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s e a f o r c e s – online
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Naval Forces
Technology, History & Information
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Guided Missile Cruiser
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DLG 16 / CG 16 - USS Leahy
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USS Leahy (CG 16)
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US Navy photo
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Type,
Class:
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Guided Missile Cruiser; Leahy - class;
built as DLG 16;
redesignated to CG 16: June 30, 1975; |
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Builder:
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Bath Iron Works; Bath,
Maine, USA
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STATUS:
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Awarded: November 7, 1958 Laid down: December 3, 1959 (as DLG 16) Launched: July 1, 1961 (as DLG 16) Commissioned:
August 4, 1962 (as DLG 16) Redesignated
CG 16: June 30, 1975 Decommissioned: October 1, 1993; Fate: sold for scrap to International Shipbreaking
Limited, Brownsville, TX; scrapped: April 2005; |
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Homeport:
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-
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Namesake:
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Fleet Admiral William
Daniel Leahy (1875 –
1959)
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Crest
Motto:
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« prompta et parata » (ready and able)
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Technical Data:
(Measures, Propulsion, Armament,
Aviation, etc.)
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LINK > US Navy
official site:
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Pictures,
photos & more ...
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USS Leahy (CG 16) |
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William Daniel
Leahy
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William D. Leahy (1936) |
(October 1944) |
(1945) |
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Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt
& Josef Stalin at the Yalta Conference – February, 1945 note: Admiral Leahy standing behind
President Roosevelt |
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Photo credits: US Navy, US Naval
Historical Center, |
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Namesake
& History: |
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Fleet Admiral William
Daniel Leahy (May 6, 1875 – July 20, 1959): |
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William Daniel Leahy was born
in Hampton, Iowa, on May 6, 1875. His father, Michael Leahy, a lawyer, had
been Captain of Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers during the Civil War. Young
Leahy originally hoped to attend West Point, but there were no appointments
available. When he completed high school in Ashland, Wisconsin, in 1893, he
was able to win an appointment to the Naval Academy. He graduated in 1897,
15th in a class of 47. Midshipman Leahy was
assigned to USS Oregon, then in the Pacific. He was in that battleship when
she made her famous dash around the horn in the Spring of 1898 to participate
in the battle of Santiago on July 3. Having completed the two
years' sea duty -- then required by law -- he was commissioned Ensign on 01
July 1899. At that time, he was on the Asiatic Station, where, during the
Philippine Insurrection and the Boxer uprising in China, he served in USS
Castine, USS Glacier and commanded the gunboat USS Mariveles. He returned to
the United States in 1902, and for the next five years did duty in USS Tacoma
and USS Boston which was stationed in Panama during the early period of
construction of the canal. His first shore cruise was
at the Naval Academy. Beginning in 1907, he served as Late in 1912, he came
ashore in Washington as Assistant Director of Gunnery Exercises and
Engineering Competitions. In 1913, he was assigned to the Bureau of
Navigation as a detail officer where he served until 1915. At that time, he
took command of the dispatch gunboat USS Dolphin, and established a very
close friendship with the then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D.
