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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Badger (DE 1071)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - H - D - T
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Combat Action Ribbon
Second Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 star - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3)
Third Row: Navy Expeditionary Medal - National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 star
Fourth Row: Humanitarian Service Ribbon w/ 2 stars - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


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
Badger (DE 1071) Building and Operational Data:
  • 22 July 1964: Building contract awarded to Todd Shipyard Corp.
  • 17 February 1968: Keel laid by Todd Shipyards, Inc., Los Angeles Div., San Pedro, Cal.
  • 07 December 1968: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Oscar C. Badger
  • 01 December 1970: Commissioned at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Comdr. William L. Britton in command, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 23 at Long Beach
  • 14 July 1973: Homeport changed to Pearl Harbor, Hi. as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 35
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1071)
  • 20 December 1991: Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor, Hi. after 21 years of service
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 21/22 July 1998: Sunk as a target
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Badger
    0602107101
    214k George Edmund Badger (17 April 1795 - 11 May 1866) was born on in New Bern, North Carolina. Following a partial college education at Yale University, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1814. Badger practiced law in North Carolina, was active in state politics, and served as a state superior court judge. A supporter of Andrew Jackson from the 1820s, he separated with him in the mid-1830s, became a leader of the Whig party and helped carry the Whigs to victory in the 1840 Presidential election. Badger was a cousin of naval officers Oscar C. Badger, Charles J. Badger and Oscar C. Badger II. (continued at...Wikipedia)

    Oscar C. Badger (12 August 1823 - 20 June 1899) was born in Mansfield, Connecticut. Appointed midshipman 9 September 1841, served in Independence, Saratoga, and the sidewheel steamer Mississippi. He attended the Naval School (as the Naval Academy was then called) at Annapolis, Md.; and was warranted a passed midshipman on 10 August 1847. Posted to the Pacific Squadron he served in Supply, the frigate Savannah, and the sloop Vincennes. After a tour of duty at the Naval Observatory in Washington DC he returned to the Pacific Squadron for duty in the sloop John Adams and, was assigned in turn to Plymouth, Macedonian, Minnesota, and, lastly, to the Washington Navy Yard. (continued at...DANFS)

    Charles J. Badger (06 August 1853 - 07 September 1932) was born in Rockville, Md., the son of Commodore Oscar Charles and Margaret M. (Johnston) Badger. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at large by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1869, graduating in 1873. He married Sophia J. Champlin, October 4, 1882. Promoted to Captain, 01 July 1907. He served as Superintendent of the Naval Academy, 1907-09; commanded the battleship USS Kansas, 1909-11; promoted to Rear Admiral, March 8, 1911. He was retired by operation of law, August 6,1915, but continued on active duty as a member of the Navy General Board until February 28, 1921. He lived thereafter in Cleveland Park, D.C. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution as chairman of the General Board during World War I. Rear Admiral Badger died 7 September 1932 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (continued at...Arlington National Cemetary Web Site)

    Oscar Charles Badger II (26 June 1890 - 30 November 1958) was the son of Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger (q.v.) and the grandson of Commodore Oscar C. Badger, and was born on in Washington D.C. He entered the Naval Academy in 1907 and graduated in 1911 as a member of the last academy class to go to sea after graduation as passed midshipmen rather than as commissioned officers. He served first in Minnesota (Battleship No. 22) and then in Utah (BB 31). From the latter, he led the first landing party ashore at Veracruz, Mexico, on 21 April 1914 and was awarded the Medal of Honor for the eminent and conspicuous ... skill and courage with which he carried out that duty. (continued at...DANFS)

    USS Badger (DE 1071) (1970-1991) was the first ship to be named in honor of the four Badgers. She was precededed by Destroyer No. 126 (1919-1945), named for Commodore Oscar C. Badger; DD 196 (1920-1945), named for Senator George Edmund Badger; and DD 657 (1943-1957), named for Rear Admiral Charles Johnston Badger.

    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.

    Assoc. Researcher
    Navsource
    Badger
    0602107131
    304k 21 February 1971: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Bow view of USS Badger (DE 1052) docked at Vancouver.

