Born in Hampton, Iowa, 6 May 1875, William Daniel Leahy entered the Naval Academy in 1893 from Wisconsin. He was commissioned ensign 1 July 1899 and through subsequent promotions attained the rank of rear admiral in October 1927; vice admiral July 1935; admiral January 1937; and fleet admiral December 1944.

He sailed in Constellation on a midshipman?s cruise. Upon graduation he served on Oregon, a key part of the powerful ?new Navy? of that era, during the destruction of the Spanish fleet in Santiago 3 July 1898. In October he joined Texas, and in 1899 proceeded to the Asiatic Station where he saw active service during the Philippine Insurrection and Boxer Rebellion in China. He returned to the United States in 1904, and in June was on board Boston stationed at Panama during early construction of the Canal. After instructing at the Naval Academy, then serving as navigator of California, in 1912 he commanded American naval forces during the occupation of Nicaragua.

In September 1915 he assumed command of gunboat Dolphin operating in the West Indies searching for German supply ships, became executive officer of Nevada July 1917, and in 1918 won the Navy Cross as commander of Princess Matoika transporting troops to France.

In April 1921 he commanded St. Louis, flagship of the naval detachment protecting American interests during the Greco-Turkish War. After command of New Mexico in 1926, he returned to the Navy Department as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance October 1927. In June 1931 Admiral Leahy became Commander, Destroyers, U.S. Fleet, and May 1933 was appointed to the board then reorganizing the Navy Department.

In 1936 he became Commander in Chief, Battle Force, and broke his flag in California. Appointed Chief of Naval Operations, he took the oath 2 January 1937 and held that office until he retired 1 August 1939. Several days prior to his retirement the President presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal.

He became Governor of Puerto Rico 11 September 1939, and Ambassador to France 23 November 1940 in the critical early years of World War II. On 20 July 1942 he was returned to active duty as Chief of Staff to President Roosevelt, and for a time was senior member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On 15 December 1944, he was appointed Fleet Admiral (with only three other admirals to receive the distinction of a fifth star: King, Nimitz, and Halsey). He remained on active duty in an advisory capacity in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy until his death 20 July 1959.

?Eminently qualified by his experience in the fields of government and international affairs, Fleet Admiral Leahy contributed his deep wisdom and judgment to the guidance of his country following the victorious conclusion of the last war. His supreme loyalty to his country and his appreciation of its place in world affairs, supplemented by his fundamental concern in the welfare of humanity as a whole, transcended his already vast knowledge of military affairs to culminate in statesmanship beyond that required of any naval officer in our history...?

Leahy (DLG-16) was laid down by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine, 3 December 1959; launched 1 July 1961; sponsored by Mrs. Michael J. Mansfield, wife of Senator Mansfield, Mont., Senate Majority Leader; and commissioned 4 August 1962, Capt. Robert L. Baughan, Jr., in command.

After shakedown in the Caribbean, Leahy departed Boston 19 September 1963 and reported to Charleston, S.C., where Rear Adm. E. E. Grimm, Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 6, selected her as his flagship. She then proceeded to the Jacksonville operating areas for type training, and briefly put in to home port in November before returning to the Caribbean to participate in AA warfare exercises.

On 2 January 1964 the DLG was again bound for the Caribbean for missile training which ended 26 February. From 1 to 10 April she joined in an amphibious exercise, ?Quick Kick V,? and on 1 June was permanently assigned to Destroyer Squadron 6.

Leahy departed for duty with the 6th Fleet 17 July as part of a Fast Carrier Task Group which included Forrestal (CVA-59), and participated in a coordinated fleet exercise. ?MEDLANDEX-64,? between the Balearic Islands and Sardinia. She then carried out independent training in the eastern Mediterranean before departing Naples, Italy, 22 September to join in NATO exercise, ?FALLEX-64.? She returned to Naples 26 October, and in November participated in another fleetwide exercise, ?POOPDECK-IV,? which brought some 40 ships of T.F. 60 together off the coast of Spain.

Leahy departed Barcelona, Spain, 2 December for replenishment, and on 14 December drew the curtain on 32,750 miles of steaming while deployed with the 6th Fleet. She arrived Charleston 22 December and began a period of restricted availability in preparation for extensive tests to evaluate the Terrier Guidance Missile System. During these tests, which were completed in September, Leahy was briefly deployed in the Dominican Republic Operations from 28 April to 7 May 1965 as a unit of the Strike and Covering Force.

