Built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Forrest Sherman was launched on 2 October 2004.

In August 2007, while the ship was visiting Sevastopol to conduct drills with the Ukrainian Navy, a 1,100-pound (500 kg) naval mine from the Second World War was discovered 500 yards (460 m) from the vessel.

[3][4] In early June 2008, Forrest Sherman deployed for three months in support of U.S. Southern Command's Partnership of the Americas 2008 (POA 08) operation.

[7][8] On 13 April 2022, Forrest Sherman arrived at Naval Station Norfolk following a surge deployment.

Forrest Sherman served as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 from 1 July to 13 December.