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USS CONYNGHAM (DDG-17)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NHLT

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign (circa 1968) - PRIVATEER

CLASS - CHARLES F. ADAMS As Built.
Displacement 4526 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 437' (oa) x 47' x 15' (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), Tartar SAM (1x1 Mk 13) ASROC ASW (1x8), 6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3).
Machinery, 70,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 33 Knots, Range 4500 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 333-350.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by New York Shipbuilding on May 1 1961.
Launched May 19 1962 and commissioned June 13 1963.
On 8 May 1990, while conducting pre-deployment operations off the Virginia coast, CONYNGHAM met her greatest challenge.
A major fuel oil fire erupted from the ship's Forward Fire Room into the ship's superstructure, isolating the crew forward
and aft, requiring an all-hands effort to extinguish it. During the mass conflagration, the Operations Officer was
killed and 18 men were injured.
Decommissioned October 29 1990.
Stricken May 31 1991.
Fate Sold April 15 1994 and broken up for scrap by J&L Metals, Wilmington NC during 1995.

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Conyngham 73kBorn about 1744 in County Donegal, Ireland, Gustavus Conyngham commanded the merchant brig Charming Peggy in 1775. When his ship was interned in Europe, Conyngham sought and on 1 March 1777 obtained a captain's commission in the Continental Navy. As commanding officer, successively, of Surprise, and Revenge, he became a terror to British shipping, taking some 60 prizes in 18 months. As a privateer he was captured in 1779, escaped to Europe, and was recaptured while returning to America in 1780. Exchanged a year later, he was in France preparing to cruise against the British when the war ended. He returned to the merchant service and commanded the armed brig Maria during the Quasi-War with France. As a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, he assisted in the defense of that city during the War of 1812. Captain Conyngham died 27 November 1819 at Philadelphia, Pa. the Quasi-War with France. As a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, he assisted in the defense of that city during the War of 1812. Captain Conyngham died 27 November 1819 at Philadelphia, Pa. Photo #: NH 84902-KN. Captain Gustavus Conyngham, Continental Navy painting by V. Zveg, 1976, based on a miniature by Louis Marie Sicardi. Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart/Robert M. Cieri
Conyngham 62kUndated, location unknown.Len Gordon
Conyngham 100kUndated, location unknown.Len Gordon
Conyngham 125kUndated, location unknown.-
Conyngham 81kOfficial (c) Bath Iron Works Inc. Photo. Post Overhaul Sea trials. Undated-
Conyngham 77kUndated postcard Copyright © Atlantic Fleet Sales, Norfolk, VA.Mike Smolinski
Conyngham 89kUndated, location unknown.Robert M. Cieri
Conyngham 148kUndated, location unknown.ssharpbt2
Conyngham 71kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Conyngham 97kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Conyngham 72kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Conyngham 155kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Conyngham 166kPhiladelphia Naval Base, June 12 1963, CDR. Edwin Paul Smith, Jr., who will take command of the Navy’s newest guided missile destroyer Conyngham when she’s commissioned tomorrow at the Philadelphia Naval Base, looks over the sleek destroyer today. Commander Smith, a native of Huntington, W.V., will captain the vessel that is the sixth in the series type commissioned here. She is armed with surface-to-air Tartar guided missile system, Asroc ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) rockets, and Mk 32 ASW Torpedo Tubes.Bill Gonyo
Conyngham 24kUSS Harry E. Yarnell DLG-17 (L) and USS Conyngham DDG-17 (R) in the Mediterranean during 1965, coming alongside the USS Chikaskia for refueling. From the collections of RADM Edward L. Feightner, BM2 Charles Peterman, and LCDR Al Gordon as compiled and edited by BM3 David Zanzinger.LCDR Al Gordon USN (Ret.)
Conyngham 430kDramatic shot of USS Conyngham in the Spring of 1973, during a transit of the Atlantic (Norfolk to Rota), taken from the USS Elmer Montgomery (DE-1082). Photo copyright CAPT Richard Gibson USN (Ret.)CAPT Richard Gibson USN (Ret.)
Conyngham 55kAt Barcelona, Spain, in the summer of 1973. From left to right: the guided missile destroyer leader/frigate (later cruiser) USS Dale (DLG 19, later CG 19); the guided missile destroyers USS Conyngham (DDG 17) and USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG 23), the destroyer escort (later frigate) USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082, later FF 1082), and the destroyers USS Glennon (DD 840) and USS Sarsfield (DD 837). Photo by Isidoro Cenera.Fabio Peña
Conyngham 153kAt Genoa, Italy on August 29 1973.Carlo Martinelli
Conyngham 260kEastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. DDG-17 steams with the Kennedy Battle Group southward of Gavdos Island during the Arab - Israeli War in October 1973. The photo was taken from the Soviet Kashin class DDG Krasny Krim as she shadowed the Battle Group.Eugene Ivkin
Conyngham 82kIn Norfolk, VA at D&S Pier 21 outboard USS Basilone (DD-824) and USS Puget Sound (AD-38) in Jan-Feb 1976. Good comparison of size to DD.Dennis Fournier STG1
Conyngham 100kMediterranean Sea, May 16 1976© Richard Leonhardt
Conyngham 197kJune 25 1976. Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Kithira Strait. USS Conyngham lies at anchor with Amphibious Group near the Soviet Kashin class DDG Krasny Krim. The USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) is background.Eugene Ivkin
Conyngham 126kAs above.Eugene Ivkin
Conyngham 189kJune 25 1976, Kithira Strait, the Mediterranean Sea, the USS Conyngham (DDG-17) passes between the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) and the Soviet Kashin class DDG Krasny Krim.Eugene Ivkin
Conyngham 31kPortsmouth, UK July 7 1977.Marc Piché
Conyngham 22kPortsmouth, UK July 7 1977.Marc Piché
Conyngham 41kPortsmouth, UK July 7 1977.Marc Piché
Conyngham 166kAt Genoa, Italy on October 1 1978.Carlo Martinelli
Conyngham 115kAt Genoa, Italy on October 1 1978.Carlo Martinelli
Conyngham 66kAt sea in the Mediterranean 1979.Marc Piché
Conyngham 26kThe guided missile destroyer USS Conyngham (DDG-17) closing to refuel from RFA Grey Rover, North Atlantic, March 1984. Photo by George Mortimer.Robert Hurst
Conyngham 73kAugust 1 1984, Pacific Ocean, a silhouetted starboard beam view of the guided missile destroyer USS Conyngham (DDG 17) operating off the west coast of El Salvador.Fred Weiss
Conyngham 75kAugust 1 1985, Atlantic Ocean, a port bow view of the guided missile destroyer USS Conyngham (DDG 17) during underway replenishment by the battleship USS IOWA (BB 61).Fred Weiss
Conyngham 103kDN-ST-85-05409. A starboard quarter view of the guided missile destroyer USS CONYNGHAM (DDG 17) as seen from an approaching utility boat off the coast of El Salvador. Photo by PH1 Jeff Hilton, August 1 1984.Bill Gonyo
Conyngham 93kAugust 15 1984, Pacific Ocean, an aerial starboard bow view of the guided missile destroyer USS Conyngham (DDG 17) underway off the coast of Central America.Fred Weiss
Conyngham 91kAugust 15 1984, Pacific Ocean, a aerial port quarter view of the guided missile destroyer USS Conyngham (DDG 17) underway off the coast of Central America.Fred Weiss
Conyngham 34kBoston, MA September 1987.Marc Piché
Conyngham 132kPort visit at Antwerp, Belgium on June 28 1988.Gilbert Gyssels
Conyngham 117kAs above.Gilbert Gyssels
Conyngham 118kAs above.Gilbert Gyssels
Conyngham 137kDN-ST-90-02384. A port bow view of the guided missile cruiser USS BELKNAP (CG-26) and the guided missile destroyer USS CONYNGHAM (DDG-17) moored at a pier, with the city of Gaeta in the background. Photo by JO1 Burke, November 1 1989.Bill Gonyo
Conyngham   Conyngham   Conyngham   Conyngham
Conyngham   Conyngham   Conyngham
Welcome Aboard pamphlet - circa 1990
Wolfgang Hechler
Conyngham 55kShip's patchMike Smolinski
Conyngham 44kShip's patchMike Smolinski
Conyngham 100k-120kUniform Ship's name shoulder patch.Al Grazevich
Conyngham 41kShip's Zippo circa 1980.John A. Altfeltis
Conyngham 97kBumper sticker.Wolfgang Hechler
Conyngham 185kSquadron 18 plaque circa 1967-1968.John Donaghey