She departed Charleston 31 November for the Mediterranean and relieved William V. Pratt (DLG-13) at Polensa, Majorca, 9 December. During this second deployment with the 6th Fleet, she operated throughout the Mediterranean participating in ASW, gunnery, and AA warfare exercises as well as major fleet tactical operations supporting our NATO Allies.

Leahy returned home to Charleston on 8 April 1966. During June and July she gave some 60 midshipmen from Annapolis valuable at-sea training, and visited ports along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Following this, Leahy conducted exercises with the navies of many South American countries as part of operation UNITAS VII. She sailed through the Panama Canal in early September, thence south and through the Straits of Magellan at the end of October.

The operation was completed on 6 December and the DLG returned to Charleston on the 15th. Leahy then prepared for massive modernization at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, arriving there 27 January 1967, and decommissioning 18 February. For over a year she received new AAW and ASW equipment, allowing her to utilize the most recent developments in the technology of naval warfare. She was placed in commission, special, on 4 May 1968 for the extensive period of testing her updated weapons systems. Leaving Philadelphia on 18 August, she arrived at her new home port, Norfolk, 3 days later, and continued the process of sharpening her expanded capabilities, into 1969. She is scheduled to return to a full commission status in mid-1969.

1958/1959

Award date 7 November 1958. Her keel is laid at Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine on 3 December 1959. USS Leahy Hull #339. UIC # 52687. Program 67/58. Leahy is the lead ship in a class of nine ships.

1960

1961

Launched 1 July.

1962

Delivery date 27 July. Leahy is commissioned on 4 August at Boston Naval Shipyard and sponsored by Mrs. Michael J. Mansfield, wife of Senator Mansfield - Montana, Senate Majority Leader. Captain Robert L. Baughan, Jr., is Leahy's first Commanding Officer.

1963

After shakedown in the Caribbean, Leahy departed Boston 19 September (or 1 May?) 1963 and reported to new homeport of Charleston, S.C., where Rear Adm. E. E. Grimm, Commander CruiserDestroyer Flotilla 6, selected her as his flagship. She then proceeded to the Jacksonville operating areas for type training, and briefly puts in to Charleston in November before returning to the Caribbean to participate in AA warfare exercises.

1964

Departs 2 January for the Caribbean for missile training, which ends on 26 February. From 1 - 10 April, Leahy participates in amphibious exercise "Quick Kick V". On 1 June, Leahy is permanently assigned to DESRON 6. Leahy departs Charleston (10)17 July for the Atlantic Missile Range near Puerto Rico for annual missile exercises. There is liberty in Puerto Rico for 2 evenings. Leahy then departs for her first Med cruise, and arrives in the Med on 27 July. Leahy drops anchor for a few hours in Pollensa Bay on the northern coast of Mallorca. Leahy is part of a Fast Carrier Task Group which included USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Boston (CAG-1), USS MacDonough (DLG-8), USS Sellers (DDG-11). Leahy arrives in Genoa, Italy on 4 August. Leahy departs Genoa on 13 August, and participates in a coordinated fleet exercise,"MEDLANDEX-64," between the Balearic Islands (Mallorca and Menorca) and Sardinia; Leahy roams the Tyrrenian Sea, Passed through the Strait Of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica. On 21 August Leahy arrives at her second liberty port, Theoule, France. Leahy departs Theoule, France on 26 August. Leahy steams down between Corsica and Elba, passes throught The Straits Of Messina between the toe of Italy and Sicily. Leahy participates in independent training exercises in the eastern Mediterranean. On 1 September, Leahy re-fuels from USS Chuckawan (AO-100). Leahy arrives in Naples, Italy ? September. 14 First Class Midshipmen who have been aboard for 6 weeks, depart Leahy in Naples. Leahy departs Naples, Italy, 22 September to join in NATO exercise, "FALLEX-64". On 6 October, Leahy arrives in Athens, Greece for a 2 day visit. Leahy departs Athens on 7 October. Leahy returns to Athens 16 October for a 6 day visit (22 October). Leahy's next port is Naples on 26 October, and she ties up alongside USS Shenandoah (AD-44) for a routine upkeep period. Leahy departs Naples 9 November. Leahy arrives in her next port of Leghorn (Livorno), Italy on 10 November. In November, Leahy also participates in another fleetwide exercise, "POOPDECK-IV", which brought some 40 ships of T.F. 60 together off the coast of Spain. Leahy departs Barcelona, Spain, 2 December for replenishment. The next and last port of call is Cagliari, Sardinia. On (22)14 December drew the curtain on 32,750 miles of steaming while deployed with the 6th Fleet. She arrived Charleston 22 December.

