USS Coontz ( DDG - 40 ) USS " Coontz " ( DLG - 9 / DDG - 40 ) was a " Farragut " - class destroyer leader / frigate in the United States Navy . She was named after Admiral Robert Coontz , the US Navy ' s second chief of naval operations . Commissioned in 1960 , she spent the early part of her career in the Pacific , participating in four tours of duty during the Viet Nam War . In the early 1970s she transferred to the east coast and spent the remainder of her service years in the Caribbean , Atlantic , Mediterranean , and Persian Gulf . She assisted in saving USS " Stark " after that ship was hit by Iraqi missiles . In 1975 , as part of the Navy ' s reclassification process , all ships of her class were reclassified as guided missile destroyers ( DDG ) . " Coontz " was decommissioned in 1989 , and sold for scrap five years later . Her transom nameplate was salvaged and donated to the city of Hannibal , Missouri , birthplace of Admiral Coontz . Construction and commissioning . " Coontz " keel was laid at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in March 1957 , just 39 years after Admiral Coontz left his post as the shipyard ' s commander . The first guided - missile frigate to be built on the West Coast , and the second ship to bear the name of the Navy ’ s second chief of naval operations , " Coontz " was christened by Mrs . Robert J . Coontz , wife of the admiral ’ s grandson , on 6 December 1958 . Commanded by Commander H . H . Reis , " Coontz " was commissioned on 15 July 1960 and completed post - shakedown training in April 1961 . " Coontz " was commissioned 6 months ahead of " Farragut " , the lead ship of the class , some references refer to the class as " Coontz " - class frigates / destroyers . " Coontz " then became a unit of the Cruiser - Destroyer Force U . S . Pacific Fleet and joined the First Fleet as flagship of Destroyer Division 152 , home port in San Diego , California . Commander , Destroyer Squadron 15 flew his flag in " Coontz " from 4 May to 12 July 1961 . DLG - 9 . " Coontz " departed from San Diego on 10 August 1961 and joined the U . S . Seventh Fleet as a unit of the fast carrier task force . Remaining with the Seventh Fleet for more than seven months , " Coontz " steamed and visited ports in Japan , Korea , Hong Kong , B . C . C , Australia and American Samoa . While conducting training exercises to maintain full combat readiness , " Coontz " received the coveted “ E ” award for excellence in missilery . " Coontz " returned to the United States on 23 March 1962 to rejoin the U . S . First Fleet and became the flagship of the Commander , Destroyer Squadron 17 in April 1962 . On the second anniversary of her awards for excellence in Operations , Engineering and Gunnery , " Coontz " flew the flag of the Commander , Cruiser - Destroyer Flotilla 11 from 1 August to 11 November 1962 , when she again became the flagship for Commander , Destroyer Squadron 17 . Commander James R . Collier relieved Captain Reis in July 1962 . The " Coontz " sailed with the Seventh Fleet in Asiatic waters , visiting Yokosuka , Kobe , Kure and Beppu in Japan and Hong Kong , B . C . C in China . During this time the " Coontz " was also designated a stand - by recovery ship for NASA ’ s Mercury - Atlas 8 space mission . During the space flight on 3 October 1962 , Wally Schirra orbited the Earth at an altitude of 100 miles ( 160 km ) . Although " Coontz " was listed as a stand - by ship for recovery operations , it was not activated . The " Coontz " returned to the U . S . in May 1963 . In June 1963 , the " Coontz " demonstrated the kill capability of the Terrier surface - to - air missile in a sea power demonstration for President John F . Kennedy . First modernization . " Coontz " was overhauled and her missile weapons systems extensively modernized from October 1963 to April 1964 at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard . Commander Eugene C . Kenyon , Jr . relieved Commander Collier on 7 March 1964 . Upon rejoining the Pacific Fleet in April 1964 , " Coontz " successfully completed comprehensive weapons systems qualification trials and refresher training . Prior to departure for the Western Pacific on 5 August 1964 , " Coontz " was awarded the Missile , Gunnery and engineering “ E ” award for combat excellence in these areas . On 3 August 1964 , " Coontz " again became the flagship for Commander , Destroyer Squadron 17 . First Vietnam tour . " Coontz " joined the U . S . Seventh Fleet on 16 August 1964 as a unit of the fast carrier task force for six months . She steamed and visited Subic Bay , Philippines , Hong Kong , B . C . C . , Sasebo and Yokosuka , Japan . In December 1964 , " Coontz " was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for support of Vietnam War operations in the South China Sea . Her third Western Pacific tour completed , " Coontz " returned to the operational control of the Commander , First Fleet and returned to the United States on 6 February 1965 . Operations in the First Fleet included participation in the 1965 summer midshipmen training cruise . " Coontz " visited Bellingham , Washington ; San Francisco , California ; and Hilo and Pearl Harbor , Hawaii during this cruise . The “ E ” , “ C ” and “ A ” awards were received during this period for excellence in engineering , communications and anti - submarine warfare . On 14 August 1965 , Commander W . Cummings relieved Commander Kenyon as commanding officer . Second modernization . From December 1965 to January 1966 , the " Coontz " received a Helicopter Landing and Handling Capability in San Diego . This conversion included relocation of deck vents , clearing all fantail obstructions , installation of a JP - 5 fuel handling and purification system , and the introduction of equipment to provide Helicopter Starting and Service power . " Coontz " was the first of her class to receive the conversion and proudly boasted the addition of a helicopter to her many - faceted capabilities . Second Vietnam tour . " Coontz " departed San Diego in January 1966 for a regular deployment as a unit of the U . S . Seventh Fleet for a total of six months . " Coontz " visited Shimoda , Shizuoka and Yokosuka , Japan ; Subic Bay , Philippines , and Kaohsiung , Formosa . In March 1966 , " Coontz " was awarded the Unit Commendation Ribbon for her WESTPAC performance . After completing her fourth Western Pacific route , " Coontz " changed operational control of Commander , First Fleet and returned to the United States 1 August 1966 . In late September , Coontz entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a regular overhaul . After departing Long Beach Naval Shipyard in March 1967 , " Coontz " returned to San Diego and commenced a training and upkeep period . Third Vietnam tour . " Coontz " departed San Diego for WESTPAC on 25 July 1967 . While deployed in the Western Pacific , " Coontz " was again attached to the U . S . Seventh Fleet and on search - and - rescue duty as well as aircraft carrier operations and special assignments . Commander E . Dale Geiger relieved Commander Cummings as Commanding Officer on 28 July 1967 while " Coontz " was en route to WESTPAC on her fifth tour with the U . S . Seventh Fleet . In August 1967 , " Coontz " made an operational visit to Jakarta , Indonesia ; the first U . S . Naval warship to visit the nation since early 1963 . " Coontz " then spent two 30 - day periods in the Northern Search and Rescue Station in the Tonkin Gulf and participated in the rescue of nine aviators . After a brief visit to Hong Kong , B . C . C . , " Coontz " headed for her home port , San Diego , via Sydney , Australia and Wellington , New Zealand , Pago Pago American Samoa and Pearl Harbor , arriving in San Diego 8 February 1968 . During the leave and upkeep period a Test and Evaluation Monitoring System ( TEAMS ) was installed for evaluation during operations with the First Fleet . This was the first automatic test system to be installed in the surface fleet . The operations included participation in the summer midshipmen cruise . Ports visited during this cruise were San Francisco , Seattle , and Pearl Harbor . " Coontz " then took part in First Fleet operations ; including exercise Beat Cadence until Deploying on 15 November 1968 . Fourth Vietnam tour . " Coontz " arrived on Yankee Station one month later and spent Christmas on the line . On 8 February 1969 , Commander Donald P . Roane relieved Commander Geiger as Commanding Officer before " Coontz " made a visit to Hong Kong , B . C . C . " Coontz " returned to the Gulf of Tonkin for another Search and Rescue mission before going north for upkeep in Yokosuka , Japan . After an EC - 121 aircraft was shot down by North Korean jets , " Coontz " was rushed into the Sea of Japan . From that assignment , " Coontz " returned to San Diego via Subic Bay on 18 May . Third modernization . Leave and upkeep followed . In September 1969 , " Coontz " participated in a HUKASWEX operation at sea as a unit of the First Fleet . After several more sea periods , " Coontz " went into an extensive upkeep period . During the year of 1969 , " Coontz " won awards for excellence in Supply , Operations and ASW . The upkeep continued until deployment on 3 March 1970 . On 8 July 1970 , Commander Roane was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander T . J . Bowen . In January 1971 , shortly after her last Seventh Fleet tour , " Coontz " departed San Diego via the Panama Canal for Atlantic waters and a major overhaul and modernization at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard . In conjunction with this work , " Coontz " DLG - 9 was decommissioned on 23 February 1971 . After extensive Anti Air Warfare modification , " Coontz " was recommissioned on 18 March 1972 and transferred to her new home port of Newport , Rhode Island . Commander T . R . M . Emery is assigned to the Coontz as its Commanding Officer on 8 March 1972 . After a six - month test period in Guantanamo Bay , Cuba and other operations in the Caribbean , " Coontz " sailed on a " show the flag " cruise to South America and Africa . Subsequently she entered Boston Naval Shipyard for a three - month Post Shakedown Availability . Following extensive training and preparation , " Coontz " departed on 6 July 1973 for her first deployment with the US Sixth Fleet , operating in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean Sea . Commander Emery was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander F . N . Howe on 20 December 1973 . In January 1974 " Coontz " changed home port from Newport to Norfolk , Virginia . She departed 15 November 1974 for a Mediterranean Sea deployment , participating in numerous U . S . and NATO exercises . DDG - 40 . As part of a major re - designation of several classes of ships , " Coontz " was designated guided - missile destroyer 40 ( DDG 40 ) on 1 July 1975 . The ship ’ s next deployment was on 17 January 1976 as part of the Standing Naval Forces Atlantic ( STANAVFORLANT ) . The force operated in Caribbean , U . S . and Canadian waters with ships from 4 NATO navies prior to a transit to Northern Europe where " Coontz " visited 8 countries and participated in numerous NATO exercises . Commander Howe was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander Silas O . Nunn III on 6 March 1976 . Nunn was later relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander W . P . Martin on 8 April 1978 . After a one year regular overhaul in Norfolk Naval Shipyard , " Coontz " departed on 21 July 1978 for comprehensive gun nery , missile and Harpoon system qualifications and refresher training at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba . After returning home , " Coontz " participated in six months of local operations including GULFEX 78 in November 1978 . In 1979 she served again with STANAVFORLANT , as flagship , hosting more than 35 , 000 visitors in 8 NATO countries and participating in various exercises with over 30 NATO ships . STANAVFORLANT operations included areas above the Arctic Circle , in the Baltic Sea , North Sea and the Norwegian Sea . Commander Martin was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander C . P . Willoz on 28 September 1979 . On 14 July 1981 , " Coontz " accidentally fired a live Harpoon missile about off St . Croix . The island was in range of the missile and it was fired toward the island , but a search by " Coontz " and aircraft from found no debris . The US Navy concluded that the Harpoon harmlessly impacted the sea since no trace of it was ever found . A Danish frigate had a similar incident in September 1982 with no casualties , but significant property damage . In the fall of 1981 , " Coontz " deployed again . This cruise included port visits in Western Africa as part of the West African Training Cruise , operations in the Mediterranean Sea and a transit into the Black Sea followed by a port visit to Dubrovnik , Yugoslavia . Commander Willoz was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander J . P . Reason on 6 September 1981 . " Coontz " participated in operations around the Eastern coast of Central America in mid 1982 making the first visit to Bonaire , Netherlands Antilles by a U . S . Navy ship in more than 13 years . In July of that year " Coontz " entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a one year regular overhaul , undergoing various configuration changes and equipment additions . During this yard period , Commander Reason was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander L . P . Brooks , Jr . on 17 December 1982 . " Coontz " completed overhaul on time in July 1983 . Operation Urgent Fury - Grenada . Three months out of overhaul in October 1983 , " Coontz " steamed to the Caribbean Sea for weapons