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USS RINGGOLD (DD-500)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NWDH

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 6 x 40mm, 11 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; General Electric Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny NJ. June 25 1942.
Launched November 11 1942 and commissioned December 24 1942.
Decommissioned March 23 1946.
Stricken October 1 1974.
To West Germany July 14 1959, renamed FGS Z-2
To Greece September 18 1981, renamed HS Κίμων [Kimon] (D 65)
Used for spare parts.
Fate Stricken and broken up for scrap in 1993 at Piraeus.

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Ringgold 61kCadwallader Ringgold was born in Washington County, Maryland, on 20 August 1802, and entered the U.S. Navy in 1819. He commanded the schooner Weazel in action against West Indies pirates during the late 1820s and later served on board Vandalia in the Pacific and Adams in the Mediterranean. During 1838-42, he participated in the Wilkes Expedition in the Pacific, commanding Porpoise from 1840. Inactive in the later 1850s, he returned to the fleet during the Civil War. While in command of the frigate Sabine he effected the rescue of a battalion of Marines whose transport steamer had gone inshore and also of the ship of the line Vermont which had lost her rudder in a storm. Promoted to commodore in 1862, he was placed on the rear admiral (retired) list in 1866. Rear Admiral Ringgold died at New York, 29 April 1867.Bill Gonyo
Ringgold 82kArtist's conception of the Ringgold as she appeared after original construction by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Ringgold 78kArtist's conception of a cutaway view of the Ringgold by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Ringgold 36kUndated, location unknown.-
Ringgold 100kUndated, Stern view, showing the Fletcher layout as built as opposed to designed. Additional AA armenment is added from "Lessons Learned" thus far during the war.-
Ringgold 97kUSS Ringgold coming alongside USS Chenango to fuel 16 June 1944 while operating as Screen Command for TG53.2. This was one of several amphibious groups positioned east of Saipan and Guam intended to assault Guam in June but then postponed to mid-July.
National Archives photo 80-G3-21655.
Bill Gonyo
Ringgold 163kThe USS Ringgold (DD-500), USS Stevenson (DD-645), USS Schroeder (DD-501) and USS Stockton (DD-646) were launched with 28 minutes on November 11 1942 at Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Kearny, New Jersey. AP Wirephoto.David Buell
Ringgold 78kSouvenir button of the launching of the USS Ringgold (DD-500), USS Schroeder (DD-501), USS Stevenson (DD-645) and USS Stockton (DD-646) on November 11 1942. Courtesy of www.timepassagesnostalgia.com.Tom Kerman
Ringgold 139kCirca 1940's, location unknown.Bill Gonyo
Ringgold 115kMay 14 1943 at New York NY after receiving her amidships twin 40mm gun mounts. It was during this yard period that the Ringgold was modified to the three twin 40mm gun mounts and 11-20mm guns standard. Just a few months latter in July 1943, the Ringgold was again upgraded at Mare Island to the five twin 40mm gun mounts and 7-20mm guns standard.Rick E. Davis
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
These are two series from April-May 1943 yard modifications at Brooklyn NSY. NA 19N44875 to 44877, and 19N46254 to 46258, all reported as May 16 1943. Ringgold remained unchanged during the subsequent 18 months.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold
USS Ringgold alongside USS Essex (CV-9) on return leg of the Marcus Raid, early Sept 1943. National Archives photos 80-G-309594 and -595.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Distant hazy views of USS Ringgold and amphibious craft in the lagoon off Betio, Tarawa the morning of 20 Nov 1943. Ringgold, Dashiell, and Pursuit appear in views in fire support roles at that time. Photos from Life Magazine collection, photographer John Florea, flying in an Essex bomber circling the area. For educational and non-commercial use.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold 125kNewpaper clipping of heroism aboard the Ringgold on November 20 1943.Ron Reeves
Ringgold 245kDetail of boat falls aboard Ringgold, 10 Aug 1944 at Eniwetok anchorage. From Dwight Spayth photo collection.John Chiquoine
Ringgold 235kDetail of smoke cylinders on fantail aboard Ringgold, 10 Aug 1944 at Eniwetok anchorage. From Dwight Spayth photo collection.John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Shipboard activity scenes aboard USS Ringgold (DD-500) in 1944, by Ensign Dwight Spayth
John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Ringgold 92kThis Ringgold view was taken October 13, 1944 in Humboldt Bay anchorage, New Guinea. (NNSP SC111-260537) The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 31, Design 7d.John Chiquoine
Ringgold 113kNew Year's Day, 1945 at Pier 54, San Francisco. Left to right, Sigsbee (DD-502), Ringgold (DD-500), and Shea (DM-30), all are concluding overhauls. Nara 19N80477.John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
USS Ringgold in San Francisco Bay completing a post-overhaul shakedown 6 Jan 1945. She has finally received the ten 40mm/seven 20mm upgrade, ECM equipment, and Ms22 paint. Division 50 commander Hop Parish will ride aboard until early March. NA 19N80472-5.
