Thank you for posting this. My father served on this beauty when we moved back home to Oahu, Hawaii in 94'. He retired in 2000 on Ford Island not long after they built the F.Island bridge. Over 20 years later and I can still remember the day that ship gracefully entered Pearl Harbor as my Father and his fellow sailors returned from a 6 month deployment overseas. Gone are the good ol days! Aloha from the Failauga Ohana DD-984 Leftwich🍍🌴🤙🏽

thanks Bob, i'm proud to say, this is my Home away from Home. I spent nearly 10 years of my Navy life onboard this Mighty Ship and it's sad to see it go down like this, but, Her Legacy will forever be imbedded in each and every one of the sailors that spent time onboard.

@shortchange26

2 жыл бұрын

You're trying to tell us you spent 10 years of let's say a 20 year, or less, career on one ship?

@sasjme81

2 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I was thinking!!!

@donnied1795

Жыл бұрын

@@sasjme81 hell yea, you ever heard of OTEIP? I did it a few times when I couldn't find shore duty in Pearl Harbor. I was on Leftwich from '94 til decommissioning in March of '98. Best ship I had the pleasure of serving on in my 20 year career.

Man, that was hard to watch!! For 3 years the Witch was home! I was a GSM in forward engine room 89 to 91.

@davidmcleod7757

3 жыл бұрын

I also share your pain I was on the uss Oriskany cva 34 the one they sank 24 miles off the coast of Florida I was there for the deep sixing that day the Navy served 500 hundred of us dinner my ship was home for 3 years i was a gunners mate sorry for your loss

@TommyNoreenMike

Ай бұрын

I was GSM in the aft ER from 82-85

I served on her sister ship-USS JOHN ROGERS (DD-983)- in the late 80s. The Spruance class destroyers were highly feared above and below the sea. Like the 983, it appears the 984 was fitted with Tomahawk missiles -which are still used today- they were the BEAST in the 80s. Godspeed shipmates.

This ship has great lines.

@PRR5406

8 жыл бұрын

+PRR5406 Furthermore, the physics of watching her succumb, those huge bursting air pockets and strain on the keel, are amazing. Does the USN monitor air pressure and temperatures inside the vessel as it goes under? I'm wondering if compartmentalized air increases in temperature as compression begins, much as a Diesel cylinder.

Served on the Leftwich from 81 to 83,good memories. Sad to see her go!

I served on it from 1985-1988 sad to see her go

Definitely a sad sight. I became a honorable Shellback on DD-984, 1990 - 1994. Great times!

@aaronblack5002

4 жыл бұрын

DeJesus it brought tears to my eyes

@brianmccallister2981

Ай бұрын

It's like a punch in the gut

I served on her from 1988 - 92, had a lot of great times, great ship!

I was part of the Commissioning crew - Plankowner - sad to see her go down like that!

I served on the Wich from 1984 to 1986. Attended the great indian ocean cruise with many great men. Sad to see her sunk, she went through a lot. I salute the mighty mighty Leftwich.

@superboats2

2 жыл бұрын

You were homeported in Charleston, SC back then, right. I was on the USS Moosbrugger DD 980 back then and I think I can remember seeing your ship there.

Served on her 87'-90'. Had 3hundred and something brothers. Had some great memories Helped put that battle 'E' on her side. And hooked this New Mexican boy to the sea forever. On my 3rd boat now living in Seattle.

Onboard USS OLDENDORF DD-972) we often sailed with the Lefty. God bless them both and all who sailed on them.

I have a buddy that's a plank owner of that, now sunken, Spruance class.

I love her sleek lines. Once crewed by living breathing humans, I can't help but feel so sad to see her sink like that.

put my faith in this 535ft 5000 ton Goddess I walked on the ocean because of her..!

@garysarratt1

2 жыл бұрын

562, 7800

@thenarrowroad7908

3 ай бұрын

​@@garysarratt1 that's exactly what I said😂

I was a plank owner. Brought her out of Pascagoula to San Diego,REFTRA and then WestPac. It was a great ship and crew. Profound sadness at seeing her go down.

My father served as a sonar tech on this beaut

@robertlewis4342

5 жыл бұрын

brandon dietrich - the crew has been wondering how your Dad is, we are on Facebook. Robert Millroy has some great photos of your Dad.

The superstructure on this class of ships amazing as it is intimdating. This ship has great lines..

August '92-Sept '96

Made me sick. I was on the Radford(DD-968).

