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Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive


Ship's patch courtesy
of Mike Smolinski

USS Elrod (FFG-55)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - H - T - E
Class: Oliver Hazard Perry 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 21 November 1983
Launched 12 May 1984, Commissioned 18 May 1985

Status: Active, Atlantic Fleet, Homeported in Norfolk VA

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Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Elrod 98k Artist's conception of Elrod by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett, with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company, Navy Yard Associates, offers prints of most destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. ALL the Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates are available as built, in short or long hull configuration. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. When you purchase artwork from them, please indicate that you heard about their work from Navsource. Navy Yard Associates
Elrod 63k Henry Talmage Elrod (27 September 1905 - 23 December 1941) was born in Turner County GA. He attended the University of Georgia and Yale University prior to his enlistment in the Marine Corps in December 1927. He was appointed a Marine second lieutenant in February 1931. Following over a year at the Marine Corps Basic School in Philadelphia and at the Marine Barracks there as a student aviator, 2d Lt Elrod was ordered to the Naval Station in Pensacola, Florida. There he served as a company officer at the Naval Station, and as student aviator. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 29 May 1934. In February 1935, he earned his wings and, as a Marine Aviator, was transferred to Quantico, Virginia, where he served with a Marine aircraft unit until January 1938. In addition to his other duties, he was squadron school, personnel, and welfare officer. He was also promoted to captain during this time on 1 September 1937. In July 1938, Capt Elrod went to San Diego for duty at the Naval Air Station and served as squadron material, parachute, and personnel officer, until January 1941, when he was detached to the Hawaiian Islands area.

He arrived at Wake Island a short time before the hostilities commenced and was one of the twelve pilots who flew the Marine planes onto the island. During the defense of Wake, Capt Elrod repeatedly displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. On the 12th of December he single-handedly attacked a flight of 22 enemy planes and shot down two. On several flights he executed low altitude bombing and strafing runs on enemy ships, and became the first man to sink a major warship with small caliber bombs delivered from a fighter-type aircraft. When his plane was destroyed by hostile fire he organized a unit of ground troops into a beach defense and repulsed repeated Japanese attacks until he fell mortally wounded. Capt Elrod was killed in action defending Wake Island against the invading Japanese on 23 December 1941. On 8 November 1946, his widow was presented with the Medal of Honor, posthumously awarded to her husband for his heroic actions during the last bitter days of the defense of Wake. Major Elrod, who had been posthumously promoted to major in January 1942, was initially buried on Wake Island, but was re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, in October 1947.