John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Ringgold 195kUSS Ringgold (DD-500) and USS New Jersey (BB-62) taken from deck of USS Lexington (CV-16) in 1945. USN from the Joe Houston Tailhook Collection.Angelo Romano
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
These are views of USS Ringgold (DD-500) the day after a collision with USS Yarnall (DD-541) during drill maneuvers. The surface scenes are by Lt J.J. Heimark on Schroeder (DD-501), and the aerials shot by covering VC94 aircraft from Shamrock Bay (CVE84), National Archives 80-G-356105 and 80-G-277562. All tin cans were brought to Ulithi.
John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Ringgold 67kSurface view with bow section sheared off from collision with USS Yarnall, 4 March 1945. Moored with Harrison, from Dwight Spayth photo collection.John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
These are work progress views of USS Ringgold alongside USS Cascade in March 1945 at Ulithi Lagoon. Cascade personnel have cut away jagged hull steel and fashioned a steel frame for a safe ocean voyage back to Pearl Harbor, where a new bow will be waiting. These views are from Ringgold's Lt Dwight Spayth and from NA 19NGC text folders.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold Ringgold Ringgold Ringgold
USS Ringgold and USS Yarnall both lost their bows in a collision 4 March 1945 while holding torpedo tactics drills. This is Ringgold tied up with Harrison at Ulithi anchorage between March 7 and 13, 1945. Ringgold's twisted wreckage was subsequently cut away by USS Cascade and a temporary prow was welded on. With a replacement forward section waiting for RINGGOLD upon her arrival at Pearl, she returned to TG38.1 on June 6. Photo from USS Harrison, by T.McCann.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold 136kUSS Ringgold aerial by USS Wasp (CV-18) air group, underway to re-deploy with TG38.1 off Japan in May 1945. National Archives photo 80-G-455700John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
USS Ringgold alongside USS Wasp (CV18) underway to re-deploy with TG38.1 off Japan in May 1945. National Archives photos 80-G-261474, -475 and -476.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
USS Ringgold alongside USS Wasp (CV18) underway to re-deploy with TG38.1 off Japan in May 1945. Collection of Len Musselman.
John Chiquoine
Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold   Ringgold
Scenes of USS Ringgold entering Cooper River, Charleston SC, and on the Wando River, SC. From decommissioning activties 03 November 1945 in to the winter. Photos from the shipmates.
John Chiquoine and Dave Schroeder
Ringgold 168kRinggold crew members at a postwar ship's dance at Knights of Columbus Hall, Charleston, SC, February 1946.
Top row: Frederick A. Sheppard, WT1c; Andrew P. Yanai, B1c; Henry Barry, BM2c (T); Albert O. Lloyd, Bkr2c; Walter R. Desplanque, Cox (T); Gerald H. Ostrum, MM2c (T)
Bottom row: Robert R. Lahue, WT1c (T); LT E.P. Flynn, Jr. USNR (XO); CDR Warren B. Christie (CO); Felix R. Roberts, CEM (T); William R. Mason, CMM(AA) (T); Raymond C. Swadley, CWT (T).
Dave Wright
Ringgold 43kNews release with details of the transfer of the Ringgold to the Federal Republic of Germany.Robert Hall
Ringgold 108kAmerican and German crews on the pier at Charleston Navy Yard July 15 1959 for transfer of the Ringgold.Robert Hall
Ringgold 162kUSS Ringgold (DD-500) undergoing an inclining experiment at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina on 17 July 1959. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo #: NH 107238.Robert Hurst
On Federal Republic of Germany Service
Ringgold 142kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 142kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 134kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 115kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 153kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 96kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 111kUndated, location unknown.Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 211kUndated, as German Z 2/D-171 passing through the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (NOK, or Kiel channel).Jörg Bihlmayr/Wolfgang Hechler
Ringgold 67kZ-2/D 171 near DelgadaJörg Bihlmayr
Ringgold 134kWest German destroyer Z-2 (D 171, ex -USS Ringgold (DD-500) during a fleet exercise, in 1960. Photo by S.L.A. Marshall, U.S. Army. U.S. Army Heritage Education center (USAHEC).Robert Hurst
Ringgold 96kZ-2/D 171 circa early 1960's.Marc Piché
Ringgold 48kCirca 1968, location unknown.Robert Hurst
Ringgold 55kCirca 1977, location unknown.Robert Hurst
Ringgold 142kDeparting Toulon on November 27 1977.Carlo Martinelli
Ringgold 143kDeparting Toulon on November 27 1977.Carlo Martinelli
Ringgold 6kGerman Navy Coat of Arms for the Z2.Franzen Karlheinz
On Greek Service
Ringgold 224kThe Greek Salamis Naval Base on 31 August 1979. Visible among other ships are the six Greek Fletcher-class destroyers: Kimon (ex-USS Ringgold (DD-500), Nearchos (ex-USS Wadsworth (DD-516), Sfendoni (ex-USS Aulick (DD-569), Aspis (ex-USS Connor (DD-582), Lonchi (ex-USS Hall (DD-583), and Velos (ex-USS Charrette (DD-581). Also visible are the landing ships Nafkratoussa (ex-USS Fort Mandan (LSD-21), Oinoussai (ex-USS Terrell County (LST-1157), and Kos (ex-USS Whitfield County (LST-1169). Photo by PHC C. Pedrick, USN. U.S. DefenseImagery photo VIRIN: photo VIRIN: DN-SC-82-00328.Robert Hurst

