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Donald Arthur Gary (23 July 1903 - 9 April 1977) was born in Findlay, OH and enlisted in the Navy in December 1919, serving continuously in the enlisted ranks until November 1943, when he received a commission to Lieutenant (Junior Grade). In 1943, Lt(jg) Gary was assigned to the Third Naval District as an inspector of machinery at the Babcock and Wilcox Company. In December 1944, he was sent to the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) as an engineering officer. When that ship was severely damaged by Japanese air attack on 19 March 1945, Lt(jg) Gary distinguished himself as he helped hundreds of trapped men to escape from below decks, organized and led fire-fighting parties and directed the restoration of power in one boiler room. For his heroism on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Subsequently promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander, Gary remained with Franklin until she was decommissioned in February 1947. He was then assigned to the Naval Disciplinary Barracks at Terminal Island, California, where he served until relieved from active duty pending retirement in June 1950. On the basis of his combat awards, he was advanced to the rank of Commander upon retirement. Commander Gary died in 1977 and was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
USS Gary (FFG-51) is named in his honor. (US Navy photo, #NH94631 from the US Naval Historical Center) |
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19 November 1983: San Pedro CA - Attending the launching ceremony for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) are (from left to right); Mrs. Gayle Wilson, Senator Peter Wilson (R-CA), and Mrs. George D. Leamer, co-sponsor. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-04988 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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19 November 1983: San Pedro CA - Mrs. George D. Leamer, co-sponsor, is assisted by Len M. Thorell, vice-president and general manager of Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp., as she christens Gary during the ship's launching ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-04990 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 November 1983: San Pedro CA - Gary slides down the ways during its launching ceremony at Todd Pacific Shipyards. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-04987 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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19 November 1983: San Pedro CA - Mrs. Donald A. Gary, sponsor, relaxes during the launching ceremony for Gary. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-04989 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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3 December 1983: San Pedro CA - An elevated starboard bow view of Gary under construction at Todd Pacific Shipyards. The ship is 60 percent complete. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-04986 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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31 March 1984: San Pedro CA - A stern view of Gary at 80 percent completion. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-07936 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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31 March 1984: San Pedro CA - An port bow view of Gary at 80 percent completion. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-07935 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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11 September 1984: the Pavific Ocean - An aerial starboard view of Gary underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07088 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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11 September 1984: the Pavific Ocean - Aerial port bow view of Gary underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07089 by Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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October 1984: Taken during second sea trials off the coast of Long Beach CA |
Dallas Bethea, Captain USN (ret.)
Gary's 2nd Commanding Officer |
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October 1984: Taken during second sea trials off the coast of Long Beach CA |
Dallas Bethea, Captain USN (ret.)
Gary CO 12/86 - 4/89 |
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17 November 1984: Long Beach CA - Guests are seated and an honor guard stand on the pier at parade rest as the commissioning ceremony for Gary, background, gets underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-03846 by PH2 Jesus Diaz from the DVIC) |
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17 November 1984: Long Beach CA - The Tournament of Roses queen and her court during the Pledge of Allegiance at the commissioning ceremony of Gary. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-03872 by PH2 Jesus Diaz from the DVIC) |
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17 November 1984: Long Beach CA - Commander Harlan R. Bankert Jr., Gary’s first commanding officer, speaks during the commissioning ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-03859 by PH2 Jesus Diaz from the DVIC) |
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17 November 1984: Long Beach CA - The crew of Gary runs up the brow to man the ship at the end of its commissioning ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-03873 by PH2 Jesus Diaz from the DVIC) |
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17 November 1984: Long Beach CA - The crew of Gary mans the rail at the end of its commissioning ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-03874 by PH2 Jesus Diaz from the DVIC) |
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August 1987: off the coast of San Diego |
Dallas Bethea, Captain USN (ret.) |
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7 May 1991: the Pacific Ocean - A port bow view of Gary underway near Hawaii. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-10863 by PH3 Roy Franco from the DVIC) |
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7 May 1991: the Pacific Ocean - A starboard bow view of Gary underway near Hawaii. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-10864 by PH3 Roy Franco from the DVIC) |
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7 May 1991: the Pacific Ocean - A port bow view of Gary underway near Hawaii. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-10862 by PH3 Roy Franco from the DVIC) |
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October 1991: at Subic Bay |
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31 January 1996: San Diego CA - A port bow view of Gary returning to her home port from a six-month deployment in the Western Pacific. Gary is being assisted to the dock by a commercial tugboat. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-96-00595 by PH3 Jeff Viano from the DVIC) |
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31 January 1996: San Diego CA - A port bow view of Gary as the ship ties up to the pier upon arrival after a six-month deployment in the Western Pacific. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-96-00596 by PH3 Jeff Viano from the DVIC) |
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from the January 2001 "All Hands" magazine |
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5 November 2002: At sea with USS Gary (FFG-51) - The guided missile frigate makes an approach on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) while preparing for a scheduled replenishment at sea. Replenishment operations are conducted while underway between ship in order to transfer fuel and supplies during extended periods at sea. Kitty Hawk and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) is currently underway providing a forward presence in the Asian Pacific area of operation, while conducting scheduled training and exercises with regional allies. Kitty Hawk is the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier and is home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. (US Navy photo #021105-N-1810F-003 by PH3 Todd Frantom from the Navy Newstand) |
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16 November 2002: At sea aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) - USS Gary (FFG 51) cruises along side Kitty Hawk during a photo exercise. Japanese ships integrated into Kitty Hawk’s battle group during Exercise Keen Sword 2003 off the coast of Southern Japan. Keen Sword 2003 is the seventh in a series of regularly scheduled joint/bilateral field training exercise since 1986 involving the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and United States military. The purpose of Keen Sword is to train and evaluate wartime functions and bilateral cooperation procedures against the backdrop of a regional contingency scenario that has direct and immediate consequences to the U.S. and Japan. (US Navy photo #021116-N-1810F-028 by PH3 Todd Frantom from the Navy Newstand) |
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7 March 2003: Gulf of Aden - A rigid hull inflatable boat makes a return trip from the frigate USS Gary (FFG-51), to the amphibious command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC-20) after transferring two new crewmembers who were reporting for duty aboard the frigate. Mount Whitney and embarked U.S. Marines are deployed to the Horn of Africa region to conduct missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the continuing war on terrorism. (US Navy photo #030306-N-7672K-001 by PH2 Kurtis Korwan from the Navy Newstand) |
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3 March 2004: Yokosuka, Japan - The guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) prepares to undock from Dry Dock Four at the Ship Repair Facility at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan. The dock is being flooded while Gary is kept steady with mooring lines. The ship’s missile launcher was replaced with a different weapons system and general maintenance was performed during the seven-week dry dock period. (US Navy photo #040303-N-2101W-003 by PH1 Alan Warner from the Navy Newstand) |
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24 March 2004: Yokosuka, Japan - Assisted by harbor tug Muskegon (YTB-763), the guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) leaves the Port of Yokosuka, Japan. Gary is forward deployed to Japan, as part of the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet. (US Navy photo #040324-N-2101W-004 by PH1 Alan Warner from the Navy Newstand) |
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5 October 2004: Off the coast of India - A refueling probe from the Indian Navy replenishment and repair ship INS Aditya (A 59), is guided into a fueling receiver aboard the guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) during Exercise Malabar 04. Malabar is designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea exercise includes maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface, air events and personnel exchanges. (US Navy photo #041005-N-0021M-014 by JO1 Todd MacDonald from the Navy Newstand) |
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8 February 2005: Yokosuka, Japan - The guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) gets underway from pier 10 on board Commander Fleet Activities, Japan, for routine operations. (i>US Navy photo #050208-N-9851B-014 by PH2 John L. Beeman from the Navy Newstand) |
