USS Edward McDonnell (FF-1043)

• Name and Class: USS Edward McDonnell (FF-1043) was a Garcia-class frigate of the United States Navy, initially classified as a destroyer escort (DE-1043) before being redesignated as a frigate (FF-1043) in 1975. • Namesake: The ship was named in honor of Lieutenant (junior grade) Edward Orrick McDonnell, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions at the Battle of Veracruz in 1914. • Construction: Her keel was laid down on January 1, 1963, at Avondale Shipyards, Westwego, Louisiana, and she was launched on July 15, 1964. • Commissioning: USS Edward McDonnell was commissioned into service on February 15, 1965. • Cold War Operations: The frigate played a significant role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrols and exercises during the height of the Cold War, helping to track Soviet submarines in the Atlantic. • Sonar and Weapons: She was equipped with advanced sonar systems and ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) launchers, making her a formidable hunter of enemy submarines. • Rescue Missions: The ship participated in search and rescue operations, including assisting distressed vessels and aircraft at sea, showcasing the versatility of frigates in peacetime missions. • NATO and Joint Exercises: USS Edward McDonnell frequently took part in NATO exercises, strengthening alliances and interoperability with allied navies in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. • Decommissioning: She was decommissioned on September 30, 1988, after over two decades of service, and was subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Final Fate: The ship was sold for scrapping in 1992, ending her career, but her legacy lives on among the sailors who served aboard and through her namesake’s heroic naval history.