USS Wainwright (CG-28)

• Namesake Legacy: USS Wainwright (CG-28) was named to honor three generations of the Wainwright family, all of whom served with distinction in the U.S. Navy. • Class and Commission: She was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser, originally commissioned as DLG-28 (destroyer leader) on January 8, 1966, and later reclassified as CG-28 in 1975. • Vietnam War Service: Wainwright saw combat in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving as a radar picket ship to help protect U.S. aircraft carriers. • First Combat Missile Engagement: During the Vietnam War, Wainwright became the first U.S. ship to shoot down a hostile aircraft with guided missiles, using her Terrier missile system. • Cold War Operations: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she was actively involved in Cold War operations, including tracking Soviet naval vessels and aircraft. • Persian Gulf Patrols: In the late 1980s, Wainwright participated in Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War to ensure freedom of navigation. • Lebanon Crisis: She was deployed off the coast of Lebanon in 1983, providing support and acting as a deterrent during the Lebanese Civil War. • Humanitarian Missions: Wainwright took part in humanitarian operations, including rescue missions and disaster relief during her deployments. • Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned on November 15, 1993, after nearly 28 years of service, and was later sold for scrap in 2002. • Honors and Awards: USS Wainwright earned numerous awards, including three battle stars for Vietnam service and the Navy Unit Commendation for her exceptional performance in combat.