Decommissioning: After more than 28 years of service, USS KING was decommissioned on 28 March 1991 and later sold for scrap, ending a distinguished naval career.
• Awards and Honors: Throughout her service, KING earned numerous awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and multiple Vietnam Service Medals.
