USS Semmes (DDG-18)

• Namesake Honor: USS Semmes (DDG-18) was named after Raphael Semmes, a Confederate Navy officer and captain of CSS Alabama during the American Civil War. • Commissioning Date: The ship was commissioned on December 10, 1962, at Avondale, Louisiana. • Charles F. Adams-class: Semmes was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer, one of the first US Navy destroyers designed primarily for guided missile warfare. • Homeport: Throughout much of her career, Semmes was homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, and later in Mayport, Florida. • Cuban Missile Crisis Impact: Though commissioned after the 1962 crisis, Semmes was part of the Cold War deterrent force and operated in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during periods of high tension. • Mediterranean Deployments: The destroyer frequently deployed with the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, participating in NATO exercises and showing presence during the Arab-Israeli conflicts. • Rescue Operations: In 1975, USS Semmes rescued the crew of a disabled Greek freighter, demonstrating humanitarian capabilities. • Missile Systems: She was equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile System, making her a formidable air defense platform for her time. • Decommissioning: Semmes was decommissioned on April 14, 1991, after nearly 29 years of service. • Greek Navy Service: After decommissioning, she was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and served as Kimon (D-218) until 2004, extending her legacy in another nation's fleet.