Destroyer USS Stump (DD-978)

The USS Stump (DD-978), a Spruance-class destroyer constructed by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, underwent decommissioning and was removed from the records on 22 October 2004.

Stump's construction commenced on 25 August 1975, and she was launched on 29 January 1977, finally being commissioned on 19 August 1978. Named in honor of Admiral Felix Stump, who led the U.S. Pacific Command from 1953 to 1958.

Her debut deployment in 1980 was to the Mediterranean, where she served as the flagship for Destroyer Squadron 14. Engaging in Black Sea maneuvers, port calls, and extensive undersea warfare (USW) exercises, Stump's outstanding performance earned her the «Hookem Award» for USW excellence from the U.S. 6th Fleet.

A year later, while serving as the south Atlantic flagship for UNITAS XXII, Stump acquired her mascot, Felix, a blue-fronted Amazon parrot, during a visit to Brazil. She became the pioneering Spruance class ship to traverse Chile's inland waterway.

In October 1982, Stump journeyed to the Persian Gulf as part of the Middle East Force for radar picket duties. Upon returning in March 1983, she engaged in Solid Shield '83, a multifaceted exercise with U.S. NATO vessels and the U.S. Air Force. The ship underwent a ten-month major overhaul at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, becoming the first Spruance class vessel to undergo such a significant refitting outside Mississippi.

March 1984 marked Stump's designation as the state flagship of West Virginia, followed by her role as the U.S. Navy's host ship at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans. Also in 1984, Stump earned the James F. Chezek Memorial Gunnery Award by achieving a score of 496 out of 500 during naval gunfire support qualifications.

In March 1985, Admiral W. L. McDonald, Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet, embarked on Stump for CARIBOPS '85, where she once again excelled in naval gunfire support qualifications, securing a score of 495 out of 500. This earned her the Atlantic Fleet's «Top Gun» award for the second consecutive year. Deployed for UNITAS XXVI/WATC '85, Stump showcased her presence in port visits across eight South American nations and six West African nations.

In 1986, Stump was chosen as the test platform for the U.S. Navy's latest hull-mounted sonar, the AN/SQS-53C. She was awarded the COMDESRON TEN Battle «E» Efficiency award for overall excellence.

In 1988, Stump joined the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier battle group (MED 3–88) in the Mediterranean. In April of that year, she swiftly responded to replace the USS Samuel B. Roberts after it suffered extensive damage from a naval mine explosion in the Persian Gulf. Later, Stump facilitated the escort of the damaged Samuel B. Roberts from the Suez canal to Rota Spain. Stump's diverse tasks continued in August with six weeks of Caribbean law enforcement operations, involving a rescue operation and confiscation of drugs. She was awarded her second consecutive Battle «E» award in December.

In October 1989, Stump embarked on another Mediterranean deployment as part of the USS Forrestal carrier battle group (MED 1–90). Here, she excelled in anti-submarine warfare exercises and earned the «Hookem» award for excellence in undersea warfare.

Stump's decommissioning on 22 October 2004 was significant, with Admiral Stump's great-grandson, John Stump III, serving on the decommissioning crew. The ship was placed at the inactive ships maintenance facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and sunk as a target alongside her sister, Comte de Grasse, off the coast of North Carolina on 7 June 2006.

Admiral Felix Stump's illustrious naval career is mirrored in the ship's coat of arms, representing his decorated service in World War II, displayed through various medals and awards.