Please Report Any Broken Links Or Trouble You Might Come Across To The Webmaster
Please Take A Moment To Let Us Know So That We Can Correct Any Problems And Make Your Visit As Enjoyable And As Informative As Possible.


Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive


Ship's Patches Courtesy
of Mike Smolinski

USS Flatley (FFG 21)


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




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


"Have Courage"
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
Flatley (FFG 21) Building and Operational Data:
  • 28 February 1977: Building contract awarded to the Bath Iron Works Corp.
  • 13 November 1979: Keel laid by the Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Me.
  • 15 May 1980: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy M. Flatley, widow of Vadm. Flatley
  • 20 June 1981: Commissioned at Bath, Me., Cmdr. Andrew J. Combe, USN, in command; assigned to Destroyer Squadron 8 at Mayport, Fla.
  • 30 November 1987: Assigned to Naval Reserve Force, Atlantic, at Mayport, Fla.
  • 08 May 1996: Decommissioned at Mayport, Fla. after 14 years and 10⅔ months of service
  • 27 August 1997: Transferred as Grant Aid to Turkey, renamed TCG Gemlik (F-492)
  • 10 October 2001: Struck from the NVR
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Flatley
    072101

    Flatley

    143k James Henry Flatley Jr. was born in 1906 at Green Bay, Wis., graduated the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1929 and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1931. Early aviation assignments were with patrol squadrons, but in December 1941 he was flying Brewster F2A's with VF-2. He participated in the Battle of Coral Sea as XO of VF-42, winning the Navy Cross for this action. He then returned to the USA to form VF-10, know as the "Grim Reapers" and becoming "Reaper Leader." There were successes at Guadalcanal, and then a tour as Commander Air Group Five (CAG-5) on board USS Yorktown (CV 10), during which he helped introduce Grumman’s F6F Hellcat to combat in August 1943. Flatley, with John S. Thach and Butch O'Hare, was instrumental in communicating tactical advice throughout naval aviation and changing the perception that the supposedly inferior F4F Wildcat fighter was actually superior to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero when properly utilized. At age 36 Flatley never flew combat again, moving into a training / administrative role.

    Flatley remained in the Navy after the war and became a key figure with the Navy's postwar air-training program. After commanding the Naval Air Station at Olathe, Kansas and then the carrier USS Block Island (CVE 106) for a year, Flatley became deeply involved with assessing Naval Aviation's disastrous safety record and ultimately helped develop the Naval Aviation Safety Center, today's Naval Safety Center. He next commanded Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., followed by the carrier USS Lake Champlain (CV 39). Flatley had a distinguished career in the Navy, finally rising to the rank of Vice Admiral. Vice Admiral Flatley died on 21 July 1958. (A more complete biography of Admiral Flatley can be found at the Naval History and Heritage Command)

