About this Unit
USS Mahan (DDG-42) was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, commissioned on December 25, 1960. Named after Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, the influential naval historian and strategist, she played a key role in Cold War naval operations, including carrier escort duties and participation in NATO exercises. Over her service life, Mahan conducted numerous deployments in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean, supporting U.S. interests and demonstrating naval presence. After nearly three decades of service, USS Mahan was decommissioned on June 15, 1993, and later scrapped, leaving a legacy of technological advancement and operational excellence.
Historical Facts
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Named After a Naval Strategist: USS Mahan (DDG-42) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan, a renowned naval historian and strategist whose theories on sea power influenced navies worldwide.
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Part of the Farragut-class: The USS Mahan was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer, serving as one of ten ships in this class built for the U.S. Navy in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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Commissioned in 1960: The ship was commissioned on December 25, 1960, at the Boston Naval Shipyard, starting her decades of service during the Cold War era.
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Cuban Missile Crisis Deployment: The USS Mahan participated in the naval blockade (quarantine) of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, helping enforce U.S. policy during this tense standoff.
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Vietnam War Service: Mahan saw service in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duty for aircraft carriers, and participating in search and rescue operations in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Modernization Overhaul: In the 1970s, USS Mahan underwent significant upgrades, including advancements to her missile systems and electronics, extending her service life and capabilities.
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Persian Gulf Operations: In the 1980s, the ship operated in the Persian Gulf, protecting oil tankers and ensuring freedom of navigation in a region of increasing geopolitical tension.
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Notable Rescue Missions: The USS Mahan was involved in several search and rescue missions at sea, including the recovery of downed pilots and assisting distressed vessels.
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Decommissioning: After nearly three decades of service, USS Mahan (DDG-42) was decommissioned on June 15, 1993, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
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Legacy and Memorial: Parts of the USS Mahan were preserved as memorials, and her name lives on with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mahan (DDG-72), continuing the legacy of Admiral Mahan and the proud service of DDG-42.
