Named in honor of the forty-third Secretary of the Navy, USS Curtis Wilbur was built by Bath Iron Works, in Bath, Maine. Her keel was laid March 12, 1991, and she was christened just a year later, on May 16, 1992.

Her maiden voyage began on February 14, 1994, when she set sail for her home port of San Diego, California. This voyage included many hours of training for the crew of this new ship, as well as a transit through the Panama Canal. On March 19, 1994, DDG 54 was commissioned in Long Beach, California. The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John H. Dalton, was the principal speaker for the ceremony.

During the summer of 1994, the guided-missile destroyer participated in RIMPAC '94, a major multi-national exercise involving more than thirty ships as well as numerous submarines and air assets, both carrier and land-based. During this exercise, it performed duties as Force Air Defense Coordinator. Also that summer, the Board of Inspection and Survey conducted Final Contract Trials to assess the material status of the ship. It became the first ship of the class, and only the second ship ever to complete the examination with zero mission degrading deficiencies

USS Curtis Wilbur departed on her first western Pacific Deployment on July 31, 1995, transiting the Pacific and heading to the Arabian Gulf. While deployed with the United States Naval Forces Central Command, she supported Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Sentinel. During her 100 days in theater, she served as Air Warfare Commander, Surface Warfare Commander, Undersea Warfare Commander, and Strike Warfare Commander. The destroyer also served as a member of the United States Fifth Fleet Expeditionary Task Force supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

In September of 1996, DDG 54 became part of the United States Seventh Fleet, shifting homeports from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, it successfully completed Tailored Ship's Training Availability II and III and was the first ship ever to validate the Final Evaluation Period.

On February 15, 1997, USS Curtis Wilbur deployed with the USS Inependence (CV 62) Battle Group and participated in exercises Tandem Thrust '97 and Cobra Gold. She served as the Air Warfare Commander during this deployment

Throughout the remainder of 1997, the Curtis Wilbur participated in numerous Seventh Fleet Exercises, including Javelin Maker, Missilex 97-4, ASWEX 97-6JA, HARMEX 97-2, ANNUALEX 09G, and COMPTUEX.

In January of 1998, the guided-missile destroyer participated in SHAREM 108-1 before deploying again, on short notice, to the South Pacific. During this deployment, it visited ports in Singapore, Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan and also participated in MERLION '98 and the Shimoda Black Ship Festival.

In June of 1998 DDG 54 commenced its second Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) in Yokosuka. This nine week shipyard period brought with it many new upgrades, including JTIDS (Link 16), JMCIS 98, INMARSAT B, and numerous other Engineering and Combat System upgrades, making her the most capable destroyer in Seventh Fleet.

Upon completion of SRA and Sea Trials in August 1998, in addition to beginning the training cycle, USS Curtis Wilbur deployed for the joint and combined Exercise Foal Eagle ‘98 with the Republic of Korea Navy and completed a successful Cruise Missile Tactical Qualification and Naval Surface Fire Support qualification. During the training cycle the ship certified the Main Space Fire Drill for ECERT at TSTA II and had a near flawless performance during ECERT. After completing her second complete training cycle while forward deployed, she participated in SHAREM 127 with the Korean Navy and deployed in March 1999 with the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Battle Group.

After completing Tandem Thrust ’99, an annual multi-national training exercise, USS Curtis Wilbur received immediate tasking to proceed at best speed en route the Arabian Gulf. Steaming in company with USS Kitty Hawk and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), it conducted a no-notice high speed transit and arrived in the Gulf April 18, 1999. Proceeding directly to the northern Arabian Gulf, the ship commenced operations in support of Operation Southern Watch; enforcing the southern No-Fly Zone over Iraq and supporting United Nations Sanctions against Iraq by conducting Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) as a member of Fifth Fleet. The Curtis Wilbur also participated in two major exercises while on her second Arabian Gulf deployment: Nautical Swimmer ’99, a combined exercise with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and SHAREM 128, an Undersea Warfare exercise in the North Arabian Sea. Following port visits to Bunbury, Australia and Phattaya, Thailand, she returned to Yokosuka on August 25, 1999.

USS Curtis Wilbur became the first-ever Aegis destroyer to complete a dry docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) in Yokosuka, Japan, May 15, 2000.

In August the destroyer departed Yokosuka and began a two-week underway period centered around multi-national anti-submarine warfare exercise, SHAREM 134.

January 23, 2001 USS Curtis Wilbur departed homeport for a five-month deployment in the western Pacific Ocean.

February 22, DDG 54 dropped anchor off the coast of Dili, East Timor, and became the latest U.S. Navy asset to continue humanitarian port visits in East Timor in support of the country's transition to independence.

March 11, While underway in the Philippine Sea, USS Curtis Wilbur participated in multi-ship divisional tactics (DIVTACS) training with four Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships.

The Curtis Wilbur participated in MISSILEX 02, an anti-ship missile defense training evolution, from Feb. 7-8, 2002 as part of a multi-sail battle group interoperability exercise by nine ships of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) in Japan.

