USS Mason (DDG-87)

On 3 October 2016, following an attack on the United Arab Emirates-operated HSV-2 Swift, Mason was deployed off the coast of war-torn Yemen, along with destroyers USS Nitze and USS Roosevelt, and USS Ponce, an amphibious transport dock being used as a forward landing base and laser test bed.[10] According to an unnamed U.S. Department of Defense official, the purpose for sending the ships was "to ensure that shipping continues unimpeded in the strait and the vicinity."[11]

On 9 October 2016, Mason, operating near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, was targeted by two missiles fired from Houthi-controlled territory. Both missiles fell short and crashed into the water.[12][13] The Houthi insurgency denied launching the attack on the warship.[14] The United States Naval Institute reported that Mason fired two SM-2 Standard missiles and one RIM-162 ESSM missile to intercept the two missiles as well as deploying her Nulka missile decoy. One of two U.S. defense officials cited anonymously added that it was not clear whether the incoming missiles had been shot down or crashed into the water on their own.[15] This marked the first recorded instance of ship-based anti-air missiles being fired from vertical launching cells in combat in response to an actual inbound missile threat.[16]

On 12 October 2016 Mason was again targeted by missiles fired from Yemeni territory while operating in the Bab el-Mandeb strait.[17] Mason was not hit by the two missiles, which were fired from near the city of Al Hudaydah.[17] While the Navy is not certain whether the first incoming missile was intercepted or it just fell into the sea, officials claim Mason successfully intercepted the second missile at a distance of about 8 miles (13 km),[18] marking the first time in history a warship destroyed an inbound anti-ship missile with a SAM in actual self-defense. On 13 October 2016, the U.S. attacked three radar sites in Houthi-held territory which had been involved in the earlier missile attacks with cruise missiles launched from Nitze.[19] The Pentagon assessed that all three sites were destroyed.[20]

On 15 October 2016, Mason was targeted in a third attack by five anti-ship cruise missiles while operating in the Red Sea north of the Bab el-Mandeb strait. The Navy Times reported the Mason fired a radar decoy, an infrared decoy, and several SM-2 Standard missiles in response, either neutralizing or intercepting four of the five incoming missiles. The Navy reported the fifth incoming missile as neutralized by a radar decoy launched from Nitze, after Mason alerted her to the threat.[21]

On 14 October 2023, Lloyd Austin directed Dwight D. Eisenhower and her carrier strike group, which includes the cruiser Philippine Sea, along with Mason and sister-destroyers Laboon and Gravely, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to Israel's war with Hamas.[22] This is the second carrier strike group to be sent to the region in response to the conflict, following Gerald R. Ford and her group, which was dispatched only six days earlier.[23]

The shield has background of white with a double chevron across the center. Above are opposing lions and below is a gold trident.

The traditional U.S. Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The United States representing colors, red, white and blue, are all represented. The double chevron is to honor DD 191 and DE 529, the former ships named USS Mason. The facing lions are adapted from the Mason family Coat of Arms, denote the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns of World War II. The trident, symbol of sea prowess, represents Mason’s modern warfare capabilities which include; AEGIS weapon system, Cooperative Engagement Capability, and Theater Ballistic Missile Defense.

The crest consists of a helm, crossing swords behind and a combined anchor and cross surrounded by a wreath.

The helm is symbolic to strong defense with power projection. The anchor refers to the namesake of DD 191, John Young Mason, who was the Secretary of the Navy under President John Tyler and James K. Polk. The cross is in reference to Newton Henry Mason's Distinguished Flying Cross award. The wreath represents all the awards, honors and achievements of the past ships with the namesake Mason and crews who served them.

The motto is written on a scroll of white with a red trim.

The ships motto is "Proudly We Serve". The motto is in honor of the high achievement of the African American crew of DE-529 who made history with their selfless bravery in defense of the U.S. in World War II and also marks their contribution to the eventual desegregation of the U.S. Navy.

The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, upon a white background enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS Mason" at the top and "DDG 87" in the base all gold.

• Combat Action Ribbon - (9-15 Oct 2016)
• Navy Unit Commendation - (Oct 2006-May 2007, Sep 2008-Apr 2009)
• Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - (Jan 2011-Nov 2012)
• Navy E Ribbon - (2004, 2005, 2016)
• Navy Expeditionary Medal - (Sep-Nov 2013)
• Battenberg Cup - (2016)[24]