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USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964)

USS PAUL F. FOSTER was the second ship in the SPRUANCE - class of destroyers and the first ship in the Navy named after Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster. Last homeported in Everett, Wash., the PAUL F. FOSTER is currently at Port Hueneme, Calif., serving as EDD 964 as the Navy’s new Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS).

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Crew List:

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

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USS PAUL F. FOSTER Cruise Books and Pamphlets:

• Commissioning Program
• Maiden Cruise Book 1976-77
• WestPac Cruise Book 1978
• WestPac Cruise Book 1979-80
• WestPac Cruise Book 1982
• WestPac Cruise Book 1984
• WestPac Cruise Book 1986-87
• WestPac Cruise Book 1989
• Middle East Force Cruise Book 1997
• Middle East Force Cruise Book 1999
• WestPac Cruise Book 2001
• WestPac Cruise Book 2002
• Decommissioning Pamphlet

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History of USS PAUL F. FOSTER:

USS PAUL F. FOSTER was laid down at Ingalls, Pascagoula, Mississippi, on 6 February 1973, launched on 23 February 1974, and commissioned on 21 February 1976. Following fitting-out and trials from San Diego through mid-1976, she entered the Fleet as one of the Pacific Fleet's first SPRUANCE-class destroyers and quickly began test/acceptance work-ups that included early systems demonstrations such as NATO Sea Sparrow employment and helicopter operating envelopes for H-46 and SH-3 aircraft.

After local operations and refresher training in 1976–1977, PAUL F. FOSTER prepared for her first overseas cruise. On 7 March 1978, she sailed from San Diego for her maiden Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment—becoming the first SPRUANCE-class destroyer to deploy to the Western Pacific - and returned on 6 October 1978. The ship spent this period in Seventh Fleet operations and forward presence tasks across the region during the late Cold War détente's ebb and flow.

A second WESTPAC followed in 1979 amid renewed Indian Ocean focus after the Iranian Revolution that January. The destroyer again worked in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, a pattern that would persist for the class as the U.S. Navy sustained extended presence on "GONZO Station" and in the Arabian Sea through the early 1980s.

During her 1982 WESTPAC/Indian Ocean deployment (underway from 7 April 1982 to 17 October 1982), PAUL F. FOSTER operated with the USS RANGER (CV 61) battle group. Contemporary records document the ship conducting multi-ship underway replenishments on 16 October 1982 alongside ENGLAND (CG 22), FOX (CG 33), and MOUNT HOOD (AE 29) - all affiliated to the RANGER group - and, a month later, sailing north with ENGLAND and CLEVELAND (LPD 7) toward Amchitka in the Aleutians on 16 November 1982 as the group returned to the U.S. via northern waters.

From late 1984 into 1986, the destroyer cycled through maintenance, training, and workups for Indian Ocean duty. On 12 August 1986, she got underway for another extended deployment as part of "Battle Group Charlie" centered on USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). On 16 August 1986, while with that group, PAUL F. FOSTER rescued six CARL VINSON sailors who had been washed overboard - a well-documented event early in that cruise. She completed the deployment on 6 February 1987 after prolonged operations in the North Arabian Sea during the latter phase of the Iran-Iraq War.

Following post-deployment maintenance and a major combat systems upgrade period in the late 1980s, the destroyer began her sixth WESTPAC/Indian Ocean deployment on 24 February 1989, operating primarily in the Northern Arabian Sea as the ceasefire between Iran and Iraq took hold and the U.S. adjusted its presence posture. Her activity in this interval is reflected in awards and deployments recorded for the period.

Desert Shield/Desert Storm defined the next cruise. PAUL F. FOSTER departed on 8 December 1990 with "Battle Group Echo" built around USS RANGER for sustained operations in the Persian Gulf. On 17 January 1991, in the opening minutes of the air war, she launched one of the conflict's first salvos of Tomahawk Land-Attack Missiles (TLAMs) from inside the Gulf - widely credited in Navy sources as the first TLAM fired from within the Persian Gulf during the war - before continuing escort, screen, and strike-support duties with the RANGER group through the ceasefire and the group's redeployment on 8 June 1991.

After post-deployment standdown, training, and upkeep in 1991-1992, the ship departed again on 20 July 1992 for her eighth deployment, supporting emergent post-war tasks in the region, including follow-on enforcement of Iraq-related UN resolutions as the U.S. and coalition forces transitioned to new operations (Provide Comfort/Southern Watch) across late 1992-early 1993 alongside Seventh Fleet carrier groups.

The ninth deployment came in 1994 with USS CARL VINSON and Carrier Air Wing 14, a cruise that ran from 17 February 1994 to 17 August 1994. The group relieved in the Arabian Gulf to enforce Operation Southern Watch and maritime sanctions. During this period, PAUL F. FOSTER was first on scene to assist the burning ocean tug GLORIOUS CITY, extinguishing the fire and rescuing her seven crewmembers before resuming task-group duties - an event frequently cited in contemporary summaries of the deployment. The destroyer returned to the U.S. on 20 October 1994.

From late 1994 through 1995, the ship underwent a substantial overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard that modernized sensors, weapons, and engineering systems and retrofitted berthing for the ship's first female sailors. Upon completion, she shifted home port to Everett, Washington, in November 1995 as the Pacific Fleet consolidated surface forces in Puget Sound.

In early 1997, prior to her tenth deployment, PAUL F. FOSTER participated alongside the USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) battle group during FLEETEX 97-1 in May - one of the large integrated strike-group exercises that capped the carrier's work-ups - before a machinery casualty forced repairs. She subsequently deployed on 21 February 1997 to the Persian Gulf as part of a multinational force enforcing UN sanctions on Iraq, conducting extended maritime interception operations (MIO) and screening duties.

