For fiscal year 1978, Congress authorized the production of two additional Spruance-class destroyers, though they funded only one.

These were intended to be built as helicopter destroyers (DDH), provided they would not cost more than a standard Spruance-class.

[1] The crossed red battle axes are a symbol of strength and resourcefulness under fire, and represent Admiral Hayler's wartime service.

Hayler was badly damaged aft, and was under repair at Rosyth Dockyard, Scotland, until 20 November.

[2] The ship was assigned escort duties for the USS La Moure County (LST-1194) as it accidentally ran aground near the coast of Caleta Cifuncho Bay, Chile in the pre-dawn hours of 12 September 2000 during a routine amphibious training operation with a sister vessel, the Chilean Valdiva.