The USS O'Brien (DD-975) was a Spruance-class destroyer built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. If you imagine sparks flying, steel plates coming together, and a lot of long days on the Gulf Coast—you’re not far off. Her keel was laid in 1975, she was launched in 1976, and by December 1977 she was officially part of the fleet. This was the Cold War era, when the Navy cared deeply about speed, flexibility, and staying ahead of very quiet submarines.
The name “O’Brien” carries real weight. The ship honors Jeremiah O’Brien and his brothers, who famously captured the British schooner HMS Margaretta during the American Revolution. It was bold. A little scrappy. And very American. Naming a modern destroyer after that moment was a clear nod to courage and initiative—traits the Navy still values, even centuries later.
What kind of ship was O’Brien? Fast, for one. Four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines pushed her past 30 knots, which is impressive for something this big. She was also built to listen. Seriously. With powerful sonar systems, including a towed array trailing behind the ship, O’Brien could hear submarines long before they ever got close. And later in her career, she gained vertical launch cells for Tomahawk missiles. That upgrade gave her real reach, far beyond the horizon.
Over the years, USS O’Brien went where she was needed. Western Pacific deployments. Persian Gulf operations. Long stretches at sea mixed with intense training and maintenance periods. During Operation Desert Storm, she helped enforce maritime security and support coalition efforts. It wasn’t glamorous every day, but it mattered. Ships like O’Brien quietly carried the workload of global naval presence.
She was part of the Spruance class, a group of destroyers originally designed to hunt submarines but capable of much more. These ships were large, fast, and surprisingly adaptable. They helped bridge the gap between older destroyers and the high-tech ships that followed. In many ways, Spruance-class ships set the tone for what modern destroyers would become.
The USS O’Brien was commissioned on December 3, 1977, at the Ingalls yard. Her first commanding officer was Captain John D. Bulkeley, a Medal of Honor recipient. That’s a strong start for any ship. From that day on, O’Brien did what Navy ships are meant to do—deploy, deter, and be ready when called.
USS O'Brien DD-975: A Technological Marvel of Modern Naval Warfare
The USS O’Brien was built long and lean. That hull shape helped her move smoothly through rough seas while keeping speed up. Steel gave her strength. Practical design kept her survivable. The superstructure reduced how visible she was to sensors compared to older ships—not invisible, but smarter.
Her sensors were her eyes and ears. Air-search radar scanned the sky. Surface radar tracked nearby ships. Sonar systems listened below the waves. All of that information fed into the ship’s combat systems so the crew could make decisions fast. On a warship, seconds matter.
As for weapons, O’Brien carried a solid mix. A 5-inch gun handled surface targets and naval gunfire support. Torpedo tubes were there for submarines. Sea Sparrow missiles provided point defense against aircraft and missiles. Later, the addition of the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System meant Tomahawk missiles could be fired straight up and guided to distant targets. Close in, the Phalanx CIWS stood ready as a last line of defense. It wasn’t flashy. It was effective.
USS O Brien DD-975 Crew Member Reports of Time Aboard
The stories from former crew members bring the ship to life. This wasn’t just a destroyer—it was home for years at a time. Sailors remember first deployments, crossing the equator, and becoming Shellbacks. They talk about long WestPac cruises, shipyard periods, and ports that still feel vivid decades later. Life aboard meant close quarters, long hours, and strong friendships. Poker games. Liberty ports. Standing watch at odd hours. Some leaders were tough. Some times were harder than others. But pride shows up again and again in these memories. When USS O’Brien was finally decommissioned and later sunk as a target, it hit many former crew members hard. That reaction says a lot. Ships like O’Brien don’t just serve missions. They shape lives.
USS O'Brien DD-975: Evolution of a Naval Powerhouse
Upgrades, Mission Capabilities, and Contribution to the Fleet Over time, O’Brien changed. New systems were added. Old ones improved. The Tomahawk upgrade was a big deal—it turned the ship into a long-range strike platform. Better electronics and sensors kept her relevant as threats evolved.
Mission-wise, she did a bit of everything. Submarine hunting was her core skill. Surface warfare and limited air defense rounded things out. She could operate alone or with a carrier group. Helicopters extended her reach even further.
O’Brien showed up again and again in key regions. Persian Gulf. Western Pacific. Exercises with allies. Humanitarian missions when needed. That flexibility is what made ships like her so valuable.
USS O'Brien DD-975: A Legacy of Valor on the High Seas
USS O’Brien served across the globe during a busy period in naval history. She supported major operations like Desert Storm and later missions enforcing no-fly zones and maritime security. Her Tomahawk capability gave commanders real options.
The ship earned multiple unit awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and Battle “E” awards. Those honors reflect consistent readiness and strong performance—not just one good day at sea.
Beyond combat, O’Brien trained with allies during exercises like RIMPAC and supported humanitarian efforts when needed. That mix of deterrence, cooperation, and assistance is a big part of what modern navies do.
USS O'Brien DD-975 Ship Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Class | Spruance Class Destroyer |
| Commissioned | December 3, 1977 |
| Displacement | 8,040 tons (full load) |
| Length | 563 feet |
| Beam | 55 feet |
| Draft | 29 feet |
| Speed | 32+ knots |
| Complement | Approximately 330 officers and enlisted |