USS KIRK FF-1087

• Namesake: USS Kirk (FF-1087) was named after Admiral Alan Goodrich Kirk, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer who served in both World Wars and as an ambassador. • Class & Type: She was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated a destroyer escort (DE-1087) before being reclassified as a frigate in 1975. • Commissioning: USS Kirk was commissioned on September 9, 1972, at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California. • Vietnam War Evacuation: Kirk played a pivotal humanitarian role during the evacuation of South Vietnam in April 1975, known as Operation Frequent Wind. • "Guardian of the Fleet": During the fall of Saigon, Kirk rescued thousands of South Vietnamese refugees, including sailors and families fleeing aboard small vessels and helicopters. • Helicopter Rescues: The crew famously pushed helicopters overboard to make room for more refugees landing on deck, saving countless lives. • Transfer of South Vietnamese Navy: USS Kirk was instrumental in facilitating the transfer of 18 South Vietnamese Navy ships and over 30,000 refugees to the Philippines. • Post-Vietnam Service: After her Vietnam operations, Kirk served in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, participating in exercises and patrols during the Cold War. • Transfer to Taiwan: Decommissioned on August 6, 1993, she was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, where she serves as ROCN Fen Yang (FFG-934). • Legacy & Recognition: USS Kirk's heroic efforts are featured in the documentary The Lucky Few and have been commemorated in books and exhibitions, highlighting her unique role in saving lives during the Vietnam War's chaotic end.