USS Sample (FF 1048)

• Namesake: USS Sample (FF-1048) was named after Lieutenant (junior grade) William Dodge Sample, a distinguished World War II naval aviator who was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. • Class & Type: USS Sample was a Knox-class frigate, originally designated as a destroyer escort (DE-1048) before being reclassified as a frigate (FF) in 1975. • Launch & Commissioning: She was launched on October 28, 1967 at Todd Shipyards in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned on March 23, 1968. • Vietnam War Service: USS Sample served in the Vietnam War, conducting naval gunfire support and search and rescue operations for downed pilots in the Gulf of Tonkin. • Homeport: Her homeport for much of her career was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, making her a key part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. • Rescue Operations: In 1972, USS Sample was credited with rescuing several Vietnamese refugees fleeing the conflict, showcasing her humanitarian contributions. • Reclassification: On June 30, 1975, the ship was reclassified from DE-1048 to FF-1048 as part of a Navy-wide change to align with NATO designations. • International Exercises: Throughout her service, USS Sample participated in major naval exercises such as RIMPAC, fostering interoperability with allied navies. • Decommissioning: Sample was decommissioned on September 23, 1988 after 20 years of service and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, she was transferred to Brazil in 1989, where she served as Pará (D27) until being scrapped in the early 2000s.