Roosevelt, who cruised with him on the ship. He was in that assignment in
early 1917 in West Indian waters and had additional duty as Senior Aide on
the Staff of Commander Squadron Three of the Patrol Force Atlantic Fleet. He served for almost a year
as the Executive Officer of USS Nevada and in April 1918 went to command USS
Princess Matotika, formerly Princess Alice , transporting troops to France. After a short cruise in
that command, he came ashore in 1918 and served for three years as director
of Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Competition in the Navy Department, and
as senior member of the Fire Control Board. In 1921, he went to sea in
command of USS St. Louis, flagship of the Naval Detachment in Turkish waters
during the war between Turkey and Greece. At the end of that war, he was
given command of Mine Squadron One, and in 1922 further additional duty as
commander, Control Force. When he returned to the
U.S. and from 1923 to 1926, he served as Director of Officer Personnel in the
Bureau of Navigation, and then had one year in command of the battleship USS
New Mexico. In 1927, he reached flag rank and became Chief of the Bureau of
Ordnance. After almost four years, he went to sea in 1931 as Commander
Destroyers Scouting Force. In 1933, he came ashore in
Washington as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation for two years, when he went
to sea as a vice admiral, and Commander Battleships Battle Force. In 1936, he
hoisted his four-star flag in USS California and Commander in Chief Battle
Force. He was appointed Chief of
Naval Operations, took the oath of office in January 1937 to serve until
August 1939 when he was placed on the retired list. On that occasion,
President Roosevelt said "Bill, if we have a war, you're going to be
right back here helping me run it." Immediately following his
retirement, Admiral Leahy was assigned the duties of Governor of Puerto Rico
in September 1939. He served in that capacity until November 1940 when he was
appointed U.S. Ambassador to France where he served from January 1941 until
recalled in May 1942. In July of that year, he
was called back to active duty as Chief of Staff to the Commander in
Chief, U.S. Army and Navy, the President of the United States. As such, he
presided over the Joint Chiefs of Staff and, when our country was host, over
the combined Chiefs. In December 1944, he accepted the appointment and was
confirmed as the newly created rank of Fleet Admiral. On 25 March 1949, the
President accepted his resignation from that assignment. He continued
on duty in an advisory capacity in the office of the Secretary of the Navy,
and served as President of the Naval Historical foundation. He died on 20 July 1959. PROMOTIONS Graduated from the Naval
Academy - Class of 1897 DECORATIONS and AWARDS Navy Cross Mexican Service Medal
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USS Leahy (DLG 16
/ CG 16): |
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1958/1959 Award date 7
November 1958. Her keel is laid at Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine on 3 December
1959. USS Leahy Hull #339. UIC # 52687. Program 67/58. Leahy is the lead ship
in a class of nine ships. 1960 Under
construction. 1961 Launched 1
July. 1962 Delivery date
27 July. Leahy is commissioned on 4 August at Boston Naval Shipyard and sponsored
by Mrs. Michael J. Mansfield, wife of Senator Mansfield - Montana, Senate
Majority Leader. Captain Robert L. Baughan, Jr., is Leahy's first Commanding
Officer. 1963 After shakedown
in the Caribbean, Leahy departed Boston 19 September (or 1 May?) 1963 and
reported to new homeport of Charleston, S.C., where Rear Adm. E. E. Grimm,
Commander CruiserDestroyer Flotilla 6, selected her as his flagship. She then
proceeded to the Jacksonville operating areas for type training, and briefly
puts in to Charleston in November before returning to the Caribbean to
participate in AA warfare exercises. 1964 Departs 2
January for the Caribbean for missile training, which ends on 26 February.
From 1 - 10 April, Leahy participates in amphibious exercise "Quick Kick
V". On 1 June, Leahy is permanently assigned to DESRON 6. Leahy departs
Charleston (10)17 July for the Atlantic Missile Range near Puerto Rico for
annual missile exercises. There is liberty in Puerto Rico for 2 evenings.
Leahy then departs for her first Med cruise, and arrives in the Med on 27
July. Leahy drops anchor for a few hours in Pollensa Bay on the northern
coast of Mallorca. Leahy is part of a Fast Carrier Task Group which included
USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Boston (CAG-1), USS MacDonough (DLG-8), USS
Sellers (DDG-11). Leahy arrives in Genoa, Italy on 4 August. Leahy departs
Genoa on 13 August, and participates in a coordinated fleet
exercise,"MEDLANDEX-64," between the Balearic Islands (Mallorca and
Menorca) and Sardinia; Leahy roams the Tyrrenian Sea, passing through the
Strait Of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica. On 21 August Leahy arrives
at her second liberty port, Theoule, France. Leahy departs Theoule, France on
26 August. Leahy steams down between Corsica and Elba, passes throught The Straits
Of Messina between the toe of Italy and Sicily. Leahy participates in
independent training exercises in the eastern Mediterranean. On 1 September,
Leahy re-fuels from USS Chuckawan (AO-100). Leahy arrives in Naples, Italy ?
