USS Mitscher (DL-2)

• First of Her Class: USS Mitscher (DL-2) was the lead ship of the Mitscher-class destroyer leaders, designed to be larger and more heavily armed than standard destroyers, serving as command ships for destroyer squadrons. • Launched in 1952: The ship was launched on January 26, 1952, by the Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on May 15, 1953. • Named After a Legendary Admiral: Mitscher was named in honor of Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, a pioneer in naval aviation and a key U.S. Navy commander during World War II. • Innovative Design: As a destroyer leader, Mitscher was significantly larger than her destroyer contemporaries, featuring advanced radar, sonar, and command and control facilities for her era. • Cold War Service: Mitscher served during the height of the Cold War, conducting numerous anti-submarine warfare exercises and NATO operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. • First Ship with Variable Depth Sonar: Mitscher was one of the first U.S. Navy ships fitted with a variable depth sonar system, enhancing her capability to detect submarines at different ocean depths. • Major Modernization: Between 1958 and 1960, Mitscher underwent significant modernization, including the addition of new weapons and electronics, and was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-35) in 1966, though she never received missile armament. • Flagship Duties: She frequently served as flagship for destroyer squadrons, providing command support in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Mitscher was decommissioned on June 1, 1978, and later sold for scrap in 1980, ending her 25 years of service. • Legacy Continued: The name Mitscher lives on in the U.S. Navy with the commissioning of USS Mitscher (DDG-57), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, honoring the tradition and distinguished service of DL-2.