USS Morton (DD-948)

• 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.