About this Unit
USS LUCE (DLG-7), a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer leader, was commissioned into the United States Navy on May 20, 1961. Designed primarily for anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare, LUCE served extensively in the Atlantic Fleet, participating in NATO exercises and Mediterranean deployments as part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The ship played significant roles during the Cold War, including crisis response operations and showing the flag missions. LUCE was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-38) in 1975 and remained active until her decommissioning on April 1, 1991.
Historical Facts
•
Commissioning and Namesake: USS Luce (DLG-7), later reclassified as DDG-38, was commissioned on 20 May 1961. She was named after Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, a prominent naval educator and founder of the U.S. Naval War College.
•
Class and Type: USS Luce was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer leader (frigate), designed to provide anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) protection for carrier battle groups.
•
Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Luce played a critical role in the naval quarantine of Cuba, helping enforce the blockade against Soviet shipping.
•
Space Program Support: Luce participated in recovery operations for NASA’s Mercury and Gemini space missions, standing by to recover astronauts and capsules that splashed down in the Atlantic.
•
Vietnam War Service: Although not deployed directly to Vietnam, Luce supported Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean and provided a U.S. naval presence during the tense Cold War years.
•
Reclassification: In 1975, as part of a Navy-wide reclassification, USS Luce was redesignated from DLG-7 (frigate) to DDG-38 (guided missile destroyer).
•
Technological Innovations: Luce was among the first ships equipped with the Tartar guided missile system, marking a significant advancement in naval air defense capability.
•
Collision Incident: In 1975, USS Luce collided with the USS Belknap (CG-26) in the Mediterranean. The incident caused minor damage to Luce but reinforced the importance of navigational safety.
•
Humanitarian Efforts: The ship provided assistance to civilian vessels in distress on several occasions, including rescuing Greek fishermen in the Aegean Sea.
•
Decommissioning and Fate: USS Luce was decommissioned on 1 April 1991 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. She was sold for scrap in 2004, ending her distinguished 30-year service.
