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Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive


Ship's patch courtesy
of Mike Smolinski

USS Antrim (FFG 20)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - R - N - A
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Second Row: CG Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy E Ribbon (4) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - CG Special Operations Service Ribbon w/ 2 stars


"In Defense of Freedom"
Specifications:
Class: Oliver Hazard Perry (Short Hull, As Built)
Type: SCB No. 201 / 1973 - 1978
Number in Class: 25 (7, 9 - 34) / 26
Displacement: 3109 tons (std), 3993 tons (full)
Length: 408' (wl), 445' (oa)
Beam: 45.4' (extreme)
Draft: 24' 6" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 GE LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 41,000 shp; 1 shaft, cp propeller, 325 hp retractable propeller pods
Speed: 29 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots, 5400 nm @ 16 knots
Complement: 13 / 206 (includes 19 man air detachment)
Missiles: 1-Mk 13 Mod 4 launcher, 4-SSM McDonnell-Douglas Harpoon missiles, 36-GDC-Pomona Standard SM-1MR missiles
Guns: 1 OTO Melara Mk 75 3"/62 cal., 1 Vulcan Phalanx CIS, 4-.50 cal. MGs
ASW Weapons: 6-324mm Mk 32 (2 triple) tubes / Mk 46 torpedoes
Radars: AN/SPS-55 (surface), AN/SPS-49(V)214 (air)
Sonars: AN/SQS-56, AN/SQR-19 TACTAS (Towed Array)
Elec. Warfare: SLQ-25 Nixie System, SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Countermeasures System
Fire Control Systems: 1 Mk13 Weapon-Direction System, 1 Mk92 weapons FCS, 1 modified SPG-60 STIR radar (Separate Target Illumination Radar)
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Antrim (FFG 20) Building and Operational Data:
  • 28 February 1977: Building contract awarded to the Todd Shipyard Corp.
  • 21 June 1978: Keel laid by the Todd Shipyard Corp., Seattle Division, Seattle, Wash.
  • 27 March 1979: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Richard N. Antrim, the widow of the late Radm. Antrim
  • 26 September 1981: Commissioned, Cmdr. William H. Wright, IV, in command; assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Mayport, Fla.
  • 30 January 1987: Assigned to the Naval Reserve Force, Atlantic, at Mayport, Fla.
  • 08 May 1996: Decommissioned at Mayport, Fla. after 14 years and 7⅓ months of service
  • 04 September 1997: Struck from the NVR
  • 27 August 1998: Transferred as Grant Aid to Turkey, renamed TCG Giresun (F-491)
    Click On Image
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    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Antrim
    072001

    Antrim

    33k Richard Nott Antrim (17 December 1907 - 07 March 1969) was born in Peru, Indiana and entered the Naval Academy in 1927, graduating on 04 June 1931. He served briefly in the llth Naval District before reporting to New York (BB34) as fire control officer. Detached in April 1932, he received flight instruction at NAS Pensacola, Fla. before serving in Salinas (AO 9), Nitro (AE 2), and Trenton (CL 11). Ordered to Quincy, Mass. he assisted in fitting out Portland (CA 33) and served in her until the spring of 1936. He became assistant first lieutenant in Crowninshield (DD 134) before undergoing instruction in lighter-than-air flight at NAS Lakehurst NJ, receiving his naval aviator (LTA) designation. In the spring of 1938, Antrim arrived on the Asiatic Station and served as XO of Bittern (AM 36) before joining Pope (DD 225) as Executive Officer in December 1939. The outbreak of war in the Pacific in December 1941 found Antrim still serving in that capacity.

    During her brief wartime career, Pope played a significant part in two major engagements fought by the Asiatic Fleet destroyers; the Battle of Makassar Strait and the Battle of Badoeng Strait, as well as in the last act following the Battle of the Java Sea. In the former, Pope delivered close-range attacks that delayed the Japanese landings at Balikpapan. During the action, Lt. Antrim "cooly selected targets for his guns and torpedoes, placing his shots so accurately in the midst of a large Japanese convoy" and thus inflicting damage to several enemy ships. After the Battle of Badoeng Strait, Pope's CO, Cdr. Welford C. Blinn, reported that Antrim was "highly deserving of commendation" citing Antrim as a "ready assistant in navigation, fire control, and torpedo fire," Blinn recommended him not only for a destroyer command but for a "decoration deemed appropriate." Antrim later received a Navy Cross for this service.

