Search the Site with
|
Search the Site with
|
General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books and Pamphlets Accidents aboard the Ship About the Ship's Name History COs of USS Truxtun Deployments of USS Truxtun Image Gallery to end of page |  |  |
USS TRUXTUN was the first and only ship in the TRUXTUN-class and the fourth nuclear powered surface vessel commissioned by the US Navy. She was named in honor of Commodore Thomas Truxtun, one of the early commanders of the United States Navy. USS TRUXTUN made history in 1971 by becoming the first nuclear powered surface ship to visit Yokosuka, Japan.
| 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 | |
| Armament: two Mk-141 | |
| Crew: 41 officers, 467 enlisted |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew 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.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageUSS TRUXTUN Cruise Books and Pamphlets:
back to top go to the end of the pageAccidents aboard USS TRUXTUN:
| Date | Where | Events |
|---|---|---|
| September 2, 1979 | San 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. |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageHistory of USS TRUXTUN:
USS TRUXTUN's construction was assigned to New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, where her keel was laid on June 17, 1963. She was launched and christened on December 19, 1964, sponsored by Mrs. Kirby H. Tappan and Mrs. Scott Umsted, descendants of Commodore Truxtun. Vice Admiral Hyman G. Rickover and Congressman Chet Holifield were among those attending the ceremony. TRUXTUN was commissioned at Camden on May 27, 1967, with Captain David D. Work in command. She became the fourth nuclear-powered surface ship in the U.S. Navy, following USS LONG BEACH (CGN 9), the aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65), and USS BAINBRIDGE (DLGN 25).
On June 3, 1967, TRUXTUN departed Camden on her maiden voyage to the Pacific Fleet. Rather than using the Panama Canal, the ship sailed around Cape Horn at the southern extremity of South America. During the passage, she visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Mar del Plata, Argentina; Valparaiso, Chile; and Mazatlan, Mexico. The voyage provided an opportunity to evaluate her propulsion systems and train the crew during an extended independent passage. TRUXTUN arrived at her initial homeport of Long Beach, California, on July 29, 1967.
During the following months, the ship conducted further training and operational evaluations off Southern California. These activities included exercises with other Pacific Fleet units, testing of her guided-missile systems, and the qualification of personnel in navigation, engineering, communications, and weapons operations. In November and December, TRUXTUN participated in exercises Bell Anchor and Blue Lotus before completing preparations for her first overseas deployment.
On January 2, 1968, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach for her first Western Pacific deployment. She proceeded to Japan, arriving at Sasebo on January 19. Her initial overseas assignment was interrupted by an international crisis when North Korean patrol boats seized the American intelligence-gathering ship USS PUEBLO (AGER 2) on January 23. The seizure of the vessel and its crew prompted the United States to reinforce its naval presence in waters near the Korean Peninsula.
On January 24, TRUXTUN departed Sasebo with USS ENTERPRISE and other American naval units for operations in the Sea of Japan. The force maintained a presence in the region while the United States pursued diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained American crew. TRUXTUN remained in the operating area until February 16, conducting surveillance and fleet-defense duties during the confrontation.
After completing the assignment off Korea, TRUXTUN proceeded south and visited Subic Bay, Philippines, on February 19 and 20. She subsequently entered the Gulf of Tonkin for her first combat deployment off Vietnam, where American carrier aircraft were conducting air operations in support of U.S. military involvement in the war. During the following months, TRUXTUN performed several assignments associated with Task Force 77, including Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ) duties. As a PIRAZ ship, she maintained radar surveillance of aircraft operating in and around the Gulf of Tonkin, assisted with the identification and coordination of friendly flights, and provided warning of potential hostile air activity. Her radar and communications systems enabled the ship to direct aircraft and coordinate responses to airborne threats.
TRUXTUN also supported carrier air operations involving USS ENTERPRISE, USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA 31), and other Seventh Fleet aircraft carriers operating off Vietnam. Her responsibilities included air-defense coordination, communications with carrier aircraft, and participation in search-and-rescue activities for aircrews forced down at sea. During the deployment, TRUXTUN alternated between operational periods in the Gulf of Tonkin and maintenance or replenishment visits to western Pacific facilities. She completed her first WESTPAC deployment and returned to Long Beach on July 19, 1968. The cruise had included operations off Korea during the PUEBLO crisis and her initial wartime duties in Southeast Asia.
