About this Unit
USS Preble (DDG-46) was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on May 9, 1960. Named after Commodore Edward Preble, a hero of the First Barbary War, the ship served prominently during the Cold War era. Preble participated in various operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet and support missions during the Vietnam War. After over two decades of service, USS Preble was decommissioned on November 15, 1991, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS Preble (DDG-46) was named in honor of Commodore Edward Preble, a distinguished early 19th-century US naval officer renowned for his leadership during the First Barbary War.
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Farragut-Class Destroyer: She was the tenth ship of the Farragut-class guided missile destroyers, a class designed in the late 1950s to provide air defense for carrier battle groups.
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Commissioning Date: USS Preble was commissioned into service on May 9, 1960, at the Boston Naval Shipyard.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: Preble played a role in the naval quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, helping to enforce the US blockade of Cuba.
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Vietnam War Service: The ship served multiple tours in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard services for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Cold War Operations: Throughout the Cold War, Preble participated in numerous NATO exercises and operated in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean, projecting US naval power abroad.
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Technological Upgrades: During her service, Preble received significant upgrades to her missile and radar systems, including improvements to her RIM-2 Terrier missile armament.
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Rescue Operations: The ship was involved in several rescue missions at sea, including the assistance of distressed vessels and recovery of downed pilots.
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Decommissioning: USS Preble was decommissioned on November 15, 1991, after more than 31 years of active service.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, she was sold for scrap in 2001, but her legacy continues through later ships bearing the Preble name, including the modern USS Preble (DDG-88).