1965

December began a period of restricted availability in preparation for extensive tests to evaluate the Terrier Guidance Missile System. During these tests, which were completed in September, Leahy was briefly deployed in the Dominican Republic Operation., from 28 April to 7 May 1965 as a unit of the Strike and Covering Force. Leahy then departs Charleston, SC on 30 November for her second Med cruise, and relieves William V. Pratt (DLG-13) at Polensa Bay, Majorca, 9 December. For two weeks, USS Leahy operates in the Western Mediterranean with Task Group 60.1. Leahy spends the Christmas holidays in Naples, Italy, and the New Years holidays in Livorno, Italy.

1966

On 4 January, Leahy is underway again, joining up with USS America (CVA-66) and other destroyers. Leahy spends 22 continuous days at sea engaged in various exercises and plane guard duty for USS America. On 26 January, Leahy returns to Naples, Italy and spends time tied up alongside USS Everglades (AD-24 ) for 12 days. Leahy then rejoins Task Group 60.1 west of Sardinia. The Leahy fires missiles on the 1 February and then heads back to the Tyrrhenian Sea. On 4 February, Leahy commences a week long training anchorage in Aranci Bay, Sardinia. From the 11 to 23 February, Leahy is in port at Genoa, Italy. On 28 February, Leahy rejoins units of the Sixth Fleet and the French Navy for a NATO Exercise, FAIRGAME IV. This anti-aircraft/air assault exercise lasts 10 days. During this period, Leahy sailors visit the French warship Tartu (D636). After completion of exercise FAIRGAME IV, Leahy then proceeds to Palma, Mallorca for a short port visit. Leahy then proceeds to Taranto, Italy for the Fleet Commanders Conference, and then returns to Palma, Mallorca. Leahy makes one more port call at Pollensa Bay, Mallorca, to meet it's relief, USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-24). After 4 months on station, Leahy departs for Charleston, SC. Leahy returns home to Charleston on 8 April 1966. During June and July she gave some 60 midshipmen from Annapolis valuable at-sea training, and visited ports along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean. Following this, on 24 August, Leahy departed Charleston for UNITAS VII and was selected the flagship for COMSOLANT. Leahy conducted exercises with the navies of many South American countries as part of operat- tion UNITAS VII. She sailed through the Panama Canal in early September, thence south and through the Straits of Magellan at the end of October. The operation was completed on 6 December and the DLG returned to Charleston on the 15th.
UNITAS VII Schedule:

24 August Departs Charleston
29 August - 1 Sept. Trinidad, West Indies
7 - 10 September Cartagena, Columbia
12 - 15 September Rodman, Panama Canal Zone
19 - 22 September Salinas, Ecuador
23 - 26 September Guayaquil, Ecuador
27 September Paita, Peru
30 Sept. - 4 October Callao (Lima), Peru
9 October Mejillones Bay, Chile
13 - 18 October Valparaiso, Chile
20 - 24 October Talcahuano, Chile
29 - 31 October Punta Arenas, Chile
3 November Peurta Belgrano, Argentina
8 - 12 November Montevideo, Uruguay
17 - 22 November Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
28 - 30 November Recife, Brasil
8 - 10 December Trinidad, West Indies
11 -12 December St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
12 December San Juan, Puerto Rico
15 December Arrival Charleston, SC

1967

Leahy then prepared for massive modernization at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, departing Charleston on 25 January, arriving at Philadelphia 27 January 1967. Her decommissioning on 18 February, and then turned over to the Commander of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. For over a year she received new AAW and ASW equipment, allowing her to utilize the most recent developments in the technology of naval warfare, at a total cost of $36,100,000.