Following her return, TRUXTUN entered a period of maintenance, training, and local operations along the California coast. During late 1968 and the first part of 1969, she conducted exercises intended to maintain the operational readiness of her propulsion plant, missile systems, and crew. Her performance during Seventh Fleet operations was subsequently recognized with the Navy Unit Commendation.
On September 23, 1969, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach for her second Western Pacific deployment. She returned to the waters off Vietnam, where the U.S. Navy continued conducting carrier air operations and maintaining a surface combatant presence in the Gulf of Tonkin. The deployment took place during the gradual reduction of American ground forces in Vietnam under the policy of Vietnamization, although U.S. air and naval forces continued carrying out combat and support missions.
TRUXTUN again conducted PIRAZ and fleet-defense operations, maintaining radar surveillance and communications with American aircraft and surface ships. These activities required continuous coordination with Seventh Fleet units and shore-based command facilities. The cruiser also participated in exercises and logistical operations at western Pacific naval facilities during intervals between assignments off Vietnam.
After completing her second WESTPAC deployment, TRUXTUN returned to Long Beach on March 23, 1970. The following months were devoted to post-deployment maintenance, training, and preparations for another voyage to the western Pacific.
On February 2, 1971, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach for her third WESTPAC deployment. Her assignments again included operations in the Gulf of Tonkin, where she provided radar surveillance, air-defense coordination, and flight-control support for American aircraft. During this deployment, the cruiser also received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her performance during Seventh Fleet operations. In 1971, TRUXTUN became the first nuclear-powered surface ship to visit the Japanese naval base at Yokosuka. The visit was a significant development in the operation of nuclear-powered American surface vessels in Japanese ports, where the presence of nuclear-powered warships had previously been a politically sensitive issue.
During the same deployment, TRUXTUN recorded her 1,000th helicopter landing without an accident. Her embarked helicopter detachment supported shipboard flight operations and extended the cruiser's ability to conduct surveillance, communications, and other duties away from the immediate vicinity of the ship. The deployment also included an extended high-speed passage associated with operations in the Indian Ocean. According to the ship's operational history, TRUXTUN covered approximately 8,600 miles between her operations following departure from Subic Bay and her arrival in the Perth area of Western Australia, maintaining an average speed of approximately 29 knots. The voyage was recorded as a notable sustained high-speed operation by a nuclear-powered surface combatant.
Following completion of her assignments in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, TRUXTUN returned across the Pacific and arrived at Long Beach on August 17, 1971. She subsequently underwent maintenance and training to prepare for further Seventh Fleet operations.
On July 13, 1972, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach for her fourth WESTPAC deployment. By this time, the Vietnam War had entered another phase following the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, which began in March 1972. The United States responded with extensive air and naval operations against North Vietnamese military forces, supply routes, and transportation infrastructure. During the autumn, TRUXTUN resumed PIRAZ duties in the Gulf of Tonkin. Her assignments included tracking friendly and potentially hostile aircraft, providing radar information to airborne units, and coordinating fighter intercepts. The ship's combat information center maintained continuous surveillance in support of American carrier operations.
During this deployment, TRUXTUN was credited with directing American fighter aircraft during engagements that resulted in the destruction of eleven North Vietnamese MiG aircraft. These victories were achieved by the aircraft involved; the cruiser's contribution consisted of radar tracking, tactical information, and the coordination of fighter intercepts. TRUXTUN also supported search-and-rescue operations that resulted in the recovery of three downed American pilots. From December 18 through 29, 1972, the United States conducted Operation Linebacker II, an intensive aerial bombing campaign against targets in North Vietnam. TRUXTUN continued her radar surveillance and air-defense assignments during the campaign, coordinating flight information and providing warning of hostile aircraft activity in the Gulf of Tonkin.
