USS GARCIA (FF-1040)

• Namesake: USS Garcia (FF-1040) was named in honor of Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia, the first Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipient, who was killed in action during the Korean War. • Class: Garcia was the lead ship of the Garcia-class frigates, a class of 11 ships originally designated as destroyer escorts (DE) before being reclassified as frigates (FF) in 1975. • Launch and Commission: The ship was launched on 31 October 1963 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, and commissioned on 21 December 1964. • Vietnam War Service: USS Garcia participated in the Vietnam War, performing duties such as plane guard for aircraft carriers and conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. • Reclassification: In 1975, as part of a Navy-wide reclassification, Garcia was redesignated from DE-1040 (Destroyer Escort) to FF-1040 (Frigate). • Sonar Capabilities: The USS Garcia was equipped with advanced sonar systems for its time, including the SQS-26 bow-mounted sonar, making it a key ASW platform during the Cold War. • Homeport: Her homeport for much of her career was Newport, Rhode Island, and she was an integral part of the Atlantic Fleet's anti-submarine forces. • NATO Operations: Garcia participated in several NATO exercises, including operations in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean, strengthening interoperability with allied navies. • Transfer to Pakistan: After decommissioning from US service on 31 January 1989, Garcia was transferred to the Pakistan Navy and renamed PNS Saif (F-263), where she served until 1994. • Legacy: The USS Garcia and her class were instrumental in the evolution of US Navy frigate design, bridging the gap between World War II-era escorts and modern multi-role frigates.