Gridley's service history is dominated by aircraft-carrier groups, including duty with Ranger, Constellation, Kitty Hawk, Midway, Okinawa, and Independence. The cruiser repeatedly served as a shotgun escort during Gulf of Tonkin operations and later deployments. Her eventual conversion for the SM-2ER Block III extended-range RIM-67 renewed the air-defense system around that escort role. Standard was similar to Terrier in size and shape, so replacing the Terrier installation required less work than converting a ship built around the larger Talos system. The upgrade path kept Gridley useful around carriers as missile technology changed.
Notable Point · 50:56-52:42
Gridley paired carrier escort with a Standard Missile upgrade
Gridley's repeated carrier assignments and SM-2ER Block III conversion show how the Leahy class supported air groups while renewing its own air-defense reach.