The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, establishing arrangements for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of remaining American combat forces from Vietnam. TRUXTUN completed her operational assignments in the region and began her return voyage to the United States. She arrived at Long Beach on February 12, 1973, completing her fourth WESTPAC deployment. Her performance during these operations was recognized with a second Navy Unit Commendation.
After a period of maintenance and training, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach on August 17, 1973, for her fifth Western Pacific deployment. Although the United States had withdrawn its remaining regular combat troops from Vietnam earlier that year, American naval forces continued maintaining a presence in Southeast Asian waters and conducting surveillance and support assignments. TRUXTUN returned to the Gulf of Tonkin, where she performed further radar surveillance and PIRAZ-related duties during the closing months of 1973. The deployment marked the final phase of the cruiser's service connected with the Vietnam War. She departed the operating area in December and returned to Long Beach on December 24, 1973.
On January 25, 1974, TRUXTUN departed Long Beach for Bremerton, Washington, arriving at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on January 29 for her first comprehensive overhaul and nuclear refueling. The availability involved extensive work on the propulsion plant, repairs and modifications to machinery and shipboard systems, and maintenance intended to prepare the cruiser for continued service with the Pacific Fleet. The overhaul lasted approximately eighteen months and included the replacement of the nuclear reactor fuel. During this period, the U.S. Navy reorganized the classification of its major surface combatants. On June 30, 1975, TRUXTUN was redesignated from DLGN 35 to CGN 35, reflecting her classification as a nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser.
Following completion of the overhaul, sea trials and operational evaluations continued through July 31, 1975. TRUXTUN then proceeded south and arrived at her new homeport of San Diego, California, on August 4. The following months were devoted to refresher training, combat systems qualifications, and preparations for another overseas deployment.
On July 30, 1976, TRUXTUN departed San Diego for her sixth WESTPAC deployment. During the eight-month voyage, the cruiser operated over a wide area of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and made several long-distance passages between operating areas. Her port visits included Wellington, New Zealand; Melbourne, Australia; Subic Bay, Philippines; Karachi, Pakistan; Hong Kong; and Port Victoria in the Seychelles. The visits to New Zealand and Australia were among the notable events of the deployment. According to the ship's historical account, TRUXTUN was the first nuclear-powered American warship to visit New Zealand in twelve years and the first to visit Australia in four years. The voyage also involved three round trips across the equator, including one near the International Date Line.
Throughout the deployment, TRUXTUN participated in exercises, surveillance, and fleet-defense operations in support of American naval commitments in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. The ship's operational record credited her with more than 65,000 miles of steaming during the cruise. She returned to San Diego on March 28, 1977.
Following the deployment, TRUXTUN underwent maintenance and training on the West Coast. During the remainder of 1977 and the early months of 1978, she completed equipment inspections, tactical exercises, and preparations for another extended voyage with the Pacific Fleet.
On April 4, 1978, TRUXTUN departed for her seventh WESTPAC deployment as part of a nuclear-powered task group centered on USS ENTERPRISE. The formation also included USS LONG BEACH. The three ships operated together during extended passages and fleet exercises, conducting operations in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The deployment included exercises with allied and other friendly naval forces, surveillance assignments, and carrier battle group support duties. TRUXTUN also participated in three separate rescue-at-sea missions. Her embarked Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter detachment conducted extensive flight operations for maritime surveillance and other assigned tasks.
During the cruise, TRUXTUN recorded a particularly high level of LAMPS helicopter activity, which was recognized in the ship's operational history as a Seventh Fleet record for cruiser and destroyer helicopter operations and flight hours. The deployment included visits to several ports in Asia and the Indian Ocean region, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Busan, and Subic Bay. TRUXTUN returned to San Diego on October 27, 1978. Her subsequent schedule involved maintenance, personnel training, and preparation for further operations. During 1979, the cruiser continued working with Pacific Fleet units off the West Coast.
On September 2, 1979, approximately thirteen U.S. gallons of low-level radioactive water were accidentally released from TRUXTUN into San Diego Bay. The Navy reported that the radioactivity involved was sufficiently low that no significant environmental effect was expected. The incident was followed by continued shipboard operations and maintenance activities.
