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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books Ship's History About the Ship's Name Image Gallery to end of page |  |
USS RICHMOND K. TURNER was the fifth ship in the LEAHY-class of "double-end" guided missile cruisers. She was the first United States Navy vessel named in honor of Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner. During World War II, Admiral Turner commanded major American amphibious forces in the Pacific and participated in operations including Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. USS RICHMOND K. TURNER was last homeported in Pascagoula, Miss. On August 9, 1998, she was sunk as a target near Puerto Rico.
| General Characteristics: | Keel laid: January 9, 1961 |
| Launched: April 6, 1963 | |
| Commissioned: June 13, 1964 | |
| Decommissioned: April 13, 1995 | |
| Builder: New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J. | |
| Propulsion system:4 - 1200 psi boilers; 2 General Electric geared turbines | |
| Propellers: two | |
| Length: 535 feet (163 meters) | |
| Beam: 53 feet (16.1 meters) | |
| Draft: 26 feet (7.9 meters) | |
| Displacement: approx. 7,800 tons | |
| Speed: 30+ knots | |
| Aircraft: none | |
| Armament: two Mk 141 | |
| Crew: 27 officers and 413 enlisted |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS RICHMOND K. TURNER. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageUSS RICHMOND K. TURNER Cruise Books:
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS RICHMOND K. TURNER History:
USS RICHMOND K. TURNER was built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, New Jersey. Her keel was laid on January 9, 1961, and she was launched on April 6, 1963, sponsored by Mrs. Claude V. Ricketts. RICHMOND K. TURNER was commissioned at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on June 13, 1964, with Captain Douglas C. Plate as her first commanding officer. Following commissioning, RICHMOND K. TURNER remained at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for fitting-out, inspections, and initial preparations for sea trials. On August 10, 1964, she departed Philadelphia for her first homeport at San Diego, California. The voyage took her along the Atlantic coast, with stops at Yorktown and Norfolk, Virginia, followed by refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
After completing the Caribbean training period, RICHMOND K. TURNER transited the Panama Canal and entered the Pacific Ocean. She subsequently visited Acapulco, Mexico, before proceeding northward along the Mexican and California coasts. On September 11, 1964, she arrived at San Diego and joined the Pacific Fleet. During the following months, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted engineering inspections, weapons-system evaluations, and operational training in southern California waters. These activities included missile and gunnery exercises, antisubmarine warfare training, communications tests, and damage-control drills intended to prepare the ship and crew for extended overseas operations.
From March 19 to May 7, 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER completed an intensive shakedown training period. The exercises included evaluations of her propulsion machinery, radar installations, missile systems, and tactical communications equipment. Following completion of the training, she made final preparations for her first deployment to the Western Pacific.
On June 4, 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed San Diego for Southeast Asia. The deployment took place during the expansion of American military operations in Vietnam, when aircraft carriers of the Seventh Fleet were conducting increasingly frequent strikes against military installations, transportation facilities, and supply routes in North Vietnam. After crossing the Pacific, RICHMOND K. TURNER joined Task Force 77 in the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin. She served as a guided missile support ship for the aircraft carriers USS CORAL SEA (CVA 43), USS INDEPENDENCE (CVA 62), and USS ORISKANY (CVA 34).
Her responsibilities included maintaining radar surveillance of aircraft operating near the North Vietnamese coast, protecting carrier formations against possible air attacks, and coordinating air-defense information with other surface combatants and carrier air-control facilities. The ship also operated as part of the screening force during periods of intensive carrier flight operations. During July and August 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER completed extended operational periods in the Gulf of Tonkin. Her service in the Vietnam combat area is documented from July 7 to August 9 and from August 25 to September 21. These periods involved surveillance, carrier support, and antiair warfare duties associated with the continuing American air campaign.
In September 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER was relieved of her primary guided missile support duties and reassigned to the Search and Rescue Destroyer Unit in the Gulf of Tonkin. The assignment involved operating near areas where American aircraft conducted strikes against North Vietnamese targets and remaining prepared to assist aviators forced to abandon damaged aircraft.
The search and rescue operations required close coordination between surface ships, helicopters, and aircraft providing protective cover. Radar information and communications from RICHMOND K. TURNER contributed to the location and recovery of downed aircrews. Through October 8, 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in rescue operations during which eight American aviators were recovered. The operations took place during a period of continuing combat activity along the North Vietnamese coast, where rescue aircraft and ships frequently operated within range of enemy coastal defenses.
During October and November, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued operational assignments in the Western Pacific. The Navy's campaign records document another period of Vietnam service from October 15 to November 9, 1965. Maintenance and replenishment periods were conducted between assignments. On November 30, 1965, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed Subic Bay, Philippines, for the return voyage across the Pacific. She arrived at San Diego on December 18, completing her first Western Pacific deployment.
During the opening months of 1966, RICHMOND K. TURNER underwent post-deployment maintenance and resumed training along the California coast. Her activities included missile qualifications, engineering inspections, antisubmarine warfare exercises, and operations with other Pacific Fleet vessels. These exercises were followed by preparations for another deployment to Southeast Asia.
On October 15, 1966, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed San Diego for her second Western Pacific deployment. Following the transpacific voyage, she resumed operations with the Seventh Fleet during the continuing air campaign against North Vietnam. The ship's principal responsibilities included fleet air defense, radar surveillance, carrier screening, and search and rescue support. American carrier aircraft were conducting repeated missions against North Vietnamese transportation networks, industrial facilities, and military installations, while surface combatants maintained surveillance and protective stations in the Gulf of Tonkin.
During the deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER operated on radar picket and search and rescue stations in waters off Vietnam. Her long-range radar and missile-control systems provided the ability to track aircraft and coordinate defensive responses while supporting carrier flight operations. The Navy's official campaign records document service in the Vietnam combat area from November 12-21 and December 3, 1966, to January 8, 1967. These periods were followed by further operations in the Gulf of Tonkin during February and March.
From February 5 to March 6, 1967, RICHMOND K. TURNER completed another documented period of Vietnam service. During these operations, she continued her assignments in air defense, aircraft surveillance, and search and rescue support. The deployment included replenishment, maintenance, and port visits in the Western Pacific between operational periods. The ship's 1966-1967 cruise book documents the voyage, the organization of the crew, the participating departments, and the activities conducted during the deployment. Following completion of her final operational assignment, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed the Western Pacific and returned to San Diego on March 28, 1967.
During the remainder of 1967, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted operations along the Pacific coast. The training included engineering readiness exercises, missile-system maintenance, and antisubmarine warfare operations. She also completed a midshipman training cruise to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, providing practical shipboard experience for future naval officers. In early 1968, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued preparing for another deployment. American naval operations in Vietnam remained extensive, and the Seventh Fleet maintained carrier forces and surface combatants in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Tet Offensive and the continuing Rolling Thunder campaign.
On June 10, 1968, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed San Diego for her third Western Pacific deployment. She subsequently resumed operational assignments with Seventh Fleet forces operating in Vietnamese waters. Her duties included antiair warfare surveillance, carrier support, radar picket operations, and search and rescue readiness. The ship continued maintaining communications with aircraft and other surface combatants while conducting surveillance of air activity over the Gulf of Tonkin.
The Navy's campaign records document service in the Vietnam combat area from July 6 to August 2, August 18-23, September 2 to October 9, and October 28 to November 16, 1968. These operational periods were separated by maintenance, replenishment, and training activities in the Western Pacific. Throughout the deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER remained available to support carrier flight operations and to assist in the coordination of rescue operations involving American aviators. After completing her final assignments, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed the Western Pacific and arrived at San Diego on December 19, 1968.
The ship remained in port for leave and maintenance through January 20, 1969. She subsequently served as an antisubmarine warfare school ship in southern California waters, supporting exercises intended to train personnel in submarine detection, tracking, and attack procedures. During February 1969, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted a special guest cruise for the Secretary of the Navy. On March 1, she began an extensive update of her missile systems at Naval Station San Diego. The work included maintenance and modifications to weapons equipment and preparations for further operational training.
Following completion of the missile-system work, RICHMOND K. TURNER resumed exercises and preparations for her fourth deployment to the Western Pacific. In January 1970, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed San Diego for another Seventh Fleet deployment. She arrived at Yokosuka, Japan, on March 4 and subsequently operated in the Sea of Japan during a period of continuing tension between the United States and North Korea.
These operations followed several incidents involving American and North Korean forces, including the seizure of the intelligence ship USS PUEBLO in January 1968 and the destruction of an American EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft by North Korean fighters in April 1969. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in surveillance and readiness operations in waters near Korea during March, April, and May 1970. Her officially recognized operational periods in connection with Korea extended from March 10 to April 5, April 28 to May 9, and May 25 to June 15.
During these assignments, RICHMOND K. TURNER maintained radar surveillance, conducted exercises, and supported the American naval presence in the northwestern Pacific. Her long-range antiaircraft missiles and radar equipment provided defensive capabilities during operations near the Korean Peninsula. In June 1970, RICHMOND K. TURNER proceeded southward and resumed operations off Vietnam. Her duties included carrier screening, air-defense surveillance, and support for aircraft operating in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship's officially documented Vietnam service during this deployment extended from June 26 to July 15, 1970. She continued operating in Southeast Asian waters until late July before beginning the return voyage to the United States. Following stops at Guam and Pearl Harbor, RICHMOND K. TURNER arrived at San Diego on August 12, 1970.
During the remainder of 1970 and the opening months of 1971, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued Pacific Fleet training and maintenance. The Navy was preparing to modernize several large guided missile ships in order to improve their antiaircraft warfare capabilities and extend their service lives. On March 22, 1971, RICHMOND K. TURNER departed San Diego for the East Coast. She arrived at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, on April 27 and was formally decommissioned on May 5, 1971, for an extensive modernization.
The shipyard work included major modifications to her air-defense equipment, missile-control systems, radar installations, communications facilities, and combat information arrangements. Engineering machinery and supporting systems also underwent substantial maintenance and repair. The modernization was intended to improve the ship's ability to detect and track aircraft, process tactical information, and coordinate guided missile engagements. The modifications reflected the increasing complexity of fleet air defense and the requirement for improved integration of radar and weapons systems.
Throughout the remainder of 1971, RICHMOND K. TURNER remained at Bath Iron Works while the modernization continued. During the closing stages of the overhaul, the crew conducted technical training, equipment inspections, and preparations for the ship's return to commissioned service. RICHMOND K. TURNER was recommissioned at Bath Iron Works on April 27, 1972. She resumed service under her original classification as guided missile frigate DLG 20. Following recommissioning, RICHMOND K. TURNER underwent extensive post-modernization trials, engineering evaluations, and weapons-system tests. These activities included verification of the modified radar and missile-control systems and assessments of the ship's propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
During the summer and autumn of 1972, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted refresher training and operational exercises along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. The program included navigation, engineering readiness, damage control, communications, missile-system operation, and antisubmarine warfare training. On November 22, 1972, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to Newport, Rhode Island. She remained there until January 9, 1973, when she entered Boston Naval Shipyard for a scheduled two-month maintenance period. During the shipyard availability, personnel completed additional repairs and equipment adjustments following the modernization. The work was followed by further inspections and preparations for renewed operational assignments.
RICHMOND K. TURNER departed Boston in March 1973 and resumed operations from Newport. During the remainder of the year, she participated in exercises along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. These included air-defense training, antisubmarine warfare exercises, missile-system evaluations, and operational readiness inspections. The ship continued operating with Atlantic Fleet units during 1974. Her activities included exercises with carrier and surface forces, maintenance periods, and training intended to maintain the readiness of her modernized combat systems.
On March 16, 1974, Captain James A. Lyons Jr. assumed command of RICHMOND K. TURNER. The ship continued conducting Atlantic Fleet exercises and preparations for future deployments. During 1975, RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in further operational training and exercises in the Atlantic. On June 30, 1975, she was officially redesignated from guided missile frigate DLG 20 to guided missile cruiser CG 20 as part of the Navy-wide reclassification of major surface combatants. The redesignation reflected the Navy's revised classification of large missile-armed surface ships capable of performing fleet air-defense and other cruiser missions.
During October 1975, RICHMOND K. TURNER operated in the North Atlantic and conducted underway replenishment exercises, including refueling from the replenishment oiler USS KALAMAZOO (AOR 6). These exercises were part of the continuing training required for sustained operations far from naval bases.
In 1976, RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in activities associated with the bicentennial celebrations of American independence. These included Operation 200 and the International Naval Review held in New York Harbor on July 4. The review brought together American and foreign warships for ceremonies marking the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in the naval events while continuing her normal Atlantic Fleet assignments.
During the remainder of 1976 and throughout 1977, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted training, readiness evaluations, and maintenance. Her activities included missile and radar exercises, antisubmarine warfare training, engineering inspections, and preparations for further overseas service. In 1978, RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in operations associated with increased Soviet naval activity in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The ship was initially scheduled to conduct refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
During September 1978, shortly after arriving in the Guantanamo Bay area, RICHMOND K. TURNER received orders to locate and monitor Soviet naval units operating in the West Indies. The assignment required the ship to interrupt her planned training program and proceed on a surveillance mission. After completing the surveillance of Soviet naval activity, RICHMOND K. TURNER received additional orders to transit the Panama Canal and conduct operations off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. The mission involved monitoring maritime activity during a period of political unrest in Nicaragua, where the government of President Anastasio Somoza faced increasing opposition from the Sandinista movement. RICHMOND K. TURNER maintained surveillance of naval and maritime activity in the region while continuing to satisfy operational training requirements under actual deployment conditions. For her performance during these assignments from September 12 to October 22, 1978, RICHMOND K. TURNER received a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The award was presented in March 1979.
In March 1979, RICHMOND K. TURNER began another deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The deployment included exercises, independent operations, and visits to ports in southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. During the deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER visited Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Valencia, Spain; Civitavecchia and Alassio, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Constanta, Romania, on the Black Sea. The visits included replenishment, maintenance, training, official contacts, and crew recreation. Operations in the Mediterranean involved surveillance, air-defense exercises, and training with American and allied naval units.
On July 11, 1979, RICHMOND K. TURNER was photographed moored at Barcelona alongside the guided missile destroyer USS KING (DDG 41). The photograph also documented the Harpoon antiship missile launchers installed on the cruiser in place of her original 3-inch gun mounts. During July 1979, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted a Harpoon antiship missile firing in the Gulf of Sidra, off the Libyan coast. The missile was launched against a designated target ship at a reported range of approximately 78 miles. The exercise was reported as a successful engagement and was described in the ship's historical records as the first Harpoon firing conducted by an American warship while on an overseas deployment.
The test demonstrated the ship's ability to employ a long-range antiship weapon during deployed operations. It was a training engagement against a designated target and was unrelated to the armed confrontation between American and Libyan forces that would occur in the same general area in March 1986.
During August 1979, RICHMOND K. TURNER was selected to represent the United States at Saint-Tropez, France, during commemorations of the 35th anniversary of the Allied landings in southern France in August 1944. The ceremonies commemorated Operation Dragoon, during which American and Allied forces landed on the Mediterranean coast of France and advanced inland as part of the campaign to liberate the country from German occupation. Following completion of the Mediterranean deployment in September 1979, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to the United States and resumed maintenance and training with the Atlantic Fleet.
During 1980, the cruiser conducted operational assignments and training in Atlantic waters. She also participated in events associated with Operation Sail 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts. The naval activities included American warships such as USS FARRAGUT (DDG 37), USS BARNEY (DDG 6), USS SAMPSON (DDG 10), USS JOHN HANCOCK (DD 981), USS GARCIA (FF 1040), and USS MANITOWOC (LST 1180).
RICHMOND K. TURNER continued participating in Atlantic Fleet exercises during the remainder of 1980. These included air-defense training, missile-system evaluations, engineering inspections, and operations with carrier and surface formations.
On November 29, 1980, RICHMOND K. TURNER was photographed in Barcelona, Spain, during another Mediterranean deployment. The photographs documented her modified weapons and electronic installations, including Harpoon launchers and the radar equipment used for long-range air surveillance and missile control.
During 1981, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued operations with the Atlantic Fleet and completed preparations for another major overhaul. The ship had been in commissioned service for more than seventeen years, and further improvements were planned to maintain the effectiveness of her combat systems. In January 1982, RICHMOND K. TURNER entered Charleston Naval Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina, for an extensive baseline overhaul. The work included maintenance of the ship's propulsion machinery and major improvements to her weapons, electronics, and combat-direction equipment. One of the most important additions was the installation of the 20 mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. Phalanx provided a short-range automated defensive capability intended primarily to engage incoming aircraft and antiship missiles that had penetrated the ship's longer-range defenses.
The overhaul also included modifications to radar and fire-control systems, communications installations, electronic warfare equipment, and supporting machinery. Structural repairs, electrical improvements, and maintenance of the steam propulsion plant were carried out during the shipyard period. The overhaul continued through December 1982. Following completion of the principal work, RICHMOND K. TURNER underwent engineering trials, weapons-system testing, inspections, and preparations for renewed operational service.
During the opening months of 1983, RICHMOND K. TURNER resumed training with the Atlantic Fleet. The exercises included evaluations of her newly installed defensive systems, missile-control equipment, and engineering machinery. On January 19, 1983, Captain David B. Robinson assumed command of RICHMOND K. TURNER. The ship subsequently prepared for a deployment to the Mediterranean during a period of increasing tensions in the Middle East.
In October 1983, RICHMOND K. TURNER was assigned to American naval forces conducting contingency operations associated with the political crisis in Grenada. On October 25, 1983, the United States began Operation Urgent Fury, a military intervention in Grenada following the overthrow and killing of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and the installation of a new military government. American naval forces provided amphibious transportation, aircraft support, maritime surveillance, and protection for military operations around the island. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in the operation, with officially recognized service in connection with Grenada from October 24 to November 2, 1983. Her role was associated with the wider naval force supporting the operation.
Following the Grenada operation, RICHMOND K. TURNER proceeded to the Mediterranean, where American naval forces were participating in operations associated with the multinational peacekeeping presence in Lebanon. The Lebanese Civil War had intensified during 1983, and American Marines serving as part of the multinational force were stationed near Beirut. On October 23, a truck bomb destroyed the Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport, killing 241 American service members. American naval forces maintained a substantial presence off Lebanon during the following months, providing surveillance, defensive support, and other assistance to the multinational force.
RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in operations off Lebanon from November 16 to December 3, 1983, and again from December 10, 1983, to January 7, 1984. During these assignments, the ship maintained air-defense readiness, radar surveillance, and communications with other American naval units. Her guided missile systems provided part of the defensive capability of the naval force operating in the eastern Mediterranean. Further documented Lebanese operational periods followed from February 20-22 and February 25-28, 1984.
The operations coincided with increased fighting around Beirut and the eventual withdrawal of the American Marine contingent from its positions ashore. American warships continued maintaining surveillance and providing support while the multinational forces reorganized their activities. For her service during the period from October 20, 1983, to March 3, 1984, RICHMOND K. TURNER received a Navy Unit Commendation. The award covered the operational period associated with Grenada and the subsequent assignments connected with Lebanon. Following completion of the Mediterranean deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to the United States for maintenance and training. On July 16, 1984, Captain Vance H. Morrison assumed command.
During the remainder of 1984 and throughout 1985, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted Atlantic Fleet exercises, weapons qualifications, and preparations for further Mediterranean operations. Her training included air-defense coordination, missile-system testing, engineering inspections, and exercises with other surface combatants.
During January 1986, RICHMOND K. TURNER deployed to the Mediterranean as tensions between the United States and Libya increased. The Libyan government claimed sovereignty over the Gulf of Sidra beyond the internationally recognized territorial sea, while the United States continued conducting freedom-of-navigation operations in the area. American carrier task groups conducted a series of exercises designated Attain Document to demonstrate the ability to operate in international waters and airspace south of the line claimed by Libya.
RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in the Mediterranean operations during the opening months of 1986. The carrier forces involved included USS SARATOGA (CV 60), USS CORAL SEA, and USS AMERICA (CV 66). During the exercises, American naval forces maintained air-defense surveillance and monitored Libyan military aircraft, coastal missile installations, and naval vessels operating near the Gulf of Sidra.
On March 23, 1986, the United States began the third phase of Attain Document, during which American aircraft and ships operated in international waters and airspace within the Gulf of Sidra. On March 24, Libyan forces launched SA-5 surface-to-air missiles at American aircraft operating over international waters. American naval forces subsequently conducted retaliatory attacks against Libyan radar and missile installations and naval units. The resulting military engagement, designated Operation Prairie Fire, involved aircraft from the American carrier groups and surface combatants operating in the area.
During the night of March 24, 1986, RICHMOND K. TURNER fired a Harpoon antiship missile at a radar contact identified as a possible Libyan patrol boat. The missile was launched at approximately 11:50 p.m. local operational time toward a contact estimated to be about 50 miles away. The engagement was initially reported as a successful strike against a Libyan naval target. Subsequent attempts to verify the result, however, did not establish that a patrol boat had actually been hit. An E-2C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft did not confirm the reported target in the area, and A-6 Intruder aircraft subsequently searching the location found no identifiable wreckage. The available evidence therefore does not establish that RICHMOND K. TURNER destroyed or damaged a Libyan vessel during this engagement. The Harpoon launch nevertheless represented an operational use of the ship's antiship missile system during an armed confrontation.
Other American naval aircraft and surface forces carried out documented attacks against Libyan patrol boats and military installations during the operation. RICHMOND K. TURNER remained with the Sixth Fleet forces conducting surveillance and defensive operations in the Gulf of Sidra. For service associated with the Libyan operations from March 23-29, 1986, RICHMOND K. TURNER received a Navy Unit Commendation.
Following the confrontation, the cruiser continued Mediterranean assignments before returning to the United States. On February 26, 1986, Captain John D. Luke had assumed command, and he remained in command during the later stages of the deployment and subsequent operations.
During the remainder of 1986, RICHMOND K. TURNER resumed Atlantic Fleet training and maintenance. These activities included engineering inspections, missile-system evaluations, and preparations for another deployment to the Middle East.
During 1987, the Iran-Iraq War continued to threaten international shipping in the Persian Gulf. Both belligerents had attacked commercial vessels and oil installations, while the presence of naval mines and Iranian small craft created additional dangers for merchant traffic. The United States began Operation Earnest Will in July 1987 to protect Kuwaiti tankers reflagged under the American flag. American naval forces conducted escort operations and maintained surveillance of the Strait of Hormuz and important shipping routes throughout the Persian Gulf.
In October 1987, RICHMOND K. TURNER joined the American naval force operating in the Persian Gulf. Her officially recognized service in the region extended from October 18, 1987, to February 24, 1988. During this deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in escort and maritime security operations. Her duties included monitoring aircraft and surface contacts, maintaining communications with other American naval vessels, and contributing to the protection of merchant shipping.
The ship's air-defense and surveillance systems were particularly important in an operating environment where commercial vessels could be threatened by aircraft, antiship missiles, patrol boats, and other military activity. RICHMOND K. TURNER also participated in exercises and defensive operations designed to maintain readiness against possible attacks while American naval forces continued escorting reflagged Kuwaiti tankers. The deployment extended into the opening months of 1988. The cruiser continued her assignments in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters before being relieved and beginning the return voyage.
On March 22, 1988, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to Charleston, South Carolina, following approximately six months of overseas operations. On March 25, Captain Ronald L. Lassiter assumed command of RICHMOND K. TURNER. The ship subsequently prepared for another extensive modernization intended to improve her combat systems and extend her remaining operational service life. During the latter part of 1988, RICHMOND K. TURNER entered the facilities of Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for a major overhaul incorporating the New Threat Upgrade program.
The modernization was intended to improve the effectiveness of older guided missile cruisers against increasingly sophisticated aircraft and antiship missiles. The program included improvements to radar performance, tactical data processing, missile fire-control equipment, and the coordination of air-defense engagements. The work included modifications associated with the AN/SPS-48 and AN/SPS-49 air-search radars, the SPG-55 missile fire-control system, and the ship's combat-direction equipment. The improvements increased the ability to detect and track aircraft, coordinate missile engagements, and exchange tactical information with other naval units. The modernization also supported improved employment of Standard surface-to-air missiles against demanding air targets.
Additional work involved maintenance and improvements to the ship's propulsion machinery, communications facilities, electronic warfare equipment, electrical systems, and other supporting installations. RICHMOND K. TURNER remained engaged in the modernization and associated shipyard work during 1989. The lengthy availability required extensive equipment installation, integration, and testing before the ship could resume operational training.
During 1990, RICHMOND K. TURNER completed the modernization and continued preparations for renewed operational service. The ship underwent engineering inspections, combat-system testing, and training to qualify the modernized air-defense equipment. On May 31, 1990, Captain James L. Burke assumed command. The ship continued exercises and preparations for another major deployment during a period of increasing political instability in the Middle East.
On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, prompting an international response and the deployment of additional American military forces to the Persian Gulf region. The United States began Operation Desert Shield to deter further Iraqi advances, support the defense of Saudi Arabia, and enforce international sanctions against Iraq. During the closing months of 1990, RICHMOND K. TURNER prepared to deploy as part of the battle group centered on the aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). The carrier departed Norfolk on December 28, 1990, for its deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East.
RICHMOND K. TURNER joined the carrier battle group as a principal air-defense unit. Her upgraded radar and missile systems were intended to provide protection against Iraqi aircraft and possible antiship missile attacks. The battle group proceeded toward the Middle East as coalition military preparations continued. Following the failure of diplomatic efforts to secure Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait, the coalition began Operation Desert Storm on January 17, 1991.
During the air campaign, RICHMOND K. TURNER performed antiair warfare duties in support of American carrier operations. The cruiser maintained radar surveillance, monitored regional aircraft movements, and coordinated defensive procedures with other naval units. The naval operating environment required the protection of carriers launching strike aircraft against Iraqi military targets while monitoring possible threats from Iraqi aircraft, missiles, and naval units.
RICHMOND K. TURNER served in the air-defense organization supporting carrier forces during the operation. Her long-range surveillance equipment and Standard missile systems formed part of the layered defensive arrangements used to protect the naval formations. The ship's service from January 17 to February 7, 1991, earned a Navy Unit Commendation. Her Southwest Asia Service Medal eligibility covered January 14 to April 20, 1991.
During February 1991, coalition military operations intensified in preparation for the ground offensive against Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in operations in the northern Persian Gulf during the final phase of the campaign. The waters near Kuwait contained naval mines and other hazards, and American naval units maintained defensive stations while coalition forces prepared to begin the ground offensive. Her documented combat service from February 19-24, 1991, qualified the ship for the Combat Action Ribbon.
The coalition ground offensive began on February 24. Iraqi forces subsequently withdrew from Kuwait, and the coalition suspended offensive operations following the announcement of a ceasefire on February 28, 1991. After the cessation of major combat operations, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued supporting the American naval presence in the region. The ship subsequently operated in the Red Sea, where American and allied warships continued maritime interception activities associated with United Nations sanctions against Iraq.
These operations involved monitoring commercial shipping, verifying cargoes and destinations, and maintaining maritime surveillance to support the enforcement of the sanctions. During April 1991, RICHMOND K. TURNER proceeded through the Suez Canal toward the eastern Mediterranean with the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT battle group. The movement coincided with the beginning of Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational humanitarian effort launched after large numbers of Kurdish civilians fled northern Iraq following the suppression of uprisings against the Iraqi government.
American and allied military forces provided assistance to refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Naval forces supported the operation by providing aircraft, logistics, communications, and other capabilities. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in Provide Comfort while operating in the eastern Mediterranean. On April 24, 1991, the cruiser was photographed underway in the northeastern Mediterranean during operations associated with the humanitarian mission.
On May 18, 1991, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted an underway replenishment alongside the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH 7). Both ships were operating in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Provide Comfort. During this period, RICHMOND K. TURNER also served as an antiair warfare command and coordination unit for carrier forces operating with the Sixth Fleet. The ship's service from April 5 to July 16, 1991, qualified for the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. This award recognized the performance of a joint military organization during the operational period and was distinct from an individual Joint Meritorious Service Medal.
Following completion of the deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to the United States for maintenance and training. During the remainder of 1991, the ship underwent post-deployment maintenance and resumed exercises with the Atlantic Fleet. Her activities included missile-system evaluations, engineering inspections, and operational readiness training.
In 1992, RICHMOND K. TURNER was selected to participate in the Navy's Lightweight Exoatmospheric Projectile, or LEAP, research program. The program investigated technology intended to destroy ballistic missile targets through direct collision rather than the use of a conventional explosive warhead. The tests formed part of early naval research into exoatmospheric ballistic missile defense. RICHMOND K. TURNER was used as a launch platform for experimental Terrier-based missiles modified to carry equipment associated with the LEAP program. The experiments evaluated missile performance, separation procedures, and the feasibility of carrying a kinetic intercept vehicle to high altitude.
On June 12, 1992, Captain John W. Allin assumed command of RICHMOND K. TURNER. He would remain the ship's commanding officer during the final years of her commissioned service. On September 24, 1992, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted a Terrier/LEAP test launch designated Flight Test Vehicle 1. The missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range off the California coast. The test used a modified Terrier missile with a simulated LEAP payload rather than an operational kinetic interceptor. Its purpose was to evaluate flight characteristics, stability, and other engineering aspects of the proposed weapon configuration. The launch was considered successful as a flight test, but it did not involve the interception of a ballistic missile target.
