USS Worden (CG-18)

• Namesake: USS Worden (CG-18) was named after Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden, who commanded the USS Monitor during its historic Civil War battle with the CSS Virginia. • Leahy-class Cruiser: USS Worden was a Leahy-class guided missile cruiser, originally designated as a guided missile frigate (DLG-18) before being reclassified as CG-18 in 1975. • Commissioned in 1963: Worden was commissioned on 3 August 1963 at the Bath Iron Works in Maine, representing the cutting edge of Cold War naval technology. • Vietnam War Service: The ship saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and performing plane guard duties for aircraft carriers. • First to Fire Terrier Missiles: USS Worden was among the first cruisers to be armed with the Terrier surface-to-air missile system, a key component in naval air defense. • 1975 Reclassification: In 1975, the U.S. Navy reclassified all frigates of the Leahy class as cruisers, making Worden CG-18, reflecting her importance in fleet air defense. • PACIFIC FLEET Flagship Duty: Worden often served as a flagship for various task groups and was a frequent participant in multinational exercises, including RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific Exercise). • Collision Incident: In 1972, Worden was involved in a collision with the USS Midway (CV-41), resulting in significant repairs but no loss of life. • Operation Desert Storm: USS Worden participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing air defense and escort duties in the Persian Gulf. • Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on 1 October 1993. In 2000, she was sunk as a target during a training exercise off the coast of Hawaii.