In February 1980, TRUXTUN began her eighth WESTPAC deployment as part of the battle group centered on the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). The deployment took place during the Iranian hostage crisis, when American naval forces maintained an increased presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean in response to developments in Iran and the wider Middle East. TRUXTUN's duties included carrier escort operations, air-defense coordination, maritime surveillance, and tactical exercises. The battle group spent an extended period at sea, and TRUXTUN operated for more than 110 consecutive days in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea without a conventional port visit, apart from logistical support at Diego Garcia.
Diego Garcia, a British-administered island in the central Indian Ocean, had become an important support location for American naval operations in the region. TRUXTUN used the facilities available there while continuing her assignment with the deployed battle group. The eighth WESTPAC deployment ended with the cruiser's return to San Diego in October 1980. Following post-deployment maintenance, TRUXTUN resumed local training and conducted preparations for another overseas deployment.
In October 1981, TRUXTUN departed on her ninth WESTPAC deployment, again operating with the USS CONSTELLATION battle group. The deployment involved the western Pacific and Indian Ocean and included carrier escort, surveillance, and air-defense duties. During the cruise, TRUXTUN escorted the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS PUFFER (SSN 652) through the approaches to the Strait of Malacca and toward the Indian Ocean. The transit involved coordination between surface and submarine units operating in one of the world's busiest shipping routes. After completing her Indian Ocean assignments, TRUXTUN returned across the Pacific and arrived at San Diego in April 1982. She subsequently prepared for another major shipyard availability.
In September 1982, TRUXTUN entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul and combat systems modernization. The work continued until July 1984 and included improvements to her sensors, electronic warfare systems, and defensive armament. Among the modifications were the installation of two Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and the AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare system. The Phalanx systems provided short-range defense against aircraft and incoming missiles, while the electronic warfare improvements expanded the ship's ability to detect and respond to hostile radar emissions. The overhaul also involved modifications to the missile systems, communications equipment, and other shipboard installations. After completion of the modernization in July 1984, TRUXTUN conducted sea trials, equipment testing, and a program of refresher training intended to restore full operational readiness. During the remainder of 1984 and throughout 1985, she participated in Pacific Fleet exercises and completed preparations for another long-distance deployment.
On January 15, 1986, TRUXTUN departed San Diego for her tenth WESTPAC deployment, serving as Anti-Air Warfare Commander for Battle Group Foxtrot. The formation was centered on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE and also included the nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41). During the opening months of the deployment, the battle group operated in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. TRUXTUN coordinated air-defense activities, maintained surveillance, and participated in exercises involving the carrier and other naval units.
In April 1986, the battle group was directed toward the Mediterranean as tensions increased between the United States and Libya. The deployment coincided with American military operations following terrorist attacks attributed to the Libyan government, including the bombing of a West Berlin nightclub on April 5. On April 15, American aircraft conducted strikes against targets in Libya during Operation El Dorado Canyon. TRUXTUN, USS ENTERPRISE, and USS ARKANSAS subsequently operated in the Mediterranean during the continuing confrontation with Libya. Their presence formed part of the American naval deployments associated with challenges to Libyan maritime claims in the Gulf of Sidra.
The Libyan government claimed extensive waters north of the Gulf of Sidra as internal waters, while the United States rejected the claim and maintained that naval vessels retained navigational rights under international law. American warships operated in the region to demonstrate the U.S. position and maintain a military presence.
During May and June 1986, TRUXTUN continued operating with USS ENTERPRISE and USS ARKANSAS. On May 26, the American force conducted operations across the maritime boundary claimed by Libya. TRUXTUN performed air-defense and surveillance duties as part of the carrier battle group while the situation was monitored by Libyan military forces. Following completion of the Mediterranean assignment, the nuclear-powered ships began their return voyage to the Pacific by way of Gibraltar and the Cape of Good Hope. The route also included Western Australia, the Philippines, and Hawaii. The deployment lasted approximately seven months and involved more than 65,000 miles of steaming by the nuclear-powered group. TRUXTUN returned to San Diego in August 1986.
After post-deployment maintenance and training, the cruiser resumed Pacific Fleet operations. During 1987, she participated in exercises and readiness evaluations in preparation for further overseas service.