The eleventh deployment began on 27 January 1999 with assignment to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Pacific Middle East Force. Across early 1999, she executed extensive MIO boardings and took part in multilateral exercises IRON SIREN, EAGER SENTRY, and ARABIAN GAUNTLET that honed combined tactics for convoy defense, mine countermeasures integration, and strike-group interoperability with Gulf partners.

A twelfth deployment commenced on 12 January 2001 from Everett for another Middle East Force rotation focused on sanctions enforcement and maritime security in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The ship's public histories note the emphasis on boardings and intercepts under UN authorities. She returned to homeport in mid-2001 for upkeep and training ahead of her final overseas period.

Her thirteenth and final operational deployment began on 18 June 2002, again supporting maritime security and enforcement tasks in the region as the Navy's surface force transitioned to a post-9/11 operational tempo. Following return and preparations for retirement, PAUL F. FOSTER was decommissioned at Everett on 14 March 2003 (formally struck later in March 2003) and selected to replace the earlier test hulk as the Navy's remotely operated Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS), managed by Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division.

As SDTS (ex-PAUL F. FOSTER), the ship has remained continuously active in high-end weapons/sensors testing at sea. On 6 April 2011, the Office of Naval Research mounted the Maritime Laser Demonstrator aboard the ex-destroyer and, in coastal sea states off Southern California, disabled a small target craft at roughly one nautical mile - the Navy's first successful at-sea solid-state laser engagement. On 17 November 2011, she completed the Navy's then-largest shipboard alternative-fuel trial, running a San Diego-Port Hueneme transit on a 50/50 blend of hydroprocessed algal oil and F-76. On 18 July 2016, the SDTS supported a successful Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) test shot from her Mk 41 VLS - part of a broader maturation path for next-generation anti-ship strike capabilities. The ship has continued periodic test and evaluation availabilities and trials from Port Hueneme since.

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Homeports of USS PAUL F. FOSTER:

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About the Destroyer's Name, about Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster:

Vice Admiral Paul Frederick Foster was born in Wichita, Kansas, on 25 March 1889. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, Paul Frederick Foster graduated with the class of 1911 and commissioned as an ensign.

Upon graduation, he received orders to cruiser WASHINGTON (CA 11), serving until December of that year, when he was transferred to the newly commissioned battleship UTAH (BB 31). While serving on board UTAH, he participated in the Mexican Campaign and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for “Distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Vera Cruz (21-22 April 1914), fighting at the head of his company, Ensign Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.”

While commanding AL-2 (SS 41), Lt. Cmdr. Foster received the Distinguished Service Medal for “exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in an encounter with an enemy submarine (UB-65) on 10 July 1918, in which the enemy submarine was sunk.”

In January 1924, Lt. Cmdr. Foster received orders to Philadelphia to assist in fitting out light cruiser TRENTON (CL 11), serving on board as Engineer Officer upon the ship’s commissioning in April of that year.

In January 1927, he received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in the aftermath of a turret explosion on board TRENTON. Lt. Cmdr. Foster became the first man to receive all three of the Navy’s highest awards.

Recalled to active duty in 1941 (after resigning his commission in March 1927), Admiral Foster served on the Navy Inspector General’s Staff during World War II, conducting three major inspections at the personal direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In June 1954, Admiral Foster joined the staff of the Atomic Energy Commission as special assistant to the General Manager for International Activities. Later appointed to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, with the rank of Ambassador, Adm. Foster served in the position until 1961. He died in 1972 in Virginia Beach, Va., at the age of 83.

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USS PAUL F. FOSTER's Commanding Officers:

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The Coat of Arms of USS PAUL F. FOSTER:

The design of the PAUL F. FOSTER Coat of Arms is a composite of emblems representing the many outstanding honors and achievements of Vice Admiral Foster during his long and vigorous service to his country and the Navy.

Within the shield of the Coat of Arms is a chevron also appearing in the blazon of the Foster family. A traditional symbol of support and achievement, the chevron has been divided into three sections. These sections represent the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal, all awarded to Admiral Foster during his brilliant career. The three five-pointed stars within the chevron represent his final rank of Vice Admiral.

A triple towered castle forms the crest of the ship's emblem. The same castle appears as part of the Coat of Arms from the port of Vera Cruz, representing where, the Ensign Foster, distinguished himself and earned the Medal of Honor. The tower's red color alludes to the turret explosion on the USS TRENTON and extraordinary heroism in that crisis for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. The navy blue border represents the service during World War I and the sinking of a German submarine, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Below the shield, on a scroll of navy blue, is the ship's motto: "Honor, Valor, Service", each word having come from the citations accompanying the decorations awarded to Admiral Foster.

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USS PAUL F. FOSTER Patch Gallery:

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USS PAUL F. FOSTER Image Gallery:

The two photos below were taken by William Chiu when USS PAUL F. FOSTER visited Hong Kong on May 12, 1991.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PAUL F. FOSTER as EDD 964 at Port Hueneme, Calif., on October 3, 2011. Unfortunately, at Port Hueneme it's impossible to take unobstructed photos from public places outside the Naval Base. At the time the photos were taken, the PAUL F. FOSTER was the last remaining SPRUANCE - class destroyer.

The photos below are official US Navy photos and show the PAUL F. FOSTER on November 17, 2011, off the US west coast conducting a demonstration of shipboard alternative fuel use on a 50-50 blend of an algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76.

The photo below was taken by John Rebus (Michael) and shows the PAUL F. FOSTER during a visit to Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on June 2, 2016. She is now carrying a Sea RAM system.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PAUL F. FOSTER during overhaul at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair on July 26, 2024.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the PAUL F. FOSTER during overhaul at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair on October 15, 2024.

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