USS Stethem is the 13th ship of the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Aegis Destroyer program and the sixth to be built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Construction of Stethem began at Ingalls on May 18, 1992 and the ship's keel was laid on May 11, 1993. It was launched on June 17, 1994 and was christened July 16, by Mrs. Patricia L. Stethem, mother of the ship's namesake, Steelworker 2nd Class Robert Dean Stethem, who was returning from an assignment in the Middle East, when he was taken hostage aboard TWA 847 commercial airliner. The flight was hijacked by terrorists, and Stethem was shot to death after being tortured by the terrorists on June 14, 1985. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

The ship transited the Panama Canal and was commissioned on October 21, 1995 in Port Hueneme, California. Shortly afterward, it moved to new homeport of San Diego.

On February 15, 1996, USS Stethem successfully completed her Post Delivery Test and Trials, signifying her readiness for combat operations. On the night of Nov. 23, while returning from a port visit to Victoria, British Columbia, the Stethem was diverted on a Search and Rescue mission to recover survivors of a downed U.S. Air Force C-130 off the coast of northern California. Her two small boats patrolled the seas in the vicinity of the crash for twenty hours while engaged in recovery efforts, for which she was awarded the U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal.

April 4, 1997 Cmdr. James O'Keefe III relieved Cmdr. Steven Miller as commanding officer of USS Stethem.

USS Stethem sailed to the Arabian Gulf for its maiden overseas deployment in May and reported for duties in Bahrain on July 3. Over the course of the next three months, she served as primary Air Warfare Commander, Surface Warfare Commander, Ready Strike Platform, and LINK Coordinator. While fulfilling these multiple warfare roles, DDG 63 provided support to both the Constellation and John F. Kennedy Battle Groups and U.S. Air Force aircraft engaged in Operation Southern Watch. She supported United Nations Security Council resolutions against Iraq, conducting 54 boardings and inspections of suspected sanctions violators. Stethem's first deployment included port visits to Singapore, Malaysia, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Perth and Sydney, Australia. USS Stethem returned to San Diego in November 1997 to begin her second inter-deployment training cycle.

April 16, 1999 USS Stethem departed on its second deployment to the Arabian Gulf as part of Middle East Force 99-2. After port visits to Guam, Saipan, Singapore, and Thailand, it reported for duty in the Gulf and quickly went to work conducting Freedom of Navigation Operations and Maritime Interception Operations. Over the course of her seventy-six days on station, Stethem served as Air Warfare Commander, Ready Strike Platform, and Force Over-the-Horizon Track Coordinator and also had the opportunity to support the Theodore Rosevelt Battle Group as Carrier Escort and Plane Guard. After serving a second time as command ship for northern Arabian Gulf Maritime Interception Operations, she transited the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 13. After port visits to Fremantle and Port Kembla, Australia and Suva, Fiji, the guided-missile destroyer returned to San Diego October 4.

Following another sterling Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART II), the Stethem again set the standard by completing the Final Evaluation Period (FEP) during TSTA III. In mid-September and during a port visit in San Francisco, it was called out to sea by the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force West. The destroyer escorted fishing vessel Gran Tauro, caught with over five metric tons of uncut cocaine aboard - a net worth of over $500 million, to San Diego.

January 13, 2001 USS Stethem departed on her third deployment to the Arabian Gulf as part of MEF 01-1. After port visits to Hawaii, Guam, Singapore, and Thailand, the destroyer entered the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR) on Feb. 28. Over the course of her sixty-eight days on station in the Arabian Gulf, she conducted Maritime Interception Operations, served as Air Warfare Commander, supported Operation Southern Watch, served as a ready strike platform, and participated as a key player in two international naval exercises, Arabian Gauntlet and Neon Falcon. Maritime Interception Operations resulted in the capture of motor vessel Diamond, the third largest arrest of an oil-smuggling sanctions violator since the Gulf War. She visited ports of Oman, Singapore, Darwin and Cairns, Australia, American Somoa, and Hawaii, and returned to San Diego on June 28.

After enjoying Post-Oversees Movement Stand-down, USS Stethem supported the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Battle Group during their Final Battle Problem as an opposing force. In early September, DDG 63 went through INSURV inspections and once again set the standard. Within hours after the terrorist attack in New York City and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, the Stethem, already underway for INSURV, was called into station in support of Operation Noble Eagle and tasked with conducting air surveillance of the approaches to San Diego and providing Air Defense coverage to vital shipping assets.