On October 26, 1987, TRUXTUN departed for operations in the northern Pacific with Battle Group Foxtrot. The deployment involved major Surface Action Group exercises designed to test coordination among widely dispersed naval units in the North Pacific. The operating environment included challenging weather conditions and areas of strategic importance because of their proximity to Soviet naval facilities.
In January 1988, TRUXTUN began another deployment with Battle Group Foxtrot, proceeding to the western Pacific and Middle East. During this deployment, she operated in waters affected by the final stages of the Iran-Iraq War and the continuing American effort to protect maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf. The United States had begun Operation Earnest Will in July 1987 to escort reflagged Kuwaiti tankers through the Persian Gulf. The operation was undertaken following repeated attacks on commercial shipping during the Iran-Iraq War and required close coordination among American warships operating in confined and potentially hostile waters.
On April 14, 1988, the guided-missile frigate USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58) was seriously damaged by an Iranian mine in the central Persian Gulf. The United States responded on April 18 with Operation Praying Mantis, a series of naval attacks against Iranian military installations and naval units. TRUXTUN participated in the American naval operations associated with Praying Mantis. Her assignments were carried out as part of the wider U.S. naval force operating in the Persian Gulf during the confrontation. The operation involved American attacks on Iranian offshore platforms and engagements with Iranian surface combatants. TRUXTUN's participation was recognized with the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
After completion of her Middle East deployment, TRUXTUN returned to the United States and entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a nine-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability. The maintenance period involved repairs, inspections, and equipment work required following the prolonged deployment. On October 1, 1989, TRUXTUN's homeport was officially changed from San Diego to Bremerton, Washington. She subsequently continued Pacific Fleet training and preparations for another overseas assignment.
On February 1, 1990, TRUXTUN departed for a deployment with Battle Group Charlie, centered on the aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). During the deployment, the battle group participated in Exercise Team Spirit 1990, a large-scale combined exercise involving American and South Korean military forces. Team Spirit included maritime, air, and ground operations intended to test the ability of American and South Korean forces to coordinate their response to a potential military contingency on the Korean Peninsula. TRUXTUN performed fleet air-defense and other carrier battle group assignments during the exercise.
Following operations near Korea, the battle group proceeded to the Indian Ocean and waters near the Arabian Peninsula. While operating in the Gulf of Oman, TRUXTUN conducted maritime surveillance and security assignments associated with the American naval presence in the region. The operations took place after the conclusion of Operation Earnest Will, which had ended in September 1988. TRUXTUN completed her deployment and returned to Bremerton in the summer of 1990. The following months were devoted to maintenance, training, and preparations for another Middle East deployment. In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and the United States organized Operation Desert Shield to protect Saudi Arabia and support the international effort to secure an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait.
The subsequent coalition air and ground campaign, Operation Desert Storm, began in January 1991 and ended in February. American naval forces continued operating in the region after the ceasefire to enforce United Nations sanctions, maintain maritime security, and assist with the removal of naval mines laid during the conflict.
On August 16, 1991, TRUXTUN departed Bremerton for her thirteenth WESTPAC deployment, which included operations in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The deployment took place during the postwar period, when coalition naval forces were continuing missions associated with the consequences of the Gulf War. During the deployment, TRUXTUN served as Arabian Gulf Anti-Air Warfare Commander, Force Track Coordinator, Electronic Warfare Commander, and alternate Anti-Surface Warfare Commander. These assignments involved the coordination of air surveillance, the distribution of tactical information, and the management of defensive and electronic warfare procedures among participating naval units.
TRUXTUN also served as flagship for Commander, U.S. Mine Countermeasures Group One during postwar minesweeping operations off Kuwait. The mission involved the detection and clearance of naval mines remaining from the 1990-1991 conflict. Mine countermeasures were necessary to restore safe navigation in waters used by commercial shipping and military vessels. During the cruise, TRUXTUN visited Subic Bay, Philippines, and continued conducting exercises and logistics operations in the western Pacific. The deployment was completed with the cruiser's return to Bremerton on February 14, 1992.
