About this Unit
USS Leahy (DLG-16), later reclassified as CG-16, was the lead ship of the Leahy-class guided missile cruisers in the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1962, she was among the first ships designed from the keel up as guided missile warships, equipped with advanced radar and missile systems for air defense. Throughout her service, Leahy participated in significant Cold War operations, including Mediterranean deployments with the Sixth Fleet and support roles during the Vietnam War. After nearly three decades of service, USS Leahy was decommissioned in 1993 and later scrapped.
Historical Facts
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First of Her Class: USS Leahy (DLG-16) was the lead ship of the Leahy-class guided missile cruisers, originally classified as a "destroyer leader" (DLG) before being reclassified as a cruiser (CG-16) in 1975.
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Namesake: The ship was named after Admiral William D. Leahy, the first Fleet Admiral in U.S. Navy history and Chief of Staff to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman during World War II.
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Commissioning: USS Leahy was commissioned on August 4, 1962, at the Boston Naval Shipyard, with Captain James H. Doyle, Jr., commanding.
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Innovative Design: Leahy was the first combatant ship built with no main gun armament, relying entirely on guided missiles, antisubmarine rockets, and torpedoes for defense and attack.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: Shortly after commissioning, Leahy participated in the naval quarantine of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962.
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Vietnam War Service: Leahy served multiple deployments to the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War, providing anti-aircraft and anti-submarine support for aircraft carrier task forces.
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Flagship Duties: Throughout her career, Leahy often served as flagship for various fleet and task force commanders, including Commander, Second Fleet and Commander, Middle East Force.
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Notable Upgrades: The ship underwent major modernization in the late 1970s and 1980s, including improvements to her missile systems (Standard Missile), radar, and electronic warfare suites.
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Cold War Operations: Leahy was actively involved in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and surveillance missions during the height of the Cold War, frequently shadowing Soviet naval units.
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Decommissioning and Fate: USS Leahy was decommissioned on September 1, 1993, after over 30 years of service, and was scrapped in 2005.