USS RINGGOLD DD-500 History
View This Vessels DANFS History entry at the Naval History & Heritage Command website

Commanding Officers
01CDR Thomas Francis Conley, Jr. (USNA 1926)30 December 1943 - 11 August 1943
02CDR Warren Byron Christie (USNA 1933)11 August 1943 - 23 March 1946
Bundesmarine Commanding Officers

(KK = Korvettenkapitän = LCDR    FK = Fregattenkapitän = CDR    KzS = Kapitän zur See = CAPT)
01FK Günter Kuhnke14 July 1959 - November 1960
02FK Otto Christian ItesNovember 1960 - September 1962
03FK Paul BrasackSeptember 1962 - March 1964
04KK/FK MummMarch 1964 - February 1966
05KK Heinz SiewertFebruary 1966 - April 1966
06KK/FK SuikatApril 1966 - March 1968
07KK Heinz SiewertMarch 1968 - October 1968
 UnassignedOctober 1968 - December 1969
07FK Dieter KlagesDecember 1969 - March 1973
08FK Jochen MehnerApril 1973 - March 1976
09FK Rolf BrettschneiderApril 1976 - March 1979
10FK HuberApril 1979 - June 1981
 UnassignedJuly 1981 - September 1981
10FK Huber02 September 1981 - 18 September 1981
Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: John Chiquoine
Address: 323 Wellington Road, West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: (610)692-2627
E-mail: dd573@aol.com


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
History of Ringgold in German Service
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
Last Updated 18 November 2018