    (Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-3464 from the City of Vancouver Archives)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Badger
    0602107125
    101k April 1975: the South China Sea - USS Badger (DE 1071) being refuelled by the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA 41) during Operation Frequent Wind.

    (Original photograph by Dan MS)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Badger
    0602107126
    90k April 1975: the South China Sea - USS Badger underway.

    (Original photograph by Dan MS)
    Badger  269k   Badger  227k   Badger  314k

    mid-January 1977: Pearl Harbor, Hi.
    Three views of USS Badger (FF 1071) moored at Bravo Pier, Pearl Harbor Naval Station. Badger had come out of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on 11 January 1977. Left
    photo shows Badger at the west end of Bravo Pier. Note the DesRon 25 emblem on her superstructure. The center photo, pivoting eastward shows the ships moored with her.
    USS Somers (DDG 34), USS Bryce Canyon (AD 36 34), unknown (probably Preble DDG46 / DesRon 25 Flag) and USS Goldsborough (DDG 20). The right photo, at the
    east end of Bravo Pier looking west, Goldsborough and Hassayampa (AO 145) in the background are distinguishable.

    0602107132   -   0602107133   -   0602107134

    Derrell W. Poole
    Hamilton, Mont.

    STG3, FF 1071
    (Oct. '76 - Feb. '79)
    Badger
    0602107135
    245k January - March 1977: the Pacific Ocean - USS Badger goes through a requalification period after spending months (07 June 1976 to 11 January 1977) in the Pearl Harbor Naval shipyard. Badger's LAMPS helicopter returned to the ship as a major part of her ASW weapons system requalification.

    Badger
    0602107136
    184k January - March 1977: the Pacific Ocean - As part of her requalification, Badger launches a torpedo from her starboard side.

    Badger
    0602107137
    168k January - March 1977: the Pacific Ocean - Badger launches an ASROC missile at the Barking Sands Missile Range, off the island of Kauai.

    Badger
    0602107138
    298k March 1977: Kauai, Hi. - Badger moored at Nawiliwili Bay for a few days rest and relaxation after completion of the ship's qualifications.

    Badger
    0602107139
    495k March 1977: Kauai, Hi. - During her inport visit, Badger was joined by USS Tang (AGSS 563), moored outboard of her.

    Badger
    0602107142
    153k July 1977: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Two views (port and starboard) of Badger's ASROC launcher. While in refresher training following her yard period, Badger was notified she would be the first ship in the Pacific Fleet to test fire a Harpoon missile from her ASROC launcher. The 3rd Division officer asked Seaman Poole of the sonar gang to paint the Harpoon Logo on the ASROC launcher.

    Badger
    0602107143
    222k
    Badger
    0602107140
    107k August 1977: the Pacific Ocean - A view of Badger's bow with USS John Paul Jones (DDG 32) in the distance. Between 22 and 29 August 1977 Badger was attached to DesRon 23 as the Squadron was returning to its' home port of San Diego from Pearl Harbor. Units in company were USS Bronstein (FF 1037), USS Albert David (FF 1050), USS Schofield (FFG 3), USS John Paul Jones (DDG 32), and USS Hassayampa (AO 145). During the crossing the ships carried out many exercises including mock refueling operations and various battle problems. During the crossing Badger picked up a sonar contact that we tracked for a short period. However, word came down in about half an hour that we were to break off and rejoin the squadron. The way that we were recalled lead the sonar gang to believe we had picked up one of our own boomers, but that was never confirmed. Note the "Nose Art" on her ASROC Launcher.

    Badger
    0602107141
    331k August 1977: the Pacific Ocean - Destroyer Squadron 23 in line ahead formation with John Paul Jones (DDG 32), Albert David (FF 1050), Schofield (FFG 3), photo taken from Badger who was followed by Bronstein (FF 1037) (not shown).

    Badger
    0602107144
    249k November 1977: the Pacific Ocean - USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Ouellet (FF 1077) are in the process of conducting a vertical replenishment from USS Sacramento (AOE 1). Badger trailed Oullette waiting her turn alongside. The rest of the Squadron (USS Preble (DDG 46), USS Goldsborough (DDG 20) and USS Sample (FF1048) were not seen in the view.

