USS Roark

Last updated

USS Roark (FF-1053) off Hawaii (cropped).jpg
USS Roark (FF-1053) off Hawaii in 1981
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameUSS Roark
NamesakeWilliam Marshall Roark
Ordered22 July 1964
Builder Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington
Laid down2 February 1966
Launched27 April 1967
Sponsored by
  • Mrs. William M. Roark
  • Mrs. Frank F. Roark
Acquired14 November 1969
Commissioned22 November 1969
Decommissioned14 December 1991
ReclassifiedAs FF, 30 June 1975
Stricken11 January 1995
Homeport San Diego, California
MottoVictory thru Service
FateScrapped, 2004
General characteristics
Class and type Knox-class frigate
Displacement3,011 tons (4,100 full load)
Length
  • 415 ft (126 m) waterline
  • 438 ft (134 m) overall
Beam47 ft (14 m)
Draft24.75 ft (7.54 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × CE 1200psi boilers
  • 1 Westinghouse geared turbine
  • 1 shaft, 35,000 shp (26,000 kW)
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi)
Complement15 officers, 230 men
Sensors and
processing systems
  • AN/SPS-10 surface search
  • AN/SPS-40 air search
  • AN/SQS-26CX sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys		 AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Warfare System
Armament
Aircraft carried1 SH-2 Seasprite (LAMPS I) helicopter

USS Roark (FF-1053), originally designated DE-1053, was a Knox-class frigate named for William Marshall Roark, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient and first American killed in the Vietnam War to have a ship named for them. [1] Roark was laid down on 2 February 1966 by the Todd Shipyards Corporation in Seattle, Washington; launched on 24 April 1967, sponsored by Mrs. William M. Roark, widow and Mrs. Frank F. Roark, mother of namesake; and commissioned on 22 November 1969.

Contents

Namesake

William Marshall Roark was born 23 October 1938 in Sioux City, Iowa to Frank F. Roark (1906 –1994) and Madge E. Roark (1909 –1997). He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Omaha Central High School. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964.

He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas, and subsequently reported for duty with Attack Squadron 153 on board USS Coral Sea. He was killed in action 7 April 1965 while flying an A-4 Skyhawk on a bombing mission over North Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He was survived by his parents, his wife Karen and three children, Lisa, John and William. [2] His remains were recovered in March 1977. [3] [4]

History

Roark in the South Pacific during "SouthPac 79", February 1979. USS ROARK FF-1053 SOUTH PACIFIC FEB 1979.jpg
Roark in the South Pacific during "SouthPac 79", February 1979.

Since completing shakedown in the spring of 1970, Roark a unit of DesRon 21, conducted training operations out of her homeport of San Diego, California, until the end of the year. With 1971 she began preparations for her first deployment with the 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific and departed from San Diego 7 January. After stopping at Pearl Harbor and refueling at Midway Island, Roark suffered a fire in her engine room. The damage was sufficient to require her return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Almost two months later, in March, she was underway again for WestPac. She remained in the western Pacific until July, when she started for home, arriving in San Diego, California, on 10 August. For the remainder of 1971, Roark operated out of San Diego.

The new year, 1972, brought with it another deployment to the Far East. She departed San Diego on 8 February and arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, on 29 February. She operated in the Western Pacific, primarily in the Vietnam area until 15 August, when she pointed her bow homeward. Roark entered San Diego 30 August and remained in the vicinity for the duration of 1972 and the first eight months of 1973. She departed San Diego in August and arrived in Subic Bay on 31 August. After almost four months of deployment with the 7th Fleet, Roark sailed into San Diego on 21 December 1973.

As of summer 1984 USS Roark was homeported in San Diego but was assigned to Destroyer Squadron Nine out of Naval Station Long Beach. Roark deployed with them in August 84 for Westpac.[ citation needed ]

Roark transferred to the Naval Reserve in 1987 and was decommissioned 14 December 1991. She was disposed of by scrapping, dismantling beginning on 13 October 2004.

Honors and awards

Roark received three campaign stars for Vietnam War service.

Awards, citations and campaign ribbons

According to Navsource.org:

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Bonefish</i> (SS-582) Submarine of the United States

USS Bonefish (SS-582) was a Barbel-class submarine of the United States Navy, and was the second U.S. Navy submarine to be named for the bonefish.

USS <i>Henry B. Wilson</i> Charles F. Adams-class destroyer

USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG-7), named for Admiral Henry Braid Wilson, was a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile armed destroyer laid down by Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Bay City, Michigan on 28 February 1958, launched on 22 April 1959 sponsored by Mrs. Patrick J. Hurley, daughter of Admiral Wilson, and commissioned on 17 December 1960.

USS <i>Maddox</i> (DD-731) Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer

USS Maddox (DD-731), was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. It was named after Captain William A. T. Maddox of the United States Marine Corps.

USS <i>Leftwich</i> Spruance-class destroyer (1979–2003)

USS Leftwich (DD-984) was a Spruance-class destroyer built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was named for Lieutenant Colonel William G. Leftwich, Jr., USMC (1931–1970), commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion who was killed in action during Operation Imperial Lake in Quảng Nam Province South Vietnam on 18 November 1970 in a helicopter crash during the extraction of one of his reconnaissance teams. For this action, Lieutenant Colonel Leftwich received the Silver Star. Lieutenant Colonel Leftwich's medals and awards include: the Navy Cross, the Silver Star (posthumous), the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with one gold star, the Purple Heart with two gold stars, and various personal awards from the Republic of Vietnam.

