USS Davidson

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About USS Davidson

USS Davidson (FF-1045) was a Garcia-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1965. Named after Rear Admiral Lyal A. Davidson, the ship primarily served in the Pacific Fleet, participating in multiple Vietnam War deployments where she provided naval gunfire support and escorted aircraft carriers. Davidson was reclassified from a destroyer escort (DE) to a frigate (FF) in 1975. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1988 and later transferred to the Brazilian Navy, where she served as Paraíba (D28) until 1995.

Unit Members

Andrew Hurrion

U.S. Navy

USS DavidsonView Profile

Mark Else

U.S. Navy

USS DavidsonView Profile

Photos

U.S. Navy • 1953

About USS Davidson

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• USS Davidson (FF-1045) was a Garcia-class frigate: Originally commissioned as a destroyer escort (DE-1045), it was later reclassified as a frigate (FF-1045) in 1975 following Navy ship reclassification. • Named after Lt. Cmdr. Donald R. Davidson: The ship honors Lt. Cmdr. Davidson, who was killed in action during the Battle of Rennell Island in January 1943 while serving aboard USS Chicago (CA-29). • Launched in 1964: USS Davidson was launched on October 2, 1964, at Avondale Shipyards, Louisiana, and commissioned on December 7, 1965. • Vietnam War service: The Davidson served multiple tours during the Vietnam War, providing naval gunfire support and participating in anti-submarine warfare operations. • Part of the US Pacific Fleet: Homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Davidson was an integral part of the US Navy’s Pacific operations during the Cold War. • Equipped with advanced sonar and ASW weaponry: The ship was fitted with the SQS-26 sonar and ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) launcher, making it a formidable anti-submarine warfare platform. • Participated in multinational exercises: USS Davidson took part in joint exercises with allied navies, including those of Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, enhancing interoperability during the Cold War. • Decommissioned in 1988: After over two decades of service, the Davidson was decommissioned on December 8, 1988. • Transferred to the Brazilian Navy: After decommissioning, the ship was transferred to Brazil and renamed Paraíba (D28), serving until 2002. • Final fate - scrapped: Following her retirement from the Brazilian Navy, Paraíba (ex-Davidson) was eventually scrapped, ending her long and varied naval career.