    USS Flatley (FFG 21) (1981-1996) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
    Nick Tiberio
    Shelton, Conn.
          /
    Bob Cieri
    Flatley
    072102
    115k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - The bow of the USS Flatley (FFG 21) towers over guest speaker Rear Admiral Kleber S. Masterson Jr., assistant deputy commander, Surface Warfare and Anti-air Warfare Systems, Naval Sea Systems Command, during the launching ceremony for the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04274 by Bath Iron Works from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Flatley
    072103
    130k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - John F. Sullivan Jr., president of Bath Iron Works, speaks during the launching ceremony for the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate Flatley.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04280 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072104
    95k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - Participants in the launching of Flatley are, left to right: Capt. C. L. Mull, S. Mull, G. Sullivan, John F. Sullivan Jr., President Bath Iron Works; Nancy Flatley, Dorothy Flatley, sponsor; Adm. G. Anderson Jr., Radm. Robert Carius, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Radm. Kleber Masterson Jr., Naval Sea Systems Command.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04275 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072105
    93k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - Dorothy M. Flatley, sponsor, breaks a bottle of champagne across the bow of Flatley as John F. Sullivan, president of Bath Iron Works, looks on.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04278 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072106
    177k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - Shipyard workers watch as Flatley slides down the ways at the conclusion of its launching ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04273 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072107
    132k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - Dorothy M. Flatley, sponsor, left, John F. Sullivan Jr., president, Bath Iron Works, and Mrs. Nancy G. Flatley stand in front of the ways that Flatley recently slid down. The Flatley is in the background.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04276 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072108
    115k 15 May 1980: Bath, Me. - Tug boats maneuver Flatley into docking position immediately after its launching.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04272 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072109
    110k 17 November 1980: Bath, Me. - An elevated bow view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), left, at 70 percent completion. To the right is Flatley under construction.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04545 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072110
    177k 17 November 1980: Bath, Me. - An elevated stern view of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Jack Williams (FFG 24), right, at 70 percent completion. Flatley is under construction at left.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04546 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    **Clifton Sprague**
    071605
    437k 10 February 1981: Bath, Me. - Elevated bow view of Flatley, right, at 90 percent completion. The USS Clifton Sprague (FFG 16) is moored on the left.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04476 photo by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
    **Clifton Sprague**
    071606
    308k 10 February 1981: Bath, Me. - Elevated stern view of Flatley, left, at 90 percent completion. The Clifton Sprague is moored on the right.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04477 photo by Bath Iron Works Corp, from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072111
    132k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - An aerial port side view of Flatley underway during acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04259 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072112
    199k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - An aerial starboard bow view of Flatley underway during acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04264 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072113
    130k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - A starboard quarter view of Flatley underway during acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04268 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072114
    317k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - An aerial port quarter view of Flatley underway during acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04265 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072115
    145k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - A starboard bow view of Flatley underway during acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04270 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072132
    205k 18 March 1981: Bath, Me. - An aerial port bow view of Flatley executing a starboard turn during her acceptance trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-04424 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Flatley
    072116
    308k 20 June 1981: Bath, Me. - The crew of the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate USS Flatley (FFG 21) stands in formation on the pier during its commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04488 photo by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Flatley
    072117
    308k 20 June 1981: Bath, Me. - The crew mans the rail as a guest speaker addresses the guests attending the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-04489 photo by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072118
    95k Undated Image

    (U.S. Navy photo)
    Wendell R. McLaughlin, Jr.
    Flatley
    072119
    102k 11 August 1984: At sea - A RIM-66 Standard missile on a Mark 13 Mod 4 launcher aboard Flatley.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-03478 by PH1 Jeff Hilton from the DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Flatley
    072120
    84k 11 August 1984: At sea - The battleship USS Iowa (BB 61) refuels Flatley during an underway replenishment.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-02485 by PHAA David Carreras from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072121
    120k 11 August 1984: At sea - The battleship Iowa replenishes Flatley while underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-87-01865 by PHAA David Carreras from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072122
    125k 01 April 1985: At sea - An aerial port quarter view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers USS Nimitz (CVN 68), foreground, and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) underway. Flatley leads the way.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-01439 by PH3 Maxwell from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072123
    95k 01 April 1985: At sea - A port beam view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers USS Nimitz (CVN 68), foreground, and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) underway. Flatley leads the way.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-01440 by PH3 Maxwell from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072124
    79k 25 June 1990: Staten Island, N.Y. - Pennants and bunting decorate the guided missile frigate Flatley and the guided missile cruiser USS Dale (CG 19), docked at the pier during the New York Naval Station's opening day ceremonies. Aircraft fly in formation overhead in honor of the event.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-10056 by PHC Ed Bailey from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072125
    113k 25 June 1990: Staten Island, N.Y. - Vadm Joseph S. Donnell III, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, other flag officers and distinguished guests listen from the speakers platform as Capt. Charles H. Gnerlich, Commander, Naval Station, New York, speaks during the station's opening day ceremonies. The Flatley and the guided missile cruiser USS Dale (CG 19), two of several ships in port during the event, are moored to the pier in the background.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-10055 by PHC Ed Bailey from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072126
    97k 25 June 1990: Staten Island, N.Y. - Vadm Joseph S. Donnell III, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, other flag officers and distinguished guests honor the flag during the opening day ceremonies at the naval station. Flatley, one of several ships in port for the event, is moored in the background.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-10047 by PHC Ed Bailey from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072127
    000k 25 June 1990: Staten Island, N.Y. - Flatley is moored at a pier on the New York Naval Station's opening day.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-10041 by PHC Ed Bailey from the DVIC)
    Flatley
    072128
    89k 04 January 1992: Mayport, Fla. - The destroyer USS Spruance (DD 963), left, and Flatley lie tied up at the naval station.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04769 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Antrim
    072031
    115k February 1996: Pascagoula, Miss. - USS Antrim (FFG 20), USS Stephen Groves (FFG 29), and Flatley tied up at the Naval Station.

