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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - K - S - G
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "Snazzy"
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Combat Action Ribbon - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row: Navy Battle "E" Ribbon - National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 star
Third Row: Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 stars - Humanitarian Service Ribbon - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Fourth Row: Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


"Can Do"
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
Marvin Shields (DE 1066) Building and Operational Data:
  • 22 July 1964: Contract awarded to Todd Shipyard Corp.
  • 12 April 1968: Keel laid by the Todd Shipyard Corp., Seattle, Wash.
  • 23 October 1969: Launched and christened, cosponsored by Mrs. Victoria B. Cassalery (mother) and Mrs. Richard A. Bennett (widow)
  • 10 April 1971: Commissioned at the Puget Sound NSY, Cmdr. William J. Hunter in command, assigned to the Pacific Cruiser-Destroyer Force at San Diego, Cal.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1066)
  • 02 July 1992: Decommissioned after 21 years and 3 months of service
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 29 January 1997: Sold to Mexico for $7M
  • 23 November 1998: Commissioned in the Mexican Navy, renamed ARM Mariano Abasolo (E-51), redesignated F-212 in 2001, still in service
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Marvin Shields
    0602106601

    Marvin Shields

    8k Marvin Glenn Shields was born in Port Townsend, Wash. on 30 December 1939. After graduating high school in 1958, he worked in the gold mines at Hyder, Alaska. He joined the Navy as a Seabee on 08 January 1962 and was stationed at Glynco, Ga.; Okinawa; and Port Hueneme, Cal. In February of 1965 he was sent to Vietnam where he served with Mobile Construction Battalion 11, Seabee Team 1104 attached to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces at Dong Xoai. During an attack by a North Vietnamese regiment on 10 June 1965, he was mortally wounded and died. For their actions during that battle, he and 2/Lt. Charles Q. Williams, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group, of Vance, S.C. were awarded the Medal of Honor. At the Medal ceremony Johnson said Shields, by his heroism during the 14-hour battle at Dong Xoai, saved the lives of many of his comrades. Although twice wounded, the citation said, he continued to supply his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and to return the enemy fire for hours. Construction Mechanic Shields was the first Seabee ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

    USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066) was the first ship named in his honor.

    (Photo from the The Virtual Wall)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Marvin Shields
    0602106625
    198k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - The launching party for the future USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066) at the Todd Pacific Shipyards, are (left to right): Rear Admiral Robert R. Wooding, Commander, Southwest Division, Engineering Command; Miss C. Pelham, flower girl; Mrs. J. Bennett, co-sponsor; Mrs. M. Barnes, matron of honor; Mrs. V. Casselery, co-sponsor; and Chief Quartermaster M. Fowler, escort. In front is B. Shields, flower girl.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1141767 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106626
    250k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - Co-sponsors Mrs. V. Casselery and Mrs. J. Bennett break traditional bottles of champagne during the launching ceremony for Marvin Shields at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1141768 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106627
    189k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - A fisheye lens view of the future escort ship USS Marvin Shields, following the joint christening by Mrs. Victoria B. Cassalery (foreground), mother of Shields, and Mrs. Joan S. Bennett, his widow. Third Class Construction Mechanic Marvin Shields was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in the Republic of Vietnam.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1141479 by PH2 Wayne W. Massie from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Marvin Shields
    (0602106628
    287k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - Two views of the escort ship Marvin Shields passes down the ways during her launching at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1141769 and #USN 1141477 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106629
    254k
    Marvin Shields
    0602106630
    445k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - The escort ship Marvin Shields is waterborne following her launching at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Seattle, Washington.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1141770 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106620
    152k 23 October 1969: Seattle, Wash. - Launch photos of Marvin Shields from Todd Shipyard Corp. Brian Wool
    QM2, 1989 - 1992
    Vancouver, Wash.
    Marvin Shields
    0602106621
    152k
    Marvin Shields
    0602106622
    130k
    Marvin Shields
    0602106631
    502k 04 October 1972: the Pacific Ocean - USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066) at sea, with "ASROC" launcher at full elevation.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #KN-21690 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Archive Manager
    DE / FF / LCS Archive
    Navsource
    Marvin Shields
    0602106603
    801k 29 March 1984: At sea - An aerial port quarter view of Marvin Shields returning to San Diego from a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) cruise with the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV 61).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-00414 by PHC O'Connor from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106604
    720k 28 July 1985: At sea - A starboard bow view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11607 by PH2 Gunther, from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106605
    500k 28 July 1985: At sea - A starboard bow view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11608 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106606
    463k 28 July 1985: At sea - A port quarter view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11609 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106607
    614k 28 July 1985: At sea - A port beam view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11610 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106608
    572k 28 July 1985: At sea - A port view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11611 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106609
    525k 28 July 1985: At sea - A port bow view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11612 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106610
    459k 09 April 1986: At sea - A starboard view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-11613 by PH2 Gunther from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106611
    416k 28 July 1985: At sea - A starboard quarter view of Marvin Shields anchored off the coast of San Diego.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06637 by PH3 J.P. Protz from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106612
    421k 28 July 1985: At sea - A starboard bow view of Marvin Shields anchored off the coast of San Diego.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06638 by PH3 J.P. Protz from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106613
    438k 01 June 1986: NavSta Pearl Harbor, Hi. - A starboard bow view of Marvin Shields during Exercise RIMPAC '86.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-03989 from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106632
    206k 30 September 1987: the Pacific Ocean - A crew member of an unidentified ship watches the frigate Marvin Shields from the stern of his ship.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-88-00135 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Marvin Shields
    0602106614
    624k 01 December 1988: At sea - An aerial port bow view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of San Diego.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-05586 by Ens. Brad Guttilas from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Marvin Shields
    0602106615
    477k 16 December 1988: At sea - A starboard bow view of Marvin Shields underway off the coast of San Diego.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-93-01173 by PH2 John Cross from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106623
    61k Fall 1989: Long Beach, Cal. - A night shot of Marvin Shields entering a drydock at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Shields went through a "Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability" from August to November of 1989.

