USS Reeves (CG-24)

• Namesake: USS Reeves (CG-24) was named after Rear Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, a pioneer in naval aviation and the "Father of Carrier Aviation." • Class and Type: USS Reeves was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, originally commissioned as a destroyer leader (DLG-24) before being reclassified as a cruiser (CG-24) in 1975. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 15 May 1964 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. • Vietnam War Service: Reeves served extensively during the Vietnam War, providing anti-aircraft and anti-submarine support to U.S. aircraft carriers operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Flagship Role: USS Reeves served as the flagship of various task groups and even as flagship for the United States Seventh Fleet on several occasions. • First to Shoot Down a Drone: In 1973, Reeves became one of the first ships to use surface-to-air missiles to shoot down a drone aircraft, demonstrating the effectiveness of its missile systems. • Operation Praying Mantis: Reeves participated in Operation Praying Mantis in 1988, the largest U.S. naval action since World War II, targeting Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf. • Major Overhauls: The ship underwent a major modernization overhaul (New Threat Upgrade) in the 1980s, which improved her combat systems and extended her operational life. • Allied Exercises: Reeves regularly participated in joint exercises with allied navies, including RIMPAC and ANNUALEX, fostering cooperation with Japan, Australia, and other Pacific allies. • Decommissioning: USS Reeves was decommissioned on 12 November 1993 after nearly 30 years of service and was sold for scrap in 2005.