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USS HARRY W. HILL (DD-986)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NPFS

Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - TOUGH SHOES

CLASS - SPRUANCE As Built.
Displacement 7800 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 563' (oa) x 55' x 20' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), 1 Sea Sparrow SAM (1x8) ASROC ASW (1x8),
6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3). 1 Helicopter.
Machinery, 80,000 SHP; 4 LM 2500 Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30 Knots, Range 6000 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 296.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Litton Ingalls, Pascagoula Miss. April 1 1977.
Launched August 10 1978 and commissioned November 17 1979.
Decommissioned and Stricken May 29 1998.
Fate: Sinkex target, sunk by MNF and BIF Forces July 15 2004 at 23:01:16 N 159:54:12 W.

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Hill 6kHarry Wilbur Hill (7 April 1890 - July 19, 1971) was an admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. Hill was born in Oakland, California on 7 April 1890. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1907, graduating in June 1911. After graduation from the Naval Academy, he served successively in USS Maryland, Iris, Perry, with the Pacific Flotilla; as Engineer Officer of USS Albany, and from January 1917 on USS Texas, a part of the British Grand Fleet during World War I. He transferred in September 1918 to USS Wyoming, in which he witnessed the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet upon the cessation of hostilities. On 23 November 1918, he reported as Navigator of USS Arkansas, and served in that capacity until January 1919, when he was assigned duty as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Commander Division Seven, Atlantic Fleet. In July of that year, he transferred to similar duty on the Staff of Commander Division Six, Pacific Fleet. After serving two months at the Naval Academy, in November 1919 he became Aide to the Chief of Naval Operations, where he remained until March 1923. He assisted in fitting out USS Concord at the William Cramp and Sons Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and upon the commissioning of that cruiser on 23 November 1923, he joined her as Gunnery Officer. He served three months from June 1925 as Aide to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, after which he had duty afloat as Gunnery Officer of USS Memphis. He was assigned for two years, June 1926–1928, as Executive Officer of the Receiving Barracks, Hampton Roads, Virginia, then had service from July 1928 to May 1931, as Gunnery Officer of USS Maryland. He was aboard that battleship in 1929 when she won the Gunnery Trophy and he received a commendatory letter from the Secretary of the Navy. Returning to the United States, he reported as Battalion Officer in the Executive Department of the Naval Academy, and the year June 1933-1934 served as Force Gunnery Officer on the staff of Commander Battle Force, U.S. Fleet in the Pacific. Ordered to Bath Iron Works, Commander Hill was in charge of fitting out USS Dewey, then commanded that destroyer from her commissioning, 4 October 1934 until 17 June 1935. He was again assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and in May 1938 completed the Senior Course at the Naval War College. Between June 1938 and February 1940 he was War Plans Officer on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, after which he had a third tour of duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, where Captain Hill was attached to the War Plans Division until January 1942. Ordered to sea, Hill assumed command of the heavy cruiser USS Wichita, which operated for several months on convoy duty with the British Home Fleet to the North Russian port of Murmansk. Hill escorted a convoy that was reported on by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. In response to 4th of July greetings from the British Convoy Commander, “Many happy returns of the day. The United States is the only country with a known birthday”, Hill replied “Thank you. I think England should celebrate Mother’s Day. Detached from command of Wichita on 28 September 1942, he reported as Commander Battleship Division Four, USS Maryland, flagship, serving a year in the South Pacific. He was also commander of a task force, which was the first to comprise battleships and escort carriers. In September 1943 he became Commander Amphibious Group Two, Fifth Amphibious Force, and in that capacity participated in the capture of Tarawa, and later in operations against the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He relieved the Commander Fifth Amphibious Force at Okinawa in April 1945, and commanded the amphibious and support operations of that force until that island was secured at the end of June. At the close of the war in August 1945, he commanded the Amphibious Force which landed the Sixth Army in Southwestern Japan for occupation duty. On 1 November 1945 he assumed duty as Commandant Army-Navy Staff College, and in June 1946 Vice Admiral Hill established and served as Commandant of the National War College, the highest-level educational institution of the Armed Forces and the State Department. In September 1949 he reported as Chairman of the General Board, Navy Department, and on 28 April 1950 became Superintendent of the Naval Academy and Commandant, Severn River Naval Command. He continued to serve as such after his retirement on 1 May 1952, until August 1952. Admiral Hill continued to serve on active duty from 21 October 1952 until 21 May 1954 as Governor of the Naval Home, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Admiral Harry Wilbur Hill passed away on July 19, 1971.Bill Gonyo
Hill 24kUndated, location unknown.-
Hill 38kUndated, location unknown.Cdr. James Hopper III USN-Ret
Hill 61kUndated postcard Copyright © Marine Photos, San Diego, CA.Mike Smolinski
Hill 80kUndated, location unknown.David Buell
Hill 104kThe "Commissioning Photo", Sea Trials in the Gulf of Mexico just off Pascagoula, late 1979.Jerry Hays/Michael J Zakrajsek, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
