Archive of Photographs and Documents on U.S. Navy Hunter-Killer “DL” Destroyer Leader Ships

Following World War II, “Destroyer Leader” (DL) was a hull classification symbol used by the U.S. Navy from the 1950s until 1975. These ships were more commonly called frigates, although they were much larger than frigates of other navies. They were intended to be larger and more capable than destroyers and to lead a destroyer task force. During the 1975 USN ship reclassification these ships were reclassified as guided missile destroyers (DDG) or guided missile cruisers (CG). The last one of these ships was decommissioned in 1999. A total of 41 ships bore this classification.This archive consists of 3 8 inch by 10 inch glossy photographs of, or relating to, Destroyer Leader ships. There are also 20 pages of printed photographs (10 pages, printed on both sides), each approximately 8 inches by 10 inches, and each having three holes on one edge for placement in a binder. There are 6 pages of text (3 pages, printed on both sides), each approximately 8 inches by 10 inches, and each having three holes on one edge for placement in a binder. There is a long diagram of a the frigate USS Mitscher, with three holes..