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USS Truxtun (CGN 35)

- decommissioned -

USS TRUXTUN was the first and only ship in the TRUXTUN - class and the fourth nuclear powered surface vessel commissioned by the US Navy. TRUXTUN made history in 1971 by becoming the first nuclear powered surface ship to visit Yokosuka, Japan. The ship was last homeported in San Diego, CA.

General Characteristics:Keel laid: June 17, 1963
Launched: December 19, 1964
Christened: December 19, 1964
Commissioned: May 27, 1967
Decommissioned: September 11, 1995
Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ
Propulsion system: two D2G General Electric nuclear reactors
Propellers: two
Length: 564 feet (172 meters)
Beam: 57,7 feet (17.6 meters)
Draft: 30,8 feet (9.4 meters)
Displacement: approx. 9,150 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Aircraft: one SH-2 Seasprite (LAMPS) helicopter
Armament: two Mk-141 Harpoon missile launchers, Mk-46 torpedoes, one Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, four machine guns, one Mk-10 Mod. 7 missile launcher for Standard missiles (ER) and ASROC
Crew: 41 officers, 467 enlisted


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS TRUXTUN. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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USS TRUXTUN Cruise Books and Pamphlets:


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Accidents aboard USS TRUXTUN:

DateWhereEvents
September 2, 1979San Diego Bay, Calif.USS TRUXTUN spills some 13 gallons of radioactive " high-purity water" into San Diego Bay. A US Navy spokesman says the spill contained a small amount of radioactivity which was too small to have an impact on the environment.


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History of USS TRUXTUN:

The keel for USS TRUXTUN was laid 17 June 1963 at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. USS TRUXTUN was christened on 19 December 1964 by Commodore Truxtun's great-granddaughter, Mrs. Kirby H. Tappan, and her niece, Mrs. Scott Umsted. VADM Hyman G. Rickover and Californina Congressman Chet Holifield were also in attendance. On 27 May 1967 USS TRUXTUN was commissioned as the nation's fourth nuclear-powered surface ship following USS BAINBRIDGE (CGN 25), USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9) and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65).

Shortly after commissioning, USS TRUXTUN departed Camden, New Jersey, on 3 June 1967 for her maiden transit to the West Coast and her new homeport of San Diego, California. TRUXTUN's voyage around Cape Horn included port visits to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Mar de Plata, Argentina, Valparaiso, Chile and Mazatlan, Mexico.

From January 1968 to August 1973 USS TRUXTUN made four Western Pacific deployments. TRUXTUN was one of the first ships to respond to the USS PUEBLO emergency. TRUXTUN served primarily as PIRAZ (Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone) for Task Force 77 in the Gulf of Tonkin. TRUXTUN was tasked to ensure safety and flight tracking services for U.S. strike aircraft as well as maintain constant radar surveillance of the area providing air defense against enemy aircraft during LINEBACKER II operations. In 1969 USS TRUXTUN was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for superior performance while operating with the U.S. Seventh Fleet and in 1971 she received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations conducted in the Gulf of Tonkin.

USS TRUXTUN made history in 1971 by becoming the first nuclear powered surface ship to visit Yokosuka, Japan. She also conducted her 1000th accident free helicopter landing that year. During the 1971 cruise TRUXTUN demonstrated the unique capabilities of nuclear powered cruisers to perform independent operations: assigned to a special mission in the Indian Ocean, USS TRUXTUN made the longest sustained high-speed run in history by steaming 8,600 miles at an average speed of 29 knots from Subic Bay, Philippines to Perth, Australia.

In October 1972, while on her fourth WESTPAC deployment, USS TRUXTUN reassumed duties as PIRAZ in the very familiar Gulf of Tonkin. Operating primarily off the coast of North Vietnam, TRUXTUN was credited with directing fighter intercepts which resulted in the destruction of eleven North Vietnames MIG jets and rescue of three downed American pilots, earning the ship her second Navy Unit Commendation.

In July 1973 TRUXTUN deployed for her fifth WESTPAC and reassumed duties as PIRAZ in the very familiar Gulf of Tonkin. In December 1973 TRUXTUN was the last ship out of the Gulf of Tonkin as the US active participation in Vietnam came to an end. TRUXTUN returned to her home port, Long Beach, California, Christmas eve 1973.

From February 1974 to June 1975 TRUXTUN underwent her first comprehensive overhaul and nuclear refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. Upon completion of overhaul USS TRUXTUN (DLGN 35) was redesignated as a Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser (CGN).

In July 1976 USS TRUXTUN began a highly successful sixth WESTPAC deployment during which she steamed a record setting 65,000 miles, making three round trips across the equator including one at the International Date Line. TRUXTUN also gained worldwide media recognition as the first nuclear powered warship to visit New Zealand in twelve years and the first to visit Australia in four years.

In 1978 USS TRUXTUN again deployed to the Western Pacific as part of a Nuclear Powered Task Group with USS ENTERPRISE and USS LONG BEACH. TRUXTUN participated in numerous multi-national exercises and conducted three separate rescue-at-sea missions. With her helicopter detachment embarked, TRUXTUN set a record for all Seventh Fleet cruisers and destroyers for LAMPS helicopter operations and flight hours.

