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Career
Ordered:	22 February 1990
Laid down:	9 February 1993
Launched:	29 January 1994
Commissioned:	14 October 1995
Decommissioned:
Status:	Active in service as of 2007
Struck:
General characteristics
Displacement:	8,315 tons
Length:	505 ft (153.9 m)
Beam:	66 ft (20.1 m)
Draft:	31 ft (9.4 m)
Propulsion:	4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 100,000 shp (75 MW)
Speed:	30+ knots (55+ km/h)
Range:
Complement:	337 officers and enlisted
Armament:	• 1 × 29 cell, 1 × 61 cell Mk 41 vertical launch systems, armed with 90 x RIM-67 SM-2, BGM-109 Tomahawk or RUM-139 VL-Asroc, missiles • 1 × Mk 45 MOD 1 5"/54 caliber (127/54 mm) Gun Mount • 2 × 25 mm guns • 4 × 12.7 mm guns, • 2 × Phalanx CIWS • 2 × Mk 46 triple torpedo tubes
Sensors:	• AN/SPY-1D Radar • AN/SPS-67(V)2 Surface Search Radar • AN/SPS-64(V)9 Surface Search Radar • AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array • AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar • AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III Shipboard System
EW systems:	• AN/SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Warfare System • AN/SLQ-25 NIXIE Torpedo Countermeasures • MK 36 MOD 12 Decoy Launching System • AN/SLQ-39 CHAFF Buoys
Aircraft:	1 SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter can be embarked
Motto:	Protect your People

USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), named for Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald, USN (1938-1967) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was laid down by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine 9 February 1993; launched 29 January 1994; and commissioned 14 October 1995 in Newport, R.I.. She was then homeported in Naval Station San Diego, CA.

In early April 2004, it was announced that she would be one of fifteen destroyers and three cruisers which would be deployed to counter ballistic missile threats worldwide. She arrived in Yokosuka, Japan 30 September 2004 to join the U.S. 7th Fleet after participating in a personnel exchange known as "Super Swap". 140 sailors from USS O'Brien (DD-975) transferred to Fitzgerald and 95 of Fitzgerald’s sailors joined the decommissioning unit for O'Brien. Her new homeport is Yokosuka.

The Fitzgerald family coat of arms (a white shield with a red saltire) provides the foundation for the coat of arms for Fitzgerald. The shield signifies defense, while the saltire connotes strength and its red color represents valor and action. This traditional design has been modified by the addition of a blue cross paty interlaced with a gold annulet and four shamrocks. The cross commemorates the Navy Cross posthumously awarded to Lieutenant William Charles Fitzgerald for extraordinary heroism in the Vietnam battle that took his life. The annulet symbolizes the continuity of everlasting hope, fidelity and unity. The four shamrocks represent Lieutenant Fitzgerald's Irish family and heritage.

SUPPORTERS: The sword and cutlass crossed behind the shield depict Lieutenant Fitzgerald's personal experiences as both an officer and enlisted sailor, as well as the professional excellence and teamwork in the United States Navy. The dolphins flanking the shield signify maritime dominance and allude to Fitzgerald's role in preserving America's command of the seas.

CREST: The trident, a traditional symbol of maritime prowess, represents both Lieutenant Fitzgerald's graduation from the United States Naval Academy and Fitzgerald's war fighting capabilities. Each tine of the trident depicts separate warfare areas -- air, surface and sub-surface -- in which Fitzgerald possesses unmatched strengths. Lions, the traditional symbol for strength and courage on land, support each side of the trident. They commemorate the circumstances under which Lieutenant Fitzgerald gave his life and to signify the eternal vigilance and teamwork necessary to project America's maritime power ashore.

MOTTO: The scroll, in the national colors of red, white, and blue and emblazoned with the motto "PROTECT YOUR PEOPLE," bears testimony to the ideals and actions exemplified throughout the life of William Charles Fitzgerald. This motto also links the Fitzgeralds' ancient family history -- their Gallic war cry translates as "Defend the castle forever" -- with the gallantry, dedication and extraordinary heroism of Lieutenant Fitzgerald and the honored traditions of the United States Navy.

• Official website
• Naval Vessel Register entry for USS Fitzgerald
• navsource.org: USS Fitzgerald
• DDG-62 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com

This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.