When you hear the expression “Gyatt,” most Gen Z folks might immediately think of the slang term all over social media. It’s often exclaimed when someone sees a, uhm, person who catches their eye—basically, a zoomer’s way to say, “Wow!” or “Goddamnit!”

But before “Gyatt” became a trending hashtag on TikTok, there was the USS Gyatt. This naval legend might not have been known for setting hearts aflutter with its looks, but it sure made waves (literally) for being the first guided missile destroyer in the world.

So, let’s dive into the story of how this ship put the “G” in “Gyatt” way before it became popular in today’s youth slang.

The USS Gyatt: A Game Changer on the High Seas

The USS Gyatt (DD-712/DLG-1/DDG-712) didn’t start out as the kind of ship you’d swipe right on. It was a Gearing-class destroyer, commissioned in 1945 toward the end of World War II.

In its early years, the Gyatt was a typical destroyer, doing the things destroyers did—patrolling, escorting, and supporting operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

However, in 1956, this relatively unassuming warship would undergo a transformation that would make it a true standout.

The US Navy decided it was time to upgrade some of its existing ships with a new kind of technology: guided missiles. And that’s where the USS Gyatt stepped into the spotlight.

GYATT
USS Gyatt (DDG-1) underway at sea, circa the late 1950s or early 1960s. (Naval History/US Navy)

It was converted into the world’s first guided missile destroyer, earning the new designation of DLG-1.