Name William H. Standley Ordered 16 January 1962 Acquired 28 June 1966 Construction started 29 July 1963 Length 167 m Displacement 7.194 million kg | Namesake William H. Standley Laid down 29 July 1963 Commissioned 9 July 1966 Launched 19 December 1964 Weight 8,057 tons Builder Bath Iron Works | |
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USS William H. Standley (DLG/CG-32) was a Belknap-class destroyer leader / cruiser. She was named for Admiral William Harrison Standley, former Chief of Naval Operations and ambassador to the Soviet Union. She was launched as DLG-32, a frigate, and reclassified Cruiser on 30 June 1975.
The contract to construct William H. Standley was awarded on 16 January 1962. Her keel was laid down at Bath Iron Works on 29 July 1963. Launched 19 December 1964 and sponsored by Mrs. Charles B. Wincote, daughter of the late Admiral Standley. The vessel was delivered 28 June 1966 and commissioned on 9 July 1966.
Service history
William H. Standley earned four battle stars for her service along the coast of Vietnam.
From June 1990 to August 1991, William H. Standley received a comprehensive overhaul including New Threat Upgrade (NTU), a major anti-aircraft warfare systems improvement.
After more than 27 years of service, William H. Standley was decommissioned on 11 February 1994. She was struck the same day and would be sunk in a fleet exercise. ex-William H. Standley and ex-Elliot were sunk off the eastern coast of Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, Elliot on 22 June 2005 and William H. Standley on 23 June 2005. Both ships are now artificial reefs in the Coral Sea, with William H. Standley resting at a depth of 4,526 metres (14,849 ft; 2,475 fathoms) at 24°47′S 155°48′E, or̃ roughly 100 nautical miles (185 km) east of Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia.