USS Capodanno (FF-1093)

• Namesake Legacy: USS Capodanno (FF-1093) was named in honor of Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno, a Roman Catholic Navy chaplain who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War. • Knox-Class Frigate: The ship belonged to the Knox-class of frigates, a class of 46 ships designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. • Commissioning Date: USS Capodanno was commissioned on 17 November 1973 at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. • First Chaplain’s Ship: It was the first US Navy warship ever named after a chaplain, reflecting the deep respect for Capodanno's sacrifice. • Vietnam War Connection: The ship’s namesake, Father Capodanno, was killed in action on 4 September 1967 while ministering to wounded Marines under fire. • Homeport: While in active service, the Capodanno was homeported in Newport, Rhode Island and later in Norfolk, Virginia, serving primarily in the Atlantic fleet. • Notable Deployments: The frigate participated in several NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and was involved in rescue operations and drug interdiction missions. • Humanitarian Missions: In 1980, Capodanno assisted in the rescue of Vietnamese boat people, highlighting its humanitarian role in addition to combat duties. • Transfer to Turkey: After decommissioning from the US Navy in 1993, the ship was transferred to Turkey and served as TCG Muavenet (F-250) until 2012. • Ship’s Motto: The ship’s motto was "Service Above Self," reflecting both the spirit of its namesake and the crew’s dedication over two decades of service.