George Dewey, born 26 December 1837 in Montpelier, Vt., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1868 and after varied important service assumed command of the Asiatic Station 3 January 1898, with his flag in the protected cruiser Olympia. On the nig ht of 30 April 1898 Admiral Dewey led his squadron into Manila Bay and the next morning in 2 hours destroyed the Spanish fleet without a single American loss. Admiral Dewey was relieved of his command 4 October 1899 and ordered to Washington, D.C., where he was designated President of the General Board. On 24 March 1903 he was commissioned Admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, which he held until his death 16 January 1917.

The second Dewey (DLG-14) was launched 30 November 1958 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. K. St. George, United States Representative from New York State, and commissioned 7 December 1959, Commander E. R. Zumwalt, Jr., in command.

Training operations off New England, the Virginia Capes and in the Caribbean through the first 6 months of 1960 prepared Dewey for her significant role with the Atlantic Fleet.