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Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive


Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Underwood (FFG-36)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - G - W - U
Class: Oliver Hazard Perry (Long Hull As Built)
Displacement: 2750 tons (std), 3605 tons (full)    Dimensions: 453' (oa) x 45' x 14' 9"; 24' 6" (sonar)
Armament: 1 OTO Melara 3"/62 cal. Mk 75, 1 Vulcan Phalanx CIS, 4-.50 cal. MGs,1 Mk 13 Mod 4 launcher,
4 SSM McDonnell-Douglas Harpoon missiles, 36 GDC-Pomona Standard SM-1MR missiles,
6-324mm Mk 32 (2 triple) tubes / Mk 46 torpedoes, 2 hangars / 2 SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS MkIII helos
Machinery: 2 GE LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 41,000 shp; 1 shaft, cp propeller, 325 hp retractable propeller pods
Speed: 29 Knots    Crew: 13/206 (includes 19 air detachment)
Radars: AN/SPS-55 (surface), AN/SPS-49 (air)
Sonars: AN/SQS-56, AN/SQR-19 TACTAS (towed array)

Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath ME on 30 July 1981
Launched 6 February 1982, Commissioned 29 January 1983

Status: Active in Atlantic Fleet, Homeported in Mayport FL

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Underwood 53k Gordon Waite Underwood was born in New York on 3 June 1910, moving with his family at an early age to Portland, Oregon. Appointed to the US Naval Academy in the class of 1932, he proved to be an outstanding student and superb athlete, earning letters and starring in football and track. He was awarded the coveted "Academy Sword" for athletic excellence. After graduation, he served in USS Oklahoma, followed by training at the US Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. After his graduation he served in the Submarine School S-21, USS Mississippi, and USS Vega. In 1941, he attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning a Masters Degree in Marine Engineering. Upon return to sea duty he was assigned to the Staff of Commander Submarine Squadron TEN as Squadron Engineer supporting submarines on war patrol. In January 1944, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of USS Spadefish (SS-411). During three war patrols he was credited with destruction of seventy-six thousand tons of enemy shipping including one aircraft carrier, the HIJMS Shinyo. For each of his war patrols he was awarded a Navy Cross and in recognition of the great successes of the first two patrols Spadefish was awarded the President Unit Citation. His record of success in his war patrols remains one of the most notable in the history of the US Navy Submarine Service.

Following his retirement from the Navy in 1962 after 30 years service with distinction, Captain Underwood became associated with Spelin Inc., Mountain View, California, in which he was Vice President. He was also Vice President of Filter-Aire of Hollister, California until his retirement. He died 15 January 1978 at the age of 67.

