About this Unit
USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on March 7, 1964. Named after the famed polar explorer Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the ship served during the Cold War era, conducting operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean. She participated in numerous NATO exercises, showed presence during the Lebanon crisis of 1983, and provided naval gunfire support and escort duties. After nearly three decades of service, USS Richard E. Byrd was decommissioned on April 27, 1990, and later scrapped.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake Tribute: USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) was named after Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, the famed American naval officer and pioneering polar explorer, known for his expeditions to Antarctica.
•
Commissioning: The USS Richard E. Byrd was commissioned on 7 March 1964 at the Boston Naval Shipyard, marking its entry into the US Navy fleet as a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer.
•
Missile Arsenal: As a guided missile destroyer, DDG-23 was equipped with the RIM-24 Tartar surface-to-air missile system, enhancing the fleet’s air defense capabilities during the Cold War era.
•
Vietnam War Service: The ship participated in Vietnam War operations, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard duties for aircraft carriers on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin.
•
Rescue Mission: In 1972, the USS Richard E. Byrd rescued the crew of a burning Greek freighter, M/V Poseidon, in the Mediterranean Sea, showcasing the crew’s bravery and commitment to maritime safety.
•
Cold War Deployments: The destroyer was deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean with the US 6th Fleet, serving as a visible symbol of US presence and commitment to NATO allies.
•
Homeport: The ship was homeported at Norfolk, Virginia, one of the US Navy’s most significant bases on the East Coast.
•
Nickname: The ship’s crew affectionately referred to her as the “Byrd Dog,” a play on her namesake and the destroyer’s reputation for vigilance.
•
Decommissioning: USS Richard E. Byrd was decommissioned on 27 April 1990, after more than 25 years of active service, and later sold to Greece for spare parts.
•
Legacy: The legacy of DDG-23 lives on through her namesake and the countless sailors who served aboard, as well as through her participation in significant Cold War and Vietnam War operations.