    Badger
    0602107145
    169k November 1977: the Pacific Ocean - A Sea Knight from USS Sacramento (AOE 1) delivered the test missile to Badger.

    Badger
    0602107146
    94k November 1977: the Pacific Ocean - A few days later on an overcast but bright morning Seaman Poole stepped out of Sonar on the O2 level and caught the Harpoon leaving Badger. The missile arched high then dropped to the deck toward the target. Immediately 2 F-14s from Kitty Hawk overflew Badger starboard to port and tracked the missile. We later saw a sequence of photos of the devastation of the target ship's superstructure. The Task Force then made way for Yokosuka, Japan in time for Thanksgiving. The "nose art" had been painted over in September while Badger was in San Diego.

    Badger
    0602107147
    325k November 1977: The Western Pacific Ocean - USS Sacramento (AOE 1) in storm. The sea became quite rough east of Japan. There were times when it seemed the horizon was 50 feet out and 50' up.

    Badger
    0602107148
    100k November 1977: the Pacific Ocean - A Badger crew member taking advantage of the heaving deck; as the fantail dropped, he jumped and caught the catwalk of the flight deck.

    Badger
    0602107149
    137k late November 1977: Tokyo Bay, Japan - Late November view of Mt. Fujiyama from the east. Badger and the group would tie up in Yokosuka Japan until after Christmas.

    **Whipple / Badger**
    0602106203
    87K circa 1977-1979: Badger, moored outboard of USS Whipple (DE 1062) at Pearl Harbor. Dr. Kenneth Hartman
    **Whipple / Badger**
    0602106204
    73K
    Badger
    0602107129
    166K 16 March 1978: the Pacific Ocean - Badger turning away to starboard from USS Sacramento (AOE 1) and USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63). Badger had just completed a replenishment from Sacramento.

    (U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo #1996.488.104.053)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Badger
    0602107102
    61k undated / location unknown Walter Bengtson
    Badger
    0602107103
    93k 01 July 1980: At sea - An RGM-84 Harpoon missile is launched from an ASROC launcher aboard the Knox class frigate USS Badger (FF 1071).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-07005 from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Badger
    0602107104
    225k 01 April 1983: At sea - Aerial port bow view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-06993 from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107105
    195k 01 April 1983: At sea - Aerial starboard quarter view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-06996 from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107106
    236k 01 October 1983: At sea - An aerial port beam view of Badger underway during recovery operations for downed Korean Airlines Flight 007. KAL-007 was shot down by a Soviet aircraft when it entered Soviet airspace.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DF-ST-85-09928 by Ssgt Lee Schading from the DVIC)
    **Brooke / Badger**
    060100108
    333k 02 November 1983: Apra Harbor, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands - A port bow view of USS Brooke (FFG 1), front, and the frigate USS Badger (FF 1071) moored at a pier.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07741, by PHAN M. Anderson from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107107
    167k 02 November 1983: Apra Harbor, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands - A port bow view of Badger moored at a pier.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07740 by PHAN M. Anderson from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107108
    207k 01 July 1984: At sea - A port beam view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-01565 by PHAN M. Anderson from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107109
    162k 01 May 1985: At sea - A port beam view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09123 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107110
    124k 01 May 1985: At sea - A port amidships view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09124 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107111
    165k 01 May 1985: At sea - An elevated port amidships view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09125 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107112
    204k 01 May 1985: At sea - A port quarter view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09128 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107113
    143k 01 May 1985: At sea - A stern view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09129 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107130
    293K 01 July 1985: At sea - An SH-2F Seasprite helicopter from Helicopter Light Anti-submarine Squadron 35 (HSL-35) takes off from the helicopter pad of the frigate Badger (FF 1071) during anti-submarine warfare exercises. The ship is participating in a midshipmen's summer training cruise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03038 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Badger
    0602107114
    166k 01 December 1985: At sea - A port bow view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-11048 by PH3 Thomas M. Hensley from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Badger
    0602107127
    486k 01 December 1985: At sea - An aerial port beam view of the frigate Badger underway in heavy seas.

