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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski
Name Tab courtesy of Al Grazevich

USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - Q - J - H
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "Glory"


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Combat Action Ribbon (3 Jul 88)
Second Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation - CG Meritorious Unit Commendation
Third Row: Navy Battle "E" Ribbon - Navy Expeditionary Medal - National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star
Fourth Row: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 1 star - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Fifth Row: CG Special Operations Service Ribbon - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


"To The Front"
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
Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) Building and Operational Data:
  • 25 August 1966: Building contract awarded to the Avondale Shipyard Corp.
  • 23 January 1970: Keel laid by the Avondale Shipyard Corp., Westwego, La.
  • 21 November 1970: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Daniel Webster, the sister of Sergeant Montgomery
  • 30 October 1971: Commissioned at the Boston Naval Shipyard, Cmdr. Leslie N. Palmer in command; assigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Four at Norfolk, Va.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1082)
  • 30 June 1993: Decommissioned at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. after 21 years and 8 months of service
  • 30 June 1993: Struck from the NVR
  • 13 December 1993: Grant Aid To Turkey as parts hulk
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108201

    Elmer Montgomery
    94k Elmer Foster Montgomery was born 03 April 1913 in Kalispell, Montana. Graduating from Kalispell High School in 1930, he went to Montana State University for a year and in 1934 he attended Wilson's Modern Business College in Seattle, Wash. Working at a number of jobs, he was also a member of the Montana State National Guard from 1928 to 1931. Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve on 10 November 1942, he was promoted to Sergeant, having attained that rank while in the National Guard. Following recruit training at San Diego, Cal. he was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, School Battalion at Camp Elliot, Cal. On 16 September 1943, Sergeant Montgomery joined Company "D", 1st Armored Amphibious Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force.

    Embarking aboard LST 121 at San Diego, the unit arrived in the Marshall Islands later that month. In May 1944 he joined Headquarters Company, 3rd Marine Division and served at Guam, Marianas Islands, and Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands. Though all his service had been as a clerk and administrator, he served in combat as a rifleman with a platoon of Company "C", 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine division. On 11 March 1945 he was reported missing in action on Iwo Jima. On 17 August 1945 he was declared killed in action. For extraordinary heroism during that campaign he was awarded the Navy Cross.

    USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) (1971 - 1993) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
    Richard Gibson
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    Plankowner
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108202
    133k 21 November 1970: Westwego, La. - Just prior to launching at Avondale Shipyard Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108203
    131k 21 November 1970: Westwego, La. - Just after launching at Avondale Shipyard
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108236
    175k 14 September 1971: the Gulf of Mexico - Taken while on Builder's Sea Trials.

    (Photo from the U.S. Naval Photographic Center, Naval Station, Washington DC)
    Robert M. Cieri
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108256
    343k 14 September 1971: the Gulf of Mexico - Two views of Elmer Montgomery taken while on Builder's Sea Trials off the coast of New Orleans.

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #1149922 and #1149920 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Richard Gibson
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    Plankowner
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108257
    290k
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108253
    123k circa October 1971: the Atlantic Ocean - USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) running trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo #NH 79118 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108244
    203k December 1971: Boston, Mass. - Montgomery's mount 51 on a snowy day at the Boston Naval Shipyard. Richard Gibson
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    Plankowner
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108258
    227k 18 February 1972: Port Everglades, Florida - USS Elmer Montgomery's AN/SQS-35 Variable Depth Sonar.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108245
    168k early 1972: at sea - Looking aft from Montgomery's foc'sl.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108246
    218k 16 January 1972: Boston, Mass. - Vehicles being secured to the deck of Montgomery's DASH hanger prior to the ship moving from the Boston Naval Shipyard. Four vehicles were loaded aboard for the ship's movement from Boston to Norfolk, at the completion of the new construction fitting out availability.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108247
    203k March 1972: at sea in the Caribbean - Preparing for an underway replenishment, taken near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108201
    217k 10 March 1972: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - The patrol gunboat USS Beacon (PG 99) after collision with a Dutch gunboat, dockside in Guantanamo Bay. The frigate USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) is visible in the background. Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108248
    191k 30 March 1972: at sea - The crew enjoying a "Steel Beach Picnic" while enroute from Guantanamo Bay to Norfolk. Richard Gibson
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    Plankowner
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108249
    151k 30 March 1972: at sea - Another shot of the "Picnic" at sea. The person (rear, left) waving is the CO, Cmdr. Palmer.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108250
    113k April 1972: The plankowner wardroom at the Norfolk Naval Station. From left to right: (front row) Lt. Robert Shade, Lt.(jg) Richard Gibson, Lt.(jg) Gilbert Gonzales, Lcdr Robin Shoop, Cmdr Leslie Palmer, Lt.(jg) Raymond Hartman, Lt. Thomas Lyons, Ens. Leonard Christy (rear row) Ens. Michael Girman, Lt.(jg) Clinton Smith, Ens. James Cross, Ens. Michael Rand, Lt. Dewey Holley, Ens. Jerry Thompson, Lt. William Shaw, Lt.(jg) Richard Fitzpatrick, Ens.John Ruey.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108251
    142k November 1972: the Caribbean Sea - Mount 51 ejecting a spent shell casing after firing a round, taken off Culebra Island, PR.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108204
    129k circa 1973 Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993
    E. Montgomery   348k     E. Montgomery   140k     E. Montgomery   187k     E. Montgomery   128k     E. Montgomery   171k

