History of USS Stockdale (DDG-106) in Timeline

USS Stockdale (DDG-106) is a United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, named after Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. Authorized in 2002 and built by Bath Iron Works, she was christened by Stockdale's widow, Sybil, in May 2008 and delivered to the Navy in September 2008. In March 2009, she transited the Panama Canal, with Stockdale's son and grandchildren aboard. USS Stockdale was officially commissioned on April 18, 2009, in Port Hueneme, California.

September 2002: Authorization

On September 13, 2002, USS Stockdale was authorized as an Arleigh Burke-class (Flight IIA) Aegis guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy.

May 2008: Christening of USS Stockdale

On May 10, 2008, USS Stockdale was christened by Sybil Stockdale, the widow of Admiral James Bond Stockdale.

September 2008: Delivery to the Navy

On September 30, 2008, USS Stockdale was delivered to the U.S. Navy.

March 2009: Panama Canal Transit

In March 2009, USS Stockdale transited the Panama Canal. Admiral Stockdale's youngest son and grandchildren joined the ship for the trip.

April 2009: Commissioning of USS Stockdale

On April 18, 2009, USS Stockdale was commissioned at Port Hueneme.

November 2010: Deployment to Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility begins

In November 2010, USS Stockdale began an eight-month deployment in the United States Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility.

July 2011: Deployment to Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility ends

In July 2011, USS Stockdale concluded its eight-month deployment in the United States Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility, after ports of call at Guam, Sepangar, Malaysia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Laem Chabang, Thailand; Singapore, and Chinhae, South Korea.

July 2012: Participation in RIMPAC 2012

In July 2012, USS Stockdale participated in the naval exercise RIMPAC 2012, including maneuvers in the Kaulakahi Channel near the PMRF.

July 2021: Departure from San Diego

In July 2021, USS Stockdale departed San Diego and joined Carrier Strike Group One.

January 2022: Discovery of Sonar Dome Damage

On January 21, 2022, while in port Sasebo investigating a fuel tank crack, damage to USS Stockdale's sonar dome was discovered.

July 2022: Return to San Diego

On July 15, 2022, after repairs in Yokosuka drydock, USS Stockdale arrived back at San Diego.

August 2024: Arrival at Port of Colombo

On August 22, 2024, USS Stockdale arrived at the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a replenishment visit and was scheduled to depart the island on August 23, 2024.

September 2024: Attack by Houthi rebels

On the morning of September 27, 2024, while transiting the Red Sea with USS Spruance and USS Indianapolis, USS Stockdale was attacked by missiles and drones launched by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen; all projectiles were intercepted or missed their targets.

November 2024: Houthi Attack

On November 11, 2024, USS Stockdale and USS Spruance were attacked again by the Houthis, who launched eight drones, five ballistic missiles, and three cruise missiles. All of the projectiles were shot down by the destroyers with no damage or casualties to the vessels. The Stockdale used the destroyer's five-inch gun to shoot down one of the Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles while transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, going from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden.

December 2024: Houthi Attack on USS Stockdale and USS O'Kane

On December 1, 2024, USS Stockdale and USS O'Kane were attacked by Houthis with three ballistic missiles, three drones and one cruise missile while escorting three merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden. All of the projectiles were intercepted with no damage or casualties.

2024: Combat during 2024-2025 deployment

During her 2024–25 deployment to 5th fleet, Stockdale participated in more combat than any other U.S. Navy ship since the end of World War II.

2025: Arrival in Panama

On September 20th, 2025 the USS Stockdale arrived in Panama on its way to joining the growing U.S. Navy presence in the Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to combat drug cartels.