USS KING (DLG-10)

• 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.