USS Hayler (DD-997) was a Spruance-class destroyer that served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 2003. Named for Vice Admiral Robert W. Hayler (1891–1980), she was the last ship of her class.
Design and construction
For fiscal year 1978, Congress authorized the production of two additional Spruance-class destroyers, though they funded only one. These were intended to be built as helicopter destroyers (DDH), provided they would not cost more than a standard Spruance-class. Litton-Ingalls completed sketch design work for DDH-997, which moved the helicopter deck aft, stretching the length of the hangar and displacing the Sea Sparrow launcher to the top of the hangar. The design would have accommodated two SH-3 Sea Kings or four smaller SH-60 Seahawk or SH-2 Seasprite helicopters. While the prospective DDH-997 probably wouldn't have cost much more to build than a standard Spruance-class, the detail design and engineering work required before the ship could be built would have been substantial (similar work for the Kidd-class cost $110.8 million). This raised the cost of the DDH substantially above a standard Spruance-class destroyer. While this additional cost might have been justified if the DDH was going to enter series production, it was difficult to justify for a single ship. Accordingly, the Navy built Hayler to a similar design as the rest of the class, while incorporating some systems from the Ticonderoga Cruiser and Kidd Destroyer designs.
Hayler was laid down on 20 October 1980 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, in Pascagoula, Miss.; launched on 2 March 1982<!--; sponsored by Mrs. SPONSOR-->; and commissioned on 5 March 1983<!-- at COMMLOC, RANK CAPTAIN in command-->.
Ship's crest
According to the U.S. Navy, Hayler crest is representative of Vice Admiral Hayler's inspiring leadership, his dedication to his country, his proficiency as a naval officer, and of the history and traditions of the naval service.
The gold stars on the blue background in the upper area of the shield symbolize the many Pacific Island Campaigns Admiral Hayler participated in as a commanding officer, and as a commander of a cruiser division during World War II. The stars also represent the numerous awards he received, some repeated two and three times. The chevron is a symbol of strength and support, and the blue crosses represent the Admirals's three Navy Crosses, an award for valour exceeded only by the Medal of Honor.
The ship was assigned escort duties for the USS La Moure County (LST-1194) as it accidentally ran aground near the coast of Caleta Cifuncho Bay, Chile in the pre-dawn hours of 12 September 2000 during a routine amphibious training operation with a sister vessel, the Chilean Valdiva.
Fate
Hayler was decommissioned 25 August 2003 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 6 April 2004 and sunk as a target on 13 November 2004, during the 2004 Sink Exercise.
Gallery
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Aerial bow view of the destroyer USS HAYLER (DD-997) underway during sea trials - DPLA - ba83af35a8656912d94adeca3f74d2b7.jpeg|USS Hayler on 15 November 1982
File:A port beam view of the destroyer USS HAYLOR (DD 997) - DPLA - 26ae89cae5df158bad927a9d801ea6c6.jpeg|USS Hayler on 1 July 1986
File:330-CFD-DN-ST-90-09250 (21571544834).jpg|USS Hayler on 29 April 1989
File:USS Bainbridge (CGN-25) and other warships at Naval Station Norfolk on 25 June 1995.jpeg|USS Hayler on 25 June 1995
</gallery>
See also
- List of destroyers of the United States Navy