1968

She was placed in commission, special, on 4 May 1968 for the extensive period of testing her updated weapons systems. Leaving Philadelphia on 18 August, she arrived at her new home port, Norfolk, VA. 3 days later, and continued the process of sharpening her expanded capabilities, into 1969.

1969

At 1125 hours on 25 July Leahy departs Norfolk, VA to commence Operation UNITAS X, under the command of Rear Admiral James A. Dare, Commander South Atlantic Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet in an exercise involving elements of South American navies; Brazilian CT Santa Catarina - D 32 (Ex. USS Irwin DD-794), Argentine, Columbian, Chilean ships O'Higgins 03 (Ex. USS Brooklyn CL-40) and Araucano - AO3 , Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Venezuelan and Urguayan navies, in company with US Navy elements - USS Joseph K. Taussig (DE-1030), USS Sarsfield (DD-837) , USS Grampus (SS-523), 2 maritime patrol aircraft from VP-45 and 1 transport aircraft from Fleet Tactical Support Squadron One. Also embarked, was the US Navy Showband of 26 musicians. Leahy's Port Schedule is:
San Juan Puerto Rico Cartagena Columbia - August 6-10
Panama Canal Transit
Rodman Panama Canal Zone
*First Equator Crossing - 18 August
Guayaquil Ecuador - 19 August
Galapagos Islands
Callao/Lima Peru
Arica Chile
Valparaiso/Vina Del Mar Chile
Puerto Montt Chile
Transit The Straits Of Magellan
Buenos Aires Argentina
Montevideo Uruguay
Rio De Janeiro Brazil
Salvador(Bahia) Brazil
Second Crossing Of The Equator
La Guaira/Caracas Venezuela (7 Days out from Norfolk)
San Juan Puerto Rico
Norfolk Virginia
*Pollywogs were transformed to Shellbacks when USS LEAHY crossed the Equator at
80o 44' W on 17 August 1969.

1970

From 19-22 May, Leahy participates in Operation Exotic Dancer III. On 14 September, Leahy departs Norfolk, Va. for a 10 day missile exercise in the waters off San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sometime during the transit to the exercise, USS Leahy in company with USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) and USS Belknap (DLG-26) receives emergency orders to depart the Caribbean Sea, utilizing high speed transit of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and to report to a point in the Eastern Mediterranean, some 100 miles off the coast of Egypt, in connection with the "Jordanian Crisis". They enter the Mediterranean Sea on 24 September 1970.A seven and a half month Med Cruise has commenced. USS Leahy also operates with USS Forrestal (CVA-59), USS Lawrence (DDG-4), USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709), USS William R. Rush (DD-714) and USS Brumby (DE-1044) while in the Med. Some of the ports of call include Mallorca, Spain - Barcelona, Spain - Valletta, Malta - Naples, Italy - Greece (during Christmas).

1971

On 13 February 1971, a USS Leahy change of command ceremony takes place in Naples, Italy. Capt. R. F. Hoffman relieves Capt. O. N. Putman. On 1 May, USS Leahy returns to Norfolk, Va. from this Med Cruise.

1972

Leahy departs for her 4th Med deployment in February. Leahy returns in September and undergoes her first major overhaul since re-commissioning.

1973

Leahy departs for the Caribbean, with almost a totaly new crew. From June until August, Leahy is involved in an extensive training period--with frequent stops in Gitmo. Leahy, in October, also spends 6 more weeks in the Caribbean for OPS training.

1974

Leahy departs for her Med Cruise in January, and from January thru July, Leahy operates with the 6th Fleet in the Meditterranean.

1975

In May USS Leahy heads east. On May 12, shortly before her sixth Med cruise, Leahy became the first U.S. warship (with USS Tattnall DDG-19) to visit Leningrad, Russia since the early 1960's, and the first U.S. warship to visit the Soviet Union since World War II. In all, more than 12,300 Soviet visitors toured Leahy during her 5 day visit. USS Leahy's port schedule is:
Portsmouth, England
Leningrad, Russia
Helsinki, Finland
Portsmouth, England (Again to drop off RADM. Langille & Staff)
Rota, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Palma de Mallorca
Ajaccio, Corcica
Naples, Italy
Finale Ligure, Italy
Athens, Greece
Marmaris, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Principality Of Monaco
Norfolk, VA
On 30 June, Leahy was re-classified from a DLG-16 to a CG-16. Leahy returns to Norfolk, Virginia 4 November, after completing her Meditterranean deployment in October. Leahy has now completed six Med cruises