That was hard to watch. My brother was a plank owner (passed in 2011) and we got to go the commissioning and toured the ship. She was a beauty!

@williampeterson4616

8 жыл бұрын

+Jennifer Winkler Hi Jennifer, I saw you post on the Leftwich sinking. I was a plank-owner on the USS Leftwich and Jeff was my best friend. We were stationed in Adak Alaska at the same time and went through Pre-com together in San Diego. We spent much time in Pasgagoula Mississippi. I have been looking for him in some of the forums without success. I'm saddened to hear of is passing. I would have like to have talked with him and find out his life after the Navy. May God rest his soul. - William (Pete) Peterson.

@jenniferwinkler8293

8 жыл бұрын

+William Peterson Thank you for remembering my brother! Jeff worked as an electrical draftsman after he left the Navy, but unfortunately, years of alcohol abuse took it's toll. He said his one regret was leaving the Navy (believe it or not) and at one point seriously looked into re-enlisting. He loved that ship, and the Navy... he just hated being told what to do!! I recently came across a bunch of his 35mm slides and negatives and the vast majority are of Adak and the Leftwich. They're in pretty rough shape and I'm in the process of cleaning them and digitally restoring them... speaking of forums, can you suggest a good one (or two) where I can post/share them. Thank you again... I think he's finally at peace. Jennifer

@williampeterson4616

8 жыл бұрын

+Jennifer Winkler Thank you for responding to my post! I've been thinking of Jeff since I saw your original post. I just can't believe it. We were inseparable during those years. I remember meeting your dad at the commissioning ceremony and he met my parents. Did he have a wife and any children or did he remain single al those years? I would really like to see and/or get copies of his photo's. I remember him taking them and was there when he bought his camera. It's funny the things you remember. The best place to post them would be on the "USS Leftwich (DD984) Alumni Asoc" Facebook page. In fact I posted the entire commissioning book on there. You can even see Jeff's and my picture way back then on the same page. So I would post the Leftwich photos there. The leftwich and Adak photos could be posted on my Facebook page if you like. I know I would love to have them! The other forums are for sailors trying to find old shipmates and don't really have paces to post them. Please let me know what you want to do. I know everyone would like to see his pictures. Thanks again for the reply - William

I think the Navy should have turned them into Arsenal destroyers. Remove the guns, flight deck and just put in VLS cell farms. A single ship could have carried 300 missiles for the Burkes to fire. SM3/6's LRASM's, Harpoons, Tomahawks. The could have massivly increased the firepower of existing battlegroups with a minimal of investment.

@yeoldesaltydog7415

4 жыл бұрын

Problem, signed "treaties" with our enemies. That and maybe even our own not wanting us Vets to get ahold of one of these should something like Martial Law take effect. Hey this Virus has me thinking, what next? Why the push to sink these and other mothballed ships so fast? their hull is the exact same as the Ticonderoga, if they aren't they're very close.

@ScienceChap

3 жыл бұрын

No. The hulls wear out. Metal fatigue with all the movement at sea causes long term problems. The shell plating is gradually eroded by salt water corrosion and eventually needs replacing. It's ultimately cheaper simply to build new ships.

@dirtyaznstyle4156

3 жыл бұрын

@@yeoldesaltydog7415 under martial law what are the chances of the minimum crew needed to get one of these out of mothball storage getting anywhere near boarding the ship? Let alone fueled and supplied? Turbines haven’t been run in decade, lucky if there’s even a 3” gun still in its mount let alone serviceable…

@patrickmccrann991

2 жыл бұрын

These were decommissioned long before the SM-3/6 missiles came into service. They were large ships with minimal weapons; Navy really never wanted this class. You should read the Book about the fight between the Navy, President Carter, and Congress over this class. Carter hated the military, especially the Navy and this was a way to shaft them.

@mikedelta1441

2 жыл бұрын

there is some talk about taking some decommissioned VLS Tycos and mooring them near Guam as an alternative option to AEGIS Ashore.

I served with the crew that decomissioned her she was my first love and was never the same afterward it is a testament to the mighty leftwich that it took a massive amount of firepower to sink her but still a part of me will be missing now that the lady leftwich is gone.

Great Ship, Great Crew....Sad to see her go!

I served aboard the USS Ingersoll dd-990 90-93. Sad to see her and yours suffer this fate.