From February to October 1980 USS TRUXTUN deployed with the USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) Battle Group for her eighth WESTPAC. TRUXTUN remained underway in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea for over 110 days without visiting a port other than the tiny island of Diego Garcia.

For her ninth WESTPAC from October 1981 to April 1982, USS TRUXTUN deployed again to the Indian Ocean with the USS CONSTELLATION Battle Group. During this cruise TRUXTUN escorted USS PUFFER (SSN 652) past Singapore and into the Indian Ocean. This was the first time that a U.S. nuclear submarine had made the transit through the Strait of Malacca.

From September 1982 to July 1984 USS TRUXTUN underwent her final complex overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard which included upgrading the combat system suite to its present configuration.

On 15 January 1986 USS TRUXTUN left on her tenth WESTPAC, this time serving as the Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Battle Group FOXTROT. In April, because of increased tension in Libya and the Gulf of Sidra, USS TRUXTUN was diverted to the Mediterranean along with USS ENTERPRISE and USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41). After almost two months of operations in the Mediterranean, the three Nuclear Powered ships were directed home by way of Gibraltar, the Cape of Good Hope, Western Australia, the Philippines and Hawaii. By the end of the seven month depoyment the all nuclear group had steamed over 65,000 miles and operated in all four numbered U.S. Fleets.

On 26 October 1987 USS TRUXTUN deployed with Battle Group FOXTROT on her first Northern Pacific deployment and participated in one of the largest Surface Action Group exercises ever massed. TRUXTUN again deployed with Battle Group FOXTROT in January 1988 for her 11th Western Pacific-Middle East deployment. TRUXTUN also participated in Operation PRAYING MANTIS. This cruise earned TRUXTUN the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and her second Meritorious Unit Commendation. Upon return from deployment, TRUXTUN spent 9 months in Puget Sound Naval Shipyard undergoing a Drydocking Selective Restricted Availability. On 1 October 1989 TRUXTUN's homeport was shifted to Bremerton, Washington.

On 1 February 1990 TRUXTUN deployed with the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in Battle Group Charlie. The Battle Group participated in TEAM SPIRIT 1990 with U.S. Marines and forces from the Republic of Korea. Later during the same cruise while in the Gulf of Oman, TRUXTUN was tasked with escorting re-flagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in Operation EARNEST WILL.

USS TRUXTUN departed Bremerton for her 13th WESTPAC and a Middle East deployment on 16 August 1991. TRUXTUN performed duties as the Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander, Force Track Coordinator, Electronic Warfare Commander and alternate Anti-Surface Warfare Commander during Operation DESERT STORM. TRUXTUN also served as the Commander, United States Mine Counter-Measure Group One flagship during minesweeping operations off the coastal waters of Kuwait.

After a short upkeep period in Bremerton, TRUXTUN began a two month Counter-Narcotic mini-deployment off the coasts of Mexico and Central America which ended in June 1992.

From 12 February 1993 to 1 August 1993 TRUXTUN was underway for her 14th and final WESTPAC. On 19 February she began a high speed independent transit from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Melbourne, Australia covering 7,180 miles in 11 days at an average speed of 25 knots. On 21 March TRUXTUN rendezvoused with USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) Battle Group in the Indian Ocean and transited the Strait of Hormuz. While operating in the Gulf TRUXTUN conducted several multi-national force exercises including operations with the Kuwaiti Air Force. On 22 April TRUXTUN was detached from Battle Group operations and proceeded to the Red Sea to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iraq by boarding vessels bound for the Jordanian port of Aqaba. Utilizing two teams, USS TRUXTUN queried 126 merchant vessels, boarded 73 and diverted seven ships.

In 1994 USS TRUXTUN was the platform of choice for a variety of missions which included participation as opposition forces for fleet exercises, providing Naval Gunfire Support spotter services and being Deck Landing Qualification platform for LAMPS helicopters. TRUXTUN also served as the escort ship for USS RECLAIMER (ARS 42) who towed a defueled nuclear submarine. She participated in two Chief of Naval Operations projects off the coast of San Francisco and conducted shipboard training at every opportunity. From 23 May to 17 June TRUXTUN served as Coalition Forces flagship for CTF 331 during the highly successful RIMPAC 94 multi-national exercise.

On 18 August 1994 USS TRUXTUN departed Bremerton on her final operational commitment. Originally assigned to escort the tow for two defueled nuclear submarines from Rodman, Panama to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the orders were changed on short notice and TRUXTUN chopped to Commander, Joint Task Force Four to conduct Counter-Narcotic operations for a second tour in the "War on Drugs". On 3 September TRUXTUN transited the Panama Canal for the first time in her history and began patrolling the Caribbean Sea.

On 14 October 1994 and purely by a twist of historical coincidence, USS TRUXTUN sailed the same waters in the southern Caribbean Sea where the CONSTELLATION, under the command of Commodore Truxtun, had dueled with LA VENGEANCE almost 200 years earlier.


