USS Peterson (DD‑969) was a United States Navy Spruance‑class destroyer, the seventh ship of its class, named in honor of Lieutenant Commander Carl Jerrold Peterson (1936–1969), who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. The vessel was constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Litton Industries, in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Construction and characteristics
- Ordered: 15 January 1971
- Laid down: 29 April 1974
- Launched: 21 June 1975 (sponsored by Mrs. Miriam C. Peterson)
- Commissioned: 9 July 1977
The destroyer displaced 8,040 long tons (full load) and measured 563 ft (172 m) overall with a beam of 55 ft (17 m) and a draft of 29 ft (8.8 m). Propulsion was provided by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines delivering 80,000 shp (60 MW) to two shafts, enabling a top speed of 32.5 knots and a range of 6,000 nmi at 20 knots. The ship’s complement comprised 19 officers and 315 enlisted personnel.
Armament and sensors
- Two 5 in (127 mm) Mk 45 dual‑purpose guns
- Two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
- One 8‑cell NATO Sea Sparrow missile launcher (later removed)
- One 8‑cell ASROC anti‑submarine rocket launcher (removed)
- Two quadruple Harpoon anti‑ship missile launchers
- Two triple 12.75 in (324 mm) Mark 32 torpedo tubes (Mk 46 torpedoes)
- One 61‑cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System for Tomahawk cruise missiles (installed during a 1991 overhaul)
Sensors included air‑search radar (AN/SPS‑40), surface‑search radar (AN/SPS‑55), fire‑control radars (AN/SPG‑60, AN/SPQ‑9), sonar systems (AN/SQS‑53 bow‑mounted and AN/SQR‑19 towed array), and electronic warfare suites (AN/SLQ‑32, AN/SLQ‑25 Nixie). The ship could operate up to two Sikorsky SH‑60 Seahawk helicopters from its flight deck and hangar.
Service history
After commissioning, Peterson joined the Atlantic Fleet and conducted multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea. Notable operations included:
- Persian Gulf (1979‑1981): Served as flagship for Commander, Middle East Force; earned the Destroyer Squadron Ten Battle “E”.
- Iran Hostage Crisis (1980‑1981): Maintained a forward presence in the Strait of Hormuz; crew received the Navy Expeditionary Medal.
- Lebanon (1984): Provided naval gunfire support off Beirut; awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
- NATO Arctic exercise “Ocean Safari” (1985): Earned the “Blue Nose” distinction for crossing the Arctic Circle and received a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
- Libya (1986): Conducted search‑and‑rescue duties during combat operations; earned a Navy Unit Commendment.
- Gulf War and sanctions enforcement (1993): Intercepted 247 vessels in the Red Sea supporting UN sanctions against Iraq; launched 14 Tomahawk missiles against an Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad on 26 June 1993.
- Operation Uphold Democracy (1994): Supported the U.S. intervention in Haiti, assisting in the evacuation of over 1,600 refugees.
Throughout the 1990s, the destroyer underwent a major overhaul (1991) that added the Mk 41 VLS, upgraded sonar (SQQ‑89), and enhanced helicopter handling facilities (double RAST tracks).
Decommissioning and fate
Peterson was decommissioned on 4 October 2002 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 6 November 2002. The ship was subsequently used as a target and was sunk on 16 February 2004 during a live‑fire exercise.
Legacy
Peterson’s motto, “Proud Tradition,” and its nickname “Proud Pete” reflected the vessel’s extensive operational record across multiple theaters during the Cold War and post‑Cold War periods. The ship’s service earned numerous awards, including multiple Battle “E” honors, unit commendations, and campaign medals.