On April 23, 1957, it was decided to build her as a guided missile destroyer.

By 16 October, the guided missile destroyer was back in port at Charleston.

In 1968-69 he commanded the guided missile destroyer Kent.

Guided missile destroyers, displacing from 4,500 to almost 8,000 tons, were developed in the 1960's.

"But should somebody command a missile destroyer who has never been in the Navy?"

On several occasions, the guided missile destroyer came within range of enemy shore batteries.

After her final refit, she was a guided missile destroyer.

Upon the conclusion of this tour, the guided missile destroyer sailed for home on 10 May.

The Navy can also reduce procurement of guided missile destroyers from three per year to two.

The flexible design allowed the ships of her class to serve as multi-purpose vessels rather than standard guided missile destroyers.