USS Nicholson (DD-982)

• Spruance-class Destroyer: USS Nicholson (DD-982) was a Spruance-class destroyer, a class renowned for its anti-submarine warfare capabilities and versatility in the Cold War and post-Cold War eras. • Namesake Legacy: The ship was named after five members of the Nicholson family, each of whom served with distinction in the U.S. Navy from the Revolutionary War through World War I. • Commissioning: USS Nicholson was commissioned on March 12, 1979, at the Ingalls Shipbuilding yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. • Persian Gulf Operations: The ship participated in multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf, including significant operations during the Iran-Iraq War and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. • Missile Strikes in Kosovo: In 1999, USS Nicholson fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets in Yugoslavia as part of NATO's Operation Allied Force during the Kosovo conflict. • Humanitarian Missions: The destroyer assisted in rescue and humanitarian operations, including the evacuation of American citizens from war-torn Liberia in 1996 during Operation Assured Response. • Modernization: During her service, USS Nicholson received significant upgrades, including the installation of Vertical Launching System (VLS) for Tomahawk missiles, making her more lethal and versatile. • Final Deployment: The ship’s final deployment was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, conducting operations in the Middle East following the September 11 attacks. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Nicholson was decommissioned on December 20, 2002, and subsequently sunk as a target during a training exercise off the coast of Virginia in July 2004. • Battle Honors: Throughout her service, USS Nicholson earned several awards and commendations, including Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal.