USS Parsons (DDG-33)

• Namesake: USS Parsons (DDG-33) was named after Rear Admiral William Sterling Parsons, the ordnance expert who armed the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. • Original Designation: The ship was originally commissioned as a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer (DD-949) before being converted to a guided missile destroyer and redesignated DDG-33 in 1966. • Vietnam War Service: Parsons saw extensive action during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support, search and rescue coverage, and anti-aircraft screening for carrier task forces. • First Guided Missile Conversion: She was one of only four Forrest Sherman-class destroyers to be converted into guided missile destroyers, making her a rare member of the class with such capabilities. • Operation Linebacker: During Operation Linebacker (1972), Parsons played a crucial role in delivering accurate naval gunfire support against North Vietnamese targets. • Technological Upgrades: During her conversion, Parsons was fitted with the Tartar missile system, advanced radar, and improved anti-submarine warfare equipment, significantly enhancing her combat effectiveness. • Pacific Deployments: The ship was mainly assigned to the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and operating with carrier strike groups. • Rescue Operations: Parsons was involved in several rescue operations, including assisting downed aviators and providing humanitarian assistance to local populations during her deployments. • Decommissioning: She was decommissioned in November 1982 after over two decades of service and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1984. • Final Fate: After being decommissioned, USS Parsons was sold for scrap in 1992, marking the end of her distinguished career.