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USS LABOON (DDG 58)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NJFL


"Without Fear"
CLASS - BURKE Flight I As Built.
Displacement 8373 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 504' 7" (oa) x 66' 11" x 20' (Max)
Armament 1 x 5"/54 RF, 2 Phalanx 20mm Guns, 90 VLS Cells,
8 Harpoon Missiles, 6 x 12.75" TT.
Machinery, 100,000 SHP; 4 GE LM-2500 Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Range 4400 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 370.
Operational and Building Data
Built by Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME (YN 454)
Contract awarded 13 December 1988
Laid down 23 March 1992
Launched 20 February 1993
Commissioned 18 March 1995
Active unit of the US Navy
Homeported at Norfolk, Virginia

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Namesake
Laboon 122kCaptain Laboon was affectionately known as "Father Jake" and was indeed "a one of a kind": football star at the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of 1944), National championship Lacrosse All-American, submarine hero and battlefield Chaplain with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam. In World War II, Ensign Laboon was awarded the Silver Star Medal for bravery for diving from hi submarine to rescue a downed aviator,under heavy enemy fire. For his combat duty in Vietnam he was decorated with the Legion of Merit. Lieutenant Laboon left the Navy at the end of World War II to become a Jesuit priest. In 1958 he returned as a chaplain to the Navy he loved. Over the next 21 years he served in virtually every branch of the Navyan Marine Corps. His assignments included tours in Alaska, Hawaii, Japan and Vietnam. He was the first Chaplain for the Polaris Submarine Program and the Senior Catholic Chaplain at the U.S. Naval Academy. When he retired in 1979, Captain Laboon was the Fleet Chaplain, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Father Laboon returned to Annapolis as the house manager of the Jesuit retreat facility, Manresa-on-Severn and finally was pastor St. Alphonsus Rodriguez Church in Woodstock, Maryland. He died in 1988. Throughout a lifetime of service to God and country. Father Laboon was an extraordinary example of dedication to sailors and marines everywhere. His genuine interest and concern for all his shipmates made him the most widely known and respected Roman Catholic Chaplain among the officers, sailors and marines of the U. S. Fleet.Robert M. Cieri
USS Laboon (DDG 58)
Laboon 116kUSS Laboon (DDG-58) poster courtesy of Lockheed Martin.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 108kThe Launching Program for USS Laboon DDG 58 held at Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, ME on February 20, 1993. The cover illustration is by Vince Piecyk of General Electric.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 149kUSS Laboon DDG 58 shortly before the start of her launching ceremony at Bath Iron Works on February 20 1993.Dale Hargrave
Laboon 109kDN-SC-93-02941. A port beam view of the guided missile destroyer Laboon (DDG-58) at anchor in the harbor after being launched from the ways during its christening and launching ceremony at Bath Iron Works shipyard. BIW photo dated February 20 1993.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 178kUSS Laboon (DDG-58) underway, probably during builder's trials off New England, circa October 1994. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 106833-KN.Robert Hurst
Laboon 138kDN-SC-97-01098. An aerial port side view of the guided missile destroyer USS LABOON (DDG-58) sailing past an historical old New England coastal defense fort en route to the Atlantic Ocean to conduct builders sea trails. BIW photo dated October 1 1994.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 58kOfficial Invitation to the Commissioning Ceremony held at Naval Station, Norfolk, VA on 18 March 1995.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 46kProgram for a Continental Breakfast for the guests of the Commissioning.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 93kThe Commissioning Program.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 96kNorfolk 1995.Graeme D Fuller
Laboon 119kNauticus 1995.Graeme D Fuller
Laboon 32kHalifax, NS September 11 1995.Marc Piché
Laboon 106kHalifax, NS September 11 1995.Marc Piché
Laboon 163kDN-SC-97-00787. A port bow view of the guided missile cruiser USS TICONDEROGA (CG-47) and the Arleigh Burke Class guided missile destroyer USS LABOON (DDG-58). This gives a side by side comparison of the two Aegis Class warships. Hampton Roads photo by Don Montgomery dated April 1 1996.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 45kSeptember 3, 1996, a Tomahawk Cruise missile is launched from the aft missile silo on board the U.S. Navy’s Arliegh Burke Class destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) at 0715 local time in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Following Saddam Hussein’s offensive action into Kurdish territory within the UN sponsored “no-fly zone”, above the 36th parallel, U.S. Naval forces launched 14 Tomahawk Cruise missiles on targets in Iraq. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Wyane W. Edwards Fred Weiss