USS CONYNGHAM DDG-17 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves


CDR Edwin Paul Smith Jr.    Jul 13 1963 - Sep 15 1964

CDR George B. Lindgren    Sep 15 1964 - Apr 7 1966

CDR Carl Howard Herrick    Apr 7 1966 - Nov 24 1967

CDR Harry DePue Train II    Nov 24 1967 - Dec 7 1968 (Later ADM)

CDR Walter Richard Shafer    Dec 7 1968 - Aug 21 1970

CDR Richard Clayton Berry    Aug 21 1970 - Jan 22 1972 (Later RADM)

CDR Lloyd Wilbur Fernald Jr.    Jan 22 1972 - Jul 30 1973

CDR Donald Stiles Campbell Jr.    Jul 30 1973 - Jun 29 1974

CDR Arnold Robin Battaglini    Jun 29 1974 - Oct 14 1976

CDR John Francis Leder    Oct 14 1976 - Jul 12 1978

CDR John William Hilt    Jul 12 1976 - Aug 10 1979

CDR Raymond Allan Helbig    Aug 10 1979 - Oct 21 1981

CDR Gary W. Zwirschitz    Oct 21 1981 - Sep 30 1983

CDR Morton William Kenyon    Sep 30 1983 - Nov 9 1985

CDR Don P. Pollard    Nov 9 1985 - Oct 21 1987

CDR David Owen Rose    Oct 21 1987 - Dec15 1989

CDR William Robert Williams    Dec 15 1989 - Oct 29 1990


Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Dave Suckow
Address: 1871 Silver Bell Rd #103, Eagan MN 55122-1187
Phone: (615)681-1927
E-mail: dsuckow@comcast.net
Next Reunion: Sept 19-23 at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree, 3900 Atlantic Ave, VA Beach VA.
Reunion Contact: Len Gordon; PO Box 106; Milltown NJ 08850; (732)432-0588 DDGgusboat@aol.com

Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Adams Class Veterans Association Website
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 04 July 2020