    October 1973: Taken in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea during the Arab - Israel War, USS Elmer Montgomery steams with the Kennedy Battle Group formation
    of 12 ships, southward of Gavdos Island, near Crete. The photos were shot from the Soviet Kashin class DDG Krasny Krim as she shadowed the Battle Group.

    (Eugene was the Antiaircraft / Guided Missiles Operations Center Commander aboard the Soviet Kashin Class guided missile destroyer Krasny Krim and an amateur photographer.)

    0602108255   -   0602108240   -   0602108241   -   0602108242   -   0602108243


    Eugene Ivkin
    St. Petersburg, Russia
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108205
    153k 1974: Gulf Of Aden - Taken during operations with the French Navy

    (Official French Navy photo)
    James H. Hopper III
    Commander, USN (ret.)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108206
    43k 1974: Macamedes, Angola

    (Photo © James H. Hopper)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108259
    109k 1975: USS Elmer Montgomery (FF 1082) taken by the gun camera of a French Navy Dassault Super Etendard during operations in the Gulf of Aden in 1975.

    (Official French Navy photo)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108207
    158k 1975: taken off the Virginia Capes
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108254
    121k circa 1974-1975: USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) underway in the Mediterranean Sea. A SH-3D Sea King Helicopter from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Five (HS-5) is hovering to port.

    (U.S. Navy photo #NH 107460 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108208
    111k sometime between 1974 & 1976: Montgomery launching a MK 44 or Mk 46 exercise torpedo from port-side fixed-train MK 32 torpedo tube.

    (Photo © Craig Vance)
    Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108237
    92k 25 October 1980: Barcelona, Spain - Montgomery on a Med Cruise port visit. Fabio Peña
    Barcelona, Spain
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108238
    97k
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108239
    88k
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108209
    114k 25 November 1981: Port Said, Egypt - Approaching the Suez Canal. This photo shows configuration before hurricane bow and CIWS were installed.
    (Note: I was on Montgomery the day that photo was taken, it was two days before Thanksgiving in 1981 at Port Said Egypt, we were laying over before going through the Suez Canal waiting for a civilian convoy to form up so we could escort them through the zone. We traveled through the zone on Thanksgiving day 1981 on our way to the Persian Gulf. I remember this photo specificly because it was used as the front page of our cruise book, the Egyptians took this photo as we were being escorted into the port and sold copies of it to crew members. Charles A. Duszynski, GMG2, 1980-1986)
    Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108210
    124k date / location unknown Wendell R. McLaughlin, Jr.
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108211
    913k 07 May 1985: At sea off the Virginia Capes - A port view of the USS Elmer Montgomery (FF 1082) underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-01946 from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108212
    120k 20 May 1986: At sea off the Virginia Capes - An elevated port bow view of Elmer Montgomery underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-01431 from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108213
    126k January 1988: At sea - A port bow view of Elmer Montgomery firing its Mark 42 5-inch/54-caliber gun to port.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-03653 by Malcolm Muir, Phd, from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108214
    110k 02 September 1988: At sea - A port bow view of Elmer Montgomery underway during exercise West Wind '88.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-02684 by PH3 Haley from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108215
    164k 02 September 1988: At sea - Crew members observe from the port bridge wing as Elmer Montgomery participates in an underway replenishment during exercise West Wind '88.