September. 14 First Class Midshipmen who have been aboard for 6 weeks, depart
Leahy in Naples. Leahy departs Naples, Italy, 22 September to join in NATO
exercise, "FALLEX-64". On 6 October, Leahy arrives in Athens,
Greece for a 2 day visit. Leahy departs Athens on 7 October. Leahy returns to
Athens 16 October for a 6 day visit (22 October). Leahy's next port is Naples
on 26 October, and she ties up alongside USS Shenandoah (AD-44) for a routine
upkeep period. Leahy departs Naples 9 November. Leahy arrives in her next
port of Leghorn (Livorno), Italy on 10 November. In November, Leahy also
participates in another fleetwide exercise, "POOPDECK-IV", which
brought some 40 ships of T.F. 60 together off the coast of Spain. Leahy
departs Barcelona, Spain, 2 December for replenishment. The next and last
port of call is Cagliari, Sardinia. On (22)14 December drew the curtain on
32,750 miles of steaming while deployed with the 6th Fleet. She arrived
Charleston 22 December. 1965 December 1964
began a period of restricted availability in preparation for extensive tests
to evaluate the Terrier Guidance Missile System. During these tests, which
were completed in September, Leahy was briefly deployed in the Dominican
Republic Operation., from 28 April to 7 May 1965 as a unit of the Strike and
Covering Force. Leahy then departs Charleston, SC on 30 November for her
second Med cruise, and relieves William V. Pratt (DLG-13) at Polensa Bay,
Majorca, 9 December. For two weeks, USS Leahy operates in the Western
Mediterranean with Task Group 60.1. Leahy spends the Christmas holidays in
Naples, Italy, and the New Years holidays in Livorno, Italy. 1966 On 4 January,
Leahy is underway again, joining up with USS America (CVA-66) and other
destroyers. Leahy spends 22 continuous days at sea engaged in various exercises
and plane guard duty for USS America. On 26 January, Leahy returns to Naples,
Italy and spends time tied up alongside USS Everglades (AD-24 ) for 12 days.
Leahy then rejoins Task Group 60.1 west of Sardinia. The Leahy fires missiles
on the 1 February and then heads back to the Tyrrhenian Sea. On 4 February,
Leahy commences a week long training anchorage in Aranci Bay, Sardinia. From
the 11 to 23 February, Leahy is in port at Genoa, Italy. On 28 February,
Leahy rejoins units of the Sixth Fleet and the French Navy for a NATO
Exercise, FAIRGAME IV. This anti-aircraft/air assault exercise lasts 10 days.
During this period, Leahy sailors visit the French warship Tartu (D636).
After completion of exercise FAIRGAME IV, Leahy then proceeds to Palma, Mallorca
for a short port visit. Leahy then proceeds to Taranto, Italy for the Fleet
Commanders Conference, and then returns to Palma, Mallorca. Leahy makes one
more port call at Pollensa Bay, Mallorca, to meet it's relief, USS Richard E.
Byrd (DDG-24). After 4 months on station, Leahy departs for Charleston, SC.
Leahy returns home to Charleston on 8 April 1966. During June and July she
gave some 60 midshipmen from Annapolis valuable at-sea training, and visited
ports along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Following this, on 24
August, Leahy departs Charleston for rendevous off Trinidad with USS
Hammerberg (DE-1015), USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028) and USS Requin (SS-481) for
the commencement of UNITAS VII. USS Leahy was selected as the flagship for
COMSOLANT. Leahy conducted exercises with the navies of many South American
countries as part of operation UNITAS VII. She sailed through the Panama
Canal in early September, then south and through the Straits of Magellan at
the end of October. The operation was completed on 6 December and the Leahy
returned to Charleston on the 15th. UNITAS VII
Schedule: 24
August Departs
Charleston 29 August - 1
Sept. Trinidad, West Indies 7 - 10
September Cartagena,
Columbia 12 - 15
September Rodman, Panama
Canal Zone 19 - 22
September Salinas,
Ecuador 23 - 26
September Guayaquil, Ecuador 27
September
Paita, Peru 30 Sept. - 4
October Callao (Lima), Peru 9
October Mejillones
Bay, Chile 13 - 18
October Valparaiso,
Chile 20 - 24
October Talcahuano,
Chile 29 - 31
October Punta
Arenas, Chile 3
November Peurta
Belgrano, Argentina 8 - 12
November Montevideo,
Uruguay 17 - 22
November Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil 28 - 30
November Recife,
Brasil 8 - 10
December Trinidad,
West Indies 11 -12
December St.
Thomas, Virgin Islands 12
December San
Juan, Puerto Rico 15
December Arrival
Charleston, SC 1967 Leahy then
prepared for massive modernization at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, departing
Charleston on 25 January, arriving at Philadelphia 27 January 1967. Her
decommissioning on 18 February, and then turned over to the Commander of the
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. For over a year she received new AAW and ASW
equipment, allowing her to utilize the most recent developments in the
technology of naval warfare, at a total cost of $36,100,000. 1968 She was placed
in commission, special, on 4 May 1968 for the extensive period of testing her
updated weapons systems. Leaving Philadelphia on 18 August, she arrived at
her new home port, Norfolk, VA 3 days later. Leahy joined DESRON 18 on 4 May,
and continued the process of sharpening her expanded capabilities, into 1969. 1969 At 1125 hours
on 25 July Leahy departs Norfolk, VA to commence Operation UNITAS X, under
the command of Rear Admiral James A. Dare, Commander South Atlantic Force,
U.S. Atlantic Fleet in an exercise involving elements of South American
navies; Brazilian CT Santa Catarina - D 32 (Ex. USS Irwin DD-794), Argentine,
Columbian, Chilean ships O'Higgins 03 (Ex. USS Brooklyn CL-40) and Araucano -
AO3 , Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Venezuelan and Urguayan navies, in company with
US Navy elements - USS Joseph K. Taussig (DE-1030), USS Sarsfield (DD-837) ,
USS Grampus (SS-523), 2 maritime patrol aircraft from VP-45 and 1 transport
aircraft from Fleet Tactical Support Squadron One. Also embarked, was the US
Navy Showband of 26 musicians. Leahy's Port Schedule is: San Juan Puerto
Rico Cartagena Columbia 6-10 August 1970 From 19-22 May,
Leahy participates in Operation Exotic Dancer III. On 14 September,
Leahy departs Norfolk, Va. for a 10 day missile exercise in the waters off
San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sometime during the transit to the exercise, USS Leahy
in company with USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) and USS Belknap (DLG-26)
receives emergency orders to depart the Caribbean Sea, utilizing high speed
transit of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and to report to a point
in the Eastern Mediterranean, some 100 miles off the coast of Egypt, in connection
with the "Jordanian Crisis". They enter the Mediterranean Sea on 24
September 1970.A seven and a half month Med Cruise has commenced. USS Leahy
also operates with USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Lawrence (DDG-4), USS Allen M.
Sumner (DD-692), USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709), USS William R. Rush (DD-714) and
USS Brumby (DE-1044) while in the Med. Some of the ports of call include
Mallorca, Spain - Barcelona, Spain - Valletta, Malta - Naples, Italy - Greece
(during Christmas). 1971 On 13 February
1971, a USS Leahy change of command ceremony takes place in Naples, Italy.