@mikeparent2458

4 жыл бұрын

1984-1988 BM3 on the Ingersoll. At least they have video of their ship going down. Painful to watch though.

@elevationag6740

3 жыл бұрын

As did I. And I would agree; It's not a very enjoyable sight to see. (90-93 on the Ingersoll means that you too almost sank.) I hope you're doing well shipmate.

Served aboard for 4 years from May 1981 to Jan 1985. Lots of really good memories of the ship.

@deweyfisher4828

2 жыл бұрын

This ship was named after my mother’s cousin, Lt Col William Groom Leftwich, USMC, killed in battle in Vietnam. My uncles, both Veterans, were very proud of the family legacy, and received “VIP” tours of “the family yacht.” Thank you for your service. 👊🏻

@thenarrowroad7908

3 ай бұрын

​​@@deweyfisher4828 hi I had the privilege of serving on her from 81 to 85 in the HT shop. Years later 30+ I did some research on who Lt col Leftwich was. What a man, what a officer and what a marine! Made me more proud to be on his ship.

The superstructure on this class of ships amazing as it is intimdating

Breakes my heart to see this vid. I served on the wicked witch of the west from 1987 thru 1990 "aka" Shake N Bake Lots of memories with my fellow shipmates. Just too bad that I was young and stupid at the time to keep in touch with my shipmates. Take care and GOD bless each and every one of you!

Let's just hope that all Cold War relics meet the same glorious, horrifying fate. A few moments of drama, then life as an artificial reef. That's the way to go. RIP DD984.

@patrickmccrann991

6 жыл бұрын

Colonel Superior won't be an artificial reef where she went down. Water there is about 2000 fathoms deep.

I served on her from 1980-1982 when she was flagship. FTM on her Sparrows & Harpoons. Security Force. Did a WestPac, got my shellback. Good times (mostly). Hard to believe so much time has passed and yet seeing this brought a tear to my eye. RIP, Leftwich.

@28lbtourmaline

8 жыл бұрын

+Richard Harlos II I too served during that time frame as a GMM on the MK 29. This was a sad viewing and brought a tear to my eye as well. I also watched the Cushing go down. What a fight she put up. Mr. Harlos, I hope you are well.

@RichardHarlos

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment and goodwill, Paladin Lives. I initially joined with the idea of doing 20 for early retirement but me and authoritarian structures didn't mesh well back then; some things never change :) I observe and contemplate the world as it is today and I realize that my 1980's self hadn't a clue that the future would emerge into the state of affairs evident today: perpetual military engagement, political theater, intelligence misbehavior, environmental devastation, pharmaceutical shenanigans, economic instability. The scope of dysfunction is incomprehensibly vast, and with no solution in sight -- much less, any large scale interest in finding, and implementing, such a solution. This... isn't the future that I imagined my service bringing about, Paladin. It's all rather disheartening at times. They say that those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I think that's a fair characterization of our culture today: so busy being busy, pretending to have hope, and ignoring the big problems. I read somewhere long ago that "we can ignore reality, but we can't ignore the consequences of ignoring reality." One need not be a genius to look around today and consider the consequences so far. And with those observations in mind, one need not be a genius to infer the outcome if we collectively continue to ignore reality. Well, that's probably more than you wanted to hear back from me but I think it needs to be said out loud every now and then. In any case, I wish you well, Paladin :)

@28lbtourmaline

8 жыл бұрын

+Richard Harlos II Richard, I can relate to your perspective and I appreciate it. Have you had any contact with the fella's from CM Div.? Best Wishes, Jeff Carter

@RichardHarlos

8 жыл бұрын

+Paladin Lives Sad to say I haven't, Jeff.What about you?

@28lbtourmaline

8 жыл бұрын

+Richard Harlos II I had the opportunity to speak with Erik Benson a couple years ago. He resides in WA. I am in OR.

The Best Man at my wedding was a Plankowner on this ship. I was a Plankowner on the 985 (also sunk).

@Dawgsofwinter

3 жыл бұрын

I was on the final crew to Push the Cush she was my first ship. Took her home to San Diego for decom in 05. Still remember sitting in 3 Boiler room spending all day trying to find and plug a leaking condenser tube.

@shop99er

3 жыл бұрын

@@Dawgsofwinter I remember watching that boiler get rebuilt at the end of Cushing's first INSURV.

