This site tells the story of the destroyer USS Gyatt, a Gearing-class destroyer commissioned in 1945. The Gyatt entered service during the Cold War equipped to eavesdrop on others. The Gyatt became the first of the missile destroyers and performed so well that its hull number was changed from DD-712 to DDG-1, honoring it as the first of its kind.

The information which follows is a year-by-year recounting of life aboard the USS Gyatt. It is the result of more than twenty trips to the National Archives and the Navy Historical Foundation.

In 1946, on a run from Norfolk to Boston, the Gyatt was the only ship in Destroyer Squadron Four (DesRon 4) to sustain a speed of 38 knots that had been reached by the Gearing (DD 710), Greene (DD 711), and Bailey (DD 713).

A SHIP NAMED GYATT: The Gyatt was named after Marine private Edward Earl Gyatt, born in Syracuse, New York the 4th day of September, 1921 and who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on the 26th day of January 1942.

USS GYATT (DD-712 ~ DDG-1) REUNION Branson, Missouri Area September 26-30, 2010 Click here to download the sign up form. Ahoy Mates: The first order has to do with the note on the front of the envelope.

The USS Gyatt was designed by Gibbs and Cox, New York, New York and was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Port Newark, New Jersey. The ship was commissioned twelve weeks and two days later (2 July 1945).

Click on a photo for a larger view. 1945: 1947: 1948: 1949: 1950: 1951: 1952: 1952: 1954: 1956: 1957 : 1958. 1958-1959: 1960: 1960: 1960: 1957-1962

USS GYATT DD-712/DDG-1 ASSOCIATION REUNION BOSTON , MASSACHUSETTS AREA September 22 thru 25, 2004 : This year's reunion was held in the Boston, MA area and home base was the “Sheraton 4 Seasons” at Burlington , MA.

Greetings from Charleston SC home of the USS Gyatt 2008 reunion during the period Sunday, October 19, 2008 through Wednesday, October 22, 2008. The reunion headquarters is the Town & Country Inn and Conference Center located on 2008 Savannah Highway.

2015 Reunion: Sept 27-Oct 1, 2015 in Baton Rouge, LA. Newsletter and Reunion Details : 2014 Reunion: September 15-19, 2014 in Dallas, TX. Newsletter and Reunion Details