Capt. R. F. Hoffman relieves Capt. O. N. Putman. On 1 May, USS Leahy returns
to Norfolk, Va. from this Med Cruise. 1972 Leahy departs for
her 4th Med deployment in February. Leahy returns in September and undergoes
her first major overhaul since re-commissioning. 1973 Leahy departs
for the Caribbean, with almost a totaly new crew. From June until August,
Leahy is involved in an extensive training period--with frequent stops in
Gitmo. Leahy, in October, also spends 6 more weeks in the Caribbean for OPS
training. 1974 Leahy departs
for her Med Cruise in January, and from January thru July, Leahy operates
with the 6th Fleet in the Meditterranean. At the end of June, Leahy in
conjunction with USS America (CVA-66), participates in Exercise Flaming
Lance, off the coast of Sardinia, during which time USS Leahy (DLG -16)
controlled over 1,000 intercepts by USS America's aircraft. 1975 In May USS
Leahy heads east. On May 12, shortly before her sixth Med cruise, Leahy
became the first U.S. warship (with USS Tattnall DDG-19) to visit Leningrad,
Russia since the early 1960's, and the first U.S. warship to visit the Soviet
Union since World War II. In all, more than 12,300 Soviet visitors toured
Leahy during her 5 day visit. USS Leahy's port schedule is: Portsmouth,
England On 30 June,
Leahy was re-classified from a DLG-16 to a CG-16. Leahy returns to Norfolk,
Virginia 4 November, after completing her Meditterranean deployment in
October. Leahy has now completed six Med cruises 1976 In January
1976, Leahy leaves Norfolk, via the Panama Canal, and proceeds to her new
Pacific Fleet homeport of San Diego California, where she participates in
various fleet exercises off the west coast. On 6 June, Leahy assists ex. USN
MSO, the research vessel "Aquasition"in the rescue of 22 crewman
and attempts to extinguish her fire. The firefighing efforts were not successful,
and the ex. MSO is sunk. The 22 crewman are brought into San Diego. Leahy
offloads all weapons on 6 September at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA
prior to entering Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 9 September to begin a year
long overhaul. USS Leahy overhaul commences on 1 November. Leahy is then
towed from Pier 6 to Drydock 3. During her 12 months in the yards, Leahy
received many improvements and modifications in her fire control system,
engineering plant, communication system and other areas, designed to assure
her of being a fleet AAW leader for another five years. 1977 On 7-8 July and
19-20 July Leahy completes Boiler Light Off Exams (LOE). On 4-5 August, Leahy
completes dock trials. Leahy steams out of Long Beach 15-18 August for the
first time since the beginning of her overhaul period. On 29 August to 1
September and 15-22 September, Leahy is involved in underway systems testing.
Leahy leaves Long Beach for San Francisco on 27 September. Leahy then returns
to Long Beach and participates in Navy Day celebrations 8-10 October, while
tied to the Broadway Pier. 1978 Leahy returns
to San Diego in April from RIMPAC '78. USS Leahy dependants cruise is held on
2 June. Leahy commences
her first WestPac deployment. Her deployment schedule is as follows: July 6
Underway from San Diego - Shift Colors November
11 Capt. C. H. Ulrich relieves
Capt. Samuel S. Pearlman November
13 Sea Trials - Join TG77.7 with
USS Constellation (CVA-64) November 30 Leahy departs
Sasebo, Japan and rendevous with USS Constellation (CVA-64) and conducts
operations with the task group for the next 8 days. December
13-15 Inport Pusan, Korea Leahy departs
Pusan, Korea for operations with USS Constellation (CVA-64) Battle Group. December
23-30 Inport Subic Bay, R.P. On 30 December
Leahy is underway and operates with the USS Constellation (CVA-64) Task Group
for almost the entire month of January 1979. 1979 January
9 Crossed
the Equator Leahy leaves
Pearl Harbor on 13 February and commences "Operation Tiger" - 26
male family members of Leahy crew, participate in "Navy Life" for
the next 7 days. February
19 Moored
San Diego at 1200 - Shift Colors. Leahy has
completed her first 7 1/2 month WestPac deployment. From February to March,
Leahy is in a 1 month stand-down period. April, May and June is devoted to
tender availability; Leahy also participates in a 10 day exercise, acting as
"Orange Force", to test fleet readiness. On 8-9 June, Leahy hosts a
ship's picnic. An award ceremony is held for crewmembers on 3 July. Leahy