On September 30, USS Stethem entered her third Drydock Selective Restricted Availability (DSRA) at Southwest Marine and Continental Maritime Shipyards. The purpose of this nine-week availability was to install equipment enhancements and quality of life upgrades. During this period, the Program Executive Office of Theater Surface Combatants (PEO-TSC) announced that she would be the lead ship for the testing of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS), the next generation of STRIKE warfare capability.

October 30, 2001 USS Stethem departed the drydock and moved to Continental Maritime Shipyard in San Diego. Upon its return to Naval Station San Diego on Dec. 6, the ship marked the end of the 9.4 million dollar refurbishment and refitting period. DDG 63 was underway the following week to begin working up for its next deployment. Upon return to port on 14th, the Stethem began her holiday leave and standown period.

After holiday leave, the crew assembled in mid-January 2002 to continue efforts in support of the inter-deployment training cycle and Tactical Tomahawk testing.

October 16, USS Stethem lauched Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) western test range complex. This test is part of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) technical evaluation process.

In January 2003, The Stethem played the opposition force role for the Nimitz Carrier Battle Group. On February 5, the guided-missile destroyer returned to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for another port visit.

April 5, DDG 63 launched U. S. Navy’s new Tactival Tomahawk cruise missile that traveled 760 nautical miles to the target impact site on San Clemente Island, part of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea test range off the coast of southern California. The event marked the first launch of the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk from an operational surface ship equipped with the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System and marked the beginning of the final phase of government evaluation testing.

July 3, Cmdr. Charles F. Williams relieved Cmdr. David W. Melin, as commanding officer of USS Stethem. Melin was CO since Nov. 21, 2001. Foreign port visits during Melin’s tour included two trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and most recently, Victoria, British Columbia. Stateside port visits included Juneau, Alaska; Seattle, for participation in the Seattle Sea Fair; and Port Hueneme, Calif., in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Navy’s Seabee (Construction Battalion) community.

May 27, 2004 Raytheon Company’s Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile officially achieved initial operation capability (IOC) with the loading of the first missile aboard the Stethem.

June 11, USS Stethem recently pulled to Portland for a Fleet Week during the 97th annual Portland Rose Festival, that draws nearly 2 million spectators annually.

September 21, USS Stetham launched U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile, while underway off the coast of southern California, from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea ranges, that flew a fully-guided 674-nautical-mile land-attack mission. The test marked the first such use of a new Tomahawk block IV production missile. That completed two successful tests of the new block IV Tomahawk missile in September. The first Production Verification Test was conducted at Naval Surface Warfare Center's Indian Head Division Sept. 16. The new capabilities that Block IV Tomahawk brings to the Navy’s sea strike capability are derived from the missile’s two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions. The missile can be redirected to a new target and for the first time it can execute Global Positioning System (GPS) missions.

June 17, 2005 USS Stethem arrived in its new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan.

August 21, USS Stethem, along with USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48), USS Gary (FFG 51), USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), and M/V CPL. Louis J. Hauge Jr. (T-AK 3000), participated in integrated strike group operations, during last two weeks, including Joint Air Sea Exercise 2005 (JASEX ‘05).

October 24, DDG 63 departed Yokosuka for a fall underway period with the Kitty Hawk Strike Group.

November 24, After completing Annual Exercise 2005 the Stethem pulled to Hong Kong for a scheduled port call.

February 10, DDG 63 pulled to Nagasaki, Japan, for a scheduled port visit. The destroyer is currently underway in the western Pacific conducting routine trainings.

March 23, USS Stethem concluded a three days Passing Exercise (PASSEX), in the western Pacific Ocean, with the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships including: DS Harusame (DD 102), Hatakaze (DDG 171) and JDS Kirishima (DDG 174).

April 4, USS Stethem, commanded by Cmdr. Robert P. Gonzales, pulled to Akita, Japan, for a scheduled port visit. This is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Akita in more than 30 years.

May 4, The Stethem and Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) are currently participating in Multi-Sail 2006 assigned to Destroyer Squadron One Five (DESRON-15). Multi-Sail is an exercise that allows ships in the Forward Deployed Naval Force maximize their combat readiness level by participating in maneuvering exercises between ships and allows them to operate in a multi-ship environment.