March 20, USS Curtis Wilbur departed Busan, Republic of Korea, after a two-day port visit.

July 10, 2004 The Curtis Wilbur is currently deployed in the 7th Fleet AoR undergoing testing and qualification by Afloat Training Group (ATG) and Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen, during the ships Mid-Cycle Assessment.

July 28, The guided-missile destroyer pulled to Da Nang, Vietnam, for a scheduled port visit. It is the second U.S. Navy ship to visit Vietnam and the first to visit Da Nang since 1973.

July 1, 2005 USS Curtis Wilbur arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, along with USS Patriot (MCM 7) and USS Guardian (MCM 5), to celebrate he 145th anniversary celebration of the city, U.S. Independence Day on the 4th of July and to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony for Russian Sailors who scanfeid their lives during World War II.

December 15, Cmdr. Brian P. O'Donnell relieved Cmdr. John T. Lauer III as CO of the Curtis Wilbur.

January 12, 2006 DDG 54 is currently in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine trainings.

February 25, USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Juneau (LPD 10), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), USS Curtis Wilbur and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Subic Bay Feb. 17 for the bilateral exercise Balikatan '06, the 22nd annual bilateral combined exercise, scheduled Feb. 20 to March 5, but were immediately called to assist in the relief efforts in Leyte. Curtis Wilbur, Essex and Harpers Ferry arrived off the coast of Leyte Island Feb. 19 to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the victims of a wide-sweeping mudslide. Three ships are currently in the Cabalian Bay, Republic of the Philippines, providing humanitarian assistance to victims in the Saint Bernard Municipality, where the town of Guinsahugon located in the southern part of the island was completely devastated.

April 19, USS Curtis Wilbur departed forward deployed operating base, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, for a routine underway period.

May 4, USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Stethem (DDG 63) are currently participating in Multi-Sail 2006, an exercise that allows ships in the Forward Deployed Naval Force maximize their combat readiness level by participating in maneuvering exercises between ships and allows them to operate in a multi-ship environment.

June 20, The "Steel Hammer" is currently participating in Exercise Valiant Shield '06 off the coast of Guam June 19-23. The exercise will involve more than 20,000 Sailors, Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. Valiant Shield 2006 will also see more than 300 aircraft and 28 ships from the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Groups, as well as the Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

July 26, The Curtis Wilbur returned to U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka after an ammunition offload evolution.

November 13, The U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force kicked off their largest bilateral exercise, ANNUALEX, Nov. 9. About 8,500 U.S. Sailors are taking part aboard 13 ships, including DDG 54, and various shore-based aircraft.

January 23, 2007 The guided-missile destroyer departed homeport to operate off the coast of Japan.

March 19, USS Curtis Wilbur departed Yokosuka for a scheduled underway period.

May 16, DDG 54 is currently conducting Tailored Ship Training Availability (TSTA) off the coast of Japan.

May 22, The Curtis Wilbur recently departed Shimoda, Japan, after representing the U.S. Navy at the 68th Shimoda Black Ship Festival. The destroyer returned to Yokosuka June 12.

July 1, DDG 54 arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a scheduled port visit. It returned to its forward deployed operating base July 10.

August 15, USS Curtis Wilbur, along with USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group, pulled to Guam for a routine port call after participated in Valiant Shield 2007, a joint training exercise that took place 200 miles southeast of Guam.

September 1, The "Steel Hammer" departed Port Kelang, Malaysia, after a four-day port call.

February 19, 2008 The Curtis Wilbur is currently in Yokosuka Naval Shipyard dry dock for Selective Restricted Availability period.

April 20, The guided-missile destroyer is currently in the western Pacific, on a routine underway period, as part of the Kitty Hawk CSG.

August 11, DDG 54 recently departed Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, after a goodwill port visit.

November 6, USS Curtis Wilbur, commanded by Cmdr. Theodore A. Zobel, arrived in Fukuoka, Japan, for a scheduled port call.

August 7, 2009 The Curtis Wilbur pulled to Sakata, Japan, for a three-day port visit.

September 22, USS Curtis Wilbur is participating in Multi-Sail 2009 at the Oki Daito Jima range in the western Pacific Ocean.

October 1, DDG 54 pulled to Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit.

March 15, 2010 USS Curtis Wilbur departed Yokosuka for a scheduled spring deployment.

April 14, USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), along with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit Five Platoon 501, are currently assisting the Republic of Korea (ROK) in search, recovery, and salvage efforts for the ROK Navy frigate Cheonan (PCC-772), which sank March 27 in the Yellow Sea near the western sea border with North Korea.

May 14, The Curtis Wilbur, commanded by Cmdr. Paul H. Hogue, Jr., arrived in Shimoda to participate in the 71st annual Black Ship Festival along with visiting Japan Maritime Self Defense Force destroyer JDS Shirayuki (DD 123). This visit also marks the first in a series of U.S.-Japan joint ports visits aimed at celebrating the 50th anniversary of the treaty of mutual cooperation and security.

June 4, The guided-missile destroyer arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in South Korea-U.S. joint drills in the West Sea slated for this month.