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USS De Wert (FFG-45)
Encyclopedia
USS De Wert (FFG-45), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class
frigate
, is a ship of the United States Navy
named for Hospitalman Richard De Wert
(1931–1951). De Wert was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War
.
De Wert was laid down on 14 June 1982 by the Bath Iron Works
, in Bath, Maine
; launched
on 18 December 1982, sponsored by Rita C. Kennedy; and commissioned
on 19 November 1983 at Bath, Commander Douglas Armstrong in command.
As of May 2009, De Wert is captained by Commander Sean G. McLaren; she is part of the Atlantic Fleet's Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported at NS Mayport
, Florida
.
On 16 February 2007, De Wert was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.
On 11 October 2011, it was reported that the De Wert, along with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary
vessel RFA Fort Victoria, had rescued the Italian vessel Montecristo after it was boarded by Somali pirates, while on joint anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean
.
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, is a ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
named for Hospitalman Richard De Wert
Richard De Wert
Richard David De Wert was a hospital corpsman of the United States Navy who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Korean War.-Biography:...
(1931–1951). De Wert was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
De Wert was laid down on 14 June 1982 by the Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works is a major American shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, United States. Since its founding in 1884 , BIW has built private, commercial and military vessels, most of which have been ordered by the United States Navy...
, in Bath, Maine
Bath, Maine
Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,266. It is the county seat of Sagadahoc County. Located on the Kennebec River, Bath is a port of entry with a good harbor. The city is popular with tourists, many drawn by its...
; launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 18 December 1982, sponsored by Rita C. Kennedy; and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 19 November 1983 at Bath, Commander Douglas Armstrong in command.
As of May 2009, De Wert is captained by Commander Sean G. McLaren; she is part of the Atlantic Fleet's Destroyer Squadron 14 and homeported at NS Mayport
Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport is a major United States Navy base in Jacksonville, Florida. It contains a military airfield with one asphalt paved runway measuring 8,001 x 200 ft. ....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
On 16 February 2007, De Wert was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.
On 11 October 2011, it was reported that the De Wert, along with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
vessel RFA Fort Victoria, had rescued the Italian vessel Montecristo after it was boarded by Somali pirates, while on joint anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
.