USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16)

• Namesake: USS Clifton Sprague (FFG-16) was named after Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, a decorated World War II naval commander notable for his leadership during the Battle off Samar, part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. • Class and Type: She was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, a class renowned for its versatility and service during the Cold War era. • Commissioning: USS Clifton Sprague was commissioned on March 21, 1981, at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. • First Captain: Her first commanding officer was Commander Robert V. Hiebert. • Operation Earnest Will: Clifton Sprague participated in Operation Earnest Will (1987-1988), escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War to protect them from Iranian attack. • Lebanon Crisis: The ship supported U.S. Marines in Lebanon in the early 1980s, part of the Multinational Force in Beirut. • Rescue Operations: USS Clifton Sprague was involved in several search and rescue missions, including the rescue of Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea. • NATO Exercises: She frequently participated in NATO exercises, strengthening alliances with European navies and honing anti-submarine warfare capabilities. • Decommissioning: The frigate was decommissioned on June 2, 1995, after 14 years of service. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, USS Clifton Sprague was sold for scrapping in 2001, marking the end of her service life.