USS Underwood(FFG-36) was the first ship to be named in his honor.    (Text and photo from the USS Underwood Official Web page)
Fabio Peņa
Underwood 116k 30 July 1981: Bath ME - Naval personnel and employees of Bath Iron Works pose for a group photo during the keel laying of the guided missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG-36). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-08704 by Bath Iron Works Corp., from the Defense Visual Information Center) Navsource
Underwood 144k 13 October 1981: Bath ME - An elevated bow view of Underwood at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship is 40 percent complete. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-08788 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 179k 1 December 1981: Bath ME - An elevated bow view of Underwood at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship is 60 percent complete. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-08787 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 218k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - An elevated stern view of Underwood, right, on the ways at the Bath Iron Works shipyard prior to launch. Another Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate is under construction in the next space. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05583 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 149k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - The launching party for Underwood poses for a group photo during the launching ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05587 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 144k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - Sponsor Elizabeth T. Underwood poses for a photo with another distinguished guest during the launching ceremony for Underwood. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05586 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 106k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - Sponsor Elizabeth T. Underwood christens the guided missile frigate USS Underwood during the launching ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05584 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 141k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - A bow view of Underwood sliding down the ways during her launching. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05580 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 134k 6 February 1982: Bath ME - Tugs assist Underwood after launching. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05581 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Underwood 96k 5 May 1982: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard bow view of Underwood underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-07304 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Doyle 148k 14 October 1982: Bath ME - The starboard bow view of guided missile frigates USS Klakring (FFG-42), USS Doyle (FFG-39) and Underwood under construction. (US Navy photo, DVID #DN-SN-86-10515 by Bath Iron Works from the DVIC)
Underwood 122k 29 January 1983: Bath ME - An overall aerial view of the commissioning ceremony for USS Underwood (FFG-36). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-07873 by PH2 Jeffrey A. Salter, from the DVIC)
Underwood 117k 29 January 1983: Bath ME - A lieutenant escorts Sponsor Elizabeth T. Underwood aboard Underwood for the ship's commissioning. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-05590 from the DVIC)
Underwood 113k 29 January 1983: Bath ME - A Marine Corps honor guard present the colors during the commissioning ceremony of Underwood. (US Navy photo DVID #DNST8307875 by PH2 Jeffrey A. Salter, from the DVIC)
Underwood 125k 29 January 1983: Bath ME - Guests attending the commissioning ceremony for Underwood stand for the playing of the national anthem. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-07881 by PH2 Jeffrey A. Salter from the DVIC)
***Stephen W. Groves*** 82k 4 January 1992 - Mayport FL - The guided missile frigates Underwood, left, and USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29), lie tied up a the naval station. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-04785 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
Underwood 112k 11 July 1992: Norfolk VA - Underwood undergoes a complete overhaul in the floating dry dock Old Dominion at the Metro Machine Company. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-09504 by Don S. Montgomery from the DVIC)
Underwood 199k 1 March 1993: Norfolk VA - A port bow view of Underwood underway in the Elizabeth River off Naval Station, Norfolk. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-93-02805 from the DVIC)
Underwood 71k 18 January 2002: The Atlantic Ocean - (From lead, in foreground) USS Underwood (FFG-36), USS Ticonderoga (CG-47), USS Carney (DDG-64), USS Sir Winston Churchill (DDG-81), and USS Taylor (FFG-50) steam in a "Ships Parade" formation during Joint Task Force Exercise 2002. (US Navy photo #020118-N-6153P-001 by PH1 Phil Pruitt from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 120k 9 July 2002: At sea with USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Battlegroup - The fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE-3) provides fuel and cargo to the guided missile frigate Underwood and to the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy during a replenishment at sea. The Kennedy Battlegroup is on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Navy photo #020709-N-6492H-512 by PH1 Jim Hampshire from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 131 20 October 2004: Valletta Harbor, Malta - Underwood makes a port visit to Malta. Note that the ship is without its' forward missile launcher. Anthony Vella
Senglea, Malta
Underwood 000k 11 April 2006: Cartagena, Colombia - Sailors assigned to Underwood march through the streets of Columbia during Cartagena's annual Navy Parade. The parade featured special marching units from several countries including Brazil, Colombia, France, Holland and Mexico. Underwood is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike group participating in Partnership of the Americas, a maritime training and readiness deployment of the U.S. Naval Forces with Caribbean and Latin American countries in support of Southern Command's (SOUTHCOM) objectives for enhanced maritime security. (US Navy photo #060411-N-2736O-003 by JOSN Charles Ordoqui from the Navy Newstand) Navsource
Underwood 238k 28 April 2006: The Caribbean Sea - Underwood prepares to receive fuel from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73), during a fueling at sea. The George Washington Carrier Strike group is currently participating in Partnership of the Americas, a maritime training and readiness deployment of the U.S. Naval Forces with Caribbean and Latin American countries in support of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) objectives for enhanced maritime security. (US Navy photo #060428-N-5188B-008 by PH2 Peter D. Blair from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 108k 4 May 2006: Puerto Castilla, Honduras - President of the Republic of Honduras, Jose Manuel Zelaya, receives honors from sideboys aboard the guided missile frigate Underwood. President Zelaya toured Underwood and thanked the crew for their outstanding community relations efforts in Honduras. Underwood is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike group participating in Partnership of the Americas, a maritime training and readiness deployment of the U.S. Naval Forces with Caribbean and Latin American countries in support of Southern Command's objectives for enhanced maritime security. (US Navy photo #060504-N-2736O-001 by JOSN Charles A. Ordoqui from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 69k 8 June 2006: Boston MA - The Guided-missile frigate Underwood prepares to moor for port visit to the city of Boston. Crew members will participate in a variety of events throughout the city culminating with a march in the Annual Bunker Hill Parade. Underwood's visit kicks off the 2nd annual Boston Navy Week. Twenty-four such weeks are planned this year in cities throughout the U.S., arranged by the Navy Office of Community Outreach. NAVCO is tasked with enhancing the Navy's brand image in areas with limited exposure to the Navy. (US Navy photo #060608-N-8110K-020 by JO1 Dave Kaylor from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 97k 8 June 2006: Boston MA - Boiler Technician 3rd Class Karl Martin assigned to the guided-missile frigate Underwood reunites with his son and parents immediately following the ships docking at the Black Falcon Pier in Boston. The Underwood's arrival to Boston kicks off festivities for the second annual Boston Navy Week. Twenty-four such weeks are planned this year in cities throughout the U.S., arranged by the Navy Office of Community Outreach. NAVCO is tasked with enhancing the Navy's brand image in areas with limited exposure to the Navy. (US Navy photo #060608-N-8110K-100 by JO1 Dave Kaylor from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 143k 13 June 2006: Cape Cod MA - The guided-missile frigate Underwood passes beneath the Buzzards Bay Railroad Bridge after transiting west through the Cape Cod Canal. The canal is a man-made ship channel operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Underwood is the first U.S. navy ship to transit the canal in over six years. Underwood is returning home to Mayport FL following a visit to Boston for the city's Navy Week festivities. (US Navy photo #060613-N-9999B-001 by Kevin Burke from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 126k 22 August 2006: The Atlantic Ocean - The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) conducts a fueling at sea (FAS) with the guided-missile frigate Underwood. Bataan is underway conducting an Expeditionary Strike Group Integration with the amphibious assault ship USS Shreveport (LPD-12), amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), embarked elements of Amphibious Squadron Two and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. (US Navy photo #060822-N-1467R-021 by MC3 Pedro A. Rodriguez from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 111k 2 July 2007: Mayport FL - Sailors man the rails during the homecoming of USS Underwood (FFG-36). While deployed, Underwood conducted more than 35 boarding missions in support of Commander Task Force 158 operations in the Persian Gulf. (US Navy photo #070702-N-1522S-027 by MC2 Leah Stiles from the Navy Newstand)
Underwood 123k 2 July 2007: Mayport FL - The daughters Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class David Pfister cheer during the homecoming of Underwood to Mayport, Florida. While deployed Underwood conducted more than 35 boarding missions in support of Commander Task Force 158 operations in the Persian Gulf. (US Navy photo #070702-N-1522S-004 by MC2 Leah Stiles from the Navy News Stand) Robert M. Cieri

USS Underwood FFG-36 History
Note: History is unavailable at this time
This class of ship was built too late to be covered by the DANFS project

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 or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
Questions section on Navsource's Main Page for that information.


Additional Resources
View This Vessel's Official Web page
USS Underwood Page on Military.Com
USS Underwood Page on Navysite
Tin Can Sailors Shipmate Registry- USS Underwood
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Page Last Updated 4 April 2008