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History of USS Mullinnix (DD-944)

USS Mullinnix (DD-944) was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Named after Admiral Henry M. Mullinnix, the ship served actively during the Cold War, participating in key operations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade and providing naval gunfire support during the Vietnam War. Throughout her career, Mullinnix conducted numerous training exercises and deployments in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. She was decommissioned in 1983 and later sold for scrap, marking the end of her distinguished service.

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ABOUT USS Mullinnix (DD-944)

  • Namesake: USS Mullinnix (DD-944) was named after Admiral Henry M. Mullinnix, a distinguished U.S. Navy aviator who was killed in action during World War II when the USS Liscome Bay was sunk in November 1943.
  • Forrest Sherman-class Destroyer: Mullinnix was one of 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers, the first new destroyer class built by the U.S. Navy after World War II, featuring improved speed, armament, and seaworthiness.
  • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 7 March 1958 at the Boston Naval Shipyard, with Commander J. H. Griffin as her first commanding officer.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: Mullinnix played a key role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, participating in the naval quarantine of Cuba and intercepting Soviet vessels.
  • Vietnam War Service: The destroyer served during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support for ground forces, plane guard duties for aircraft carriers, and coastal patrols.
  • Apollo Recovery Missions: Mullinnix participated in the recovery efforts for NASA's Apollo space missions, standing by as part of the recovery forces in the Atlantic.
  • Operation Sea Orbit Support: In 1964, Mullinnix supported Operation Sea Orbit, the first around-the-world cruise by a nuclear-powered task force (Task Force 1), although she was not nuclear-powered herself.
  • Collision Incident: In 1966, Mullinnix collided with the oiler USS Waccamaw (AO-109) during underway replenishment in the Mediterranean, but both ships sustained only minor damage and continued their missions.
  • Decommissioning: After more than 25 years of service, Mullinnix was decommissioned on 11 August 1983 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day.
  • Final Fate: The ship was sunk as a target on 22 August 1992 during a fleet training exercise off the coast of Florida, ending her long and distinguished career.

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