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USS Turner Joy (DD-951)
USS Turner Joy

The destroyer USS Turner Joy was the last Forrest Sherman-class destroyer built. While some of these ships were later converted to guided missile destroyers, Turner Joy remains close to her original 1959 configuration. The destroyer has been restored to reflect the appearance during her active years between 1960 and 1982.

Turner Joy's distinctive service included a double-duty role as flagship for Destroyer Squadron 13 and Destroyer Division 131 with several tours in the Pacific. She also stood air-sea rescue duty near the Marianas Islands for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's visit to several Asian nations. In terms of history, this vessel is most remembered for her participation in the Gulf of Tonkin incident which escalated the United States involvement in the Vietnam War.

USS Turner Joy was placed on display in Bremerton in 1991 as a public attraction and Naval Memorial. [HNSA]




Class Forrest Sherman Destroyer
Launched May 5, 1958
Commissioned August 3, 1959
Length 418.3 feet
Beam 45.3 feet
Draft 22 feet
Displacement 2,800 tons; approx. 4,000 tons full load
Propulsion
  • Four-1200 lb. boilers
  • Two steam turbines
  • Two shafts
Speed 32+ knots
Armament
  • Three 5-inch/54 caliber guns
  • Two Mark 32 torpedo launchers
Crew 17 officers, 275 enlisted
Decommissioned November 22, 1982