U.S. Navy Destroyers
Farragut / Coontz-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers
The Navy's first missile-armed carrier escorts built from the keel up. Ten guided-missile destroyers constructed in the late 1950s that bridged the gap from guns to missiles. Originally classified as Destroyer Leaders (DL) then Guided Missile Frigates (DLG), they were reclassified as DDGs in 1975 - the only ships to be both redesignated and renumbered. Also known as the Coontz class since DDG-40 was the first ship designed as a guided-missile vessel. Armed with the Terrier surface-to-air missile, later upgraded to SM-2ER, these ships escorted carrier battle groups through the Cold War from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the twilight of the Soviet Navy. All ten were decommissioned between 1989 and 1993 and scrapped.
DDG-37 to DDG-46
1959–1993
DDG-37 USS Farragut
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Lead ship of the class by hull number. Named for Admiral David Glasgow Farragut - 'Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!' Originally designated DLG-6, reclassified DDG-37 in 1975. The only ship with an ASROC magazine behind the launcher - it made the already top-heavy design even worse, so the Navy never repeated it. Decommissioned 1989.
DDG-38 USS Luce
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for RADM Stephen Luce, founder of the Naval War College in 1884 - the institution that trained the strategists who won the Pacific War. Originally DLG-7. Deployed to the Mediterranean and Atlantic throughout the Cold War. Decommissioned 1991.
DDG-39 USS Macdonough
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for Commodore Thomas Macdonough, who won the decisive Battle of Lake Champlain in 1814, destroying the British fleet and securing the northern border. Originally DLG-8. Decommissioned 1990.
DDG-40 USS Coontz
Farragut/Coontz
Class
The ship that gave the class its unofficial name - first designed and built from the keel up as a guided-missile ship under project SCB 142. Named for Admiral Robert Coontz, Chief of Naval Operations 1919–1923, who expanded the Navy during the manpower shortages after WWI. Originally DLG-9. Earned the Battle Efficiency 'E' in 1987. Decommissioned 1989.
DDG-41 USS King
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for Fleet Admiral Ernest King, who served as both CNO and COMINCH during WWII - the only person to hold both titles simultaneously. Commanded the entire U.S. Navy during the greatest naval war in history. Originally DLG-10. Decommissioned 1991.
DDG-42 USS Mahan
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for RADM Alfred Thayer Mahan, whose 'Influence of Sea Power Upon History' shaped global naval strategy and inspired the great navies of the 20th century. Originally DLG-11. Only ship in the class to receive the New Threat Upgrade modernization as a test package in 1982. Decommissioned 1993.
DDG-43 USS Dahlgren
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for RADM John Dahlgren, 'Father of American Naval Ordnance,' who designed the distinctive bottle-shaped Dahlgren guns that armed Union warships during the Civil War. Originally DLG-12. Decommissioned 1992.
DDG-44 USS William V. Pratt
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for Admiral William Pratt, CNO 1930–1933, who navigated the Navy through the London Naval Treaty limitations and Depression-era budget cuts. Originally DLG-13. Decommissioned 1991.
DDG-45 USS Dewey
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for Admiral George Dewey, hero of Manila Bay and the only person to hold the rank of Admiral of the Navy. 'You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.' Originally DLG-14. Deployed extensively to the Western Pacific. Decommissioned 1990.
DDG-46 USS Preble
Farragut/Coontz
Class
Named for Commodore Edward Preble, who led the squadron against the Barbary pirates at Tripoli and mentored a generation of future admirals. Originally DLG-15. Built at Bath Iron Works. Decommissioned 1991.
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10
Ships Built
1st
Missile Escort Class
DLG→DDG
Reclassified 1975