About this Unit
USS Wainwright (DLG-28), later reclassified as CG-28, was a Belknap-class guided missile cruiser commissioned by the United States Navy in 1966. Named in honor of three generations of the Wainwright family who served in the U.S. Navy, the ship played a significant role during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and serving as an escort for carrier strike groups. Throughout her service, Wainwright participated in numerous exercises and operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, demonstrating advanced air defense capabilities. The ship was decommissioned in 1993 and later scrapped, after nearly three decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Legacy: USS Wainwright (DLG/CG-28) was the third U.S. Navy ship named to honor a family of distinguished naval officers: Commander Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II, his son Master Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright III, and grandson Commander Richard Wainwright.
• Leahy-class Guided Missile Cruiser: Originally designated as a "destroyer leader" (DLG), Wainwright was later reclassified as a guided missile cruiser (CG-28) in 1975, reflecting the evolving role and capabilities of the ship.
• Vietnam War Service: Wainwright saw action in the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and screening against air and surface threats.
• Operation Frequent Wind: Wainwright participated in the final evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam, in April 1975, helping to rescue American and allied personnel as part of Operation Frequent Wind.
• Collision with Soviet Frigate: In 1975, while operating in the Mediterranean, Wainwright was involved in a minor collision with the Soviet Krivak-class frigate Storozhevoy during a Cold War close encounter.
• Persian Gulf Operations: In the 1980s, Wainwright operated in the Persian Gulf, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War as part of Operation Earnest Will.
• Gulf of Sidra Incident: On 19 August 1981, Wainwright was present during the Gulf of Sidra incident, where two U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan Su-22 fighters.
• Advanced Missile Systems: Wainwright was equipped with Terrier surface-to-air missiles, ASROC anti-submarine missiles, and later upgrades included NATO Sea Sparrow and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, making her a formidable air defense platform.
• Decommissioning and Fate: Wainwright was decommissioned on 15 November 1993 after nearly 30 years of service and was later scrapped in 2002.
• Awards and Honors: Throughout her career, the USS Wainwright earned multiple awards, including several Navy Unit Commendations, Meritorious Unit Commendations, and campaign medals for her service in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.
