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History of USS DECATUR (DDG-31)

USS Decatur (DDG-31) was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy, commissioned on December 7, 1956. Initially serving as DD-936, she was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer in 1967 and redesignated DDG-31. Throughout her career, Decatur participated in key Cold War operations, including Vietnam War deployments, providing naval gunfire support and anti-aircraft defense. After decades of service, she was decommissioned on June 30, 1983, and later used as a target ship before her final disposal.

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ABOUT USS DECATUR (DDG-31)

  • Namesake: USS Decatur (DDG-31) was named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur, a famous early 19th-century U.S. naval officer celebrated for his heroism in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.
  • Class: She was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer, designed primarily for anti-aircraft warfare and equipped with the Tartar missile system.
  • Commissioning: USS Decatur was commissioned on 7 December 1956 as DD-936, later converted to a guided missile destroyer and redesignated DDG-31 on 15 December 1966.
  • Vietnam War Service: Decatur saw active service during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and performing search and rescue operations.
  • Collision Incident: In May 1964, Decatur collided with the aircraft carrier USS Lake Champlain (CVS-39) during training exercises, resulting in significant damage and requiring repairs.
  • First Guided Missile Destroyer Conversion: She was the first ship of her class to be converted into a guided missile destroyer, reflecting the Navy's shift toward missile technology during the Cold War.
  • Notable Deployments: During her service life, Decatur completed multiple deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean, participating in numerous multinational exercises.
  • Decommissioning: USS Decatur was decommissioned on 30 June 1983 after nearly three decades of service.
  • Target Ship: After decommissioning, Decatur was used as a target ship for weapons testing, finally being sunk in 2004 during a live-fire exercise off the coast of Hawaii.
  • Legacy: Decatur’s crest and battle honors are preserved, and her name lives on in the current USS Decatur (DDG-73), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.

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