Laboon 33kNorfolk July 25 1998.Marc Piché
Laboon 61kNorfolk July 28 1998.Marc Piché
Laboon 56kUSS Laboon DDG 58 in Gibraltar on 5th August 2000.© Daniel Ferro
Laboon 15kUSS Laboon DDG-58 underway North Atlantic April 21, 2001.Steven A. Cardali
Laboon 96kSouda Bay, Greece, Oct 19 2002, USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives in Souda Bay for a brief port visit. Laboon is homeported in Norfolk, Va. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.Fred Weiss/Steven A. Cardali
Laboon 69kThe Guided Missile Destroyer USS Laboon DDG-58 transits up the Delaware River for a four day Port Visit to Philadelphia, PA US Navy photograph by Chief Journalist Mate Dave Fitz March 18, 2003.Fred Weiss/Steven A. Cardali
Laboon 158kThe guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58) steams off the port side of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during flight operations, 20 April 2004. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was undergoing a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) exercise off the Atlantic coast. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class John L. Beeman (# 040420-N-9851B-017).Fabio Peña
Laboon 65kUSS Laboon DDG-58 in the Atlantic Ocean April 21 2004.Steven A. Cardali
Laboon 97k040630-N-4729H-012. Philadelphia, PA, June 30 2004, the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) passes the battleship USS New Jersey museum as she pulls into Penn's Landing pier in Philadelphia, Pa. on the Delaware River. Laboon is taking part in the city's "Let Freedom Ring" Fourth of July celebration. The celebration includes free concerts, fireworks and a ceremony honoring Afghanistan leader Hamid Karzai. Laboon will host visitors for two days of tours, while Philadelphia recruiters will be on hand to explain Navy opportunities to interested visitors. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Monica Hallman.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 101kNorfolk, VA, September 12 2006, the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) moored pier side in Naval Station Norfolk undergoing a maintenance period. Copyright by terms of Creative Commons. Photo provided by T.M. Wolf.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 91k070414-N-2735T-041. 13 April 2007, the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) pulls alongside guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) during maneuvering exercises in the Atlantic. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Coleman Thompson.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 79k070413-N-2735T-026. Atlantic Ocean, 13 April 2007, the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) performs maneuvers in preparation for the Neptune Warrior training course. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Coleman Thompson.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 89k070414-N-2735T-125. 14 April 2007, the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) pulls up alongside USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) during maneuvering exercises in the Atlantic. Laboon and Bainbridge are both in transit to participate in the Neptune Warrior training course, which will test the interoperability of NATO coalition forces. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Coleman Thompson.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 104k070419-N-5681S-042. Faslane, Scotland, 19 April 2007, the guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) and USS Laboon (DDG 58) are in port for liberty. American and European ships are in Faslane to prepare for Neptune Warrior, a ten-day course to certify ships for NATO deployments. The Neptune Warrior course is designed to increase interoperability among NATO coalition forces in a maritime combat environment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Starkey.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 95kSouda Bay, Greece, January 9 2008, the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives for a routine port visit to the island of Crete. Laboon is on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 and is conducting operations in support of Operation Active Endeavor. Active Endeavor operates in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction as well as to enhance the security of shipping in general. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley, ID# 080109-N-0780F-001.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 94kSouda Bay, Greece, January 9 2008, the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives for a routine port visit to the island of Crete. Laboon is on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 2 and is conducting operations in support of Operation Active Endeavor. Active Endeavor operates in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction as well as to enhance the security of shipping in general. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley, ID# 080109-N-0780F-003.