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13 April 2005: Yokosuka, Japan - The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) is being pulled into U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka, Japan, Dry Dock Four, on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. While in dry dock, Gary will conduct a Selected Restricted Availability. This is a digital composite of three images to produce a panoramic view of Gary. (US Navy photo #050413-N-9851B-002 by PH2 John L. Beeman from the Navy Newstand) |
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24 January 2006: Japan - The guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) and Japanese Maritime Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JDS Ikazuchi (DD-107) sails in formation, while conducting a multilateral passing exercises off Japan’s Eastern Coast. The U.S. Navy and the JMSDF initiative between Destroyer Squadron One Five and Escort Division One are aimed at increasing interoperability and friendship. (US Navy photo #060124-N-0794J-001 by AW3 Joseph Jirdina from the Navy Newstand) |
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1 September 2006: Yokosuka Bay, Japan - USS Gary (FFG-51) Commanding Officer, Cdr. Joseph Deleon, looks out from the bridge wing as QMSN Michael Lind takes a bearing reading. Gary went to Tokyo to participate in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Drill. (US Navy photo #060901-N-2716P-027 by MC1 Paul J. Phelps from the Navy Newstand) |
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23 October 2006: Hong Kong - The guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51), is silhouetted by the colorful night skyline, during the Symphony of Lights show displaying Hong Kong Island. Gary, which visited Hong Kong in conjunction with its participation in the Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) 2006, is moored in Hong Kong harbor for a port visit. Gary is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and is currently conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. (US Navy photo #061023-N-8273J-142 by MC2 Tiffini M. Jones from the Navy Newstand) |
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24 October 2006: Hong Kong - The guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG-51) prepares to depart Hong Kong harbor in preparation for the Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) 2006. Gary, along with aircraft from the Air Force and Coast Guard, is participating in the Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) 2006. The Hong Kong Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX), sponsored by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Civil Aviation Department, is an annual exercise that focuses on understanding the procedures necessary to locate and rescue those lost at sea and to continually train civilian and military personnel of the participating nations in increasing disaster responsiveness. Gary is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and is currently conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet area of responsibility. (US Navy photo #061024-N-8273J-094 by MC2 Tiffini M. Jones from the Navy Newstand) |
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31 January 2007: the Pacific Ocean - USS Gary (FFG-51) comes alongside the Military Sealift Command underway replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) for refueling at sea in the 7th Fleet's area of responsibility. The frigate is part of Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. (US Navy photo #070131-N-8534H-003 by MC Barry R. Hirayama from the Navy Newstand) |
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20 March 2007: Yokosuka Japan - Pierside line handlers release a forward mooring line from the bollards as USS Gary (FFG-51) gets underway on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. (US Navy photo #070320-N-5253W-001 by MCSN Gabriel S. Weber from the Navy Newstand) |
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9 August 2007: Yokosuka Japan - Sailors stationed aboard USS Gary (FFG-51) look on during a pier-side farewell ceremony for the ship on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Gary is forward deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations and is scheduled to leave Yokosuka and return to San Diego later this month. (US Navy photo #070809-N-5253W-001 by MCSN Gabriel S. Weber from the Navy Newstand) |
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10 September 2007: San Diego CA - A young boy waves the flag in anticipation as USS Gary pulls into port. Gary returned to San Diego after spending eight years forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan. (US Navy photo #070910-N-4995K-013 by MC3 Chelsea Kennedy from the Navy Newstand) |
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10 September 2007: San Diego CA - Chief Operations Specialist John Hershey, assigned to Gary, hugs his wife after returning from Yokosuka, Japan, following a hull swap with guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85). Gary had been forward deployed in Japan for the past eight years, where she participated in a number of international relations visits to foreign ports. (US Navy photo #070910-N-5411L-141 by MC1 Paula M. Ludwick from the Navy Newstand) |
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10 September 2007: San Diego CA - Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Floyd Cornwell, assigned to Gary, plays with his son after returning from Yokosuka, Japan, following a hull swap with guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG-85). (US Navy photo #070910-N-5411L-179 by MC1 Paula M. Ludwick from the Navy Newstand) |
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