The USS Luce (DDG-38), originally designated as DLG-7, was a Farragut-class guided missile destroyer serving in the United States Navy from 1962 until her decommissioning in 1991. Named after Rear Admiral Stephen B. Luce, the vessel was constructed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts, with her keel laid down on October 1, 1957. She was launched on December 11, 1958, and commissioned on May 20, 1961, under the command of Commander David H. Bagley. The ship was reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG-38) on June 30, 1975. Luce measured approximately 415 feet in length, with a beam of about 44 feet, and displaced around 4,600 tons. She was equipped with guided missile systems, including the Terrier missile, which played a significant role during her service, and underwent modernization in 1970, replacing her original air search radar and missile fire control radars with more advanced systems. Her operational history included extensive service in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Middle East regions. She participated in NATO exercises such as Riptide III, conducted missile tests, and engaged in antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and anti-aircraft exercises. Notably, in 1964, she stood guard near Cyprus during a period of political unrest, and in 1965, she operated in the Caribbean during the Dominican Republic crisis. Luce also took part in international events, including the operation "Sail" regatta in New York City and represented the U.S. at trade fairs in Europe. A notable incident occurred in January 1966 when a nuclear warhead on a Terrier missile separated while docked at Mayport, though no personnel or equipment were harmed. She deployed multiple times to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa, including a voyage to Bahrain in 1968-1969 to monitor Middle East tensions. The ship was modernized at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1970 and continued active service until her decommissioning at Mayport in April 1991. Luce was stricken from the naval register in 1992 and scrapped by 2005, marking the end of her distinguished nearly three-decade career.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.