1976

In January 1976, Leahy leaves Norfolk, via the Panama Canal, and proceeds to her new Pacific Fleet homeport of San Diego California, where she participates in various fleet exercises off the west coast. On 6 June, Leahy assists ex. USN MSO, the research vessel "Aquasition"in the rescue of 22 crewman and attempts to extinguish her fire. The firefighing efforts were not successful, and the ex. MSO is sunk. The 22 crewman are brought into San Diego. Leahy offloads all weapons on 6 September at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA prior to entering Long Beach Naval Shipyard on 9 September to begin a year long overhaul. USS Leahy overhaul commences on 1 November. Leahy is then towed from Pier 6 to Drydock 3. During her 12 months in the yards, Leahy received many improvements and modifications in her fire control system, engineering plant, communication system and other areas, designed to assure her of being a fleet AAW leader for another five years.

1977

On 7-8 July and 19-20 July Leahy completes Boiler Light Off Exams (LOE). On 4-5 August, Leahy completes dock trials. Leahy steams out of Long Beach 15-18 August for the first time since the beginning of her overhaul period. On 29 August to 1 September and 15-22 September, Leahy is involved in underway systems testing. Leahy leaves Long Beach for San Francisco on 27 September. Leahy then returns to Long Beach and participates in Navy Day celebrations 8-10 October, while tied to the Broadway Pier.

1978

Leahy returns to San Diego in April from RIMPAC '78. USS Leahy dependants cruise is held on 2 June.

Leahy commences her first WestPac deployment. Her deployment schedule is as follows:

July 6 Underway from San Diego - Shift Colors
July 12-15 Inport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
July 16 Depart Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
July 29 Inport Yokosuka, Japan
August 1 Inport Buckner Bay, Okinawa
August 2-3 MISSILEX 4-78
August 4 Ships Anniversary Celebration (16 Years Old)
August 5-24 Inport Subic Bay, R.P.
August 25 Underway From Subic Bay, R.P.
August 31 Inport Kaohsiung, Taiwan
September 4-7 SHARKHUNT XXVII
September 7-9 Inport Kaohsiung, Taiwan
September 9 Depart Kaohsiung, Taiwan
September 10 SAMEX
September 14
September 21 Struck rock while departing Yokosuka, Japan. Assisted back to
Until port by 2 tugs, for major repairs. In drydock for 7 weeks.
November 12 Last inport day Yokosuka, Japan

November 11 Capt. C. H. Ulrich relieves Capt. Samuel S. Pearlman

November 13 Sea Trials - Join TG77.7 with USS Consellation (CVA-64)

November 30
Until
December 4 Inport Sasebo, Japan

Leahy departs Sasebo, Japan and rendevous with USS Constellation (CVA-64) and conducts operations with the task group for the next 8 days.

December 13-15 Inport Pusan, Korea

Leahy departs Pusan, Korea for operations with USS Constellation (CVA-64) Battle Group.

December 23-30 Inport Subic Bay, R.P.

On 30 December Leahy is underway and operates with the USS Constellation (CVA-64) Task Group for almost the entire month of January 1979.

1979

January 9 Crossed the Equator
January 15-19 Inport Singapore
January 22 Joins TG75.1
January 25-29 Inport Subic Bay, R.P.
February 2 Inport Guam, M.I. (Refueling stop)
February 11-12 Inport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Leahy leaves Pearl Harbor on 13 February and commences "Operation Tiger" - 26 male family members of Leahy crew, participate in "Navy Life" for the next 7 days.
February 19 Moored San Diego at 1200 - Shift Colors.
Leahy has completed her first 7 1/2 month WestPac deployment. From February to March, Leahy is in a 1 month stand-down period. April, May and June is devoted to tender availability; Leahy also participates in a 10 day exercise, acting as "Orange Force", to test fleet readiness. On 8-9 June, Leahy hosts a ship's picnic. An award ceremony is held for crewmembers on 3 July. Leahy departs San Diego on 28 July and enters San Francisco Harbor on 29 July. On 30 July, Leahy participates in AAW exercise "Sea Crow". On 1 August, Leahy moors at Pier 70 in Manchester, WA and commences a 1 week participation in the Seattle SEAFAIR. Leahy departs Seattle on 7 August for San Diego, where she participates in "Finest City" week, while tied at the Broadway pier.

