About this Unit
USS Radford (DD-969) was a Spruance-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on April 18, 1977. Named after Admiral Arthur W. Radford, the ship served in numerous operations, including deployments in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Atlantic, supporting missions such as Operation Desert Storm and anti-drug patrols in the Caribbean. Radford was notable for her versatility, participating in both combat and humanitarian missions throughout her service life. After over 26 years of active duty, USS Radford was decommissioned on March 18, 2003, and later sunk as part of an artificial reef project off the coast of Delaware in 2011.
Historical Facts
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Named After a WWII Hero: USS Radford (DD-969) was named in honor of Admiral Arthur W. Radford, a decorated World War II naval aviator and later Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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Spruance-class Destroyer: Radford was a Spruance-class destroyer, one of the most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships of her time, commissioned on April 16, 1977.
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Gulf War Service: USS Radford played a significant role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing naval gunfire support and anti-aircraft defense in the Persian Gulf.
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First to Launch Tomahawk Missiles: In 1986, Radford became one of the first destroyers to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of the U.S. Navy’s growing strike capabilities.
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Collision Incident: In 1999, Radford collided with the amphibious transport dock USS La Moure County (LST-1194) off the coast of Chile during UNITAS 40, causing significant damage to both ships.
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Rescue Operations: Radford participated in search and rescue operations, including the recovery of Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Multinational Exercises: The destroyer took part in numerous multinational maritime exercises, including NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic and UNITAS exercises around South America.
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Redesign and Upgrades: Throughout her career, Radford received several significant upgrades, including the addition of the Vertical Launch System (VLS) for improved missile capability.
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Decommissioning and Final Fate: Radford was decommissioned on March 18, 2003, and later sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Delaware in 2011, becoming the longest vessel ever reefed on the East Coast.
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Legacy as a Dive Site: Today, the wreck of USS Radford is a popular destination for divers and marine researchers, supporting a thriving artificial reef ecosystem.
