The USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37), a Samuel Gompers-class destroyer tender, was commissioned on 1 JUL 1967. USS SAMUEL GOMPERS served her country for 28 years, 3 months and 26 days, until decommissioned on 27 OCT 1995. After commissioning at the Bremerton, WA Naval Ship Yard, SAMUEL GOMPERS transited to her home port of San Diego, CA. She then began her regular cycle of Western Pacific deployments followed by time in home port. In the 1980s and 1990s SAMUEL GOMPERS deployments extended into the Indian Ocean as the US Naval presence grew in the Persian Gulf. USS SAMUEL GOMPERS was decommissioned in October 1995 and then sunk in a fleet exercise on 22 JUL 2003, off the coast of North Carolina.
Laid down, 9 July 1964, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
Launched, 14 May 1966
Commissioned USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37), 15 July 1967
Decommissioned, 27 October 1995, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA.
Laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Portsmouth, VA.
Moved in November 1995 to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
Struck from the Naval Register, 7 April 1999
Custody transferred to the Maritime Administration, for disposal, 7 April 1999
Final Disposition, disposed of as a target, 21 July 2003 in the VACAPES OPAREA 31°.17.2 N x 7°.35.16 W.
