USS Edson (DD-946) is a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, formerly of the United States Navy, built by Bath Iron Works in Maine in 1958. Her home port was Long Beach, California and she initially served in the Western Pacific/Far East, operating particularly in the Taiwan Strait and off the coast of Vietnam. Her exceptionally meritorious service in 1964 in the Gulf of Tonkin was recognized with the first of three Navy Unit Commendations. During the following years she was shelled by North Vietnamese land forces, and apparently received friendly fire from the US Air Force.
USS Edson (DD-946)
The bow of USS Edson at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
USS Edson in 2003
Forrest Sherman-class destroyer
The 18 Forrest Sherman-class destroyers comprised the first post-war class of US destroyers. Commissioned beginning in 1955, these ships served until the late 1980s. Their weaponry underwent considerable modification during their years of service. Four were converted to guided-missile destroyers. This class also served as the basis for the Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyers.
USS Barry on 16 October 1983
USS Decatur (DDG-31) after conversion to a guided-missile destroyer with one of the aft gun mounts replaced with a Mk 13 missile launcher.
USS Barry (DD-933) with aft gun mount removed and replaced with an ASROC launcher.