Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet > Ships > USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) > About
An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USS John S McCain Crest
General Characteristics:
Keel Laid:   September 3, 1991
Launched:   September 26, 1992
Commissioned:   July 2, 1994
Builder:   Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Propulsion system:   four General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines
Propellers:   two
Blades on each Propeller:   five
Length:   505,25 feet (154 meters)
Beam:   67 feet (20.4 meters)
Draft:   30,5 feet (9.3 meters)
Displacement:   approx. 8.300 tons full load
Speed:   30+ knots
Aircraft:   None. But LAMPS 3 electronics installed on landing deck for coordinated DDG/helicopter ASW operations.
Armament:   two MK 41 VLS for Standard missiles, Tomahawk; Harpoon missile launchers, one Mk 45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun, two Phalanx CIWS, Mk 46 torpedoes (from two triple tube mounts)
Homeport:   Yokosuka, Japan
Crew:   23 Officers, 24 Chief Petty Officers and 291 Enlist
 

The McCain Family—Three Sailors, Three Legacies

JOHN S. McCAIN is the second Bath-built ship to carry the name. The first ship (DL-3/DDG36), bore the name from 1953-1978. Both de-stroyers honor Admiral John S. McCain (1884-1945), the distinguished Carrier Task Force Commander of World War II, and his son, Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., (1911-1981), a former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. is best remembered for his designation as Commander, South Pacific Force during the campaign of the Solo-mon Islands 1942 and later as Commander, SECOND Carrier Task Force and Commander, Task Force 38.1 in 1944. As part of Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38, Admiral McCain saw almost continuous combat action and was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism and great achievement.

Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. commanded two submarines during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals for service in combat. Among his significant commands and assignments were Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet; Commander-in-Chief of both U.S. Naval Forces Europe and later the Pacific. He also served as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations.

Senator John S. McCain, III is a former Naval Aviator and Prisoner of War in the Vietnam War (1967-1973), and was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued a life of public service, serving two terms in the U.S. House of Represent-atives, six terms as Senator from Arizona, culminating as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (2015-2018). His contributions and influence have helped shape national and international security policy decisions since first joining Congress in 1982 and his life’s work and lega-cy live on through many organizations and causes, including the McCain Institute, USS JOHN S. McCAIN and the McCain family.

USS John S. McCain (DDG 56)

Unit 100161 Box 1
FPO, AP 96672

                                  
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon