The USS Gyatt (DD-712/DDG-1/DDG-712), a Gearing-class destroyer, holds a unique place in the annals of the United States Navy. Named after Edward Earl Gyatt, a Marine Raider who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Guadalcanal, the ship’s service spanned over two decades, witnessing significant transformations in naval warfare technology. 

Edward Earl Gyatt, a United States Marine Corps private, was part of the elite Marine Raiders during World War II. He was killed in action during the Battle of Guadalcanal, one of the pivotal battles in the Pacific theater. In recognition of his bravery and sacrifice, the Navy honored him by naming the ship after him. 

The keel of the USS Gyatt was laid down on September 7, 1944, at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearny, New Jersey. The ship was launched on March 15, 1945, and commissioned on July 2, 1945, under the command of Commander Buford Duke Jordan. Although World War II ended before the Gyatt could join the fight, the ship completed shakedown and training operations in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. 

In the mid-1950s, the Navy recognized the potential of guided missiles in naval warfare. The Gyatt was selected for conversion into a guided missile destroyer, a new class of warship equipped with missile systems. The conversion process, carried out at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey, involved significant modifications to the ship’s structure and systems.

The Gyatt was reclassified as DDG-712 on December 1, 1956, and then as DDG-1 on May 23, 1957, reflecting its new role as a guided missile destroyer. The ship was equipped with the RIM-2 Terrier missile system, one of the earliest surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Navy.

As a guided missile destroyer, the Gyatt served as a testbed for the Navy’s emerging missile technology. The ship conducted numerous missile tests, providing valuable data that helped shape the development of future missile systems. The Gyatt’s service in this role highlighted the increasing importance of guided missiles in naval warfare. 

After nearly 25 years of service, the USS Gyatt was decommissioned on October 22, 1969. The ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on November 1, 1969. On June 11, 1970, the Gyatt was sunk as a target off the coast of Virginia. The ship’s service, particularly its role as a guided missile destroyer, left a lasting legacy in the U.S. Navy. 

The USS Gyatt’s journey from a traditional destroyer to a pioneering guided missile destroyer mirrors the evolution of naval warfare in the mid-20th century. The ship’s service provided valuable insights into the capabilities and potential of guided missile technology, shaping the development of future warships. Today, guided missile destroyers form the backbone of many modern navies, a testament to the pioneering role of ships like the USS Gyatt.

While the Gyatt may no longer sail the seas, its legacy lives on, a reminder of the spirit of innovation and sacrifice that defines the United States Navy.