Following a short maintenance period, TRUXTUN departed for a two-month counter-narcotics assignment off Mexico and Central America. The mission involved surveillance and coordination with agencies responsible for detecting and intercepting drug-trafficking activity in the eastern Pacific. The cruiser completed this assignment in June 1992 and returned to Bremerton for training and preparations for her final major overseas deployment.
On February 12, 1993, TRUXTUN departed Bremerton for her fourteenth and final WESTPAC deployment. Following her arrival in Hawaii, she began an independent high-speed transit from Pearl Harbor toward Melbourne, Australia, on February 19. According to the ship's deployment record, the passage covered approximately 7,180 miles in eleven days at an average speed of about 25 knots. After completing the transit to Australia, TRUXTUN continued toward the Indian Ocean. On March 21, 1993, she rendezvoused with the battle group centered on the aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and subsequently transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf.
During operations in the Gulf, TRUXTUN participated in multinational exercises and conducted training with regional military forces, including the Kuwaiti Air Force. Her assignments involved surveillance, air-defense coordination, and other tactical operations intended to maintain the readiness of American naval forces in the region.
On April 22, 1993, TRUXTUN was detached from the battle group and ordered to the Red Sea to assist with the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. The operation involved monitoring commercial shipping approaching the Jordanian port of Aqaba, which provided an important route for cargo that could ultimately be transported overland to Iraq. TRUXTUN deployed two boarding teams to conduct maritime interception operations. During the assignment, the cruiser queried 126 merchant vessels, boarded 73 for inspection, and diverted seven vessels. These operations required the examination of ship documents and cargoes to determine compliance with the sanctions established after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Following completion of her Red Sea assignment, TRUXTUN resumed the return voyage across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. She arrived at Bremerton on August 1, 1993, completing her final extended WESTPAC deployment.
During the remainder of 1993, TRUXTUN conducted training and maintenance activities while continuing to serve as an operational unit of the Pacific Fleet. During 1994, TRUXTUN participated in a variety of fleet training and operational support missions. These included serving as an opposing force during tactical exercises, providing naval gunfire support spotting services, and acting as a deck-landing qualification platform for LAMPS helicopters. She also participated in two Chief of Naval Operations projects off the coast of San Francisco.
During the year, TRUXTUN served as an escort for the rescue and salvage ship USS RECLAIMER (ARS 42), which was towing a defueled nuclear-powered submarine. The assignment involved providing support and escort duties during the movement of a decommissioned naval vessel. From May 23 through June 17, 1994, TRUXTUN participated in RIMPAC 94, the multinational Rim of the Pacific exercise conducted in Hawaiian waters. During the exercise, she served as the Coalition Forces flagship for Commander, Task Force 331. The exercise involved naval forces from the United States and several Pacific nations conducting coordinated maritime operations, communications training, and tactical exercises.
After completing RIMPAC, TRUXTUN returned to Bremerton and prepared for her final operational assignment. On August 18, 1994, she departed Puget Sound with an initial assignment to support the escort of two defueled nuclear-powered submarines scheduled for transfer from Rodman, Panama, to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Her orders were subsequently changed, and TRUXTUN was reassigned to Commander, Joint Task Force Four for counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. She proceeded south along the Pacific coast of Central America toward the Panama Canal.
On September 3, 1994, TRUXTUN transited the Panama Canal for the first time during her service. The passage took place more than twenty-seven years after her original voyage from Camden to the Pacific around Cape Horn. After entering the Caribbean, she began maritime surveillance operations in support of American counterdrug activities. During September and October 1994, TRUXTUN conducted patrols in Caribbean waters, coordinating with military and law-enforcement agencies involved in detecting suspected drug-trafficking vessels and aircraft. These operations involved surveillance, communications, and the use of the cruiser's command facilities to support the wider counter-narcotics mission.
TRUXTUN completed her final operational assignment and returned to Bremerton for deactivation preparations. A deactivation ceremony was held at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on December 8, 1994, marking the end of the cruiser's operational career after more than twenty-seven years of commissioned service. Following the ceremony, TRUXTUN remained formally in commission while personnel completed the administrative and technical work required for the inactivation of a nuclear-powered warship. The procedures included the preparation of the propulsion plant and other shipboard systems for permanent withdrawal from service.
