About this Unit
USS Francis Hammond (DE-1067) was a Knox-class frigate commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named in honor of Hospitalman Francis C. Hammond, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, the ship primarily operated in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Francis Hammond participated in numerous exercises, anti-submarine warfare operations, and provided escort duties for carrier groups. The ship was decommissioned in 1992 and later transferred to the Republic of Turkey, where it served as TCG Derya (F-247).
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heroism: USS Francis Hammond (DE-1067) was named after Francis Colton Hammond, a Hospitalman who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War, where he sacrificed his life to save wounded Marines.
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Knox-Class Frigate: Originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE), the ship was part of the Knox-class, which were later reclassified as frigates (FF) in 1975 by the U.S. Navy.
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Commissioning Date: USS Francis Hammond was commissioned on 25 July 1970 at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California.
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Vietnam War Service: The ship participated in Vietnam War operations, providing naval gunfire support, plane guard duties, and escort missions for U.S. carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, Francis Hammond assisted in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon during the fall of South Vietnam.
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ASW Capabilities: Designed primarily for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), the ship was equipped with the SQS-26 sonar and ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) systems, as well as a SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS helicopter.
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Notable Rescue: In 1974, the ship rescued 13 crew members of a U.S. Army CH-47 helicopter that crashed in the South China Sea, earning commendations for the crew.
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Homeport: USS Francis Hammond was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for most of its service, contributing to Pacific Fleet operations.
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Decommissioning and Transfer: The ship was decommissioned on 2 July 1992 and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Derya (F-247) until being scrapped.
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Decorations: The ship and its crew received several awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and multiple campaign and service medals for Vietnam operations.