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 204k080109-N-0780F-004. Souda Bay, January 9 2008, sailors conduct mooring operations as the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives for a routine port call to the island of Crete, Greece. Laboon is on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, which is conducting operations in support of Operation Active Endeavor. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 147k080109-N-0780F-008. Souda Bay, January 9 2008, line handlers conduct mooring operations as the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives at the pier, for a routine port call to the island of Crete, Greece. Laboon is on a scheduled six-month deployment U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 147k080616-N-5487R-002. Atlantic Ocean, June 16 2008, following the lead of Cmdr. David McFarland, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 88 Navy Accelerate Your Life Chevrolet, assesses the waters ahead. Keselowski and several other members of the JR Motorsports team visited Sailors aboard Laboon, some of whom visited the team in their work environment as Fleet Honorees at the March Nationwide Series race in Bristol, Tenn. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Andrea Ross.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 164k090828-N-5292M-480. Norfolk, August 28 2009, the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) arrives at pier 6 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. after a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility supporting Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 183k100330-N-1559J-005. Atlantic Ocean, March 30 2010, Ensign Antwan Richardson takes bearing readings on the bridge of the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) while in transit to Scotland to participate in Joint Warrior. Joint Warrior is a semi-annual event that encompasses multi-national and multi-warfare exercises designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepares participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darius O. Jackson.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 166kA U.S. Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HSL) 46 lands aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) to bring chaplains on board for Easter services April 4, 2010, in the Atlantic Ocean. Laboon is in transit to participate in multinational exercise Joint Warrior 10-1, a semiannual event that encompasses multinational and multiwarfare exercises. U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikki Smith.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 141kU.S. Navy Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Chuyi Yang, left, and Seaman Christopher Hill conduct a helicopter in-flight refueling exercise with an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter April 25, 2010, aboard guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), under way in the Atlantic Ocean. Laboon is scheduled to conduct follow-on theater security cooperation port visits in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility after participating in the United Kingdom-led exercise Joint Warrior 10-1. The helicopter is assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HSL) 46. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikki Smith, 100425-N-3542S-083.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 136kAtlantic Ocean, April 2010, a British Sikorsky S-61 helicopter takes off from the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) after transporting Royal marines from 1. Joint Warrior is a semi-annual event off the coast of Scotland to improve the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) during exercise Joint Warrior 10-interoperability between allied navies. U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikki Smith.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 91k100508-N-1559J-015. Atlantic Ocean, May 8 2010, Cmdr. Donald Donegan, commanding officer, and the executive officer, Commander Jonathan C. Russell of the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), looks out to the beaches of Normandy, France as their crew mans the rails to honor the fallen veterans of World War II. Laboon is transiting Normandy on her return to homeport at Norfolk, Va., after participating in exercise Joint Warrior 10-1 and conducting theater security cooperation port visits in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darius Jackson.Bill Gonyo
