Bath Iron Work's first Flight IIA Arleigh Burke Class Aegis Destroyer proudly bears the name of private First Class Oscar P. Austin, United States Marine Corps. Displaying indomitable courage and selfless devotion to duty, Pfc Austin was killed in February 1969 when he sacrificed his own life to save an injured companion. He has been recognized with numerous medals and decorations, including the Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Medal of Honor. Oscar Austin was born January 15, 1948, In Nacogdoches, Texas and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona.

March 3, 2002 USS Oscar Austin arrived in Kiel, Germany, to participate in Operation Strong Resolve.

December 5, USS Oscar Austin departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Harry S. Truman Battle Group, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

March 21, 2003 Thirty U.S. Navy and coalition warships, including DDG 79, launched the Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) during military operations to disarm Iraq.

May 23, USS Oscar Austin returned to homeport after nearly a six-month underway period, supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in the Mediterranean.

June 7, 2004 The first Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is currently moored in the Polish harbor of Gydnia, to participate in 32nd annual maritime exercise Baltic Operations 2004 through June 19.

August 20, DDG 79 departed Norfolk to participate in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s annual theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Smart Search ’04, starting Aug. 29 off the East Coast. This is the fourth year of the annual exercise and is headed by Commander, Task Force 84.

September 1, 2005 USS Oscar Austin departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled six-month deployment, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

November 16, Members of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1 are currently leading a group of six coalition ships conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The strike group’s flagship, USS Tarawa (LHA 1) and USS Cleveland (LPD 7) are joined by USS Oscar Austin.

February 16, 2006 The Oscar Austin located and assisted a distressed the Italian fishing vessel Zaira SR 2437 Feb. 14 while operating 140 nautical miles off the coast of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. The destroyer was headed to Civitavechia, Italy, the next scheduled port of call.

April 28, DDG 79 departed Norfolk to participate in Fleet Week USA '06 in Port Everglades, Fla. This is the ship's first trip out to sea since returning from a six-month deployment as part of Destroyer Squadron 22.

October 20, Cmdr. Eric F. Weilenman relieved Cmdr. Peter C. DeMane as CO of the Oscar Austin, during a change-of-command ceremony abord the ship at Norfolk Naval Station.

April 3, 2007 The guided-missile destroyer is currently in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) as part of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG.

May 23, DDG 79 pulled to New York City to participate in Fleet Week 2007.

November 5, USS Oscar Austin departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment with the Truman Carrier Strike Group.

November 20, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Palermo, Italy, for a scheduled port visit.

June 4, 2008 DDG 79 returned to homeport after a seven-month underway period.

December 4, USS Oscar Austin arrived in Philadelphia to participate in the festivities surrounding the upcoming 109th Army-Navy college football game on Dec. 6.

April 29, 2009 The Oscar Austin is currently off the coast of Florida participating in annual multi-national maritime exercise UNITAS Gold.

May 21, 2010 USS Oscar Austin departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR), as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG).

June 8, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Konstanta, Romania, for a three-day port visit and to participate in a joint exercises with the Romanian Naval Forces.

November 18, USS Oscar Austin located and provided assistance to two Iranian mariners who were spotted, around 5 a.m., floating in a life raft in the Arabian Gulf, approximately 1,000 yards outside of Iranian territorial waters. The destroyer remained on scene until 12:30 p.m., when the mariners were picked up by an Iranian Coast Guard search and rescue vessel. DDG 79 is currently conducting maritime security operations under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 152.

December 20, USS Oscar Austin returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment.

August 25, 2011 The Oscar Austin departed Naval Station Norfolk to avoid the approaching Category 3 Hurricane Irene.

November 1?, Cmdr. Carlos D. Washington relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey J. Hoppe as commanding officer of DDG 79.

January 30, 2012 Capt. Nelson C. Castro relieved Capt. Peter C. DeMane as Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Oscar Austin at Naval Station Norfolk.