    (Photo taken by Doug Bremenkamp of Gulfport MS)
    Robert M. Cieri
    Flatley
    072129
    117k The Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik (ex-Flatley) as seen during NATO's STANAVFORMED port visit to Barcelona, Spain on 10 February 2001. Inboard of Gemlik is the Spanish guided missile frigate Andalucia (F-72) and USS Deyo (DD 989) can be seen in the background. Fabio Peña
    Barcelona, Spain

    Manager, Navsource
    Aircraft Carrier Archives
    Flatley
    072130
    102k as previous
    Flatley
    072131
    188k 05 June 2003: The Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik (ex-Flatley) underway. She is following SPS Victoria (F82), a Spanish frigate based on the Oliver Hazard Perry class design.

    (Photo Courtesy of NATO)
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.
    Flatley
    072133
    342k 04 April 2005: Toulon, France - The Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik (F-492, ex-USS Flatley (FFG 21) makes a port visit to Toulon. Carlo Martinelli
    Genoa, Italy

    Flatley Memorabilia
    Ship's Builder
    Plaque
    Flatley
    Courtesy of
    Navsource
    Commissioning
    Booklet
    Flatley
    Courtesy of
    Nathaniel Pope
    Ship's
    Plaque
    Flatley
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Wecome Aboard
    Pamphlet - circa '82
    Flatley
    Courtesy of
    Robert M. Cieri

    Flatley History
    The DANFS history entry for USS Flatley (FFG 21), located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site is not presently available.
    This class of ship was built too late to be covered by the DANFS Project.

    Flatley's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  20 Jun. 1981 - 02 Dec. 1983Cmdr. Andrew John Combe (OCS '64) (Crickhowell, Wales, U.K.)
    2.)  02 Dec. 1983 - 17 Jan. 1986Cmdr. Robert John Stankowski, Jr. (Scranton, Pa.)
    3.)  17 Jan. 1986 - 10 Jun. 1988Cmdr. John Clark Overton
    4.)  10 Jun. 1988 - 15 Jun. 1990Cmdr. Robert V. Foley (ROTC '69) (Brickton, Mass.)
    5.)  15 Jun. 1990 - 24 Mar. 1992Cmdr. William Howard Dunn (prior enl. / NESEP '73) (Washington, D.C.)
    6.)  24 Mar. 1992 - 20 Feb. 1994Cmdr. Larry James Watson (USNA '75) (Waller, Tex.)
    7.)  20 Feb. 1994 - 11 May 1996Cmdr. Michael D. Crocker

    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
    To The DE Photo Index Page Back To The Main Photo Index

    Comments, Suggestions, or Image Submissions, Please E-mail: DE Info
    Problems or Site Related Matters, Please E-mail: Webmaster
    This page created by Daniel N. Dunham, expanded and maintained by Mike Smolinski
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 09 January 2018