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USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CLGN-25)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs related to USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25/CLGN-25)

USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) was laid down on 15 May 1959 at Quincy, Mass., by the Bethlehem Steel Co.; launched on 15 April 1961; sponsored by Mrs. Robert L. Goodale; and commissioned on 6 October 1962, Capt. Raymond E. Peet in command.

The guided missile frigate sailed on her first voyage on 8 October 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis lent an air of urgency to USS Bainbridge's (DLGN-25) training, and she carried out antisubmarine warfare and gunnery training off the waters stretching from Charleston northward to the Virginia capes. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) deployed to the Mediterranean on 28 April 1964. She crossed the Atlantic in company with attack aircraft carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) and guided missile cruiser Long Beach (CGN-9).

During the following months, USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) tested the effectiveness of surface-to-air missiles as a defense against strategic missiles on the missile range off Cape Kennedy, Fla. In early 1965, the warship took part in maneuvers in the West Indies with task groups formed around Franklin D. Roosevelt and antisubmarine warfare support aircraft carrier Essex (CVS-9). USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) patrolled in the Gulf of Tonkin (20 March–1 April 1966), and then joined the screen of attack aircraft carrier Hancock (CVA-19) as she launched air strikes against inland and coastal targets.

Resuming her westward voyage, USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) replenished at Subic Bay on 3 February 1969, and reached Tokin Gulf on 7 February. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) carried out training (December 1970–January 1971), and shifted from Naval Station Long Beach to Long Beach Naval Shipyard for repairs (1 February–26 March). USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) deployed to the western Pacific on 10 January 1978. The ship trained in Hawaiian waters en route, and reached Yokosuka on 3 February. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) deployed with Enterprise and TG 30.6 to the western Pacific on 1 September 1982. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) sailed for her final deployment on 9 February 1995. USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) was inactivated at Norfolk on 6 October 1995. Decommissioned at Norfolk on 13 September 1996, USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. 

For a complete history of USS Bainbridge (DLGN-25) please see its DANFS page.