1980

USS Leahy departs San Diego for WestPac 1980 on 15 May. Leahy arrives at Pearl Harbor on 23 May. Leahy departs Pearl Harbor on 27 May for Pusan, Korea. On 30 May at 0200, Leahy crosses the International Date Line. Leahy arrives at Pusan, Korea on 2nd week of June (14th ?). On 24 June, 11 midshipmen embark Leahy for summer training. Leahy is underway for Yokosuka, Japan, where she will be in port until 13 July. On 23 July Leahy enters Subic Bay, R.P. Leahy is again underway on 28 July and arrives in Singapore 1 August at 0940 at the Naval Basin Sembawang. On 4 August Leahy celebrates her 18th birthday. At 0700 on 12 August, Leahy departs Singapore for the Indian Ocean (transits The Straits Of Malacca). On 17 August, Leahy is now on station in the Indian Ocean, with her next stop at Diego Garcia. On 21 August Leahy crosses the Equator (Pollywog Day) and the initiation ceremonies take place on the 22nd at Latitude 000, Longditude 84.32 South. An awards ceremony is held on Diego Garcia on 25 August while tied up alongside USS Ajax (AR-6). Leahy spends 4 days in Diego Garcia. Leahy then departs Diego Garcia for 18 days on "Gonzo Station" in the Arabian Sea. In September Leahy is on station in the Arabian Sea as FAAWC for USS Midway (CV-41) and USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) Carrier Battle Groups, where she serves as flagship for Commander U.S. Middle East Force. Leahy arrives at Mombasa, Kenya on 21 September. Leahy departs Mombasa, Kenya on 27 September and again heads for "Gonzo Station". On 11 October Leahy is ordered to enter the Persian Gulf via the Straits Of Hormuz, to provide antiaircraft defense for Saudi Arabia. Leahy arrives at San Diego from WestPac 1980 on 4 December 1980. On 19 December 1980, Leahy is at pier 4, Naval Station, San Diego, Calif.

1981

1 January 1981, Leahy is at pier 4, Naval Station, San Diego, Calif. USS Leahy is scheduled for a major overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, including installation of CIWS and Harpoon systems. On 15 January, Leahy departs San Diego for weapons off-load at Seal Beach, CA and off-loads the same day. Leahy departs Seal Beach on 16 January and arrives in Long Beach on the afternoon of the 16th and moors at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Long Beach will be Leahy's temporary home port during her shipyard period. On 2 March Leahy sailors move to off-ship berthing on APL-2. On 9 March future CO Capt. W. W. Salmon reports aboard Leahy. USS Leahy enters drydock on 11 March. Change of command ceremony takes place at U.S. Naval Shipyard Long Beach, CA on 14 March as Capt. C. H. Ulrich is relieved by Capt. Walter W. Salmon, Jr. On 17 April Leahy celebrates Capt. Salmon's birthday. On 8 May Leahy holds a personnel inspection and awards ceremony atop APL-2 at 1200. A ships picnic is held on 22 May and Leahy also leaves drydock on the same day and moves to Pier 1.

1982

USS Leahy participates in sea trials Eastern Pacific.Visits Seattle, WA for Sea Fair and Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC Canada.

1983

Leahy arrives at San Diego 3 January to correct major machinery casualties. Leahy participates in Rediex 83-2, the second phase of intensive battle group operations practice. On March 20 Leahy departs for 16 hours of sea trials prior to her WestPac deployment-next stop Pearl Harbor. USS Leahy participates in West PAC cruise April thru October, with USS New Jersey (BB-62). Leahy vistits ports in Phillipines, Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan, Pusan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

1984

USS Leahy departs for West PAC cruise in October with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Visits ports in Yokosuka, Japan, Phillipines, Mombasa, Kenya and Perth, Australia.

1985

USS Leahy is on station many weeks in the Persian Gulf and returns from West PAC cruise in May.

