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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Knox (DE 1052)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - A - A - S
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "Diamond Head"


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 2 stars - Navy Expeditionary Medal
Second Row: National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 star - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 star
Third Row: Humanitarian Service Ribbon w/ 1 star - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


"First and Finest"
Specifications:
Class: Knox
Type: SCB No. 199C / 1964
Number in Class: 46
Displacement: 3020 tons (std), 4065 tons (full)
Length: 415' (wl), 438' (oa)
Beam: 46' 9" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 9" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Combustion Engineering 1200psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 16 / 211
Missiles: 1 8-tube Mk25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS in DE 1052-1069, 1071-1083, 1 8-tube Mk29 NATO Sea Sparrow IPDMS in DE 1070, Harpoon missiles from modified ASROC launcher
Guns: 1 x 5"/54 cal. DP Mk 42 (600 rds)
ASW Weapons: 1 Mk16 ASROC launcher (16 missiles), 4-12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 (4x1 fixed) tubes / Mk 46 torpedos (6)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air), AN/SPS-58 threat warning in some ships
Sonars: AN/SQS-26CX, AN/SQS-35 IVDS in FF-1052, 1056, 1063-1071, 1073-1076, 1078-1097
Fire Control Systems: Mk68 Mod. 11/13/14 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 14/16 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Knox (DE 1052) Building and Operational Data:
  • 22 July 1964: Building contract awarded to the Todd Shipyards Corp.
  • 05 October 1965: Keel laid by the Todd Shipyards Corp., Seattle, Wash.
  • 19 November 1966: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Peter A. Sturtevant, granddaughter of Commodore Knox
  • 12 April 1969: Commissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Cmdr. W. A. Lamm in command, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 11 (DesDiv 112) at Pearl Harbor, Hi.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1052)
  • August 1977: Homeport assignment changed to Yokosuka, Japan as a unit of DesRon 15
  • July 1988: Homeport assignment changed to Long Beach, Cal. as a unit of DesRon 9
  • 14 February 1992: Decommissioned at Naval Station Long Beach, Cal. after 22 years and 10 months of service
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 07 August 2007: Sunk as a target off Guam in 6700 feet of water during Exercise Valiant Shield '07
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Knox
    0602105201

    Knox
    20k Dudley Wright Knox was born 21 June 1877 in Fort Walla Walla, Wash. and graduated from the Naval Academy on 05 June 1896. During the Spanish-American War he served in Maple in Cuban waters. He commanded gunboats Albany and Iris during the Philippine Insurrection and the latter during the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. He then commanded three of the Navy's first destroyers: Shubrick, Wilkes, and Decatur before commanding the First Torpedo Flotilla. During the cruise of the "Great White Fleet" he was ordnance officer of Nebraska (BB 14). Preceeding WWI he was Fleet Ordnance Officer in both Atlantic and Pacific, served the Office of Naval Intelligence, and commanded the Guantanamo Bay Naval Station. In November 1917, he joined the staff of Admiral Sims, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in European Waters, and earned the Navy Cross for "distinguished service" serving as Aide in the Planning Section, and later in the Historical Section. He was promoted to Captain on 01 February 1918. After returning to the United States in March 1919 for a year on the faculty of the Naval War College, he successively commanded Brooklyn (ACR 3) and Charleston (C 22) before resuming duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

    Transferred to the Retired List of the Navy 20 October 1921, he continued active duty simultaneously serving as Officer in Charge, Office of Naval Records and Library, and as Curator for the Navy Department. Early in World War II he was assigned additional duty as Deputy Director of Naval History. For 25 years his leadership inspired diligence, efficiency, and initiative while he guided, improved, and expanded the Navy's archival and historical operations. A master of content and style, his clear writings include The Eclipse of American Sea Power (1922); The Naval Genius of George Washington (1932); and A History of the United States Navy (1936), recognized as "the best one-volume history of the United States Navy in existence." Advanced to Commodore 2 November 1945, he was awarded the Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct" while directing the preservation of accurate records of the U.S. naval operations in World War II. Commodore Knox was relieved of all active duty 26 June 1946. He died 11 June 1960.

    USS Knox (DE 1052) (1969-1992) was the first ship named in his honor.

    (U.S. Navy photo from the U.S. Naval Historical Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Knox
    0602105230
    163k 19 November 1966: Seattle, Wash. - Mrs. Peter A. Sturtevant, sponsor, at launching ceremony for the future USS Knox (DE 1052) at Todd Shipyards, Seattle, Washington.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1119349 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Knox
    0602105220
    105k 19 November 1966: Seattle, Wash. - USS Knox (DE 1052) during her launch.

