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History of USS Gray DE1054

USS Gray (DE-1054) was a Knox-class destroyer escort commissioned by the United States Navy in 1970. Named after Marine Sergeant Ross Franklin Gray, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, the USS Gray primarily served in the Pacific Fleet during the Cold War. The ship conducted anti-submarine warfare operations, participated in training exercises, and took part in patrols and escort missions throughout the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. After nearly two decades of service, USS Gray was decommissioned in 1991 and later transferred to the Turkish Navy, where she served as TCG Muavenet (F-250).

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ABOUT USS Gray DE1054

  • USS Gray (DE-1054) was a Knox-class destroyer escort (later classified as a frigate) in the United States Navy, named after Marine Sergeant Ross Franklin Gray, a Medal of Honor recipient in World War II.
  • The ship was laid down on 3 March 1967 at Todd Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, launched on 3 May 1968, and commissioned on 4 April 1970.
  • Originally classified as a Destroyer Escort (DE-1054), USS Gray was reclassified as a Frigate (FF-1054) on 30 June 1975 as part of a Navy-wide change.
  • USS Gray’s primary mission was anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and she was equipped with the SQS-26 sonar, ASROC launcher, and torpedo tubes to fulfill this role.
  • She served extensively in the Pacific Fleet, participating in operations and exercises off the West Coast, the Western Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.
  • During her service, USS Gray conducted multiple deployments to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), often operating with aircraft carrier battle groups and providing escort and screening services.
  • One notable deployment occurred in 1972-1973, when USS Gray participated in Vietnam War operations, providing naval gunfire support and plane guard services.
  • USS Gray was involved in rescue operations, including the recovery of Vietnamese refugees ("boat people") in the late 1970s, reflecting the humanitarian roles Navy ships sometimes perform.
  • The ship was decommissioned on 29 September 1989 after nearly 20 years of service and was eventually scrapped in 2001.
  • The ship's mascot was a gray wolf, a nod to her namesake and a symbol of her vigilant and aggressive spirit on the seas.

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