Merrill (DD 976) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP ' S CREST The coat ol arms ol USS MERRILL (DD-976) serves as a heraldic remembrance of the ship ' s namesake. Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill. The colors blue and gold are the traditional colors of the United Stales Navj and the red, white and blue, out national colors, allude to Che ship ' s motto, SPIRIT ol 76 The crest is composed ol waves, symbolizing Vice Admiral Merrill ' s expertise in surface seamanship and demonstrated knowledge ol warfare tactics. The arrow is a symbol of leadership and material readiness. The anchor represents loyaltj and Naval Leadership, together with the crescent moon, an emblem ol the night, refers to the sobriquet. THE NAVY ' S NIGHTFIGHTER The five-pointed star signifying command, is flanked hv two six-pointed stars, whose total of twelve points symbolize Vice Admiral Merrill ' s command of Cruiser Destroyer Division 12 and simulate his successful Hanking strategy. The three stars together indicate his highest rank achieved The ship ' s motto. SPIRIT of 76. couples the year of MERRILL ' S christening with her hull number and the nation ' s bicentennial. In addition, this expression aplh summarizes characteristics which made Vice Admiral Merrill one of the Navy ' s greatest leaders courage, decisiveness and dedication SHIP DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division ol Littion Industries Keel Laid June 16. 1975 Christened September I. 1976 Commissioned M arcn II. 1978 Length 563 Feet 4 Inches Beam 55 Feet DrafI 30 Feet Displacement y 200 Tons Complement 32 Officers 298 Enlisted s P eed 30 Plus Knots Aircraft Two SH-60B LAMPS MK ill Helicopters Propulsion Four General Electric LM-2500 Marine (ias Turbine Engines (Total - 80,000 Shall Horsepower) Armament Harpoon Ann Ship Missile NATO SeaSparrow Anti-Air Missile Two 5 54 Caliber Light Weight Gun Mounts Tuo 20mm Close In Weapon Systems MK 32 ASW Torpedo lubes hr SHIP ' SCREST

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USS MERRILL DD-976 USS MERRILL ( DD-976) is the fourteenth SPRUANCE class destroyer and the eight to join the Pacific Fleet. MERRILL is homeported in San Diego and is assigned to Destroyer Squadron SEVEN. Commissioned March 1 1, 1978, I SS MERRILL completed four years as the Navy ' s designated test platform for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile System and in April 1985 MERRILL was awarded the Meritorious Unit commendation for her superior performance. On April 18, 1988, u hile flagship for ( ommander Surface Action Group BRAVO, MERRILL delivered 5-inch gunfire against Iran ' s armed Sassan oil platform during Operation PRAYING MANTIS, resulting in the neutralization of the platform. MERRILL received the Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and another Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon for her role in this operation. Designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, MERRILL is a member of the first major class of surface ships in the U.S. Navy to be powered by gas turbine engines. Four General Electric LM- 2500 engines—marine versions of those used on DC- 1 and C-5A aircraft— drive the ship at speeds in excess of 30 knots. Twin controllable-reversible pitch propellers provided MERRILL with a degree of maneuverability unique amoung warships of her size. A highly versatile multi-mission destroyer, MERRILL is capable of operating independently or in company with Amphibi- ous or Carrier Task I orces. Primary missions include both Under Sea Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare. MERRILL ' S sonar, the most advanced underwater detection and lire control system yet developed, is Hilly integrated into a digital Naval Tactical Data System (N I DS). providing the ship with faster and more accurate processing of target information. Integration of the ship ' s digital gun lire control system into NTDS provides quick reaction in the performance of the ship ' s mission areas of shore bombardment, surface warfare action and anti-aircraft warfare. I SSMI-.KKII LDD-976 pV

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Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill The USS MERRILL (DD-976) is named in honor of Vice Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill, U.S. Navy ( 1 890-1 961 ), an outstanding Cruiser Destroyer and Task Force Com- mander during World War II. A native Mississippian, Admiral Tip Merrill achieved ex- traordinary success during the United States first offensive operations against the enemy in the South Pacific. Most notable of his naval successes was the epic of Battle of Lmpress Augusta Bay, a brilliantly executed night action in which Merrill ' s small boys and cruisers defeated a more powerful enemy naval group sent to drive the newly entrenched American Land Sea forces from the Solomon Island Area. I lis be »kl leadership, daring tactics and indomitable fighting spirit during this battle and other naval actions contributed greatly to the success in the recapture of the Solomon Is- lands and won him the Navj ( ioss. the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars. i V ADM MERRILL