(DDG-11: dp. 3,370; l. 432'; b. 47'; dr. 21'; s. 30+ k.; cpl. 354; a. 2 5", Tar., ASROC, 6 21" tt.; cl. Charles F. Adams)
David F. Sellers, born in Austin, Tex., on 4 February 1874, was appointed to the Naval Academy on 1 May 1890, graduated in 1894, and commissioned Ensign on 1 July 1896. He served in Massachusetts, Essex, and Alliance until 1898 when he joined the Philadelphia for service during the Spanish-American War. Sellers took part in the Samoan Campaign in 1899 and served in Philippine waters on board New York during the Philippine Insurrection. He later commanded Stewart, Salem, Birmingham, Wisconsin, and in 1918, the transport Agamemnon. Sellers was awarded the Navy Cross for his service in World War I.
After the war, Sellers served on the staff of the Naval War College, the Bureau of Navigation, commanded Maryland, and as Chief of Staff, Scouting Fleet, from 1926 until his promotion to Rear Admiral on 2 June 1927. He commanded the Special Service Squadron from July 1927 to May 1929 during the uprisings in the Republic of Nicaragua and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. In June 1929, he was appointed Judge Advocate General of the Navy. After commanding Battleship Division I and Battleships, Battle Force, he became Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Admiral Sellers served as Superintendent of the Naval Academy from 1934 until his retirement in 1938. He died on 27 January 1949 at the Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md.
Sellers (DDG-11) was laid down on 3 August 1959 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Me.; launched on 9 September 1960; sponsored by Mrs. Hugh Scott; and commissioned on 28 October 1961, Comdr. William R. Johnson in command.
Sellers completed fitting out at Boston on 18 January 1962 and was assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 6 with her home port at Charleston, S.C. She operated with DeaRon 6 until 1969 when she was assigned to DesRon 4.
The guided missile destroyer has spent part of each year since June 1963, except 1970, on deployment with the 6th Fleet or on special operations. Into September 1974, Sellers still serves with the Atlantic Fleet.