    (U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Thomas Hensley from the DVIC)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Badger
    0602107115
    224k 25 March 1986: At sea - A port beam view of Badger underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-08680 by PH3 K. McGlothin from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Badger
    0602107116
    130k 01 July 1986: At sea - A port bow view of Badger underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03054 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107124
    234k 01 July 1986: Midshipmen watch Badger from the deck of the frigate USS Davidson (FF 1045) during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03042 from DefenseImagery.mil)
    Badger
    0602107117
    95k 01 July 1986: At sea - A midshipman plots a course in the combat information center of Badger during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-07108 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107128
    250K 01 July 1986: At sea - A port bow view of Badger underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03049 by PH3 Thomas Hensley from the DVIC)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    ***Whipple / Badger***
    0602106218
    150K July 1987: Pearl Harbor - Badger pierside with USS Whipple (FF1062) outboard of her. Robert M. Cieri
    Badger
    0602107118
    168k 01 February 1988: At sea - A starboard bow view of Badger underway in rough seas off Southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04476 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Badger
    0602107119
    147k 01 February 1988: At sea - A starboard bow view of Badger underway in rough seas off Southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04477 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107120
    149k 01 February 1988: At sea - A starboard bow view of Badger underway in rough seas off Southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04478 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107121
    133k 01 February 1988: At sea - A starboard bow view of Badger underway in rough seas off Southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04479 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107122
    141k 01 February 1988: At sea - A starboard beam view of Badger underway in rough seas off Southern California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04480 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Badger
    0602107123
    65k 21 July 1998: Last known photo of Badger, the U.S. Navy sank ex-USS Badger during weapons exercises as a part of RIMPAC 98. She absorbed hits from Penguin, Hellfire, Maverick and telemetry Harpoon missiles. She was still afloat at sunset, but is assumed to have sunk sometime during the night as search aircraft could not locate her on the morning of the 22nd. J. Neil Hudson
    Lcdr., USN

    Badger History
    View the USS Badger (DE 1071) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Badger's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    PCUCmdr. Michael Duffy
    1.)  01 Dec. 1970 - 25 Jul. 1972Cmdr. William Lawson Britton (USNA '53) (Spencerville, Ohio)
    2.)  25 Jul. 1972 - 21 Jan. 1974Cmdr. Robert Stephen Malone (Long Beach, Cal.)
    3.)  21 Jan. 1974 - 03 Mar. 1975Cmdr. William F. Fahey (USMMA '56) (New York City, N. Y.)
    4.)  03 Mar. 1975 - 08 Mar. 1977Cmdr. Gene Paul Kessler (USNA '59) (Seattle, Wash.)
    5.)  08 Mar. 1977 - 10 Mar. 1979Cmdr. Bertrand Beasley J. Cassels Jr. (USNA '61) (Seattle, Wash.)
    6.)  10 Mar. 1979 - 15 Jul. 1981Cmdr. / Cap't James Henry Ansley (enl. '52; OCS '61) (Oglethorpe, Ga.)
    7.)  15 Jul. 1981 - 17 May 1983Cmdr. Charles Royal Stephan (USNA '65) (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
    8.)  17 May 1983 - 11 Apr. 1985Cmdr. John Malcolm Schantz (USNA '63) (Chevy Chase, Md.)
    9.)  11 Apr. 1985 - 29 Jun. 1987Cmdr. Paul R. Erickson (OCS '66) (Chicago, Ill.)
    10.) 29 Jun. 1987 - 26 May 1989Cmdr. Robert E. Cyboron
    11.) 26 May 1989 - 24 May 1991Cmdr. Michael Edward Duffy (Boston, Mass.)
    12.) 24 May 1991 - 20 Dec. 1991Cmdr. Jens A. Jensen (NROTC '71) (Willamina, Ore.)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    Badger's Last Known Reunion:
    October 2022 at Tampa, Fla.
    Contact Name: Lois Harden
    Phone: 734-323-5698
    E-mail: L. Harden
    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

    Lance Radebaugh's USS Badger Website
    Tin Can Sailors
    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
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    Page Last Updated: 12 September 2023