    The Battle of the Java Sea (27 to 28 February 1942) ended all Allied hope of stemming the Japanese onslaught. The smashed Allied fleet attempted to escape the Japanese warships tightening the noose around Java. Among the small groups was one composed of HMS Exeter, the destroyer HMS Encounter, and Pope. The ships slipped out of Surabaya, Java, on the evening of 28 February, but were spotted the next day by Japanese aircraft. A surface force of cruisers and destroyers located the fleeing trio, and a fierce action ensued, with Exeter and Encounter going down. Pope, however, fought on, managing to make a temporary haven in a passing rain squall.
    (To Continue... Click on photo for remainder of Admiral Antrim's biography)

    USS Antrim (FFG 20) (1981-1996) was the first ship to be named in his honor, the first Antrim (AK 159) was named for the county in Northwest Michigan.
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.
    Antrim
    072002
    160k 14 February 1979: Seattle, Wash. - A bow view of the guided missile frigate USS Antrim (FFG 20) at 20 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02746 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp., from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Antrim
    072003
    86k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - A view of the stern of the guided missile frigate Antrim on the ways prior to its launching at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11662 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072004
    113k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - The launching party for Antrim are from left to right: Capt S. P. Passantino, Mrs. Carl R. Meurk, Mrs. Leonard Laylon, Mrs, Richard N. Antrim, Miss No Robertson, Mrs. William Walker, Radm Floyd H. Miller and Mr. Lance Antrim during the ship's launching ceremony at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11667 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072005
    116k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - Mrs. Richard Antrim, sponsor, during the launching ceremony for Antrim at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11665 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072006
    101k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - Mrs. Richard Antrim, sponsor, christens Antrim during its launching ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11666 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072007
    144k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - A stern view of Antrim as it slides down the ways into Elliot Bay during its launching.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11661 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072008
    140k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - Port bow view of Antrim as it slides down the ways during its launching.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11659 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072009
    132k 27 March 1979: Seattle, Wash. - Port quarter view of Antrim as it is maneuvered into its berth after its launching.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11660 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072010
    132k 17 February 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A starboard quarter view of Antrim at 90 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02766 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp., from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072011
    179k 19 May 1981: Off the coast of Seattle, Wash. - A port bow view of Antrim as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation conducts sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11668 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072012
    146k 19 May 1981: Off the coast of Seattle, Wash. - A port quarter view of Antrim on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11669 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072013
    170k 19 May 1981: Off the coast of Seattle, Wash. - An aerial port bow view of Antrim on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11678 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072014
    106k 19 May 1981: Off the coast of Seattle, Wash. - An aerial starboard side view of Antrim on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11674 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072015
    112k 19 May 1981: Off the coast of Seattle, Wash. - A starboard side view of Antrim on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11675 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072016
    92k 19 May 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A starboard quarter view of Antrim tied up at a pier during the ship's commissioning.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-00666 by JOC B.A. Cornfeld from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072017
    102k 19 May 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A U.S. Navy color guard parades the colors on the pier during the commissioning of Antrim.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-00670 by JOC B.A. Cornfeld from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072018
    73k 19 May 1981: Seattle, Wash. - Cdr William H. Wright IV, commanding officer, speaks during the commissioning of Antrim.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82--00671 by JOC B.A. Cornfeld from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072019
    113k 19 May 1981: Seattle, Wash. - Spectators sit on chairs on the pier next to Antrim during the ship's commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-00664 by JOC B.A. Cornfeld from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072020
    67k 19 May 1981: Seattle, Wash. - Capt. Stephen J. Duich, left, chief staff officer to Commander Destroyer Squadron Eight, and Cdr William H. Wright IV, commanding officer, salute while on the speakers platform at the commissioning of the guided missile frigate USS Antrim (FFG 20).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-01212 by JOC B.A. Cornfeld from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    070716
    523k 01 July 1982: at sea - A port bow view of three guided missile frigates: USS Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG 7), USS Antrim (FFG 20) and USS Jack Williams (FFG 24) underway.