Hill 129kDN-ST-83-02909. Bow view of the destroyer USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986) passing through the Burnside Bridge on the Willamette River, to participate in the 74th annual Portland rose festival on 1 December 1982. Taken by: Michael Lloyd.Robert M. Cieri
Hill 48kVancouver, BC April 24 1987.Marc Piché
Hill 118kIn Dubai during October 1988.Giorgio Fedele, Italian Navy
Hill 73kLongview, WA June 1990.Marc Piché
Hill 200kLongview, WA June 1990. Photo by Rick Garcia.Chris Howell
Hill 60kLongview, WA June 1990.Marc Piché
Hill 188kDN-SC-92-02610 The destroyer USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986) departs from Naval Station Pearl Harbor, after a port visit. Photo by OS2 John Bouvia on 1 June 1991.Robert M. Cieri
Hill 153kDN-ST-92-00447. Sailors man the rails aboard the destroyer USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986) as she approaches a pier at Naval Station San Diego. The ship is returning from a WestPac deployment and service in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm. Taken by: PHC Bix Wallace on 8 June 1991.Robert M. Cieri
Hill 269kDN-SC-04-15494. Naval Station San Diego, June 1 1992, aAerial view of the 32nd Street Naval Station Pier 2, showing various ships berthed there. The Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) (left), the Spruance-class destroyer USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986) (across the pier) an unidentified Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser (rear left) and the Virginia-class nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Arkansas (CGN 41) outboard of her. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 M. Correa. Robert M. Cieri
Hill 150kUSS Harry W. Hill (DD-986) and USS Elliot (DD-967) on March 4 1995, location unknown.L. M. Montgomery
Hill 89kDeparting San Diego circa 1997. Coronado Bay Bridge in background.Scott Akins
Hill 172kThe Arabian Gulf, December 24 1997, Admiral Johnson gives a well-deserved thumbs up to one of the Sailors on USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986) during his visit to several ships in the Arabian Gulf during this holiday season. U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Beaird.Bill Gonyo
Hill 32kFremantle, Australia January 16 1998.Marc Piché
Hill 93kThe bridge during Tiger Cruise, 1998. Officer to the extreme right is ENS Dan Pearson who was the OOD.Scott Akins
Hill 91kThis is a picture of the messdecks. This was taken during the Tiger Cruise in 1998. Scott is the guy with the burger in his mouth on the left. Sitting to my left is RM2 Michael Bee. Sitting on the opposite side of the table is Scott's brother.Scott Akins
Hill 82kSH-60 on flight deck from HSL 45 Det. 7 from NASNI. Westpac 1997-1998.Scott Akins
Hill 100kPhoto of the fantail with Tigers onboard, 1998. Aft 5" gun visible.Scott Akins
Hill 96kPhoto of the fantail with Tigers onboard, 1998. Aft 5" gun visible.Scott Akins
Hill 93kScott was able to get a ride in the SH-60 they had on board and took these photos as it was flying by the ship.Scott Akins
Hill 87kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 94kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 88kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 85kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 86kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 118kUnrep, probably on 1997 WestPac cruise.Scott Akins
Hill 61kPicture looking forward from fantail with 5" gun, circa 1997-1998.Scott Akins
Hill 78kPicture from Bridge looking over foc'sle taking some rolls during Tiger Cruise 1998.Scott Akins
Hill 53kAft mast, looking forward. One of very few sprucans that had a black mast.Scott Akins
Hill 116kHobart, Tasmania port visit in 1998 returning from a Gulf Deployment.Nick Jansen
Hill 84kAs above.Nick Jansen
Hill 111kAs above, taken from the bow of USS Gary (FFG-51).Nick Jansen
Hill 110kAs above.Nick Jansen
Hill 110kAs above, showing a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.Nick Jansen
Hill 121kAs above.Nick Jansen
Hill 72kAs above, showing a close up of her Mk-29 Sea Sparrow launcher.Nick Jansen
Hill 72kAs above, showing a close up of her RGM-84 quad Harpoon launcher.Nick Jansen
Hill 66kCivilian R. Middlestead staying on his feet in stout seas, Tiger Cruise 1998.Dan Pearson
Hill 207kShip's Navigator LT John Duerden with EMO ENS Dan Pearson after purchasing "Beard Chits" during HILL's last deployment, 1998.Dan Pearson
Hill 213kVoluntary participants line up to see the Royal Dentist and Royal Doctor during the Crossing the Line ceremony in 1998.Dan Pearson
Hill 175kBoat crew standing by for VBSS teams in the Northern Arabian Gulf 1998.Dan Pearson
Hill 109kIn mothballs on Oahu May 2002.Scott Akins
Hill 97kAs above.Scott Akins
Hill 73kJune 4 2000, Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor, Oahu Hawaii, starboard bow view of four decommissioned Spruance class destroyers. They are: USS Ingersoll (DD 990 ), USS Harry W. Hill (DD 986), USS Leftwich (DD 984) and USS Merrill (DD 976). The ships are moored at the Naval Ships Intermediated Maintenance Facility.Fred Weiss
Hill 49kLeft to right - USS Ingersoll (DD-990), USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986), USS Merrill (DD-976) and USS Leftwich (DD-984) at NISMF Pearl Harbor August 1 2000. Thanks to Michael C. Potter who gave us the proper ID's.Jim Bedient
Hill 58kSame as above, different angle.Jim Bedient
Hill 34kHarry W. Hill's Zippo.Scott Akins
Hill 85kShip's patchMike Smolinski

USS HARRY W. HILL DD-986 History
Note: History is unavailable at this time
This ship was built too late to be covered by the DANFS project

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves


CDR James Joseph Hogan III    Nov 17 1979 - Dec 2 1982

CDR John Corse Pollock III    Dec 2 1982 - Feb 1 1985

CDR Daniel Salinas II    Feb 1 1985 - Mar 14 1987

CDR James Cutler Dawson Jr.    Mar 14 1987 - Mar 30 1989 (Later VADM)

CDR Thomas Edward Snyder    Mar 30 1989 - Apr 14 1991

CDR Jerry Francis Ferguson    Apr 14 1991 - Feb 25 1993

CDR William Patrick Craft    Feb 25 1993 - Jan 11 1995

CDR Craig Weston Turley    Jan 11 1995 - Oct 24 1996

CDR John Paul Wallace    Oct 24 1996 - May 29 1998


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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