During the remainder of 1992, RICHMOND K. TURNER continued participating in weapons testing and operational training. The ship also prepared for another Mediterranean deployment as American naval forces supported international operations associated with the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
In March 1993, RICHMOND K. TURNER deployed with the battle group centered on USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT. The carrier departed Norfolk on March 11 for operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions. Other surface combatants assigned to the battle group included the guided missile cruiser USS HUE CITY (CG 66) and the guided missile destroyer USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51). The deployment took place during the conflicts following the breakup of Yugoslavia. International efforts to limit military activity included United Nations sanctions, maritime surveillance, and restrictions on military flights over Bosnia-Herzegovina. RICHMOND K. TURNER participated in operations associated with the developing international response to the conflict. Her officially recognized service connected with Bosnia included March 28-31 and June 25 to July 28, 1993.
On April 12, 1993, NATO began Operation Deny Flight to enforce the United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The operation involved allied aircraft conducting surveillance and patrols to prevent unauthorized military flights. RICHMOND K. TURNER served as an antiair warfare coordination unit in support of naval forces operating in the Mediterranean. Her radar, communications, and combat-direction systems contributed to the monitoring of aircraft and the coordination of air-defense activities. The cruiser maintained surveillance of air activity and operated with other ships of the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT battle group while carrier aircraft participated in operations connected with the NATO mission.
During the deployment, the battle group also supported Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. The carrier's itinerary included operations in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf regions. The deployment therefore involved commitments in both the European and Middle Eastern operating areas. RICHMOND K. TURNER's documented service in connection with Bosnia and the Mediterranean air-defense mission formed an important part of her final overseas deployment. Following completion of the deployment, RICHMOND K. TURNER returned to the United States and resumed activities associated with the LEAP research program and the maintenance of her remaining operational capabilities.
During 1994, the ship continued serving as a test platform for missile-defense technology. The work included technical evaluations of modified missile components and experimental equipment intended for exoatmospheric interception. Additional LEAP-related testing investigated separation and deployment of the kinetic projectile from the modified Terrier missile. Such experiments were intended to verify the ability of the missile to carry and release the experimental interceptor under realistic flight conditions. The tests were part of the Navy's continuing research into ballistic missile defense. They did not establish an operational capability to intercept ballistic missiles from LEAHY-class cruisers.
During 1994, RICHMOND K. TURNER also underwent maintenance, training, and readiness evaluations while preparations gradually began for the ship's retirement. The Navy was reducing the number of older steam-powered guided missile cruisers in active service following the end of the Cold War. Newer ships equipped with gas-turbine propulsion and advanced combat systems were replacing many of the older vessels. Despite the decision to retire RICHMOND K. TURNER, the ship continued participating in the LEAP experimental program during the opening months of 1995.
On March 4, 1995, RICHMOND K. TURNER launched a Terrier/LEAP missile during Flight Test Vehicle 3, the first planned intercept attempt of the program using the experimental exoatmospheric projectile. The test took place in the Atlantic Ocean. A guidance problem during the second stage of the missile's flight caused the interceptor to follow a trajectory that prevented it from reaching the target. Although the missile was launched and the experiment produced technical data, the attempted interception was unsuccessful. On March 28, 1995, RICHMOND K. TURNER conducted another LEAP intercept test, designated Flight Test Vehicle 4. This experiment used a different version of the experimental kinetic interceptor. The test again failed to achieve a target interception. The failure was attributed to a problem with the power supply for the LEAP projectile, which prevented the system from completing the intended engagement.
These trials were among the final activities conducted by RICHMOND K. TURNER before retirement. They formed part of the experimental work that contributed to later developments in sea-based ballistic missile defense.
On April 13, 1995, USS RICHMOND K. TURNER was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. Her retirement ended more than thirty years of commissioned service. Following decommissioning, the former RICHMOND K. TURNER was retained for a period before being selected for use as a target during a naval weapons exercise. Preparations were made to use the ship in a sinking exercise involving American aircraft and surface combatants.
On August 9, 1998, the former USS RICHMOND K. TURNER was sunk as a target near Puerto Rico during a sinking exercise conducted by the battle group centered on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65). The exercise involved surface combatants including the guided missile cruiser USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58), the destroyer USS THORN (DD 988), and the destroyer USS NICHOLSON (DD 982), together with aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Three embarked aboard USS ENTERPRISE. The former cruiser was used as a target during the coordinated exercise, which provided an opportunity to evaluate weapons and attack procedures against a large surface ship. RICHMOND K. TURNER sank in the waters near Puerto Rico.
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