systems testing . While undergoing tests , " Coontz " received immediate tasking and altered course to join Operation Urgent Fury , the liberation of Grenada . The ship provided gunfire support and small boat interdiction for ten consecutive days in support of the amphibious assault . For this action , " Coontz " was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation . Final operations . In 1984 , Coontz underwent pre - deployment work up including refresher training and a major fleet exercise . Upon completion , " Coontz " deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in October conducting operations in the Eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Beirut , Lebanon and in the Black Sea . Commander Brooks was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander Charles H . Gnerlich on 25 February 1985 . " Coontz " returned to Norfolk in May 1985 . From August to October 1985 , " Coontz " underwent her first Phased Maintenance Availability , a new concept involving short periods of intense industrial work designed to maximize operational availability rather than placing ships in prolonged overhauls . In November 1985 , " Coontz " participated in Operation Bold Eagle , a joint exercise conducted with the US Army and US Air Force in Florida and the Gulf of Mexico . Coontz was a vital link in maintaining air defense , coordinating with airborne Air Force AWACS aircraft and Army ground units . " Coontz " ’ s next joint exercise was Ocean Venture ' 86 . Coontz , along with Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters conducted quarantine operations exercises in the Caribbean operating areas . During this time " Coontz " requalified her Naval Gunfire Support Team at the Vieques Island Range near Puerto Rico . In November 1986 " Coontz " was awarded her first and only Battle Efficiency Award . In addition she earned all eight line department awards in the areas of Navigation / Deck Seamanship , Main Propulsion , Damage Control , Anti - Air Warfare , Anti - Submarine Warfare , Anti - Surface Warfare , Electronic Warfare , and Communications . In late 1986 and early 1987 , Coontz underwent a work up period in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf on 5 February 1987 . During her deployment , she served under the Commander , Middle East Forces . " Coontz " was tasked with ensuring the safe passage of all U . S . vessels as well as maintaining U . S . presence in the Persian Gulf during the escalation of the Iran – Iraq War . Commander Gnerlich was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander William W . Cobb , Jr . on 11 April 1987 . During deployment in the Persian Gulf , " Coontz " provided firefighting teams which aided in the rescue of the USS Stark and her crew after she was struck by Iraqi Exocet missiles . " Coontz " returned to her home port of Norfolk , Virginia on 5 August 1987 . Following a three - month maintenance availability ( SRA ) she operated as part of the U . S . Second Fleet until the end of her career . Decommissioning . Commander Cobb was relieved as Commanding Officer by Commander W . E . Cox on 21 July 1989 . Commander Cox oversaw the decommissioning of the " Coontz " in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania on 2 October 1989 . She was sold for scrapping in April 1994 , but had to be repossessed in October 1996 . The ship was sold again in February 1999 to Metro Machine of Philadelphia . Although a few bits and pieces of her remain in private collections , the bulk of the ship was dismantled . The scrapping of the USS " Coontz " was completed on 26 March 2003 in Philadelphia , with the scrap metal being sold to Camden Iron and Metal in Camden , New Jersey . In 2006 , the USS Coontz Association , composed of former officers and crew of the USS Coontz , obtained the transom of ship from a private collector who had saved it from the scrap heap . The transom , which bears the name of the ship , was then donated to the city of Hannibal , MO , birthplace of the ship ' s namesake , Admiral Robert . E . Coontz . On 31 March 2007 , several former crew members of the USS Coontz , Navy deputy chief of information Admiral Nathan Jones and Hannibal city officials dedicated the transom at Nipper Park . The dedication occurred 50 years to the month after the laying of the keel of the ship . In May 2007 , the USS Coontz Association launched an online petition drive in an effort to convince the Secretary of the Navy to name another U . S . Navy ship for Admiral Coontz . The last Arleigh Burke class destroyer name was selected in May 2008 , .