departs San Diego on 28 July and enters San Francisco Harbor on 29 July. On
30 July, Leahy participates in AAW exercise "Sea Crow". On 1
August, Leahy moors at Pier 70 in Manchester, WA and commences a 1 week
participation in the Seattle SEAFAIR. Leahy departs Seattle on 7 August for
San Diego, where she participates in "Finest City" week, while tied
at the Broadway pier. 1980 USS Leahy
departs San Diego for WestPac 1980 on 15 May. Leahy arrives at Pearl Harbor
on 23 May. Leahy departs Pearl Harbor on 27 May for Pusan, Korea. On 30 May
at 0200, Leahy crosses the International Date Line. Leahy arrives at Pusan,
Korea on 2nd week of June (14th ?). On 24 June, 11 midshipmen embark Leahy
for summer training. Leahy is underway for Yokosuka, Japan, where she will be
in port until 13 July. On 23 July Leahy enters Subic Bay, R.P. Leahy is again
underway on 28 July and arrives in Singapore 1 August at 0940 at the Naval
Basin Sembawang. On 4 August Leahy celebrates her 18th birthday. At 0700 on
12 August, Leahy departs Singapore for the Indian Ocean (transits The Straits
Of Malacca). On 17 August, Leahy is now on station in the Indian Ocean, with
her next stop at Diego Garcia. On 21 August Leahy crosses the Equator
(Pollywog Day) and the initiation ceremonies take place on the 22nd at
Latitude 000, Longditude 84.32 South. An awards ceremony is held on Diego
Garcia on 25 August while tied up alongside USS Ajax (AR-6). Leahy spends 4
days in Diego Garcia. Leahy then departs Diego Garcia for 18 days on
"Gonzo Station" in the Arabian Sea. In September Leahy is on
station in the Arabian Sea as FAAWC for USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Eisenhower
(CVN-69) Carrier Battle Groups, where she serves as flagship for Commander
U.S. Middle East Force. Leahy arrives at Mombasa, Kenya on 21 September.
Leahy departs Mombasa, Kenya on 27 September and again heads for "Gonzo
Station". On 11 October Leahy is ordered to enter the Persian Gulf via
the Straits Of Hormuz, to provide antiaircraft defense for Saudi Arabia.
Leahy arrives at San Diego from WestPac 1980 on 4 December 1980. On 19
December 1980, Leahy is at pier 4, Naval Station, San Diego, Calif. 1981 1 January 1981,
Leahy is at pier 4, Naval Station, San Diego, Calif. USS Leahy is scheduled
for a major overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, including installation of
CIWS and Harpoon systems. On 15 January, Leahy departs San Diego for weapons
off-load at Seal Beach, CA and off-loads the same day. Leahy departs Seal
Beach on 16 January and arrives in Long Beach on the afternoon of the 16th
and moors at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Long Beach will be Leahy's
temporary home port during her shipyard period. On 2 March Leahy sailors move
to off-ship berthing on APL-2. On 9 March future CO Capt. W. W. Salmon
reports aboard Leahy. USS Leahy enters drydock on 11 March. Change of command
ceremony takes place at U.S. Naval Shipyard Long Beach, CA on 14 March as
Capt. C. H. Ulrich is relieved by Capt. Walter W. Salmon, Jr. On 17 April
Leahy celebrates Capt. Salmon's birthday. On 8 May Leahy holds a personnel
inspection and awards ceremony atop APL-2 at 1200. A ships picnic is held on
22 May and Leahy also leaves drydock on the same day and moves to Pier 1. 1982 USS Leahy
participates in sea trials Eastern Pacific.Visits Seattle, WA for Sea Fair
and Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC Canada. Leahy is delayed from pulling into
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Thanksgiving) for a couple of days due to Hurricane
Iwa. 1983 Leahy arrives
at San Diego 3 January to correct major machinery casualties. Leahy
participates in Rediex 83-2, the second phase of intensive battle group
operations practice. On March 20 Leahy departs for 16 hours of sea trials
prior to her WestPac deployment-next stop Pearl Harbor. USS Leahy
participates in West PAC cruise April thru October, with USS New Jersey
(BB-62). Leahy vistits ports in Phillipines, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan,
Pusan, South Korea and Hong Kong. 1984 USS Leahy has a
3 day encounter with a Russian Balzam Class AGI "Aziya" CCB-493
(SSV-493) off the coast of California in the Pacific Missile Test Center
(PMTC) near the Naval Station at Point Magu in May, regarding a drone. USS
Leahy departs for West PAC cruise in October with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).
