- USS Halsey (DLG-23)
The first USS "Halsey" (DLG/CG-23), a "Leahy"-class
guided missile cruiser , was a ship of theUnited States Navy named in honor of AdmiralWilliam Halsey . Originally called a "destroyer leader" or frigate, in 1975 she was redesignated a cruiser in the Navy's ship reclassification.Construction
"Halsey" launched
15 January 1962 atSan Francisco Naval Shipyard ; sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Denham and Miss Jane Halsey, granddaughters of the late Fleet Admiral; commissioned20 July 1963 , Captain H. H. Anderson, USN, in command. The ceremonies included a eulogy by Fleet AdmiralChester W. Nimitz , USN, on Fleet Admiral Halsey's illustrious career.History
"Halsey" departed San Francisco on
25 November 1963 for Dabob Bay and Carr Island to conduct ASW system alignment tests and acoustical surveys until 7 December. She arrived at her home port ofSan Diego, California on11 December 1963 ."Halsey" was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7, Destroyer Division 71 on 13 December, and participated in a special sea power demonstration for the Secretary of the Navy, acting as screen commander from 15-18 December. She conducted her weapons qualification trials from 15 January 1964 to 14 February, and fired her first missiles on the
Pacific Missile Range on 10 February 1964.After a shakedown cruise from 16 March to 1 May, she returned to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard on
15 May 1964 ; and concluded her post-shakedown on17 July 1964 .During her first years of active service, "Halsey" experimented with a unique system of internal organization combining all the aspects of the weapons systems and CIC under a combat officer; and separate hull and communications administration departments.
In 1966 "Halsey" was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7, Destroyer Division 71, in the
Pacific Fleet . On 2 July she left San Diego forSubic Bay ,Philippines . By August she was conducting air-sea rescue and ASW operations in theSouth China Sea . During this period "Halsey" rescued some 16 airmen in two cruises in theGulf of Tonkin . On 5 December the frigate departedYokosuka ,Japan , for the West Coast, arriving San Diego 21 December.The first quarter of 1967 was spent in training cruises off the West Coast. On
10 April "Halsey" left San Diego for an overhaul period at San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard that continued into August. By September "Halsey" was again involved in further exercises testing her capabilities.Fate
"Halsey" was decommissioned and struck from the
Naval Vessel Register on1 January 1994 . She was scrapped in 2003.References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h1/halsey.htm
*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/CG23.htm
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