1986

In August Leahy departs for another WestPac cruise, in company with USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), USS VINCENES (CGN-49), USS FOSTER (DDG-964), USS BREWTON (FF-1086), USS MARVIN SHIELDS (FF-1066 ), USS GARY (FFG-51), USS JOUETT (CG-29), USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37).

1987

Leahy returns from WestPac Cruise in January. In July, Leahy enters Long Beach Naval Shipyard for an extensive New Threat Upgrade (NTU) overhaul. NTU significantly increased her combat capabilities against modern aircraft and missile threats.

1988

Leahy departs Long Beach Naval Shipyard after completion of New Threat Upgrade (NTU).

1989

1990

In August, Leahy was the senior host ship for the Soviet Navy's historic visit to San Diego. This was the Soviet Unions first visit to the United States west coast.

1991

On 30 March 1991, Leahy crosses the Equator . In Hong Kong 4 August 1991.

1992

In July, Leahy served as Anti-Air Warfare Commander, "Alfa Whiskey", for the multi-national "Rim Of The Pacific" (RIMPAC) exercise. RIMPAC culminated with Leahy successfully firing two SM-2 long range anti-air missiles and one Harpoon anti- ship cruise missile. In December, during her eigth and final WestPac deployment, Leahy operates off the coast of Somalia to provide support for U.S. Marine and coalition forces ashore involved in Operation Restore Hope. Functioning as a regional air traffic control center, Leahy teamed with the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft operating from the carrier KITTY HAWK and U.S. Marine air controllers ashore, to safely direct more than 300 military and United Nations relief flights a day into Mogadishu, Somalia. These operations were essential to the safe delivery of food and medical supplies to key relief centers in famine-stricken Somalia. In response to increasing tensions in the Northern Arabian Gulf.

1993

In response to increasing tensions in the Northern Arabian Gulf, involving Iraqi violations of United Nations resolutions, Leahy, in company with KITTY HAWK, was detached on short notice, and to proceed at flank speed to the Arabian Gulf. As a result, Leahy was on station on 13 January, in support of Operation Southern Watch, in company with CV-63 KITTY HAWK (CAW-15), CG-18 WORDEN, CG-32 WILLIAM H. STANDLEY, CG-63 COWPENS, DD-966 HEWITT, DD-978 STUMP, FFG-33 JARRETT, FFG-58 SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, AOE-1 SACRAMENTO, AR-8 JASON, T-AO-197 PECOS and AGF-3 LA SALLE and others. Aircraft from KITTY Hawk, teamed with U.S. Air Force and coalition air forces to conduct a successful power projection strike in southern Iraq. This was Leahy's last and final WestPac deployment. During the return transit to San Diego, Leahy was awarded the Battle "E" from Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five by Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Pacific. During the two year competitive cycle from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1992, Leahy also received mission area excellence awards in Anti-Air Warfare, Anti- Surface Warfare, Anti- Submarine Warfare, Maritime Warfare/ Power Projection, Command And Control, Supply, and Engineering/ Survivability. Additionally, Leahy was awarded the Pacific Fleet's Ant-Air Warfare Excellence Award. Leahy, at this time, was the oldest conventional cruiser in the U.S. Navy.

Leahy was de-commissioned and stricken on 1 October at the Naval Station - San Diego, San Diego, California. On 8 October, Leahy made her final trip, to MarAd (Maritime Administration), Suisun Bay-Reserve Fleet in Benicia, California.

2004

As of 19 April 2004, Leahy is now 43 years old (since launch). She was at MarAd - Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet - Suisun Bay - Benicia, CA, in a Maintenance "X" category, which means that she did not receive any maintenance or preservation, only protection against fire, flooding and pilferage. She is currently awaiting to be scrapped through the Ship Disposal Project.

THE FINAL CRUISE
On 21 June 2004, CG-16 departed SUISUN BAY RESERVE FLEET, CA under tow by Fleet Ocean Tug USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170) to the BEAUMONT RESERVE FLEET, Beaumont, TX for eventual scrapping.
The scrapping of Leahy is carried out by International Ship Recycling Limited, LLC starting the first week of August, exactly 42 years after her commissioning. Three of her sisters (USS Gridley, USS England and USS Halsey) have passed here before her.