    (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-02701 by PHAN Myers from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108216
    167k 02 September 1988: At sea - Crewmen aboard Elmer Montgomery stand by to receive a refueling hose from the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) while participating in an underway replenishment.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-02686 by PH3 Haley from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108217
    104k 02 September 1988: At sea - The bow of Elmer Montgomery plows through heavy seas during exercise West Wind '88.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-02685 by PH3 Haley from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108218
    162k 05 September 1988: At sea - A port bow view of Elmer Montgomery as she comes alongside the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59) during the allied forces exercise Team Work '88.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03005 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108219
    137k 05 September 1988: At sea - A port bow view of Elmer Montgomery as she comes alongside Forrestal.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03006 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108220
    139k 05 September 1988: At sea - A port bow view of Elmer Montgomery coming alongside Forrestal.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03007 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108221
    137k 05 September 1988: At sea - Officers and crew watch from the superstructure of Elmer Montgomery as their ship comes alongside Forrestal during allied forces exercise Team Work '88.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03004 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    060210822
    112k 05 September 1988: At sea - Crewmen at an underway replenishment station aboard Elmer Montgomery haul in on a line as they make preparations to receive fuel.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03010 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108223
    185k 05 September 1988: At sea - Fuel lines trail in the water as they are passed from Forrestal to Elmer Montgomery.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03008 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108224
    168k 05 September 1988: At sea - A hose stretches from Forrestal to Elmer Montgomery as Montgomery takes on fuel from Forrestal.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-03009 by PH3 Camerer from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108225
    123k January 1991: At sea - Flight deck crewmen watch as Elmer Montgomery steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during Operation Desert Shield.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-01987 by Lcdr Dave Parsons from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108226
    109k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport, Fla. - Sailors on the pier handle mooring lines as Elmer Montgomery docks in port. The ship is one of five vessels of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV 60) Battle Group that has just returned to Mayport following deployment in the Persian Gulf area during Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-09977 by PH3 Bent from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108227
    143k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Friends and family members gathered on the pier cheer the return of Elmer Montgomery.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-06952 by Julie Irwin from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108228
    125k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Two girls wave flags as they stand in the crowd gathered to welcome Elmer Montgomery returning to Mayport after serving in the Persian Gulf region during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-06951 by Julie Irwin from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108229
    92k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Crew members aboard Elmer Montgomery look out from the railing upon the vessel's return to port along with four other ships of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV 60) Battle Group.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-07726 by PH3 Lorrie Hughes-Smith from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108230
    117k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Crew members aboard Elmer Montgomery look out from the railing upon the vessel's return to port.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-07724 by PH3 Lorrie Hughes-Smith from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108231
    132k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Crew members aboard Elmer Montgomery wait for the accommodation ladder to be moved into place after tying up at the pier.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-06947 by Julie Irwin from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108232
    218k 28 March 1991: Naval Station Mayport - Family members and friends crowd onto the accommodation ladder to go aboard Elmer Montgomery.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-91-06941 by Julie Irwin from the DVIC)
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108233
    98k 1991: Rounding the tip of South America - Returning from escorting USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) around the Horn after her SLEP overhaul. Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108234
    96k January 1992: Naval Station Mayport - Elmer Montgomery lies tied up to the pier at the naval station.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04784 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Elmer Montgomery
    0602108235
    122k October / November 1992: Shown on the left during her last underway period, Canadian Fleet Ops. HMCS Preserver (510) is in the center, USS Clark (FFG 11) to the right. Craig Vance
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    CO, FF 1082, 1992-1993

    Elmer Montgomery Memorabilia
    Courtesy of Richard Gibson
    Commissioning
    Invitation
    Elmer Montgomery
    Commissioning
    Booklet
    Elmer Montgomery
    Ship's
    Emblem
    Elmer Montgomery
    First Welcome
    Aboard Pamphlet
    Elmer Montgomery
    Decommissioning
    Invitation
    Elmer Montgomery

    Elmer Montgomery History
    The USS Elmer Montgomery (DE 1082) DANFS history entry
    located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site is not available.
    View the history of USS Elmer Montgomery at Wikipedia.

    Elmer Montgomery's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves, & Russ Moody
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  30 Oct. 1971 - 03 May 1973Cmdr. Leslie Nelson Palmer (USNA ‘59) (Boca Raton, Fla.) (ret. as Radm.)
    2.)  03 May 1973 - 21 Mar. 1975Cmdr. Michael J. Brown (USNA ‘59) (Guymon, Okla.)
    3.)  21 Mar. 1975 - 26 Dec. 1976Cmdr. Edwin McLean Baldwin (USNA '58) (Marshfield, Wis.)
    4.)  26 Dec. 1976 - 19 Jan. 1979Cmdr. James Hurst McCoy
    5.)  19 Jan. 1979 - 05 Jan. 1982Cmdr. Thomas Hayes Miller (USNA '63) (Elizabethtown, Ky.)
    6.)  05 Jan. 1982 - 29 Jan. 1984Cmdr. Robert Haywood Pewett (OCS '64)
    7.)  29 Jan. 1984 - 06 Apr. 1986Cmdr. David O. White (OCS '66)
    8.)  06 Apr. 1986 - 03 Sep. 1988Cmdr. John James Kearley (USNA '69) (Monroeville, Ala.)
    9.)  03 Sep. 1988 - 29 Jan. 1991Cmdr. Robert A. Higgins (OCS '70) (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
    10.) 29 Jan. 1991 - 15 Jul. 1992Cmdr. Fred Gregg Orchard (USNA '73) (Pocatello, Id.)
    11.) 15 Jul. 1992 - 30 Jun. 1993Cmdr. Craig Eugene Vance (ROCS '73) (Enid, Okla.)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    USS ELMER MONTGOMERY
    VETERANS ASSOCIATION

    Contact Name: Mark Batchelor
    Phone: 609-706-6731
    E-mail: deff1082.reunion at gmail.com
    Web Page: DE-FF 1082 Facebook Page
    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, rosters, or deck logs available. Please see the
    Frequently Asked Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.


    Additional Resources

    Elmer Montgomery Facebook Page
    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
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    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 23 September 2023