USS Hewitt (DD-966)

USS "Hewitt" (DD-966), named for Admiral H. Kent Hewitt USN (1887–1972), was a . "Hewitt" also served as Maritime Action Group (MAG) Commander in October 1993, helping to develop the new MAG warfare concept. "Hewitt" was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the 1992–1993 Persian Gulf deployment and the U.S. 7th Fleet's USW Excellence Award for 1993.

Following a brief maintenance availability in early 1994. "Hewitt" participated in RIMPAC '94. Directly following the exercise, "Hewitt" conducted live missile firings near Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii which included a successful NATO Sea Sparrow engagement and the first fleet firing of the Penguin anti-ship missile with HSL 51 Detachment 6 on 25 June 1994. "Hewitt" again deployed to the Persian Gulf on 5 September 1994 as a primary component of the multinational Middle East peacekeeping unit, enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. "Hewitt" returned to Yokosuka, Japan 10 January 1995 and received U.S. 7th Fleet's Surface Warfare Award for 1994.

On 17 March 1995, "Hewitt" entered the yards for an extended availability period which ended 5 September 1995. Afterwards, "Hewitt" participated in several multinational USW exercises and was awarded the Battle "E" for her performance in 1995.

On 3 June 1996, "Hewitt" deployed to the Persian Gulf for Middle East Force deployment (MEF) 96-2. While supporting U.S. 5th Fleet operations, "Hewitt" participated in Operation Desert Strike and launched two Tomahawk missiles on 4 September 1996 against Iraq. "Hewitt" received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for her actions during the deployment and returned home to Yokosuka, Japan on 30 October 1996.

In March 1997, "Hewitt" conducted battle group exercises with USS|Independence|CV-62|2 and in April DesRon 15 for the Sharem 120B exercise in the Yellow Sea conducted with the Republic of Korea Navy. In May "Hewitt" entered an availability and received the women at-sea modification to berth the first females permanently assigned to the ship. The first female Sailors reported on board in July. On 24 August 1997, "Hewitt" departed Yokosuka, Japan for a homeport change to NS San Diego, California. "Hewitt" joined DesRon 23 on 29 August 1997 during her transit to San Diego.

On 27 January 1999, "Hewitt" deployed to the Persian Gulf for Middle East Force Deployment (MEF) 99-1. In support of U.N. Sanctions against Iraq. "Hewitt" conducted visit, board, search and seizure of merchants in the area. "Hewitt" returned to San Diego on 26 July 1999 followed by a two month Selected Restricted Availability which ended 7 November 1999.

Fate

"Hewitt" was decommissioned 19 July 2001; she was sold for scrap to International Shipbreaking, Incorporated, of Brownsville, Texas on 9 August 2001. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 5 June 2002.

ee also

*List of United States Navy destroyers

External links

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/DD966.htm nvr.navy.mil: USS "Hewitt"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/966.htm navsource.org: USS "Hewitt"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/dd/dd966.htm navysite.de: USS "Hewitt"]