USS Dewey (DDG-45)

USS Dewey (DLG-14/DDG-45) was a guided missile destroyer commissioned in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1990. She was named to honor George Dewey, the United States' only Admiral of the Navy. She was the third of four ships whose namesake was Admiral Dewey. The ship's motto was The First and Finest.

Construction and design
Dewey was laid down 10 August 1957, by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. She was launched 30 November 1958 and sponsored by Mrs. K. St. George, United States Representative from New York State. Dewey was commissioned 7 December 1959, Commander Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., in command. Dewey was the ninth Farragut class destroyer (formerly known as the Coontz class).

Commander Zumwalt later, in 1970, became the youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations.

The design of the Farragut class destroyers was closer in size to a World War II cruiser rather than a destroyer; this type was originally termed "frigate" by the U.S. Navy. Other navies used the term "frigate" for destoyer-sized ships specialized in anti-submarine warfare; the U.S. Navy used this term for fast-carrier anti-aircraft warfare ships. The DLGs succeeded the missile-less DLs.

Service
For the first sixth months of 1960, the USS Dewey was engaged in training operations off the New England coast, the Virginia Capes, and in the Caribbean, preparing Dewey for her role in the Atlantic Fleet. She was decommissioned 21 November 1969, and recommissioned 31 March 1971. On 30 June 1975, the USS Dewey, then commissioned as a guided missile frigate, hull number DLG-14, was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer, receiving hull number DDG-45.

Decommissioning
Dewey was decommissioned 31 August 1990 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 20 November 1992. Dewey was sold to J&L Metals, Wilmington, NC on 15 April 1994 for $255,459.43 and was scrapped shortly afterwards.