About this Unit
USS Miller (FF-1091) was a Knox-class frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned in 1973 and named in honor of Doris Miller, the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross. Initially classified as a destroyer escort (DE-1091), Miller was reclassified as a frigate (FF-1091) in 1975. During her service, she participated in numerous Atlantic and Mediterranean operations, focusing on anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Cold War. USS Miller served until 1991, when she was decommissioned and later transferred to Turkey, where she served as TCG Gaziantep (F 490).
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Miller (FF-1091) was named in honor of Cook Third Class Doris "Dorie" Miller, the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Class and Type: USS Miller was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE-1091) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF-1091) in 1975.
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Laid Down and Commissioned: The ship was laid down on June 19, 1972 at Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana and commissioned on June 30, 1973.
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Anti-Submarine Warfare Focus: Like other Knox-class ships, Miller was designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), equipped with the SQS-26 sonar and an ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) launcher.
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Helicopter Operations: The ship was equipped with facilities for operating the DASH drone helicopter, later replaced by the SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS I helicopter, enhancing its ASW capabilities.
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Service During the Cold War: USS Miller served primarily during the Cold War era, conducting Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments, NATO exercises, and patrols.
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Rescue and Humanitarian Missions: The ship participated in several rescue and humanitarian operations, including assisting distressed vessels and providing aid during crises at sea.
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Decommissioning: USS Miller was decommissioned on October 15, 1991 after nearly 18 years of service and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on January 11, 1995.
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Fate: After decommissioning, USS Miller was transferred to Turkey in 1999, where she served as TCG Gaziantep (F 490) in the Turkish Navy before being retired.
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Legacy: USS Miller stands out as one of the few ships honoring an enlisted African American hero, serving as an enduring tribute to Dorie Miller's courage and breaking barriers in U.S. naval history.