    (U.S. Navy Photo, Local ID #330-CFD-DN-ST-82-09444, NAID #6353600 from the United States National Archives)
    Antrim
    072021
    131k 18 May 1983: At sea - A port bow view of Antrim underway during exercise Distant Drum.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-02018 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072022
    120k 18 May 1983: At sea - A port bow view of Antrim underway during exercise Distant Drum.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-01087 from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072023
    81k 30 June 1987: Bordeaux, France - A port bow view of Antrim underway on the Garonne River. Crew members of Antrim will participate in the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the entry of the United States into World War I.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-10253 by PH3 Janice Shipley from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072024
    73k 30 June 1987: Bordeaux, France - French sailors stand by on the pier as Antrim prepares to dock at a wharf.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-10254 by PH3 Janice Shipley from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072025
    119k July 1987: Bordeaux, France - US Navy sailors stand at parade rest next to a distinguished guest during the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the entry of the United States into World War I. The sailors are crew members aboard the guided missile frigate USS Antrim (FFG 20) and are standing beside a monument honoring French and American military cooperation over a period of 200 years.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-10247 by PH3 Janice Shipley from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072026
    93k July 1987: Bordeaux, France - French and U.S. guests stand at attention during the ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the entry of the United States into World War I. Guests include crew members of the guided missile frigate USS Antrim (FFG 20).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-10248 by PH3 Janice Shipley from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072027
    84k July 1987: Bordeaux, France - A French naval officer looks on as Antrim prepares to depart.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-10250 by PH3 Janice Shipley from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072028
    160k 16 July 1991: Mayport, Fla. - A harbor tug sprays water in welcome as the Udaloy class guided missile destroyer Simferopol enters port. Moored to a pier in the background are Antrim, left, and the Soviet Slava class guided missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov. The Simferopol and Marshal Ustinov are in Mayport, along with one other Soviet ship, for a four-day goodwill visit.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-02091 by PH3 Jeffery Rex from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072029
    93k 05 February 1994: Mayport, Fla. - A port side view of Antrim tied up at a pier at the naval station. Several other U.S. Navy ships are in the background.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-94-02383 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072030
    74k 08 October 1994: Tampa, Fla. - A starboard side view of Antrim tied up to the water front.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-95-01279 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072032
    115k February 1996: Pascagoula MS - Antrim, USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29), and USS Flatley (FFG 21) tied up at the Naval Station.

    (Photo taken by Doug Bremenkamp of Gulfport MS)
    Robert M. Cieri
    Antrim
    072031
    103k 12 January 2004: Toulon France - The Turkish guided missile frigate TCG Giresun (F-491)(ex-USS Antrim (FFG 20).

    (Photo by Guy Schaeffer, authorized for publication on Navsource)
    Paolo Marsan
    Antrim
    072033
    215k 31 May 2010: Cartagena, Spain - The Turkish missile frigate TCG Giresun (F-491)(ex-USS Antrim, (FFG 20) entering the port of Cartagena for a visit.

    (Photo by Diego Quevedo Carmona, from Los Barcos de Eugenio - Eugenio´s Warships)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom

    Antrim Memoribilia
    Emblem
    Artwork
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Wolfgang Hechler
    Ship's Plaque
    (white metal)
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship's Plaque
    (enamelled disk)
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship in the Spotlight
    © Mario DeMarco
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship's
    Lighter
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Ship's
    Coffee Mug
    Antrim
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski

    Antrim History
    View the USS Antrim (FFG 20) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Antrim's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Number, Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  26 Sep. 1981 - 16 Dec. 1983Cmdr. William Harry Wright IV (ret. as Radm.)
    2.)  16 Dec. 1983 - 10 Jan. 1986Capt. Ronald B. Moser (OCS '64) (Charlotte, N.C.)
    3.)  10 Jan. 1986 - 04 Mar. 1988Cmdr. John Joseph Becker, Jr.
    4.)  04 Mar. 1988 - 29 Jun. 1990Cmdr. Malcolm E. Bellamy
    5.)  29 Jun. 1990 - 17 Jul. 1992Cmdr. Stephen Douglas Sitler
    6.)  17 Jul. 1992 - 13 May 1994Cmdr. Robert Oscar Kedney, Jr. (OCS) (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.)
    7.)  13 May 1994 - 08 May 1996Cmdr. Daniel David Sloss

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    None
    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

    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
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    This page created by Daniel N. Dunham, expanded and maintained by Mike Smolinski
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    Page Last Updated: 09 January 2018