June 8, DDG 63 is currently dry docked in Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for a three-month selective restricted availability (SRA).

June 21, The guided-missile destroyer departed dry dock and moored pier side at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

October 15, USS Stethem departed homeport for a regularly scheduled deployment.

November 6, After a successful Counter Special Operations Forces Exercise (CSOFEX) 06, USS Stethem joined the USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group for Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2007 off the coast of the Philippines Oct. 16-31. Stethem's primary focus during the exercise was to work with the Philippine ship RP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37) and members of the Philippine naval special operations group (NAVSOG). The bilateral training involved visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), and oil platform protection drills.

November 9, DDG 63 departed Sasebo, Japan, after a scheduled port visit. The ship is currently off the coast of Japan participating in ANNUALEX, the largest billateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. About 8,500 U.S. Sailors are taking part aboard 13 ships, submarines and various shore-based aircraft. About 90 JMSDF ships and 130 aircraft are also participating.

November 30, The forward-deployed guided-missile destroyer recently departed Hong Kong after a port call.

December 12, Cmdr. Paul J. Lyons relieved Cmdr. Robert P. Gonzales as commanding officer of USS Stethem, during the ceremony held onboard Naval base Yokosuka.

January 30, 2007 The Stethem is currently conducting flight deck qualifications off the coast of Japan.

February 12, DDG 63 returned to homeport after completing two weeks of regularly scheduled drills at sea. The ship recently visited Sapporo, Japan, where Sailors participated in comunity relation's project.

April 7, USS Stethem is currently participating in Exercise Malabar 07-01 with the Indian navy off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.

May 22, USS Stethem arrived in Quingdao, China, for a scheduled port visit. The ship is currently underway on its summer deployment in the Pacific Ocean.

August 13, DDG 63 is currently participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 off the coast of Guam.

March 27, 2008 The guided-missile destroyer returned to Yokosuka after completing a routine underway period.

May 7, The Stethem arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a scheduled port call.

June 19, DDG 63 recently departed Busan, Republic of Korea, after a port visit.

February 9, 2009 USS Stethem is currently in the Gulf of Thailand, participating in exercise Cobra Gold 2009, as part of the Essex (LHD 2) ESG.

July 1, The Stethem arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, to celebrate the Vladivostok City Day on July 2 and the U.S. Independence Day.

November 7, USS Stethem pulled to Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit.

December 11, Cmdr. Henry C. Adams, relieved Cmdr. Shan M. Byrne as CO of the Stethem during a change-of-command ceremony at Harbor Master Pier.

April 16, 2010 DDG 63 completed its participation in Multi-Sail exercise off the coast of Okinawa.

May 28, USS Stethem is currently in the western Pacific Ocean, with the USS George Washington (CVN 73) CSG, to support security and stability in the 7th fleet Area of Responsibility.

November 1, USS Stethem returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a two-month Fall Patrol with the GW CSG.

November 11, The Stethem pulled into White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, to participate in the 2010 White Beach Festival Nov. 12. Her arrival marks the first U.S. Navy ship visit during the festival in a decade.

November 28, USS Stethem is currently participating in a joint naval drils with the Republic of Korea naval forces, in the waters west of the Korean Peninsula, as part of USS George Washington CSG.

February 4, 2011 The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Hong Kong for a four-day port visit.

March 17, DDG 63 arrived in Donghae, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit before participating in annual exercise Foal Eagle.

March 31, USS Stethem departed Fleet Activities Sasebo after a brief port call. The ship is scheduled to participate in exercise Malabar 2011, with the Indian Navy off the coast of Okinawa, April 3-10.

May 2, The Stethem entered the dry-dock at Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for a four-month selected restricted availability (SRA).

May 19, Cmdr. Michael B. DeVore relieved Cmdr. Henry C. Adams as CO of the USS Stethem during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at CFAY.

November 20, USS Stethem arrived in Bali, Indonesia, for a scheduled port visit. The ship participated in a bilateral Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), as part of the USS George Washington CSG, Oct. 27- Nov. 4.

November 27, The guided-missile destroyer anchored off the coast of Dili for a port visit to Timor-Leste.

January 29, 2012 DDG 63 is currently participating in Multi-Sail 2012 exercise off the coast of Okinawa.

February 3, USS Stethem returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a two-week underway period.

March 22, The Stethem departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.