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USS Gyatt (DD-712/DDG-1)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Gyatt (DD-712/DDG-1)

USS Gyatt (DD-712) was launched 15 April 1945 by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearney, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Hilda Morrell, mother of Private Gyatt; and commissioned 2 July 1945 at the New York Navy Yard, Comdr. A. D. Kaplan in command.

After shakedown in the Caribbean, USS Gyatt (DD-712) reported to Norfolk for a variety of duties along the East Coast. In addition to local operations and training exercises, she participated in training operations with aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Departing Norfolk 24 January 1947, USS Gyatt (DD-712) sailed south to represent the United States at the inauguration of the new Uruguayan President at Montevideo 27 February to 6 March. Before returning to Norfolk 21 March she made goodwill visits to Rio de Janeiro and Port of Spain, Trinidad.

USS Gyatt (DD-712) sailed 20 November 1947 to deploy with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and returned to Norfolk 2 March 1948. In six subsequent deployments to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, USS Gyatt (DD-712) bolstered the readiness of American seapower that proved a mainstay in stemming the threatened advance of Communist domination over Free World nations. Other operations took her north from Norfolk to Nova Scotia and Iceland and south into the Caribbean Sea.

Her hull clasification was changed to DDG-712 1 December 1956. USS Gyatt (DD-712) recommissioned 2 days later, Comdr. Charles F. Helme, Jr., in command. The new guided missile ship, a potent weapon in America's expanding arsenal, spent nearly 3 years of intensive evaluation and development work along the Atlantic coast. On 23 May 1957 her hull number was changed to DDG-1 in recognition of her pioneering position. On her return USS Gyatt (DD-712) joined in America's space program, taking nose-cone recovery station 5 to 10 November 1960 and 24 to 26 April 1961 to aid in "Project Mercury," thus operating in another new area of expanding sea-power. With another world crisis pending over the status of Berlin, she again sailed 3 August 1961 to bolster the flexing and powerful arm of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.

USS Gyatt (DD-712) entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard 29 June 1962 for overhaul that included the removal of her missile system and installation of newly developed equipment that would prepare her for specialized service with the Operational Test and Evaluation Force. Her classification changed from a guided missile destroyer DDG-1 back to conventional destroyer DD-712 1 October 1962. Her preparations were complete by 1 January 1963 when USS Gyatt (DD-712) arrived in Norfolk for continuing experimental work under Operational Test and Evaluation Force in waters reaching into the Caribbean Sea. USS Gyatt (DD-712) continued to operate along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean into 1967. She performed patrol and ASW duty and trained the officers and men of the Navy in guided missile destroyer tactics. She was also especially active in testing and evaluating new equipment and helping to bring the men and equipment of the Navy efficient and up to date.

For a complete history of USS Gyatt (DD-712) please see its DANFS page.