Gary Lawson

USS De Wert (FFG-45) was an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate commissioned into the United States Navy on November 19, 1983. Named in honor of Hospitalman Richard De Wert, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, the ship served in various roles including escort, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security operations. Throughout its career, De Wert participated in multinational exercises, counter-narcotics missions, and supported operations in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. After nearly three decades of service, USS De Wert was decommissioned on April 4, 2014.

USS **Semmes (DDG-18)** was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on December 10, 1962. Named after Confederate Navy officer Raphael Semmes, the ship served prominently during the Cold War, participating in NATO exercises, Mediterranean deployments, and Atlantic operations. Semmes was equipped with advanced missile systems for air defense and anti-submarine warfare, reflecting the technological advancements of her era. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on April 14, 1991, and later transferred to the Hellenic Navy of Greece, where she served as **Kimon**.

USS FRANK CABLE

U.S. Navy

The USS FRANK CABLE (AS-40) is a submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1979. Named after Frank Taylor Cable, a pioneer in submarine development, the vessel was originally homeported in Charleston, South Carolina, providing maintenance and logistical support to submarines and surface ships. In 1996, the Frank Cable was forward-deployed to Guam, where it continues to serve as a vital support platform for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, enhancing the Navy's operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. Over its decades of service, the ship has participated in numerous missions, humanitarian assistance efforts, and joint exercises with allied nations.