USS Schofield (FFG-3)

• Named After a Medal of Honor Recipient: USS Schofield (FFG-3) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Frank Herman Schofield, a recipient of the Navy Cross and the Spanish Campaign Medal, and a distinguished officer in the U.S. Navy. • Brooke-Class Guided Missile Frigate: Schofield was a Brooke-class frigate, one of only six ships in this class, designed for anti-air and anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era. • Commissioned in 1968: The ship was commissioned on 11 May 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War, and served for almost two decades before being decommissioned in 1988. • Vietnam War Service: USS Schofield served off the coast of Vietnam, providing naval gunfire support and conducting search and rescue operations, earning one battle star for her service. • Notable Weaponry: The frigate was equipped with the Tartar Guided Missile System, which was advanced technology at the time, as well as anti-submarine rockets and torpedo tubes. • First U.S. Surface Ship to Visit Kenya: In 1976, Schofield became the first U.S. Navy surface ship to visit Mombasa, Kenya, signaling American interests in the region and strengthening international relations. • Collision at Sea: In October 1977, Schofield collided with the USS Fisher (MSC-390), a minesweeper, in Long Beach Harbor, resulting in minor damage and no injuries. • Part of the Pacific Fleet: Homeported in San Diego, Schofield was primarily assigned to the Pacific Fleet, participating in numerous operations and exercises in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. • Decommissioned and Scrapped: After her decommissioning on 8 September 1988, USS Schofield was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and sold for scrapping in 1995. • Legacy Preserved: Artifacts from USS Schofield, such as her bell and plaques, have been preserved in naval museums and memorials, ensuring the ship’s legacy endures.