About this Unit
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate of the United States Navy, commissioned on March 10, 1984. Named after Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, the ship served for over 28 years. During her active service, Nicholas participated in multiple operations, including drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean, escort duties in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will, and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Africa. The frigate was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, after a distinguished career supporting U.S. naval strategy and global maritime security.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Legacy: USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was named in honor of Major Samuel Nicholas, the first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, continuing a legacy carried by previous ships named Nicholas.
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Oliver Hazard Perry-Class: The ship was part of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of guided-missile frigates, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare and escort duties during the Cold War.
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Launch and Commissioning: USS Nicholas was launched on April 23, 1983, by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on March 10, 1984.
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Combat Action in the Persian Gulf: During Operation Earnest Will in 1988, Nicholas escorted reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers and protected them against Iranian threats during the "Tanker War" phase of the Iran-Iraq conflict.
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Drug Interdiction Operations: USS Nicholas participated in numerous counter-narcotics missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, seizing tons of illegal drugs and detaining traffickers.
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Somali Pirate Engagement: In April 2010, Nicholas captured Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean after a firefight, becoming one of the first U.S. warships to capture pirates under the new anti-piracy mandates.
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Global Deployments: The frigate performed operations in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach.
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Humanitarian Missions: Nicholas provided assistance in disaster relief operations, including humanitarian aid after hurricanes and supporting evacuations.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Nicholas was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
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Battle Stars: Nicholas earned three Battle "E" awards, recognizing her as one of the most efficient and battle-ready ships in the Atlantic Fleet during her career.