    (Photo and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Knox
    0602105231
    153k 19 November 1966: Seattle, Wash. - The future USS Knox (DE 1052) waterborne after launching ceremonies at Todd Shipyards, Seattle.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1119348 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Knox
    0602105232
    101k undated: the Pacific Ocean - An RGM-84-1 "Harpoon" Missile is fired from the "ASROC" launcher of USS Knox (DE 1052) during tests.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #KN-23734 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Knox
    0602105228
    351k 12 July 1969: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Stern view of USS Knox (DE 1052) docked at Vancouver.

    (Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-5496 from the City of Vancouver Archives)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Knox
    0602105221
    170k 04 March 1971: USS Chicago (CG 11) passes tow line to Knox after she was disabled by a fire in the engineering spaces.

    (Photo source unknown)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Knox
    0602105202
    108k 1972: Pearl Harbor Hawaii

    (Photo © Richard Leonhardt)
    Richard Leonhardt
    Bethlehem, Pa.
    Knox
    0602105203
    123k 1977: Hawaii - at sea off Diamond Head James H. Hopper III
    Commander, USN (ret.)


    (All Photos
    © James H. Hopper)
    Knox
    0602105236
    209k August 1977: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - USS Knox departing Pearl Harbor enroute to Yokosuka, Japan, which would be her homeport for the next 11 years.
    Knox
    0602105204
    162k 1977: in port at Hong Kong
    Knox
    0602105205
    83k 1978: taken at Shimoda Japan
    Knox
    0602105206
    37k 1978: Yokosuka Japan - entering port
    Knox
    0602105227
    79k undated, but taken before the hull upgrade program Vit Silevicz
    Knox
    0602105213
    237k undated, but taken after the hull upgrade program

    (Official USN Photo)
    Wendell R. McLaughlin Jr.
    Knox
    0602105207
    95k 1980's

    (Official USN Photo)
    Walter Bengtson
    Knox
    0602105214
    429k 09 December 1981: In the Pacific - An aerial starboard bow view of Knox underway off the coast of Luzon, Philippines.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-SC-82-04009 by PHCS Steven Harris from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Knox
    0602105215
    436k 09 December 1981: In the Pacific - An aerial port quarter view of Knox underway off the coast of Luzon, Philippines.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-SC-82-04007 by PHCS Steven Harris from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105235
    700k 09 December 1981: In the Pacific - An aerial starboard quarter view of Knox underway off the coast of Luzon, Philippines.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-SC-82-04014 by PHCS Steven Harris from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105216
    576k 09 December 1981: In the Pacific - An aerial port bow view of Knox underway off the coast of Luzon, Philippines.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-SC-82-04011 by PHCS Steven Harris from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105208
    223k 15 October 1982: At sea - Aerial port bow view of USS Knox (FF 1052) underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-07603 by PHAN Mellendorf from the DVIC )
    Knox
    0602105209
    98k 28 September 1985: At sea - Aerial starboard bow view of the front four ships of Battle Group Alfa underway. The ships are (front to back) the combat stores ship USS San Jose (AFS 7), the guided missile cruiser USS Reeves (CG 24), the guided missile destroyer USS Cochrane (DDG 21), and Knox.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-00927 from the DVIC)
    Knox
    0602105210
    277k 28 September 1985: At sea - Aerial starboard bow view of Knox underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-00925 from the DVIC)
    Knox
    0602105217
    123k 28 September 1985: In the Pacific - Aerial port bow view of Battle Group Alfa underway: (from front to back) the frigate Knox, the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV 41), the replenishment oiler USS Kansas City (AOR 3), destroyer USS Oldendorf (DD 972), (all followed by), the ammunition ship USNS Kilauea (T-AE 26) and the guided missile cruiser USS England (CG 22).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-00928 from the DVIC)
    Knox
    0602105211
    475k 01 October 1987: At sea - Five ships of the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV 41) battle group steam alongside one another. The ships are, from left to right: the frigates USS Kirk (FF 1087), USS Francis Hammond (FF 1067), USS Lockwood (FF 1064) and Knox, and the guided missile destroyer USS Towers (DDG 9).

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-92-04059 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105229
    688k 16 December 1987: the Western Pacific Ocean - U.S. Navy crew members pose for a photo on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV 41) during her deployment to the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean from 15 October 1987 to 12 April 1988. Various aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) are visible on deck. Ships in the battle group pictured are, left to right: the ammunition ship USNS Kilauea (T-AE 26), Midway, the combat stores ship USS White Plains (AFS 4), the fleet oiler USNS Mispillion (T-AO 105), and the frigate USS Knox (FF 1052).

