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Patrick Osborne Ford was born on 2 May 1942 in San Francisco, Cal. and later moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where he graduated North High School and enlisted in the Navy. He completed basic training at San Diego, Cal., and reported aboard USS James E. Kyes (DD 787) serving as a Gunner's Mate until the end of his enlistment in 1963. GMG2 Ford reenlisted in 1965 and served at the Naval Station, Long Beach, Cal. In 1966, he was transferred to the Naval Support Activity, Danang, Republic of Vietnam, where he was to report aboard USS George K. MacKenzie (DD 836). Following completion of his tour aboard MacKenzie, Ford was subsequently transferred to the USS Henderson (DD 785) where he remained until the end of his second enlistment in 1967. Later that year Ford reenlisted for the second time and was ordered to the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Cal. for River Patrol Craft Training. Following completion of training in 1968, GMG2 Ford was directed to report to the Naval Support Activity, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.
He was assigned to Task Force 116, River Squadron 5, River Section 535 in 1968. For the next five months, he served as a river patrol boat sailor, monitoring the traffic of the many rivers and coastal waterways of the area. On 21 June 1968, Ford was serving as the after machine-gunner aboard PBR-750 as part of a two-boat patrol operating in the upper My Tho River near the town of Cai Be. The boats spotted a sampan fleeing into a nearby canal. The two patrol boats gave chase and captured the sampan one hundred meters further up the canal. As the patrol boat returned to the river with the captured sampan in tow, it was ambushed by a Viet Cong patrol that unleashed an overwhelming barrage of heavy machine-gunfire and rockets.
Two B-40 rockets struck Ford's boat, killing the patrol leader and coxswain. Within seconds, the boat was ablaze and out of control, heading directly for the Viet Cong positions. Even as the boat was hit by four additional rockets, and after suffering serious injuries, Ford maintained a steady volume of return fire from his aft machine-gunner's station. In the face of enemy gunfire and with his clothing on fire, Ford assisted three seriously wounded shipmates into the water. Only after ensuring that all the surviving crew had left the boat did Ford make his way into the water. He was the last man alive to leave what remained of PBR-750. Soon after entering the water, Ford was killed by a burst of machine-gun fire. However, as a result of his actions, he saved the lives of two of his shipmates. In recognition of his bravery he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
USS Ford (FFG 54) is the first ship to be named in his honor. [Top photo and biography from USS Ford website, Bottom photo from Robert Mitchell, HMC (FMF), USN(ret.)]
A revised history on the loss of Patrick Ford |
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28 January 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - A port bow view of the guided missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) at 40 percent completion. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-06825 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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16 June 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - A starboard bow view of the guided missile frigate Ford on the building ways at 60 percent completion. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-10201 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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23 June 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - Jonda McFarlane, sponsor, christens Ford with a bottle of champagne during the ship's launching ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-10219 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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23 June 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - Ford slides down the building ways during its launching ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-10217 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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23 June 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - Jonda McFarlane (with flowers), sponsor, and members of the launching party during the launching ceremony for Ford. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-10218 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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23 June 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - Jonda McFarlane, sponsor, at the launching ceremony for Ford. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-10216 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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11 September 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - A starboard quarter view of Ford under construction (70 percent complete) at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-01647 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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7 December 1984: San Pedro, Cal. - A starboard bow view of Ford under construction (80 percent complete) at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07056 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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5 March 1985: construction sea trials by Todd Pacific, off San Pedro, Cal. (Official USN Photo) |
James H. Hopper III
