USS Briscoe ( DD - 977 ) USS " Briscoe " ( DD - 977 ) , named for Rear Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe USN , was a built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula , Mississippi . She was laid down 21 July 1975 , launched 28 December 1976 and commissioned 3 June 1978 . The ship operated out of Norfolk , Virginia during her entire 25 - year career . When decommissioned , she was part of Destroyer Squadron 22 . Highlights . Some highlights of her career include : History . " Briscoe " conducted firing trials in 1981 - 1982 in support of the SALGP ( Semi - Active Laser Guided Projectile ) off the coast of Vieques , Puerto Rico . These projectiles were fired from the 5 inch ( 127 mm ) gun at a range in excess of . While in flight , an optical sensor would detect the signature of a laser - painted target on shore and convert the shell to an actively homing rocket for pinpoint destruction of moving and stationary targets on shore . Participated in Operation Urgent Fury , the liberation of Grenada , and in the Multi - National Peacekeeping Forces off the coast of Lebanon , and in Baltic Operations 1990 . " Briscoe " also participated as a member of Middle East Forces deploying twice to the North Red Sea conducting Maritime Interception Operations in support of U . N . sanctions against Iraq . " Briscoe " established a U . S . record of 275 merchant vessel boardings in the North Red Sea during the first of her two deployments to the area . In her second North Red Sea deployment in March 1994 , " Briscoe " responded to a distress call from an Egyptian passenger ferry , the Al - Qamar Al - Saudi Al - Misri . Briscoe acted as the On - Scene Commander for the ensuing rescue efforts for the over 500 passengers , coordinating the actions of the numerous vessels in the area . In 1996 , " Briscoe " deployed to the Mediterranean and Black Sea for a six - month period . Deployed with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 44 ( Detachment 5 ) , " Briscoe " in Exercise Atlas Hinge with the Tunisian navy and Exercise Shark Hunt and Jaws , an undersea warfare exercise against U . S . submarine s in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean Sea . " Briscoe " took part in Exercise Classica 96 , from 31 August through 9 September , in the spirit of Partnership for Peace . Ships from the U . S . 6th Fleet , Black Sea and Mediterranean littoral nations ( including Italy , Ukraine , Greece . In July 1999 , at President Bill Clinton ' s orders , warships of the U . S . Navy assisted in the search for the downed plane of John F . Kennedy , Jr . With the permission of Secretary of Defense William Cohen , a memorial service for Kennedy , his wife , and sister - in - law was later held aboard the " Briscoe " and their ashes were scattered from this ship off the coast of Martha ' s Vineyard . Ship ' s crest . The ship ' s coat of arms is a reflection of the distinguished naval career of Admiral Robert Pearce Briscoe . Standing boldly at the base of the shield is the Lion of St . Mark , which refers to the Admiral ' s leadership as Commander in Chief of Allied Southern Forces Europe . The fess and wavy bar , immediately above the Lion of St . Mark , suggest flowing water passing warships and small land areas . This is reminiscent of the Northern Solomon Islands where Admiral Briscoe commanded the in World War II several important engagements . The shield is completed by four stars , symbolic of Admiral Briscoe ' s leadership achievement and rank . Atop the shield is a crest symbolic of further achievement in a long and successful career . The trident , symbol of Triton , ruler of the seas , refers to the United States Naval Academy where the Admiral served as a student , instructor and department head . The flash represents Prometheus ' gift of science to mankind and alludes to Admiral Briscoe as one of the pioneers of modern electronics development in the Navy . The cross refers to the Navy Cross Admiral Briscoe received for his actions in the North Solomon Campaign . The crest is completed by the Taeguk which denotes the Admiral ' s Far East Naval Command . The entire coat of arms is aptly summed up by the ship ' s motto " Efficiency and Valor " , given to the ship by former Chief of Naval Operations , Admiral Robert Carney , as a tribute to his close friend .