    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #DN-ST-88-02563 by PH3 William Holck from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)
    Bob Canchola
    Contacts Research
    Associate, Navsource
    Knox
    0602105218
    176k 01 March 1991: Pearl Harbor Naval Station, Hawaii - A starboard beam view of Knox with a tug assisting her into a berth at Pearl Harbor.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-06496 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Knox
    0602105233
    421k 14 February 1992: Long Beach, Cal. - Sailors man the rails on the stern of the frigate USS Knox (FF 1052) during the vessel's decommissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-92-06226 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105234
    63k 14 February 1992: Long Beach, Cal. - A sailor stands beside the national ensign on the stern of the frigate Knox during the vessel's decommissioning ceremony at the naval shipyard.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-92-06224 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Knox
    0602105219
    252k 20 January 1994: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash. - A view of several ships in storage at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility. The ships include the battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) and the frigates Lockwood (FF 1064), Kirk (FF 1087) and Knox (FF 1052).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-93-04477 by Lt. Corinne Kelley from the DVIC)
    Knox
    0602105225
    258k 27 July 1996: Naval Inactive ship Maintence Facility, Bremerton, Wash. - Meyerkord (FF 1058), Hepburn (FF 1055) and Knox in mothballs, nested at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

    (Photos by Gilbert Gyssels)
    Gilbert Gyssels
    Knox
    0602105226
    209k
    Knox
    0602105212
    37k 1996: Naval Inactive ship Maintence Facility, Bremerton, Wash. - in reserve, nested with Francis Hammond (FF 1067), Roark (FF 1053) and Hepburn (FF 1055) alongside.

    (Photo © James H. Hopper)
    James H. Hopper III
    Commander, USN (ret.)
    Knox
    0602105223
    106k undated: Bremerton, Wash. - USS Knox (FF 1052) lies starboard side to USS Sides (FFG 14), USS David R. Ray (DD 971), and an unidentified carrier. Vit Silevicz
    Knox
    0602105224
    92k undated: Bremerton, Wash. - USS Knox (FF 1052) lies starboard side to an unidentified Knox class frigate.
    Knox
    0602105222
    69k undated: The Pacific Ocean - The hulk of ex-USS Knox is towed to sea by USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169) for use as a target in Exercise Valiant Shield '07.

    Knox Memorabilia
    Ship's Plaque
    Knox
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship's Plaque
    Knox
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Welcome Aboard
    Knox
    Courtesy of
    Darryl Baker
    Dep't Patch
    Knox
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Scale Model
    Knox
    Courtesy of
    Carl Musselman

    Knox History
    View the USS Knox (DE 1052) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Knox's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  12 Apr. 1969 - 27 Jun. 1970Cmdr. William Arthur Lamm
    2.)  27 Jun. 1970 - 19 Nov. 1971Cmdr. Estel Wilbur (Will) Hays (USNA '49) (Giltner, Nebr.)
    3.)  19 Nov. 1971 - 15 May 1973Cmdr. Ned Cooper Roberts (Findlay, Oh.)
    4.)  15 May 1973 - 09 Jul. 1975Cmdr. Everett Jackson Dennis
    5.)  09 Jul. 1975 - 15 Jul. 1977Cmdr. Markham Dennis Tuft (NROTC '63) (Berkeley, Cal.)
    6.)  15 Jul. 1977 - 10 Aug. 1979Cmdr. William Albert Hartman (Meriden, Conn.)
    7.)  10 Aug. 1979 - 15 Aug. 1981Cmdr. Dennis Ronald Conley (Los Angeles, Cal.) (ret. as Radm.)
    8.)  15 Aug. 1981 - 24 Nov. 1983Cmdr. Charles Joseph Bustamante (USNA '63) (Mexico City, Mexico)
    9.)  24 Nov. 1983 - 24 Jan. 1986Cmdr. Kenneth Ralph McGruther (Glen Ridge, N.J.)
    10.) 24 Nov. 1986 - 12 May 1988Cmdr. James Leroy Hornback (Glendale, Cal.)
    11.) 12 May 1988 - 05 Oct. 1990Cmdr. Gregory Lester Maxwell
    12.) 05 Oct. 1990 - 14 Feb. 1992Cmdr. Robert Paul Farrington (Bangor, Me.)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    2017 Reunion:
    21 - 24 September 2017 at Cincinnati, Ohio

    Reunion Contact: Denny White
    Address: 474 Harrison Woods Ct.
    City/State: Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
    Phone: 330-559-4079
    E-mail: Denny White
    Contact: USS Knox Reunion Association
    Note About Contacts

    Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
    made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
    a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
    Questions section on Navsource's Main Page for that information.


    Additional Resources

    USS Knox Reunion Association
    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    To The DE, FF, LCS Photo Index Page
    Back To The Main Photo Index

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    This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski
    All pages copyright Navsource Naval History
    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 23 September 2023