USS Reeves (DLG-24)

The 1960s The second Reeves, DLG-24, was laid down 1 July 1960 by the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington; launched 12 May 1962; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph M. Reeves, Jr.; and commissioned 15 May 1964. Following an extended trial and shakedown period, Reeves was homeported at Long Beach where she underwent availability and further training. On 10 April 1965, she departed for her first tour with the 7th Fleet in the western Pacific (WESTPAC). Deployed for just over six months, she operated primarily in support of Allied operations off the coast of the Republic of Vietnam, serving as an anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) picket, first with TG 77.3 built around aircraft carrier , then with TG 77.6 centered on aircraft carrier . Returning to Long Beach on 3 November 1965, she conducted local operations for the remainder of the year and into 1966. On 26 May 1966, she got underway for Japan and a two-year nonrotated tour with the 7th Fleet. Arriving at her new homeport of Yokosuka on 16 June, she departed shortly thereafter and on 7 July and anchored at Da Nang. to begin another tour off the embattled coast. For the next two years, she regularly sailed south from Japan for combat air-sea rescue (CSAR) tours off Vietnam, compiling a total of 493 days underway, 312 of which were spent in the Gulf of Tonkin. Reeves was south of Diego Garcia at the time of the incident. Fate Reeves was decommissioned on 12 November 1993, stored at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Pearl Harbor. She was ultimately used as a target ship on 31 May 2001 during a sink exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of Queensland, Australia during a joint U.S. and Australian naval exercise. Her final resting place is where she lies at a depth of . == Awards ==

Reeves earned three battle stars for Vietnam service. • Navy Unit Commendation, 15-Jun-1966 to 26-Jul-1968 • Meritorious Unit Commendation, 27-Jul-1982 to 01-May-1984 and as a part of "Battle group A" 08-Sep-1988 to 11-Dec-1989 • Battle E, 01-Jul-1974 to 01-Apr-1976, 01-Jan-1979 to 30-Jun-1980, 01-Jul-1983 to 31-Dec-1984 • Navy Expeditionary Medal, 15-Feb-1980 to 05-May-1980 (Iran/Indian Ocean), 17-Mar-1981 to 19-May-1981 (Iran/Indian Ocean), 01-Jul-1987 to 23-Jul-1987 • National Defense Service Medal (2 stars) • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 07-May-1965 to 28-Oct-1965 (Vietnam), 24-Jul-1987 to 26-Sep-1987 (Persian Gulf),15-Sep-1989 to 24-Oct-1989 (Persian Gulf) • Vietnam Service Medal • Humanitarian Services Medal, 19-Sep-1981 • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon • Navy Overseas Service Ribbon • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal == Reclassification from DLG to CG ==

In 1975, the "double-ender" Leahy-class guided missile destroyer leaders (DLG) were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG), as were other similar ships. The class was given an AAW upgrade during the late-1960s and early 1970s, with Terrier launchers modified to fire Terrier or Standard SM-1ER missiles. The 3"/50 guns were replaced by Harpoon missile launcher, the Terrier launchers were upgraded to fire the Standard SM-2ER missile, and 2 Phalanx CIWS canisters were added. All were upgraded under the late-1980s New Threat Upgrade (NTU) program, which included combat system capability improvements to the ship's Air Search Radars (AN/SPS-48E and AN/SPS-49), Fire Control Radars (AN/SPG-55B), and Combat Direction System (CDS). These improvements provided an accurate means of coordinating the engagement of multiple air targets with SM-2 Extended Range missiles. During the NTU overhaul, all spaces were renovated, berthing and food service areas were refurbished, and the engineering plant was fully overhauled. Electronics • Combat Information Processing • Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) • Communication • OE-82 satellite communication antenna • SSR-1 receiver • 3x WSC-3 transceivers • Fire Control • SAM 4x Mk 76 Terrier FCS • ASW Mk 114 • Weapons Direction System • Mk 14 WDS == Role ==

Modern guided missile cruisers, such as Reeves, performed primarily in a Battle Force role. These ships were multi-mission (AAW – anti-air warfare, ASW – anti-surface warfare, ASUW – anti-submarine warfare) surface combatants capable of supporting carrier or battleship battle groups, amphibious forces, or of operating independently and as flagships of surface action groups. Due to their extensive combat capability, these ships were designated as Battle Force Capable (BFC) units. == Photo galleries ==

File:Bomb damage aboard USS Reeves (CG-24), from 30 October 1989 accident.jpg|Close up of the damage sustained by Reeves from a 500-pound bomb. (1989) File:Bomb damage aboard USS Reeves (CG-24), from accident on 30 October 1989.jpg|Another view of the damage to Reeves from a 500-pound bomb. (1989) File:USS Reeves (CG-24) underway in the Pacific Ocean on 27 November 1991 (6475751).jpg|A port bow view of Reeves. (1991) File:USS Reeves (CG-24) executing a high speed turn on 27 November 1991.jpg|Reeves executing a high speed starboard turn. (1991) File:USS Reeves (CG-24) underway in the Pacific Ocean, 27 November 1991 (6475756).jpg|A port bow view of Reeves. (1991) File:Reeves Mothballs (3).jpg|Looking over Reevess forecastle at Pearl Harbor. (Late 1990s) File:USS Reeves (CG-24) as a target ship off the coast of Queensland, Australia, on 31 May 2001.jpg|Reeves shows the extensive damage that will lead to her sinking. (2001) == References ==