USS TRUXTUN was formally decommissioned on September 11, 1995, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on the same date. Her retirement was part of the Navy's reduction of its nuclear-powered surface cruiser force following the end of the Cold War. After decommissioning, TRUXTUN entered the Navy's Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The process involved the removal of nuclear fuel, the dismantling of the ship's structure and equipment, and the preparation of the reactor compartments for controlled disposal.
Recycling was completed in April 1999.
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS TRUXTUN's Commanding Officers:
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| May 27, 1967 - January 31, 1970 | Captain D. D. Work, USN |
| January 31, 1970 - May 1, 1973 | Captain R. S. Smith, USN |
| May 1, 1973 - November 20, 1975 | Captain R. H. Small, USN |
| November 20, 1975 - February 23, 1979 | Captain B. F. Tally, USN |
| February 23, 1979 - January 16, 1981 | Captain E. M. Baldwin, USN |
| January 16, 1981 - July 10, 1984 | Captain J. D. Pearson, USN |
| July 10, 1984 - September 1, 1987 | Captain C. J. Vanarsdall, USN |
| September 1, 1987 - August 4, 1990 | Captain C. J. Coneway, USN |
| August 4, 1990 - February 5, 1993 | Captain L. A. Nick, USN |
| February 5, 1993 - September 11, 1995 | Captain M. O. Flaherty, USN |
back to top go to the end of the page
back to top go to the end of the page
Deployments of USS TRUXTUN:
...for additional information on the deployments read the history text above.
| Date of Departure | Date of Return | Cruise Book | Area of Operations | Tasks and Events | Ports of Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2, 1968 | July 19, 1968 |  | Western Pacific, Vietnam | Part 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, 1969 | March 23, 1970 |  | Western Pacific, Vietnam | Support of Carrier Battle Groups off Vietnam and exercises off Okinawa. | Pearl Harbor, Hi Hong Kong Singapore Sasebo, Japan |
| February 2, 1971 | August 17, 1971 |  | Western Pacific, Vietnam | Support of Carrier Battle Groups off Vietnam. | Yokosuka, Japan Hong Kong Sattahip, Thailand Subic Bay, Philippines Fremantle, Australia Samoa Pearl Harbor, Hi |
| July 13, 1972 | February 12, 1973 |  | Western Pacific, Vietnam | Operated 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, 1973 | December 24, 1973 | Western Pacific | Again radar operations as PIRAZ in the Tonkin Gulf. | Sattahip, Thailand Singapore Manila, Philippines Yokosuka, Japan | |
| July 30, 1976 | March 28, 1977 |  | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean | Part 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, 1978 | October 27, 1978 | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf | Again 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 1980 | October 1980 | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean | Exercises and maneuvers with the CV 64 Battle Group. | Diego Garcia Pattaya, Thailand Subic Bay, Philippines Wellington, New Zealand | |
| October 1981 | April 1982 | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean | Again deployment as part of the CV 64 Battle Group. | Mombasa, Kenya Perth, Australia Hobart, Australia Brisbane, Australia | |
| January 15, 1986 | August 1986 |  | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean | Operated 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, 1987 | November 24, 1987 | Northern Pacific | Part of the CVN 65 Battle Group | ||
| January 5, 1988 | ~July 3, 1988 | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean | Again part of the CVN 65 Battle Group and participation in Operation Praying Mantis. | ||
| February 1, 1990 | July 31, 1990 |  | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf | Deployment with the CVN 70 Battle Group and participation in exercise Team Spirit 1990 and Operation Earnest Will | Pearl Harbor, Hi. Pusan, South Korea Subic Bay, Philippines Singapore Diego Garcia Perth, Australia Hong Kong |
| August 16, 1991 | February 14, 1992 |  | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf | Service 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 1992 | June 1992 | Central America | Counter-Narcotic deployment | ||
| February 12, 1993 | August 1, 1993 | Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea | Part 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, 1994 | 1994 | Caribbean | Counter-Narcotic deployment |
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS TRUXTUN Image Gallery:
 |  |  |  |
back to top
Back to Cruisers list. Back to ships list. Back to selection page. Back to 1st page.