USS Elrod (FFG-55) was the first ship named in his honor.
Navsource
Elrod 155k 1 August 1984: Bath ME - An elevated bow view of the guided missile frigates Robert G. Bradley (FFG-49), and Elrod (FFG-55) while under construction. In the background is the guided missile frigate Jesse L. Taylor (FFG-50). The Robert G. Bradley is at 100 percent completion. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-10161 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the Defense Visual Information Center)
Elrod 151k 1 August 1984: Bath ME - An elevated stern view of the guided missile frigate Robert G. Bradley and Elrod. The Robert G. Bradley is complete. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-86-10167 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
***Hawes*** 132k 9 February 1985: Bath ME - Starboard bow view of USS Hawes (FFG-53), USS Simpson (FFG-56) and Elrod at Bath Iron Works Shipyard. Hawes is draped with bunting in preparation for her commissioning ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07873 by PH2 Carlos Drake from the DVIC)
Elrod 208k 19 March 1985: Kennebec River ME - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00156 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 198k 19 March 1985: Kennebec River ME - A starboard view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00157 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 180k 19 March 1985: Kennebec River ME - A port bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00159 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 159k 19 March 1985: Kennebec River ME - A starboard view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00161 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 225k 19 March 1985: Kennebec River ME - A starboard quarter view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00160 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 145k 19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-00152 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) Fred Weiss
Elrod 154k 19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - An aerial port view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England prior to its commissioning. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07666 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 143k 19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard quarter view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07669 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC) Navsource
Elrod 161k 19 March 1985: Atlantic Ocean - An aerial port beam view of Elrod underway off the coast of New England during sea trials. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-07668 by Bath Iron Works Corp. from the DVIC)
Elrod 123k 6 July 1985: Brunswick GA - Flowers are presented to a distinguished guest during the commissioning of Elrod. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03268 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC)
Elrod 94.1k 6 July 1985: Brunswick GA - A joint services color guard presents the colors at the commissioning of Elrod. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03269 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC)
Elrod 183k 6 July 1985: Brunswick GA - The crew of Elrod mans the ship during its commissioning. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03272 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC)
Elrod 66.9k 6 July 1985: Brunswick GA - Commander R.W. Moore, commanding officer of Elrod, speaks during the ship's commissioning ceremony. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03277 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC)
Elrod 146k 6 July 1985: Brunswick GA - The crew of Elrod mans the rails as guests look on ship during the ship's commissioning. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-03276 by PH2 Paul T. Erickson from the DVIC)
Elrod 124k 22 March 1988: Charleston SC - Crew members man the rails aboard Elrod as she returns to port after a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-05799 by PHAN Thomas Petry from the DVIC)
Elrod 107k 22 March 1988: Charleston SC - Family and friends greet crew members of Elrod upon their return from a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-05801 by PHAN Thomas Petry from the DVIC)
Elrod 190k 6 March 1994: Port Canaveral FL - A starboard bow view of Elrod tied up at the Trident pier. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-95-00040 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
Elrod 193k 11 October 1999: at Marseille, France - Elrod entering the port of Marseille. (Photo from the Guy Schaeffer Collection) Paolo Marsan
Elrod 153k 5 July 2000: Stapleton Pier, Staten Island NY - From left to right, back to front. The USS Nassau (LHA-4), HMCS Montreal (K-319)(Canada), RSS Endurance (Republic of Singapore), SAS Drakensburg (A301)(South Africa), USS Hue City (CG-66), JDS Yugiri (Japan), USS Elrod (FFG-56), USS Underwood (FFG-36), TCG Fatih (Turkey) and the Brazilian ship U27 moored at Pier North during the International Naval Review 2000, a "Celebration of Seapower for the Millennium." (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-03-12225 by PH1 Jim Hampshire from the DVIC) Navsource
Elrod 227k 22 May 2002: New York City NY - On the Hudson River, some of the Naval war ships participating in Fleet Week 2002, docked at Pier 88 next to the Essex class Aircraft Carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11), a Sea-Air-Space Museum. Some of the visible ships include, the Forrest Sherman class Destroyer USS Edson (DD-946) (right, in front of the Intrepid), the Oliver Hazard Perry class Guided Missile Frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) (foreground) and the Royal Danish Navy Ocean Patrol Vessel HDMS Thetis (F-357). More than 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard personnel aboard 22 ships - including six warships returning from deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, sail into New York City for the 15th Annual Fleet Week 2002. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SD-04-09681 by PH1(AW) Michael Pendergrass from the DVIC)
Elrod 93.6k 16 September 2003: Norfolk VA - The guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) departs Naval Station Norfolk today before Hurricane Isabel arrived. More than 40 destroyers, frigates, and amphibious ships left the naval station piers to avoid any potential damage from the high winds and seas generated by the hurricane. (US Navy photo #030916-N-4374S-004 by PH2 Michael Sandberg from the Navy Newstand)
Elrod 129k 22 January 2004: Atlantic Ocean - A starboard bow view of Elrod underway in the Atlantic Ocean on a scheduled deployment. (US Navy photo DVID #DNSD0412807 by PH1 Brian Aho from the DVIC) Fred Weiss
Elrod 188k 30 April 2004: Naval Station Norfolk VA - Elrod departs the pier from Naval Station Norfolk VA, to join other guided missile destroyers in support of the global war on terrorism. As an independent Surface Strike Group, Elrod and her sister ships will participate in regional exercises with allies, make diplomatic port calls and respond to any contingency including those associated with the ongoing war on terrorism. (US Navy photo #040430-N-3725R-024by PH2 Greg Roberts from the Navy Newstand) Navsource
Elrod 109k 4 August 2006: Souda Bay, Crete, Greece - The guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) arrives in Souda harbor for a brief port visit. Elrod is an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate and is homeported in Norfolk VA. Elrod is on a regularly scheduled deployment and currently assigned to the Standing NATO Response Force Maritime Group Two in support of Operation Active Endeavor. (US Navy photo #060804-N-0780F-002 by Paul Farley from the Navy Newstand)
Elrod 137k 7 September 2006: Novorossiysk, Russia - The Sailors aboard the guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) man the rails as the ship pulls in to Novorossiysk, Russia. Elrod is the first United States Navy vessel to pull into the Black Sea port since 2001. Elrod is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate named for Marine Major Henry T. Elrod, a World War II Aviator, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in defense of Wake Island. (US Navy photo #060907-N-1120L-002 by MC2 Michael Lavender from the Navy Newstand)
Elrod 91.3k 13 November 2006: Norfolk VA - Line handlers standby for the arrival of the guided missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) into its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. Elrod is returning from supporting Commander Sixth Fleet operations, Joint Task Force Lebanon and Maritime Security Operations. SSG 06-2 operated both independently and in concert with NATO maritime forces providing presence and supporting allied forces. (US Navy photo #061113-N-1713L-027 by MC2 Lolita Lewis from the Navy Newstand)
Elrod 87.8k 13 November 2006: Norfolk VA - US Navy line handlers standby as a tugboat nudges the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate Elrod arriving home on 13 Nov. 2006, after a successful six-month deployment with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. (US Navy photo #DN-SD-07-24941 by MC2 Oscar Espinoza from the DVIC)
Elrod 164k 13 June 2007: Atlantic Ocean - Guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG-55) sails toward Norfolk, Va. (US Navy photo #070613-N-4014G-179 by MC3 Patrick Gearhiser from the Navy Newstand)
Elrod 123k 13 December 2007: Norfolk VA - USS Elrod, taken from the deck of George Washington (CVN-71) at the Naval Station. Wendell R. McLaughlin, Jr.
Elrod 133k 13 December 2007: Norfolk VA - USS Elrod, taken from the deck of George Washington (CVN-71) at the Naval Station.

USS Elrod FFG-55 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
This Vessel's Official Web page
USS Elrod Page on Military.Com
USS Elrod Page on Navysite
Tin Can Sailors Shipmate Registry- USS Elrod
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Page Last Updated 8 March 2008