USS Nicholas FFG 47

• 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. • 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. • Launch and Commissioning: USS Nicholas was launched on April 23, 1983, by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned on March 10, 1984. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Global Deployments: The frigate performed operations in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach. • Humanitarian Missions: Nicholas provided assistance in disaster relief operations, including humanitarian aid after hurricanes and supporting evacuations. • Decommissioning: After nearly 30 years of service, USS Nicholas was decommissioned on March 17, 2014, at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. • 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.