About this Unit
The USS Turner Joy (DD-951) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1959. Named after Admiral Charles Turner Joy, she played a significant role in the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964, which escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Throughout the Vietnam conflict, Turner Joy provided naval gunfire support, performed carrier escort duties, and participated in search and rescue operations. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1982 and now serves as a museum ship in Bremerton, Washington.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake: USS Turner Joy (DD-951) was named after Admiral Charles Turner Joy, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served as Commander of United Nations forces during the Korean War armistice negotiations.
•
Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on August 3, 1959, and was the last Forrest Sherman-class destroyer built.
•
Gulf of Tonkin Incident: Turner Joy is famous for its involvement in the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964, which led directly to increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
•
Vietnam War Service: The destroyer provided naval gunfire support, search and rescue, and plane guard services during multiple deployments to Vietnam, earning nine battle stars for her service.
•
Nighttime Engagements: On several occasions, Turner Joy engaged in nighttime shore bombardments, sometimes coming under fire from North Vietnamese coastal batteries.
•
Refit and Modernization: In the late 1960s, the ship underwent modernization, including the addition of advanced radar and fire control systems, to keep up with evolving naval warfare requirements.
•
Friendly Fire Incident: In 1972, Turner Joy mistakenly came under attack by U.S. aircraft, but managed to avoid serious damage, highlighting the chaos and confusion of combat operations.
•
Final Operations: The ship’s last combat action was in 1973, when she fired some of the final naval gunfire support missions of the Vietnam War.
•
Decommissioning: Turner Joy was decommissioned on November 22, 1982, after 23 years of service.
•
Museum Ship: Today, USS Turner Joy serves as a museum ship and memorial, permanently moored in Bremerton, Washington, where visitors can explore her decks and learn about her history.
