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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books About the Ship's Coat of Arms About the Name "John Paul Jones" Image Gallery to end of page

USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53)

USS JOHN PAUL JONES is the third ship in the ARLEIGH BURKE - class of guided missile destroyers and was the first AEGIS destroyer to join the Pacific Fleet.

General Characteristics:Keel Laid: August 8, 1990
Launched: October 26, 1991
Commissioned: December 18, 1993
Builder: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Propulsion system: four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers: two
Blades on each Propeller: five
Length: 505,25 feet (154 meters)
Beam: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
Draft: 30,5 feet (9.3 meters)
Displacement: approx. 8.300 tons full load
Speed: 30+ knots
Aircraft: None. But LAMPS 3 electronics installed on landing deck for coordinated DDG/helicopter ASW operations.
Armament: two MK 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk; Harpoon missile launchers, one Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun, two Phalanx CIWS, Mk 46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts)
Homeport: Everett, Wash.
Crew: 23 Officers, 24 Chief Petty Officers and 291 Enlisted


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Crew List:

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


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USS JOHN PAUL JONES Cruise Books:


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

The dark blue and gold, in the ships shield, are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy. The anchor interlaced with the officer and enlisted swords symbolize sea prowess and teamwork. The AEGIS system's octagonal shape highlights the modern weaponry of JOHN PAUL JONES with its anti-air, surface, sub-surface and strike warfare capabilities. The white border with the thirteen black rivets represents day and night vigilance, solidity and determination. The number of rivets, resembling cannon balls, also recalls the thirteen colonies and the naval guns used by John Paul Jones in battle.

The flags, on either side of the shield, were displayed by John Paul Jones on his warships. The thirteen star flag commemorates the most famous Revolutionary War naval combat when John Paul Jones captured the Serapis. The rattlesnake "Don't Tread on Me" flag reflects the temperament of the times.

The Crest:

The portrait, on the crest, is of John Paul Jones, father of the American Navy. His heroism against larger and better equipped forces established a naval tradition that has never been forgotten. The naval gun represents weaponry of that period.


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About the Destroyer’s Name, about Commodore John Paul Jones:

USS JOHN PAUL JONES honors the Father of the American Navy. Born in Scotland, Commodore John Paul Jones earned the undying respect and admiration of his countrymen by his extraordinary courage, tactical genius and audacity during the American War for Independence. Without hesitation, he single-handedly took the war at sea to the British, attacking their coastlines and capturing their ships in the British fleets' home waters. These acts inspired and transformed the fledgling Colonial Navy from an upstart band of rebels to a recognized fighting force, providing critical support for the colonies and their bid for independence from Great Britain. John Paul Jones is best remembered for his heroic defeat of the British 50-gun frigate Serapis on 23 September 1779. The three hour battle off Flamborough Head, in which John Paul Jones, in command of Bonhomme Richard, was victorious over a vastly superior British foe, established the spirit from which has grown the greatest navy the world has ever known.



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The photo below was taken by Thomas Heinrich and shows the JOHN PAUL JONES at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 21, 2009.



The photos below were taken by me and show the JOHN PAUL JONES at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 23, 2010.



The photos below were taken by me and show the JOHN PAUL JONES undergoing a 12-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability at BAE Ship Repair in San Diego, Calif. The photos were taken on October 3, 2012. JOHN PAUL JONES entered the shipyard on September 12.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the JOHN PAUL JONES at Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hi., on October 14, 2017.



The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the JOHN PAUL JONES at Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hi., on June 8, 2019.



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