USS Wainwright (DLG-28)

• 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.