To moderators
If this is the wrong section, dont close it, just let me know and I will fix it as soon as I can. I had several suggestion drafts closed despite being told I could do it as long as I was using it to gather information and get feedback on what I could make better.
Disclaimer: This history section will only cover the relevant history of the ship in the 60’s and its fate
The Farragut class was the first class of destroyers that used the guided missile destroyer classification. It was the second class of ships named after Admiral David Farragut. Strangely, the ships are often called the Coontz class in error. The exact reason for this is unknown but is likely due to the Coontz being the first of the class to be designated as a guided missile ship.
The USS Coontz was laid down on March 1st, 1957, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She was named after Admiral Robert Coontz and was christened by Mrs. Robert J. Coontz, wife of the admiral’s grandson, on the 6th of December in 1958. The Coontz was launched the same day. The Coontz was officially commissioned the next year on July 15th with Commander H. H. Ries in command.
The USS Coontz saw service in multiple conflicts over its career. The most notable being Vietnam, where she saw 4 tours. During Vietnam in 1960, the Coontz was upgraded to receive a helicopter deck and, based on available images, carried the SH-2 “sea sprite” for ASW hunter/killer roles (SH-2 only performed one of the two roles)
The Coontz performed several rescues and at least one capture of personnel (the capture was of survivors of small North Vietnamese patrol boats that attempted to attack the Coontz and were destroyed by carrier-launched aircraft; the POWs were exchanged for American POWs captured by North Vietnam.)
The USS Coontz was decommissioned on October 4, 1989, and was stricken from the US Naval registry on January 26, 1990. The ship was scrapped in 2003.
Armament:
Details
fore 1x 5"/54 (127mm) Mk 42 DP
fore 1x ASROC (ASW)
aft 1x MK 10 launcher, RIM-2 (anti-air)
note while its called a guided missile destroyer all it’s guided missiles are not meant to engage surface targets but rather submerged and air targets
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