USS Parsons (DDG 33)

• Namesake Legacy: USS Parsons (DDG-33) was named after Rear Admiral William Sterling Parsons, the ordnance officer on the Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. • Frigate to Destroyer Conversion: Originally commissioned as a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer leader (DLG-33) in 1961, she was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-33) in 1975. • Unique Class: Parsons was part of the Charles F. Adams class, renowned for being the U.S. Navy’s first class of guided missile destroyers designed from the keel up. • Vietnam War Service: She served multiple tours in Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duty for aircraft carriers, and search and rescue missions. • Missile Armament: Parsons was equipped with the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missile system, making her a vital part of fleet air defense during the Cold War. • Operation Linebacker: USS Parsons participated in Operation Linebacker in 1972, supporting bombing campaigns and blockade efforts during the Vietnam War. • Rescue at Sea: In 1968, Parsons rescued several pilots and aircrew after aircraft were downed in combat operations off Vietnam. • Home Port: Her homeport for much of her service was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a strategic base for U.S. Pacific Fleet operations. • Decommissioned and Fate: Parsons was decommissioned in 1982 and later sunk as a target during fleet training exercises in 1989. • Awards and Honors: The ship received multiple awards for her service, including the Navy Unit Commendation and several campaign medals for Vietnam operations.