Visits ports in Yokosuka, Japan, Phillipines, Mombasa, Kenya and Perth,
Australia. 1985 USS Leahy is on
station many weeks in the Persian Gulf and returns from West PAC cruise in
May. 1986 In August Leahy
departs for another WestPac cruise, in company with USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70),
USS VINCENES (CGN-49), USS FOSTER (DDG-964), USS BREWTON (FF-1086), USS
MARVIN SHIELDS (FF-1066 ), USS GARY (FFG-51), USS JOUETT (CG-29), USS SAMUEL
GOMPERS (AD-37). 1987 Leahy returns
from WestPac Cruise in January. In July, Leahy enters Long Beach Naval
Shipyard for an extensive New Threat Upgrade (NTU) overhaul. NTU
significantly increased her combat capabilities against modern aircraft and
missile threats. 1988 Leahy departs
Long Beach Naval Shipyard after completion of New Threat Upgrade (NTU). 1989 1990 In August,
Leahy was the senior host ship for the Soviet Navy's historic visit to San
Diego. This was the Soviet Unions first visit to the United States west
coast. 1991 On 30 March
1991, Leahy crosses the Equator . In Hong Kong 4 August 1991. 1992 In July, Leahy
served as Anti-Air Warfare Commander, "Alfa Whiskey", for the
multi-national "Rim Of The Pacific" (RIMPAC) exercise. RIMPAC
culminated with Leahy successfully firing two SM-2 long range anti-air
missiles and one Harpoon anti- ship cruise missile. In December, during her
eigth and final WestPac deployment, Leahy operates off the coast of Somalia
to provide support for U.S. Marine and coalition forces ashore involved in
Operation Restore Hope. Functioning as a regional air traffic control center,
Leahy teamed with the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft operating from the carrier KITTY
HAWK and U.S. Marine air controllers ashore, to safely direct more than 300 military
and United Nations relief flights a day into Mogadishu, Somalia. These
operations were essential to the safe delivery of food and medical supplies
to key relief centers in famine-stricken Somalia. In response to increasing
tensions in the Northern Arabian Gulf. 1993 In response to
increasing tensions in the Northern Arabian Gulf, involving Iraqi violations
of United Nations resolutions, Leahy, in company with KITTY HAWK, was
detached on short notice, and to proceed at flank speed to the Arabian Gulf.
As a result, Leahy was on station on 13 January, in support of Operation
Southern Watch, in company with CV-63 KITTY HAWK (CAW-15), CG-18 WORDEN,
CG-32 WILLIAM H. STANDLEY, CG-63 COWPENS, DD-966 HEWITT, DD-978 STUMP, FFG-33
JARRETT, FFG-58 SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, AOE-1 SACRAMENTO, AR-8 JASON, T-AO-197
PECOS and AGF-3 LA SALLE and others. Aircraft from KITTY Hawk, teamed with
U.S. Air Force and coalition air forces to conduct a successful power
projection strike in southern Iraq. This was Leahy's last and final WestPac
deployment. During the return transit to San Diego, Leahy was awarded the
Battle "E" from Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five by
Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific. During the two year competitive
cycle from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1992, Leahy also received mission
area excellence awards in Anti-Air Warfare, Anti- Surface Warfare, Anti-
Submarine Warfare, Maritime Warfare/ Power Projection, Command And Control,
Supply, and Engineering/ Survivability. Additionally, Leahy was awarded the
Pacific Fleet's Ant-Air Warfare Excellence Award. Leahy, at this time, was
the oldest conventional cruiser in the U.S. Navy. Leahy was
decommissioned and stricken on 1 October at the Naval Station San Diego, San
Diego, California. On 8 October, Leahy made her final trip, to MarAd
(Maritime Administration), Suisun Bay-Reserve Fleet in Benicia, California. On 21 June
2004, CG-16 departed SUISUN BAY RESERVE FLEET, CA under tow by Fleet Ocean
Tug USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170) to the BEAUMONT RESERVE FLEET, Beaumont, TX for
eventual scrapping. The scrapping
of Leahy is carried out by International Ship Recycling Limited, LLC starting
the first week of August, exactly 42 years after her commissioning. Three of
her sisters (USS Gridley, USS England and USS Halsey) have passed here before
her. |
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