USS Stump (DD-978) - History

History

Stump was laid down 25 August 1975, launched 29 January 1977, and commissioned on 19 August 1978. The ship was named after Admiral Felix Stump, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command from 1953 to 1958.

Stump's 1980 maiden deployment was to the Mediterranean, serving as flagship for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14. Stump conducted Black Sea operations, port visits and extensive undersea warfare (USW) operations. As a result of her outstanding performance, Stump was awarded the "Hookem Award" for USW excellence by the Commander U.S. 6th Fleet.

A year later, Stump deployed as U.S. Commander South Atlantic Flagship for UNITAS XXII. It was on this cruise that Stump obtained its mascot Felix, a bluefronted Amazon parrot, during a port visit to Brazil. Stump was the first Spruance-class ship to traverse the inland waterway of Chile.

In October 1982, Stump deployed to the Persian Gulf as a part of the Middle East Force to conduct radar picket operations. Returning home in March 1983, Stump participated in Solid Shield '83, a complex exercise involving U.S. NATO ships and the U.S. Air Force.

Stump went through a ten-month major overhaul at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She was the first Spruance class to go outside of Mississippi for a major overhaul.

March 1984 was highlighted by Stump's adoption as state flagship of West Virginia. Stump then traveled to New Orleans as the U.S. Navy's host ship for the 1984 World's Fair. Also in 1984, Stump won the James F. Chezek Memorial Gunnery Award by shooting an extraordinary 496 out of 500 during naval gunfire support qualifications.

Admiral W. L. McDonald, Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet, embarked in March 1985 for CARIBOPS '85. While in the Caribbean, Stump again shot naval gunfire support qualifications and scored 495 out of 500, winning the Atlantic Fleet "Top Gun" award for an unprecedented second year in a row. Stump then deployed for UNITAS XXVI/WATC '85. During the deployment, Stump showed the flag in port visits to eight South American nations and six West African nations. The year 1986 was significant for two reasons. First, Stump was chosen to become the test platform for the U.S. Navy's newest hull-mounted sonar, the AN/SQS-53C. Using advanced technology, the "53C" would be the sonar for the U.S. Navy combatants well into the twenty-first century. Secondly, Stump was awarded the COMDESRON TEN Battle "E" Efficiency award for overall excellence.

In 1988, Stump deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier battle group (MED 3-88). In April, and on 48-hour notice, Stump was directed to detach and proceed to the Persian Gulf to replace the USS Samuel B. Roberts which had suffered extensive damage from a naval mine explosion. 'Stump' returned to Norfolk, Virginia, in August. Stump was underway again in October for six weeks of Caribbean law enforcement operations. In December, 'Stump' was presented her second consecutive Battle "E" award by Rear Admiral Donnell, Commander Naval Surface Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet. This portion of the USS Stump's history is not accurate, because I was aboard the "USS Stump" from 1980-1984 and we had already achieved the "COMDESRON Ten" Battle "E" award while I was aboard, it was prior to UNITASXXII which was 1982-1983. In October 1989, Stump again deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the USS Forrestal carrier battle group (MED 1-90). During this deployment, Stump was extremely successful in conducting anti-submarine warfare exercises and was once again presented the "Hookem" award for excellence in the area of USW.