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16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - An elevated port bow view of Ford underway during sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03374 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - A bow view of Ford underway during sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03371 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - An elevated starboard beam view of Ford underway during sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03378 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - A starboard quarter view of Ford underway during sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03373 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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16 April 1985: the Pacific Ocean - An elevated starboard quarter view of Ford underway during sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03376 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated view of the bow of Ford during an inclining test. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03381 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated view of the midships section of Ford during an inclining test. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03382 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated view, looking forward, of the midships section of Ford during an inclining test. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03383 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated view of the stern of Ford during an inclining test. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03384 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated port bow view of Ford floating freely during inclining tests. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03385 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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20 May 1985: San Pedro, Cal. - An elevated stern view of Ford floating freely during inclining tests. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03386 by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp. from the DVIC) |
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29 June 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - A Navy honor guard stands with M14 rifles at port arms during the commissioning ceremony for Ford. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-09452 by PH1 Harold J. Gerwien from the DVIC) |
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29 June 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - Guests attend the commissioning ceremony for Ford. Members of the ships crew stand in formation in the background. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-09454 by PH1 Harold J. Gerwien from the DVIC) |
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29 June 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - Crew members participating in the commissioning ceremony for Ford. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-09483 by PH1 Harold J. Gerwien from the DVIC) |
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29 June 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - Commander Joseph F. Eckler, first commanding officer of Ford, speaks during the ship's commissioning ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-09484 by PH1 Harold J. Gerwien from the DVIC) |
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29 June 1986: Long Beach, Cal. - A boatswain's mate 2nd class pipes the crew aboard during the commissioning ceremony for Ford. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-85-09465 by PH1 Harold J. Gerwien from the DVIC) |
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1985: San Diego, Cal. - Tied up at Pier 1 |
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January 1986: San Diego, Cal. - Ford anchored off North Island. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-05699 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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January 1986: San Diego, Cal. - A US Coast Guard HH-3G Pelican helicopter flies over Ford anchored off North Island. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-05700 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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1 October 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port bow view of Ford underway on patrol as part of a multinational force stationed in the region to safeguard shipping during the war between Iran and Iraq. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DNST9300911 by PH1 T. Cosgrove, from the DVIC) |
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17 March 1991: San Diego, Cal. - A port bow view of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV 61) as the vessel heads out of San Diego Channel en route to the Pacific Ocean to take part in anti-submarine warfare exercises with Ford. Ford is astern of the Ranger in the channel. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-94-00475 by PHAN Rich, from the DVIC) |
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1 June 1991: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Ford makes its way through the channel as it departs the naval station after a visit. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-02714 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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1 June 1991: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Ford makes its way through the channel as it departs the naval station after a visit. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-02717 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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1 June 1991: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Ford heads for the open ocean after a visit to Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-02716 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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11 October 1991: San Diego, Cal. - An LCM-8 mechanized landing craft passes Ford as the vessel stands in San Diego Bay. Ford is one of the six U.S. Navy ships taking part in the Parade of Ships, part of San Diego's Accolades '91 celebration honoring local military units and installations. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-01249 by PH1 R.J. Oriez, from the DVIC) |
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11 October 1991: San Diego, Cal. - Ford passes in review as part of the Parade of Ships during the city's Accolades celebration, an annual salute to local military units and personnel. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-92-03847 by PH1 R.J. Oriez, from the DVIC) |
