USS Bowen (DE:FF-1079)

• Namesake: USS Bowen (DE/FF-1079) was named after Vice Admiral Harold G. Bowen Sr., a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who contributed significantly to naval research and development during World War II. • Class & Role: She was a Knox-class frigate (initially classified as a destroyer escort, DE-1079, later reclassified as FF-1079) designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. • Commissioning: USS Bowen was commissioned on 17 February 1971 at Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana, joining the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. • First Female Crew: In 1994, USS Bowen became the first U.S. combatant ship to deploy with a fully integrated male-female crew, marking a significant milestone in U.S. Navy history. • Lebanon Peacekeeping: Bowen participated in peacekeeping operations off Lebanon's coast in 1982-1983, providing naval gunfire support and serving as an escort during the Multinational Force operations in Beirut. • Operation Urgent Fury: In October 1983, USS Bowen took part in the U.S. invasion of Grenada, providing support for the landing of U.S. Marines and carrying out patrol duties. • Change of Classification: The ship was reclassified from a Destroyer Escort (DE) to a Frigate (FF) on 30 June 1975 as part of a Navy-wide reclassification. • Homeport: During much of her service, the Bowen was homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, from where she participated in numerous training and deployment cruises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. • Transfer to Turkey: After being decommissioned from U.S. service in 1994, Bowen was transferred to the Turkish Navy and renamed TCG Akdeniz (F-257), serving until 2001. • Legacy: USS Bowen’s integration of female sailors and her service in multiple conflicts made her a notable vessel in the evolution of the modern U.S. Navy.