About this Unit
USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy in 1986. The ship is best known for surviving a devastating Iranian mine strike in the Persian Gulf on April 14, 1988, during Operation Earnest Will, when her crew's swift and skillful damage control efforts saved the vessel from sinking. Following extensive repairs, the Samuel B. Roberts returned to service, participating in various operations and exercises, including counter-narcotics patrols and multinational exercises. The frigate was decommissioned in 2015 after nearly three decades of distinguished service.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heritage: USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) was named after Coxswain Samuel Booker Roberts, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.
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Class and Legacy: FFG-58 was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, part of a prolific class that served worldwide in the US Navy and with allied fleets.
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Commissioning Date: The ship was commissioned on April 12, 1986, at Bath, Maine, becoming the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name Samuel B. Roberts.
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Iranian Mine Incident: On April 14, 1988, during Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf, Samuel B. Roberts struck an Iranian M-08 naval mine, causing a massive 15-foot hole in the hull, nearly sinking the ship.
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Heroic Damage Control: The crew’s extraordinary damage control efforts kept the ship afloat for five hours, despite serious flooding and fires, earning the vessel and her crew the nickname "the ship that wouldn't die."
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Operation Praying Mantis: The mining of Samuel B. Roberts directly led to Operation Praying Mantis, the largest US naval surface engagement since World War II, in which US forces struck Iranian targets.
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Hull Repair Feat: After the mine strike, the ship was transported back to the United States aboard the Dutch heavy-lift ship Mighty Servant 2, where her entire engine room was rebuilt—a rare and challenging repair effort.
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Decommissioning: USS Samuel B. Roberts was decommissioned on May 22, 2015, after nearly 30 years of distinguished service, and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day.
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Awards and Honors: The ship earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Battle "E" for battle efficiency.
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Legacy of Courage: The story of the Samuel B. Roberts and her crew is commemorated in naval history and damage control training, serving as a model of determination and teamwork under extreme adversity.
