The event comes just nine days after the ship’s 31st commissioning anniversary. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the ship’s distinguished history and military service and to honor those who sacrificed in the battle for which the ship is named.

The ceremony’s presiding officer and a native of Hue, Vietnam, Rear Adm. Huan Nguyen, Naval Sea Systems Command Deputy Commander for Cyber Engineering, shared his 1968 Tet Offensive experiences and the important place USS Hué City holds in the Navy.

“To me, the Hue City represents the very simple democracy and freedom and fighting spirit of all the heroes who defend and protect her,” said Nguyen. “Those values are what continue to inspire me to serve our great nation, to live a life of fidelity, courage and honor. It is the crew, former and present, that I would like to honor and thank."

“BZ to the USS Hue City, to the former and present crew. Thank you for your service and may her fighting spirit live on forever.”

Current Hué City Commanding Officer, Cmdr Thad D. Tasso, spoke of the unbreakable connection between a ship and the Sailors who serve onboard and of the life-long connections made through shared experiences and challenges. His words resonated with the audience as they bade farewell to their ship.

“While the decommissioning of a ship is traditionally a somber affair, it is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our warship’s heritage and the impact she has had on our Navy,” said Tasso.

Hué City was built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., and commissioned there Sept. 14, 1991. The ship is named in commemoration of the Vietnam War battle which was fought in and around the city of Hué during the 1968 Tet Offensive from Jan. 31 to March 2, 1968. During the battle, three understrength U.S. Marine battalions, consisting of fewer than 2,500 men, attacked and soundly defeated more than 10,000 entrenched enemy troops, liberating the city of Hué and handing the enemy a costly defeat.

The Ticonderoga-class, guided-missile cruiser is the only U.S. Navy warship to be named in commemoration of a Vietnam War battle.

Over its 31 years of service, Hué City has played an important part in the Navy’s timeless role of protecting America at sea. The ship and its crew completed several deployments, supported numerous exercises and provided important humanitarian assistance, including off the coast of New York in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

From 2002 to 2017, the ship deployed seven times in support of the Global War on Terror and Operation Enduring Freedom. The ship deployed for the final time in 2017 to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

“For 31 years USS Hué City defended our nation and kept the oceans of the world free,” added Tasso.

“Her crew sailed with the full knowledge of the heritage that sailed with them and in striving to remain true to it, built a legacy of success of their own. As she now takes her rightful place in our Navy’s history, I can think of no more fitting epitaph for her service than ‘she was worthy of the name she bears’.”

After decommissioning, the ship is slated to be towed Oct. 31, to the Navy’s Inactive Ship’s facility in Philadelphia, Pa., where it will be in a Logistical Support Asset status.