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11 October 1991: San Diego, Cal. - Ford passes in review as part of the Parade of Ships during the city's Accolades celebration, an annual salute to local military units and personnel. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-92-01250 by PH1 R.J. Oriez, from the DVIC) |
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25 September 1997: South China Sea - At sea as part of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Battle Group. (U.S. Navy photo) |
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16 May 1993: Mina Sulman, Bahrain - An aerial view of various U.S. Navy ships moored at the Mina Sulman pier. They are, from left to right; Ford, the amphibious transport dock USS Nashville (LPD 13), and the tank landing ship USS Barnstable County (LST 1197). (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-93-05972 by OS2 John Bouvia, from the DVIC) |
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6 January 1998: Aboard USS George Washington - Ford (right) and USS Sacramento (AOE 1) move into formation while conducting operations with George Washington (CVN 73) and Nimitz (CVN 68) Battle Groups. Ford and Sacramento were conducting operations in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. (U.S. Navy photo #980106-N-2302H-001 by PH3 Joseph Hendricks) |
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18 October 2004: Pacific Ocean - Ford, followed by the guided missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), conduct exercises with John C. Stennis (CVN 74). (U.S. Navy photo) |
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6 January 2005: Everett, Wa. - Crew members aboard the USS Ford man the rails as the ship gets underway from its homeport of Naval Station Everett. Ford is deploying to South America where it will conduct various anti-drug operations. (U.S. Navy photo #060106-N-8825R-159 by PH3 Aramis Ramirez, from the Navy News Stand) |
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5 October 2005: Everett, Wa. - An aerial view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at its pier at Naval Station Everett, Washington. Along with her are USS Oscar Austin (DDG 54) (left), USS Ford (FFG 54) (right) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) (right rear). (U.S. Navy photo #051005-N-3622P-005 by PH2 Chris Perkins from the Navy News Stand) |
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2 July 2006: Everett, Wa. - A port bow view of Ford, showing Sailors manning the rails, as the ship returns to its home port at Naval Station Everett, Wa., following a six-month deployment to South America where it conducted various anti-drug operations. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-07-06984 by MC3 Douglas G. Morrison, from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
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4 August 2005: at sea - U.S. Navy Midshipman First Class Christopher Pieschl, trains as Conning Officer on the bridge of the Guided Missile Frigate Ford. Ford is hosting five midshipmen from various U.S. NROTC units from around the country, as well as the US Naval Academy, to train these potential officers in routine ship operations, drills and experiences. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-06-04293 by PH3 Aramis Ramirez, from the DVIC) |
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2 July 2006: Everett, Wa. - Storekeeper First Class Kevin Hollis, assigned to the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate USS Ford (FFG 54), greets his daughter after returning home to Naval Station Everett, Wa., following a six-month deployment to South America where the crew conducted various anti-drug operations. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-07-06985 by MC3 Douglas G. Morrison from the DVIC) |
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2 July 2006: Everett, Wa. - Interior Communications Electrician Second Class Fletcher Hendrickson, assigned to the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate, USS Ford (FFG 54), is greeted by his children after returning home to Naval Station Everett, Wa., following a six-month deployment to South America where the crew conducted various anti-drug operations. (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-07-07486 and DN-SD-07-07491 by MC3 Douglas G. Morrison and MC1 Bruce McVicar from the DVIC) |
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14 June 2007: Gulf Of Thailand - USS Ford (FFG 54) and USS Jarrett (FFG 33) transit together during a practice underway vertical replenishment with USS Harper‘s Ferry (LSD 49). Jarrett, Ford, and Harper‘s Ferry are currently participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2007. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. Harper‘s Ferry is the flagship for CARAT 2007 with Commander Destroyer Squadron 1 embarked onboard. (U.S. Navy photo #070614-N-0120A-052 by MC3 Mark R. Alvarez, from the Navy Newstand) |
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2 July 2007: Kemaman, Malaysia - USS Jarrett (FFG 33) is guided into the port of Kemaman, alongside USS Ford (FFG 54) as both ships arrives for the Malaysian phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2007. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. (U.S. Navy photo #070702-N-7783B-002 by MC1 Thomas J. Brennan, from the Navy Newstand) |
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2 June 2008: Puerto Princesa, the Philippines - U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, from left, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG 33), the guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54), and the U.S.C.G. cutter Morgenthau (WHEC-722) are moored at the commercial pier in Puerto Princesa at the conclusion of the Philippine portion of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2008 exercise. (U.S. Navy photo #080602-N-4431B-426 and #080602-N-4431B-421 by Cdr.Daryl Borgquist from the Navy Newstand) |
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2 October 2009: Everett, Wash. - The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) returns to Naval Station Everett after a six-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo #091020-N-2617T-005 by MC2 Benjamin N. Taylor, from the Navy News Stand) |
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