@shop99er

2 жыл бұрын

@@scottworley1479 The market for scrap steel of this quality has been flooded since the early 00's. There was talk of selling some of them, but the Navy balked at that. Not counting the Burke class, these were the most advanced ships of their type at that time. The Navy wasn't too keen on giving the bad guys a chance at these.

This is so depressing. I served on the USS Briscoe DD977 79-81. She was sunk in 2003 also. I have not seen a video of her being sunk (if there is one that is public), but I am sure is was similar to this. I still do not understand why when there are much older ships that are still active to this day. RIP

@pamelarobinson859

4 жыл бұрын

Short answer is the hulls were flawed and would crack and leak esp. near #3 GTG. Too expensive to reengineer and repair.

@kobispencer

2 ай бұрын

@@pamelarobinson859 Nevertheless. It was a beautiful ship.

I served as ELO and NAV 1993-1996.

Remembering when the Spruance class cans first hit the fleet. USS Halsey CG23 80-83. RIP.

I wish they would of kept one spruance as a museum ship. It was the work horse of the fleet for the last end of the cold war. We have enough carrier museum's

@nytewrtr

Ай бұрын

Didn't they keep the Paul Foster DD964 as a test ship or something in California

Saddest sight in the world.

@scottworley1479

4 жыл бұрын

Just seems like a big waist of resources

The Ticonderoga class cruisers and Spruance class destroyers just needed some maintenance and TLC, and they would have lasted another 30 years.

I was onboard USS Caron DD970 from 1990-94. IC3. I was heartbroken when I got the news that they had sunk the Caron. It was like getting the news that your first love had been murdered! Oddly though, there wasn’t any video shot of her actually sinking. Just the explosion that led to her demise and a few stills of the ship listing to starboard and that’s it.

Extra ordinary. Gracefully she went down.

My 3rd ship, USS Kinkaid DD 965, suffered the same fate in 2005. Sitting at the bottom of the Pacific ocean at 6000 fathoms.

I was part of that operation as well my friend.

my friend's dad was the captain of USS Leftwich

To those commenting that it should be made into a museum ship, where do you think it can be docked for that and who's going to pay those fees? If we made every ship a museum ship, where would we dock the commissioned ships?

Always a sad sight to see a ship sink

USS Spruance DD-963 from 83-87. She was sent to Davy Jones Locker in a live fire exercise. Great Ships and even greater Crews. Fair Winds and Following Seas

These were pretty cool Spruance class ships. They were actually built for the Iranian Navy but delivery didn't take place because the Shah of Iran was overthrown. They had wide passageways to accommodate live animals :O

yes, two good books are "America's First Clash with Iran", by Lee Allen Zatarain and "Inside The Danger Zone" by Harold Lee Wise

I currently serve aboard CG-62 and seeing this video kinda made me sad to watch an old warship go :(

Were you part of Nimble Archer? I was onboard the Hoel at the time.

These ships were sunk way before their time. They all had plenty of sea time left. The current destroyers are built with the same design and power plants.

@patrickmccrann991

6 жыл бұрын

r dodge the current Arleigh Burke class has similar engineering plant, but is entirely different from the Spruance class hull and superstructure are all steel and have a different shape. Ticonderoga class cruisers use a similar hull form, but the DDGs are a completely new design.

This is your captain speaking, stay with her stay with her do not abandon ship, we can save her

Was on the decommissioning crew

I was on 966- tuff to watch that

Spruance Class 👍

That unit of the Spruance class (DD-984) missile destroyer can still be reliable and useful to the other Navies in the world. And I cannot see the reason of why that ship should be blown and sink it to the ocean, where on the other side of the world, there is some nation's that are willing to do anything and everything so that they could acquired a well updated combat ship, that is well sophisticated such as this one.

@HoneyBadger363

2 жыл бұрын

Those decommissioned ships serve to help design better future ships since they are equipped with sensors to measure all sort of parameters to measure the damage by various weapons to design future ships to better survive.

@vincenegra2612

Жыл бұрын

@@HoneyBadger363 bologna~

Sad to see this Awseome steel fall into the ocean, farewell 😢😢😢

Sad to see ! Serve in 89-92 ! Awesome ship and crew ! Stay safe shipmates! Adios

I would like to see what the bottom of the ocean looks like with all these ships at the bottom.