    (Photo from the United States Naval Institute Proceedings, edition unknown)
    Brian Wool
    Marvin Shields
    0602106616
    99k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - Sailors stand by on the pier as the large harbor tug Canonchet (YTB823) maneuvers Marvin Shields into port. The ship is returning to San Diego from deployment in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-09780 by PH1 Richard J. Oriez from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Marvin Shields
    0602106633
    162k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - A woman waves to crew members aboard the frigate Marvin Shields upon the vessel's arrival in port. The ship has just returned from deployment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-91-08145 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106634
    347k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - Family and friends of crew members aboard the frigate Marvin Shields stand on the pier as they await the ship's return to port.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-91-09779 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106617
    103k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - A toy bear sports a ship's cap from the Marvin Shields as its owner celebrates the vessel's return from deployment in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-09778 by PH1 Richard J. Oriez from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106635
    144k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - A woman watches from the pier as the frigate Marvin Shields pulls into port.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-91-08142 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106618
    81k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - A crew member from the Marvin Shields is reunited with his wife following the vessel's return from deployment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-08143 by PH1 Richard J. Oriez from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106619
    92k 24 March 1991: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - Operations Specialist Walter Brugman, a crewmember of Marvin Shields, meets his son for the first time after arriving in port. The ship had just returned from deployment in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-08144 by PH1 Richard J. Oriez from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106636
    365k 18 May 1991: San Diego, Cal. - An officer representing the crew of the frigate USS Marvin Shields (FF 1066) rides in the back of an automobile during the "San Diego Salutes the Troops" parade. The parade is being held in honor of all veterans, with special recognition being given to units that took part in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo #330-CFD-DN-ST-91-11120 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.)
    ***Meyerkord***
    0602105815
    96k 06 June 1991: Portland, Ore. - Pacific Fleet ships tied up at a dock during Portland's annual Rose Festival include, left, back to front, the destroyer USS David R. Ray (DD 971), the frigates USS Meyerkord (FF 1058) and Marvin Shields; right, back to front, the guided missile destroyers USS Semmes (DDG 18) and USS Parsons (DDG 33) and the frigate USS Barbey (FF 1088).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-08271 by PH1 Alex Hyde from the DVIC)
    ***Meyerkord***
    0602105816
    149k 06 June 1991: Portland, Ore. - Pacific Fleet ships tied up at a dock during Portland's annual Rose Festival include the destroyer USS David R. Ray (DD 971), the frigates USS Meyerkord (FF 1058) and Marvin Shields.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-08273 by PH1 Alex Hyde from the DVIC)
    Marvin Shields
    0602106624
    244k 06 July 1996: Bremerton, Wash. - Marvin Shields nested between the battleship Missouri and an unidentified aircraft carrier at the Puget Sound Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Tom Armstrong
    (USCS 9909)
    USS Constellation 1968-69

    Marvin Shields Memorabilia
    Welcome Aboard
    (circa 1991)
    Shields
    Courtesy of
    Darryl Baker
    Desert Shield / Desert
    Storm Patch
    Shields
    Courtesy of
    Tom Armstrong
    Supply Dep't
    Battle "E" Patch
    Shields
    Courtesy of
    Tom Armstrong
    Memorial
    Shadowbox
    Shields
    Courtesy of
    PHAN Lamel J. Hinton
    Tile Plaque of
    Ship's Emblem
    Shields
    Courtesy of
    Chris Howell

    Marvin Shields History
    View the USS Marvin Shields (DE 1066) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Marvin Shields' Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  10 Apr. 1971 - 21 Dec. 1972Cmdr. William Joseph Hunter
    2.)  21 Dec. 1972 - 28 Jun. 1974Lcdr./Cmdr. Ingolf Norman Kiland Jr., USNR (Potomac, Va.)
    3.)  28 Jun. 1974 - 10 Jun. 1976Lcdr. Jerome Frost Smith Jr. (USNA '61) (San Diego, Cal.) (ret. as Radm.)
    4.)  10 Jun. 1976 - 01 Jul. 1978Cmdr. Joseph Keeley Jr. (USNA '59) (Boston, Mass.)
    5.)  01 Jul. 1978 - 14 Jun. 1980Cmdr. Lawrence Charles Gaskell (Enfield, Ct.)
    6.)  14 Jun. 1980 - 04 Jun. 1983Cmdr. John Wilfrid Allin
    7.)  04 Jun. 1983 - 11 Oct. 1985Cmdr. Robert Aubrey Conder
    8.)  11 Oct. 1985 - 05 Dec. 1987Cmdr. Jeffrey L. Richard (Worcester, Mass.)
    9.)  05 Dec. 1987 - 10 Jun. 1990Cmdr. Rodney L. Benson
    10.) 10 Jun. 1990 - 31 Jan. 1992Cmdr. Michael Doyle Simpson (USNA '73) (Paducah, Ken.)
    11.) 31 Jan. 1992 - 02 Jul. 1992Lcdr. Barry John Pochron (USNA '78)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    2012 Reunion
    19 - 22 October 2012 at Las Vegas, Nev.
    Alexis Park All-Suite Resort

    Contact Name: Guy Cornett
    E-mail: Guy Cornett
    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 Marvin Shields Association Site
    USS Marvin Shields Group Site
    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    To The DE, FF, LCS Photo Index Page
    Back To The Main Photo Index

    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail: Webmaster.

    This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski
    All pages copyright Navsource Naval History
    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 29 June 2022