USS Arthur W. Radford (DD-968) was a Spruance-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Admiral Arthur W. Radford USN (1896–1973), the first naval officer to hold the title of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She was laid down by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi and launched on 21 March 1975, sponsored by Mrs. Arthur W. Radford, the widow of the late admiral. She commissioned on 16 April 1977 and decommissioned on 18 March 2003, after serving 26 years.
Aurthur W. Radford was the second Spruance class destroyer to join the atlantic fleet, and was a unit of (DESRON10) Destroyer Squadron Ten in Norfolk, Virginia. She was a member of the first class of comabatant ships in the United States navy to be powered by Marine Gas Turbine Engines.Arthur W. Radford fired the first Harpoon missile shot in the Mediterranean, scoring a direct hit on a selected target. She also engaged in shore bombardment in support of the Multi-National Forces in Beirut, Lebanon, and was later awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.