USS <i>Iwo Jima</i> (LPH-2) US amphibious assault ship

USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was the lead ship of her class and type and the first amphibious assault ship to be designed and built from the keel up as a dedicated helicopter carrier. She carried helicopters and typically embarked USMC elements of a Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU)/later Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) principally the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) to conduct heliborne operations in support of an amphibious operation. There was no well deck to support landing craft movement of personnel or equipment to/from shore. Iwo Jima was the second of three ships of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of Iwo Jima, although the first to be completed and see service.

USS <i>Pomodon</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Pomodon (SS-486), a Tench-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Pomodon genera of snapper.

USS <i>Agerholm</i> Gearing-class destroyer

USS Agerholm (DD-826) was a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy. She was the only ship named for Harold Crist Agerholm, a Private First Class (Pfc.) in the 2nd Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. He was killed during the assault on Saipan, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

USS <i>Avenger</i> (MCM-1)

USS Avenger (MCM-1) was the lead ship of her class of mine countermeasures ship, and the third U.S. Navy ship of that name.

USS <i>Evans</i> (DE-1023) Dealey-class destroyer escort

USS Evans (DE-1023), a Dealey-class destroyer escort, was the third ship of the United States Navy to have the name Evans. However, it is was the first to be named specifically for Ernest E. Evans, a naval officer and recipient of the Medal of Honor. Unusually, the next will use his full name, rather than reusing "USS Evans".

USS <i>Ajax</i> (AR-6) Repair ship in the US Navy

USS Ajax (AR-6), in service 1943 to 1986, was the second Vulcan-class repair ship and the fourth ship in the United States Navy to bear the name. Laid down in 1941, launched in 1942 and commissioned in 1943, she was decommissioned in 1986 and finally sold for scrap. Ajax received four battle stars for Korean War service and five campaign stars for service in Vietnam.

USS <i>Pine Island</i> Tender of the United States Navy

USS Pine Island (AV-12), a Currituck-class seaplane tender, is the only ship of the United States Navy to hold this name. The ship was named after Pine Island Sound.

USS <i>Currituck</i> (AV-7) Currituck class seaplane tender

USS Currituck (AV-7) was the first of four Currituck class seaplane tenders, and was nicknamed the Wild Goose. She was built during World War II and served during the Cold War.

USS <i>Stockdale</i> (DDG-106)

USS Stockdale (DDG-106) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. The third U.S. Navy ship of that name, Stockdale is named after Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale (1923–2005) and is the 56th destroyer in her class. She was authorized on 13 September 2002 and was built by Bath Iron Works. Stockdale was christened 10 May 2008 by Admiral Stockdale's widow, Sybil, and delivered to the Navy on 30 September 2008. She transited the Panama Canal in March 2009; Admiral Stockdale's youngest son and grandchildren joined the ship for the trip. USS Stockdale was commissioned on 18 April 2009 at Port Hueneme.

USS <i>Richmond K. Turner</i>

USS Richmond K. Turner was a Leahy-class cruiser destroyer leader in the United States Navy. The ship was named for Admiral Richmond K. Turner, who served during World War II.

USS <i>Ozbourn</i> Gearing-class destroyer

USS Ozbourn (DD-846) was a Gearing-class destroyer in the United States Navy during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. She was named for Marine Private Joseph W. Ozbourn (1919–1944), who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his "great personal valor" during the Battle of Tinian.

USS <i>Luzon</i> (ARG-2)

USS Luzon (ARG-2) was an internal combustion engine repair ship in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1947 and from 1950 to 1960. She was the lead ship in a class of twelve ships and was scrapped in 1974.

USS <i>Jason</i> (AR-8) Vulcan-class repair ship of the United States Navy

USS Jason (AR-8) was the fourth of the Vulcan class repair ship of the United States Navy in service from 1944 to 1995, serving in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. At the time of her decommissioning, Jason was the oldest ship in continual commission in the United States Navy, and the final ship in continual commission from World War II onward.

USS <i>Safeguard</i> (ARS-25) US Navy rescue and salvage ship

USS Safeguard (ARS-25) was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1947 and from 1952 to 1979. She was then transferred to Turkey where she served as TCG Işın (A-589) until 2017.

USS <i>Henrico</i>

USS Henrico (APA-45) was a Bayfield-class attack transport that served with the United States Navy in World War II, and subsequently in the Korean War, Cold War and Vietnam War.

USS <i>Rehoboth</i> (AVP-50) Oceanographic survey ship from 1948 to 1970

The second USS Rehoboth (AVP-50/AGS-50) was in commission in the United States Navy as a seaplane tender from 1944 to 1947 and as an oceanographic survey ship from 1948 to 1970.

References

  1. ↑ "William Marshall Roark". MilitaryTimes.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "William Marshall Roark Obituary" (PDF). USNA class of 1960. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "William M. Roark". Defense POW / Missing Personnel Office. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "VM: "Identification in Error on Body Returned by Hanoi" (From The New York Times, Mar. 23, 1977)" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.