USS Koelsch (FF-1049)

• Namesake Heroism: USS Koelsch (FF-1049) was named after Lieutenant (jg) John Kelvin Koelsch, the first helicopter pilot to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Korean War when he attempted to rescue a downed Marine aviator behind enemy lines. • Knox-Class Frigate: The ship was a Knox-class frigate, a class designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) during the Cold War and was one of 46 ships of her class. • Commissioning Date: USS Koelsch was commissioned on 10 April 1971 at the Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington. • Vietnam War Service: Although commissioned after most U.S. involvement had ended, Koelsch participated in Vietnam-related patrols and missions in the early 1970s. • Rescue Operation: In 1974, Koelsch was involved in the rescue of Vietnamese refugees (boat people) fleeing after the fall of Saigon, providing humanitarian aid. • Cuban Missile Crisis Legacy: The Knox-class was developed in response to lessons learned during the Cuban Missile Crisis, emphasizing anti-submarine capabilities to counter the Soviet submarine threat. • Unique Propulsion: Koelsch employed a single-shaft, steam propulsion system which was unusual at the time for U.S. frigates, providing a balance of speed and endurance. • International Service: After being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1989, Koelsch was transferred to the Pakistan Navy under the name PNS Siqqat (F-267) and served until the late 1990s. • Decommissioning: USS Koelsch was decommissioned on 31 May 1989, marking nearly two decades of active service. • Final Fate: After her service in Pakistan, PNS Siqqat was ultimately scrapped, ending the vessel’s operational history but leaving a legacy of humanitarian and naval service.