Deyo (DD 989) - Naval Cruise Book

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History USS DEYO (DD-989), the first United States warship to bear the name, was built by Ingalls shipbuilding of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Her keel was laid in October 14, 1977, and she was christened and launched on March 22, 1980. Since commissioning, DEYO has played a major role in operations in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, Western Pacific Ocean, and the Persian Gulf. The ships first major deployment came May 1981 when DEYO was ordered to the Persian Gulf in response to rising tensions in the Middle East. The ship received her first awards here, the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Sea Service Deployment award . USS DEYO deployed again to the Persian Gulf in May 1983, and was awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. DEYO has been an active player in numerous JCS Special operations in the Caribbean Sea and Western Pacific Ocean. It was here that she received a second Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. In October 1984, DEYO participated in Operation WAGONWHEEL, a joint Navy Coast Guard drug interdiction operation where DEYO earned the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. In March 1985, DEYO earned to coveted Battle Efficiency E as the top destroyer in Destroyer Squad- ron Six. Earlier that year, she underwent her first regu- lar overhaul for 15 months in Portland, Maine, where she was fitted with a series of new weapons, including the Tomahawk Cruise Missile System. Following over- haul, DEYO returned to her homeport of Charleston, SC. in May 1986. In July 1987, DEYO deployed with the USS IOWA Battleship Battle Group to the Mediterranean and North Arabian Seas and the Indian Ocean, where she earned her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. USS DEYO deployed yet again in July 1989 to the Persian Gulf, where she participated in tanker escort duties as part of Operation EARNEST WILL, earning her second Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Follow- ing the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces in late 1990, DEYO prepared for deployment in March 1991 with USS FORRESTAL in support of Operation DESERT STORM. After Middle Eastern hostilities ended in late February, USS DEYO ' s deployment was delayed until May 30, 1991, as part of the MED 3-91 carrier battlegroup with USS FORRESTAL. In July 1993, USS DEYO then deployed to the Baltic Sea as command ship for BALTOPS 93, in which she worked with many nations including the former Russian Navy., USS DEYO deployed again on May 20,1994 to the Mediterranean as part of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON carrier battlegroup in MED 2-94. Characteristics Built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, MS Keel laid 14 October 1977 Christened 31 March 1979 Commissioned. 22 March 1980 Sponsor. Mrs. James H.P. Grant Length 563 feet Beam 55 feet Displacement.. ..8500 tons Personnel Officers CPO Enlisted Armament Tomahawk Cruise Missiles Harpoon Missiles Two 5-inch 54 cal MK 45 Gun Mounts Improved NATO Seasparrow Missiles Two MK 32 torpedo Launchers Two MK 91 Phalanx CIWS

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Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo USS DEYO (DD-989) is named in honor of Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo, U.S. Navy (1877-1973), a veteran destroyerman and distinguished naval gunfire support task force commander of World War II. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served with distinction in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. He commanded the destroyer which provided the first American escort assistance to allied convoys to England just prior to Pearl Harbor. He later proved himself a master of naval gunfire support at Utah Beach in the Normandy invasion as well as during the invasion of southern France. Admiral Deyo ' s crowning achievement in the Pacific was command of gunfire and covering force for-the assault and occupational forces in Northern Japan. His awards include-the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Gold Star. Coat of Arms The divisions, colors and elements of the shield repre- sent Vice Admiral Morton Lyndholm Deyo through his place of birth and naval career. The wavy bars simulate water and refer to the Indian name, The reed covered lodge by the little water place, for Poughkeepsie, New York, where he was born on 1 July 1887. Red, white and blue, our na- tional colors, are also a common denominator, for it was in Pough- keepsie in July 1788 that the Constitution of the United States was ratified by the State of New York. The three stars and the colors blue and gold represent his Navy tenure and the highest rank he achieved. The stars also denote three decorations awarded to Admiral Deyo: The Distinguished Service Medal (Navy), and the Legion of Merit with Gold Star. The arrowheads refer to his destroyer service during World War I and his support of assault landings in Europe and Asia during World War II. The arrowheads further allude to the awesome striking power and sophisticated weaponry of modern destroyers. The trident is emblematic of mastery of the seas, and with the globe, refers to Admiral Deyo ' s experience in Naval strategy in peace and in time of war. The fiery U commemorates Admiral Deyo ' s command of destroyers of the Gunfire Support Group of Assault Force U during the amphibious invasion of the enemy- held coast in northern and southern France. Brave and Proud is the tradition of the name Deyo. It is the standard which has been set by Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo as well as a call to those who serve on USS DEYO to meet or exceed those standards.

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Commander J. Lane Willson Commanding Officer Commander John Lane Willson was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Shedding New England roots, he grew up in North CaroUna, and graduated from Auburn University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in transportation and marketing. Returning to New England, he received his commission through OCS in Newport, Rhode Island. Commander Willson ' s first tour brought him to Charleston in USS JULIUS A PURER (FFG-6) serving as First Lieutenant, Electronic Warfare and Material Officer, Navigator, and Ship ' s Secretary. Follow on sea tours included Engineer Officer, USS INGERSOLL (DD-990), First Lieutenant and Engineer, USS PELELIU (LHA-5), and Executive Officer, USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47). Ashore, Commander Willson has served as Head, Nuclear Power Officer Recruiting for Commander, Navy Recruiting Command; Placement officer and Assistant Captain Detailer for the Bureau of Naval Personnel; and in the Program and Budget Analysis Division (J-8) for the Joint Staff. He holds a masters degree in finance from Marymount University and is a proven subspecialist in both manpower and financial manage- ment. His Personal decorations include the Defense Meritous Service Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award). Commander Willson in married to Gail Fendley of Red Level, Alabama. They have two children, son Ian Reid and daughter Erin Moss.