@scottworley1479

4 жыл бұрын

Why do they sink them? Any clue

@Vanderlay77

4 жыл бұрын

@@scottworley1479 alot of times they are sunk as test targets when they get too expensive to repair. They also make great reefs for sea life

I believe this happened to the two ships I served aboard: Belknap (CG-26) and Conolly (DD-979)

Served aboard the USS Fletcher, DD-992 in the mid 80’s. It sure hurts to see these ships be sunk like garbage scows....

So how long would one of these hulls last before they are not seaworthy? Im sure the metal does not last forever riding the waves on the high seas.

YN3 Hannah served on this for 1983 - 1987. Crossed the equator this in 1985-87.

What a sight that would be underwater

I’m surprised they don’t salvage more of the steel from the hull etc. all that just sunk off the coast of Kauai.

Hate to admitt but i remember when this class was commissioned!

How long did it take for the ship to sink?

@Vanderlay77

3 жыл бұрын

4 minutes and 24 seconds

Have any video for DD 987

My brother was in that ship 91-93

Where are the people? Lifeboats...? How did this ship sink?

Another ship heading to 15K feet of water but this one went with a single shot.

They were not very watertight, not enough compartments. I was on John Young DD973

US Navy sank everyone of the Kidd and Spruance class quickly hulls had many years of life left but claimed to be to expensive to modernize. Beautiful ships

@imjustbryan1

7 жыл бұрын

Not sure where you got that information. I was on the Chandler and that ship was sold to the Taiwan Navy. Not sank.

@dpinard994

2 жыл бұрын

The Callaghan was also sold to Taiwan. There is a Taiwanese sailor that is part of the Callaghan Facebook page. He post photos every now and again!

@patrickmccrann991

Жыл бұрын

All the Kidd class were sold to Taiwan and are still in service.

@philcandreva4483

2 ай бұрын

I was on the John Rodgers and she was sold for scrap. I have pictures of her being disassembled.

Is it shallow enough to dive on?

@patrickmccrann991

Жыл бұрын

No, water is about 12000 ft deep.

I am surprised they did use it for a SinkEx like they do yearly. Test rockets and torpedoes in big exercise out of Hawaii.

Why can't they recycle the steel?

RIP USS Leftwich.........

It would have been more useful using it as live fire torpedo practice, or harpoon missile firings.

I know that the Navy needs to practice with their weapons, but why sink the ship instead scrapping? Perhaps this is a better way to go for a retired combat ship

@tveirken1

10 жыл бұрын

I think its outrages! Again US kicking world opinions about recycling right in the face! As if US have just to mutch money and steel...

Stern first and straight down.

What a waste of good steel could have been recycled built another good ship

@hevendor958

4 жыл бұрын

recycling cost way WAY more money sinking it was cheaper

Facebook page and a reunion in Vegas July 26, 27, 2013 (Friday & Saturday) email ussleftwich@gmail.com if you or any prior shipmate would like to attend.

What did it actually take to sink her?

@davehakki7025

2 жыл бұрын

Looks like EDO did her in,

Oh ok, it was a target sinking....whew!!!

What a shame. It could have been the Command ship of some small Navy.

Shako, l lived on that bad boy for 4 years

@michaelshako4666

2 жыл бұрын

Remember when we hit that Sub in the South China Sea. 2 months in a Philippines dry dock ( East Coast/ West Coast)

@thenarrowroad7908

3 ай бұрын

Shako wheres Rossi🧐 Chief Hempel is sending you to mess cooking🤯

USS Leftwich (DD-984) Facebook page ... facebook.com/groups/76827325502/

MAKING A REEF FOR SEA LIFE HAS A PLACE TO CALL HOME , THIS I CAN SEE ...

Don’t know why it’s sink ex they blew it from inside

ATTENTION ON DECK!

that is messed up destroying something that has helped serve your and my country

@DD-mp1kl

8 жыл бұрын

makes nice shelter for fish

@drianmortiz9375

5 жыл бұрын

I definitely agree with you brother, she should not be put in there.

Everything is sad now

Spruances were in a bad position in the late 90s. Too old to fit into the present fleet. Too new and too similar to the Ticos to go foreign navies that wanted them, like Turkey and Mexico.

Why don’t reuses the steel again.

Seems like such a waist

scrapping makes more sense, look at hte oil slick just ahead off the starboard bow.. lots of $$$ worth of GOOD OLD USA STEEL in that one

So wrong in so many ways.

All that steel wasted.

It's sad that she was sunk I could have lived on her.😂

Terrible waste

@hevendor958

4 жыл бұрын

not really a waste