September 20, 2002 Former Secretary of the U.S. Navy Paul Nitze authenticated the keel of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named in his honor during a keel laying ceremony held at Bath Iron Works here. Nitze served as Secretary of the Navy from 1963-1967. In addition, he has served as Deputy Secretary of Defense, and President Reagan's chief negotiator of the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty (1981-1984). In 1984, he was named special advisor to the president and secretary of State on Arms Control. For more than 40 years, Nitze was one of the chief architects of U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union.

April 17, 2004 PCU Nitze was christened at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. Leezee Porter served as sponsor of the ship named for her husband.

March 5, 2005 U.S. Navy commissioned USS Nitze (DDG 94) at Naval Station Norfolk. Cmdr. Michael Hegarty is a commanding officer.

May 24, 2006 The guided-missile destroyer arrived in New York City to participate in 19th Navy Fleet Week May 24-May 30. Fleet Week has been sponsored by New York City since 1984 in celebration of the United States sea service.

June 5, USS Nitze departed Boston, Mass., after a three-day port visit.

October 27, The Nitze is currently underway conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the USS Bataan (LHD 5) Expeditionary Strike Group Two.

January 5, 2007 DDG 94 departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled underway period in support of the ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces.

July 3, USS Nitze returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the Central Command AoR.

March 29, 2008 The guided-missile destroyer is currently participating in a tailored ship's training availability, as part of the Roosevelt CSG, off the coast of Florida.

May 2, DDG 94 is currently in the Atlantic Ocean participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), in preparation for the upcoming deployment later this year.

September 12, USS Nitze, commanded by Cmdr. Kenneth S. Long, departed Norfolk for a six-month underway period with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group.