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USS TRUXTUN's Commanding Officers:


PeriodName
May 27, 1967 - January 31, 1970Captain D. D. Work, USN
January 31, 1970 - May 1, 1973Captain R. S. Smith, USN
May 1, 1973 - November 20, 1975Captain R. H. Small, USN
November 20, 1975 - February 23, 1979Captain B. F. Tally, USN
February 23, 1979 - January 16, 1981Captain E. M. Baldwin, USN
January 16, 1981 - July 10, 1984Captain J. D. Pearson, USN
July 10, 1984 - September 1, 1987Captain C. J. Vanarsdall, USN
September 1, 1987 - August 4, 1990Captain C. J. Coneway, USN
August 4, 1990 - February 5, 1993Captain L. A. Nick, USN
February 5, 1993 - September 11, 1995Captain M. O. Flaherty, USN


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Deployments of USS TRUXTUN:

...for additional information on the deployments read the history text above.

Date of DepartureDate of ReturnCruise BookArea of OperationsTasks and EventsPorts of Call
January 2, 1968July 19, 1968


Western Pacific, VietnamPart of CVN 65 Battle Group and additional support for CVA 31 and CVS 14.Pearl Harbor, Hi
Sasebo, Japan
Subic Bay, Philippines
Singapore
Hong Kong
Da Nang, South Vietnam
September 23, 1969March 23, 1970


Western Pacific, VietnamSupport of Carrier Battle Groups off Vietnam and exercises off Okinawa.Pearl Harbor, Hi
Hong Kong
Singapore
Sasebo, Japan
February 2, 1971August 17, 1971


Western Pacific, VietnamSupport of Carrier Battle Groups off Vietnam.Yokosuka, Japan
Hong Kong
Sattahip, Thailand
Subic Bay, Philippines
Fremantle, Australia
Samoa
Pearl Harbor, Hi
July 13, 1972February 12, 1973


Western Pacific, VietnamOperated as PIRAZ for Carrier Battle Groups engaged off Vietnam and was involved in the shot downs of 11 MIGs. During that deployment the ship weathered 3 typhoons.Pearl Harbor, Hi
Subic Bay, Philippines
Sasebo, Japan
Singapore
Hong Kong
Yokosuka, Japan
August 17, 1973December 24, 1973 Western PacificAgain radar operations as PIRAZ in the Tonkin Gulf.Sattahip, Thailand
Singapore
Manila, Philippines
Yokosuka, Japan
July 30, 1976March 28, 1977


Western Pacific, Indian OceanPart of the CVN 65 Battle Group (together with CGN 9).Pearl Harbor, Hi
Wellington, New Zealand
Melbourne, Australia
Subic Bay, Philippines
Karachi, Pakistan
Hong Kong
Port Victoria, Seychelles
April 4, 1978October 27, 1978 Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arabian GulfAgain part of a nuclear task force composed of CVN 65 and CGN 9.Hong Kong
Singapore
Perth, Australia
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Pusan, South Korea
Subic Bay, Philippines
February 1980October 1980 Western Pacific, Indian OceanExercises and maneuvers with the CV 64 Battle Group.Diego Garcia
Pattaya, Thailand
Subic Bay, Philippines
Wellington, New Zealand
October 1981April 1982 Western Pacific, Indian OceanAgain deployment as part of the CV 64 Battle Group.Mombasa, Kenya
Perth, Australia
Hobart, Australia
Brisbane, Australia
January 15, 1986August 1986


Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, MediterraneanOperated as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for the CVN 65 nuclear task force consisting of CVN 65, CGN 41 and CGN 35.Pearl Harbor, Hi.
Subic Bay, Philippines
Singapore
Karachi, Pakistan
Naples, Italy
Toulon, France
Perth, Australia
October 26, 1987November 24, 1987 Northern PacificPart of the CVN 65 Battle Group 
January 5, 1988~July 3, 1988 Western Pacific, Indian OceanAgain part of the CVN 65 Battle Group and participation in Operation Praying Mantis. 
February 1, 1990July 31, 1990


Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arabian GulfDeployment with the CVN 70 Battle Group and participation in exercise Team Spirit 1990 and Operation Earnest WillPearl Harbor, Hi.
Pusan, South Korea
Subic Bay, Philippines
Singapore
Diego Garcia
Perth, Australia
Hong Kong
August 16, 1991February 14, 1992


Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian GulfService as Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander, Force Track Coordinator, Electronic Warfare Commander, alternate Anti-Surface Warfare Commander and Commander, United States Mine Counter-Measure Group One flagship.Pearl Harbor, Hi.
Subic Bay, Philippines
Singapore
Jebel Ali, U.A.E.
Phuket, Thailand
Hong Kong
April 1992June 1992 Central AmericaCounter-Narcotic deployment 
February 12, 1993August 1, 1993 Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red SeaPart of CVN 68 Battle Group, exercises in the Persian Gulf and enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against Iraq by boarding vessels. 
August 18, 19941994 CaribbeanCounter-Narcotic deployment 



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