USS Lang (FF-1060)

• Namesake: USS Lang (FF-1060) was named after John Lang, the first man to enlist in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. • Class and Type: Lang was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE-1060) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF) in 1975. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 28 March 1970 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. • Vietnam War Service: USS Lang participated in Vietnam War operations shortly after commissioning, performing escort and patrol duties as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. • ASW Capabilities: Lang was specially equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), featuring the AN/SQS-26 sonar system, ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket), and a hangar for the DASH drone helicopter, later replaced by the SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS I helicopter. • Refit and Upgrades: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Lang received significant upgrades to her electronic warfare and sonar systems, enhancing her effectiveness against modern submarine threats. • Humanitarian Missions: During her service, Lang was involved in several rescue and humanitarian missions, including the rescue of Vietnamese refugees ("boat people") in the South China Sea. • Cold War Operations: Lang regularly deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean during the Cold War, participating in multi-national exercises and surveillance operations. • Decommissioning and Fate: The ship was decommissioned on 12 November 1991 and struck from the Navy Register in January 1995. She was later sold for scrapping in 2001. • Crest and Motto: The ship’s crest featured a trident and blue and gold colors, symbolizing naval prowess and tradition. Her motto was "Proud and Bold," reflecting the spirit of her crew and namesake.