USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) 1996-97 MED Unisex Sweatshirt

Commemorate the 1996–97 Mediterranean deployment of USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) with this exclusive sweatshirt. A Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser commissioned on September 18, 1993 and homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, Vella Gulf is named for the World War II Battle of Vella Gulf (August 1943) in which U.S. destroyers delivered a stunning night victory over Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands. During her 1996–97 MED deployment, Vella Gulf operated as part of the Sixth Fleet in support of NATO operations and maintained the fleet's forward presence in the Mediterranean. This sweatshirt captures the spirit of that deployment and the ship's proud tradition of service.