Laboon 187k100511-N-3542S-259. Atlantic Ocean, May 11 2010, sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) participate in the M-9 pistol qualification course to qualify to stand force protection watches. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikki Smith.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 148k100512-N-1559J-083. Atlantic Ocean, May 12 2010, Chief Gunner's Mate Matthew Rayburn supervises the firing line during a weapons qualification course for the visit, board, search and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). Laboon is in transit to its homeport of Norfolk after participating in exercise Joint Warrior 10-1. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darius Jackson.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 126k120312-N-QL471-232. Atlantic Ocean, March 12 2012, the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) is under way, participating in a group sail with Carrier Strike Group 8 and six other ships. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho, USN.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 176k120312-N-NL541-103. Atlantic Ocean, March 12 2012, Lt. j.g. Monica Johnson uses the voyage management system on the bridge of guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) to plot the ship's course, to participate in a group sail with Carrier Strike Group 8 and six other ships. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stuart Phillips, USN.Robert M. Cieri
Laboon 204k150122-N-VC236-013. Atlantic Ocean, January 22 2015, a Sailor aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) stands watch as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74), right, USS Laboon (DDG 58), left, and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) conduct a simulated strait transit exercise. Farragut is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jackie Hart.Ron Reeves
Laboon 137k150206-N-AO823-032. Atlantic Ocean, February 6 2015, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) launches an SM-2 missile during a training exercise. Laboon is underway for a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael J. Lieberknecht.Ron Reeves
Laboon 178k150415-N-FQ994-410. Mediterranean Sea, April 15 2015, sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) return to the ship in a rigid-hull inflatable boat from USS Laboon (DDG 58), in background. Ross is forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, and is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert S. Price.Ron Reeves
Laboon 137kUSS Laboon (DDG-58) sails into Souda Bay, Greece, during a scheduled port visit on April 29 2015. US Navy Photo.Tommy Trampp
Laboon 145kUSNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) delivers fuel and supplies to the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58) during a replenishment-at-sea. Laboon is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. US Navy photo # 150506-N-FQ994-179 MEDITERRANEAN SEA, May 6 2015, by MC3 Robert S. Price.Lee Wahler
Laboon 188k170121-N-ZY039-081. Norfolk, VA, January 21 2017, sailors heave aboard mooring lines on the fantail of the guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). The ship departed Naval Station Norfolk as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J. R. DiNiro.Ron Reeves
Laboon 102k160706-N-XG464-009. Atlantic Ocean, July 6 2016, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan (DDG 72), right, and USS Laboon (DDG 58) participate in a divisional tactics exercise. The ships are conducting routine training and operations in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan B. Trejo.Ron Reeves
Laboon   Laboon
On February 5 2017 USS Laboon DDG-58 arrived for a port vist at Piraeus, Greece.
George Gbidis
Laboon 341k170720-N-AZ301-003 Norfolk, July 20, 2017. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returns to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk following a six-month deployment to the U.S 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Jessica Kellogg/Released)Dave Wright
Laboon 11kShips patch.Steven A. Cardali

USS LABOON DDG 58 History
View This Vessel's Command Operations Report entry
located at the Naval History & Heritage Command website
[This ship was built too late to be covered by the DANFS project]

Commanding Officers
01CDR Douglas D. McDonald 18 March 1995 - 31 August 1996
02CDR Mark Stewart Danley 31 August 1996 - 19 December 1997
03CDR Michael Kevin Mahon (USNA 1979)19 December 1997 - 16 July 1999
04CDR Eugene Francis Moran, Jr.16 July 1999 - 26 January 2001
05CDR Phillip Charles Pardue26 January 2001 - 17 November 2002
06CDR Michael Glenn Graham17 November 2002 - 30 July 2004
07CDR Jeffrey Thomas Griffin 130 July 2004 - 22 October 2004
08CDR Robert Daniel Randall, Jr. 122 October 2004 - 21 February 2006
09CDR Jack Sherm Noel II (USNA 1985)21 February 2006 - 15 March 2006
10CDR Dermot Paul Cashman15 March 2006 - 17 December 2007
11CDR David M. McFarland17 December 2007 - 11 June 2009
12CDR Donald Joseph Donegan (USNA 1992)11 June 2009 - 12 March 2011
13CDR James LeRoy Storm12 March 2011 - 23 August 2012
14CDR Christopher Francis Cigna23 August 2012 - 24 January 2014
15CDR Christopher M. McCallum24 January 2014 - 27 July 2015
16CDR Gary M. Chase27 July 2015 - November 2016
17CDR Jason LabottNovember 2016 - 15 March 2018
18CDR Robert W. Lightfoot (USNA 1999)15 March 2018 - 03 July 2019
19CDR Thomas Edward Cunningham III03 July 2019 - 23 December 2020
20CDR Charles C. Spivey III (USNA 2003)23 December 2020 - 15 July 2022
21CDR Henry Paul Eshenour (USNA 2004)15 July 2022 - November 2023
22CDR Eric J. Blomberg (USNA 2003)November 2023 - present
1. Sea swap with USS Gonzalez (DDG 66).

Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Laboon (DDG 58) 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 30 January 2024