HMAS Perth (D38)

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Career
Ordered:
Laid down:	21 September 1962
Launched:	26 September 1963
Commissioned:	17 July 1965
Decommissioned:	15 October 1999
Fate:	Sunk as a dive wreck
Struck:
General Characteristics
Displacement:	4,600 tons
Length:	134 m
Beam:	14 m
Draught:	6 m
Propulsion:	2 × General Electric steam turbines providing 70,000 hp (52 mW)
Speed:	30+ knots
Range:	6,000 miles at 15 knots
Complement:	310
Armament:	Mk 13 Mod 6 launcher for SM-1; 2 x 127 mm/54 (5 in/54) Mk 42; 2 x 20 mm Mk 15 Vulcan Phalanx; 2 x triple 324 mm Mk 32 torpedo tubes
Aircraft:
Motto:	"Fight And Flourish"

The second HMAS Perth (D-38/38) was a Perth class guided missile destroyer, laid down at the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan, USA on 21 September 1962, launched on 26 September 1963, and commissioned on 17 July 1965.

Perth served as plane guard for carriers on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf, participated in Operation Sea Dragon and Operation Market Time, patrolled on Search and Rescue duties and carried out Naval Gunfire Support missions during the conflict in Vietnam.

HMAS Perth paid off on 15 October 1999 and was sunk as a dive wreck off Albany in Western Australia on 24 November 2001. Perth was awarded the United States Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation for her service in Vietnam.

Additional photographs can be viewed in the HMAS Perth photograph archive.

See HMAS Perth for other ships of the name.

Non-U.S. recipients of U.S. gallantry awards

Perth class destroyer

Perth | Hobart | Brisbane

List of major warship classes of the Royal Australian Navy