USS DECATUR DDG-31

The USS Decatur DDG-31, a Forrest Sherman-class guided missile destroyer, was in service for nearly 30 years, from 1956 to 1983. Originally designated DD-936, after ten years of service, the ship was converted to a guided missile destroyer and re-designated DDG-31.

The photos presented here cover two years of service, 1968-1969, during the ship’s deployment in the Western Pacific as part of the Pacific Fleet during the Vietnam War. The images were captured by Brian Sullivan, who served on the ship as a Seaman. Brian was Ship’s Photographer, capturing thousands of images during these two years, on ship and shore. This collection of images shows the people and events of the USS Decatur DDG-31.

Brian has spent over 2 years preparing this website. Originally exposed as slides and carefully preserved for over 48 years, Brian spent countless hours transferring and scanning the original images to high quality digital images. The Image Gallery is organized by date and destination. All images are copyrighted and available for sharing.

This website project is a dedicated to preserving and publishing the experiences of his fellow shipmates. The images are presented here as a service and gift to Brian’s fellow veterans, their families, and others interested in this history..

Keel laid: September 13, 1954
Launched: December 15, 1955
Commissioned: December 7, 1956
Decommissioned: June 30, 1983
Builder: Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Mass.
Propulsion system: four-1200 lb. boilers; two steam turbines; two shafts
Propellers: two Length: 418.3 feet (127.5 meters)
Beam: 45,3 feet (13.8 meters)
Draft: 22 feet (6.7 meters)
Displacement: approx. 4,150 tons full load
Speed: 32+ knots Aircraft: none
Armament: one Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber guns, Mk-32 ASW torpedo tubes (two triple mounts), one Mk-16 ASROC missile launcher, one Mk-13 Mod.1 missile launcher for Standard MR missiles
Crew: 25 officers, 339 enlisted.