About this Unit
USS Morton (DD-948) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Named after Lieutenant Commander Dudley Morton, she served prominently during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in search and rescue operations. Throughout her career, Morton conducted numerous deployments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as joint exercises with allied navies. The ship was decommissioned in 1982 and later sold for scrap, concluding over two decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
• Fletcher-Class Legacy: USS Morton (DD-948) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, not a Fletcher-class, but she carried on the proud traditions of US Navy destroyers dating back to World War II.
• Namesake Hero: The ship was named after Lieutenant Commander Dudley "Mush" Morton, a legendary submarine commander who captained USS Wahoo (SS-238) during WWII and was credited with sinking multiple enemy vessels before being lost in action.
• Launched in 1958: USS Morton was launched on May 23, 1958, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on May 26, 1959.
• Vietnam War Service: Morton performed multiple deployments to Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support for ground troops and participating in "Operation Sea Dragon" to interdict North Vietnamese logistics.
• Rescue Operations: In 1967, USS Morton rescued 14 crewmen from the burning merchant ship SS Silver Peak in the South China Sea, displaying exceptional seamanship and bravery.
• ASW Modernization: In the early 1970s, Morton underwent major modernization, receiving advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems, including ASROC, to counter Soviet submarine threats.
• Pacific Deployments: The destroyer was homeported in Pearl Harbor and regularly operated throughout the Pacific, including the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and even made goodwill visits to Australia and New Zealand.
• Film Appearance: USS Morton was featured in the 1969 film "Tora! Tora! Tora!" standing in for Japanese destroyers during the recreation of the Pearl Harbor attack.
• Decommissioning and Fate: Morton was decommissioned on November 22, 1982, and was eventually sunk as a target during fleet exercises in 1992, ending her career in service to training future sailors.
• Battle Efficiency Awards: Throughout her service, USS Morton earned multiple Battle Efficiency "E" awards, reflecting her crew’s high level of readiness and excellence.
