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FORREST SHERMAN CLASS DESTROYER
USS Morton
, Vietnam War era

The Forrest Sherman-class destroyers were the first US post-war destroyers. Commissioned beginning in 1955, these ships served until the late 1980s. Their weaponry underwent considerable modification during their years of service. Four were converted to guided missile destroyers. This class also served as the basis for the Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer.

At the time they entered service, these ships were the largest US destroyers ever built-418 feet long. They were originally armed with three 5-inch (127 mm)/54 caliber guns mounted in single turrets, 4 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber AA guns in twin mounts, as well as hedgehogs and torpedoes for ASW. However, over the years, weaponry was considerably modified. The hedgehogs and 3-inch (76 mm) guns were removed from all ships during the 1960s and 1970s. In addition the fixed torpedo tubes were replaced by two triple 12.75 inches (324 mm) Mark 32 torpedo tube mounts. These ships were fitted with an eight cell ASROC launcher in place of the No. 2 5-inch (127 mm) gun, and with a variable-depth sonar system.



USS Morton (DD-948) was one of the Forrest Sherman-class destroyer. She was laid down 4 March 1957, by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss.; launched 23 May 1958; and commissioned 26 May 1959 at North Charleston, SC.

Morton continued operations off the West Coast until August 1964, when she steamed to the South China Sea and patrolled off South Vietnam. On 11 September 1964, approximately one month after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, the Director of the Naval Security Group, Pacific informed the Director of the National Security Agency of plans for an intercept team to be aboard the Morton.

The DESOTO patrol, part of Operation 34A, was conducted by the USS Morton and the USS Richard S. Edwards approximately one month after the Gulf of Tonkin incident. She spent the next several months screening aircraft carriers after the Gulf of Tonkin Incident before returning to the West Coast 6 February 1965.

Arriving off South Vietnam in April 1966 the destroyer shelled Vietcong supply points and encampments for the next 4 months. After a short break, Morton began Sea Dragon operations off North Vietnam in May 1967. During these raids, she targeted enemy coast defense sites and radar installations and interdicted barge traffic along the coast. Morton also provided gunfire support for the 12th Marine Regiment near the DMZ before returning to San Diego 3 November.

Morton departed San Diego 31 October 1968, again joined the gun-line and bombarded North Vietnamese and Vietcong supply points and bunkers up and down the coast. The destroyer returned home in the late spring and began preparations for an anti-submarine weapons system modernization at Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

On 15 August 1970, Morton spent the next year testing her new SQS-23 sonar, ASROC launcher and new electronic systems. As part of this refresher training, Morton conducted numerous ASW exercises against friendly submarines off Hawaii and California.

Following a tender availability in Pearl Harbor in early 1971, Morton sailed on her next WestPac deployment on 9 September. She conducted two gun-line tours before sailing for home on 1 March 1972 via Australia. Later in the year, she participated in several ASW exercises before deploying again to WestPac on 13 October. More gunline tours followed, including a Linebacker raid on North Vietnamese coastal targets in December 1972.

Following the ceasefire of 28 January 1973, Morton patrolled off South Vietnam until sailing for home on 19 February 1973. With the end of hostilities, Morton's ensuing deployments to WestPac centered around providing screen and escort services for carrier task forces. During these years, Morton also continued to participate in ASW exercises, owing to the threat from the growing Soviet submarine fleet.



Morton sailed on her last deployment in February 1982, during which she participated in five major ASW exercises with U.S. and allied naval forces. On two occasions, the warship aided Vietnamese refugees—rescuing 18 men on 9 June and 52 men, women and children on 10 June—for which Morton received the Humanitarian Service Medal. The warship returned home to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 12 August.

Morton was decommissioned at Pearl Harbor on 22 November 1982. She was sold to Southwest Recycling, Inc. for scrapping on 17 March 1992. During the scrapping process, the commercial diving crew responsible for removing the struts, shafts and wheels of the Morton set the current world record for the thickest piece of steel cut underwater by means of an ultra-thermic torch.

We offer this primarily wood model of the Forrest Sherman class in two sizes

25" long (1/200 scale) $2,500 Shipping and insurance in the US included. Other countries: $200 flat rate.

35" long (1/144 scale) $3,700 Shipping and insurance in the US included. Other countries: $300 flat rate.

Models are built per commission only. We require only a small deposit (not full amount, not even half) to start the process. $500    The remaining balance won't be due until the model is completed, in several months.

We guarantee that not only this USS Morton model but also all warship models that you commission us to build will be considerably better than the other builders or your money back plus $300 gift card. Compare this model with others by Googling "Forrest Sherman class model" or "USS Morton model" and you will see clearly that our model is way better.

Click here to learn more: How to choose a warship model.

More information about the Forrest Sherman class is located here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_Sherman-class_destroyer

Read more about the USS Morton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Morton