06021036 Destroyer Escort Photo Index DE-1055 USS HEPBURN

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Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Hepburn (DE 1055)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - A - A - P
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "Indian Valley"


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Navy Expeditionary Medal
Second Row: National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 stars
Third Row: Humanitarian Service Ribbon - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


Specifications:
Class: Knox
Type: SCB No. 199C / 1964
Number in Class: 46
Displacement: 3020 tons (std), 4065 tons (full)
Length: 415' (wl), 438' (oa)
Beam: 46' 9" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 9" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Combustion Engineering 1200psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 16 / 211
Missiles: 1 8-tube Mk25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS in DE 1052-1069, 1071-1083, 1 8-tube Mk29 NATO Sea Sparrow IPDMS in DE 1070, Harpoon missiles from modified ASROC launcher
Guns: 1 x 5"/54 cal. DP Mk 42 (600 rds)
ASW Weapons: 1 Mk16 ASROC launcher (16 missiles), 4-12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 (4x1 fixed) tubes / Mk 46 torpedos (6)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air), AN/SPS-58 threat warning in some ships
Sonars: AN/SQS-26CX, AN/SQS-35 IVDS in FF-1052, 1056, 1063-1071, 1073-1076, 1078-1097
Fire Control Systems: Mk68 Mod. 11/13/14 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 14/16 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Hepburn (DE 1055) Building and Operational Data:
  • 01 June 1966: Keel laid at the Todd Shipbuilding Corp., San Pedro, Cal.
  • 25 March 1967: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Arthur J. Hepburn and Mrs. Joseph R. Barse
  • 03 July 1969: Commissioned at the Long Beach Naval Station, Cmdr. S. D. Landersman in command, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 13 (DesDiv 132) at Long Beach, Cal.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1055)
  • 01 October 1989: Assigned to Naval Reserve Force, Pacific, at San Diego, Cal.
  • 20 December 1991: Decommissioned after 22 years and 5½ months of service
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 04 June 2002: Sunk as Target - Location: 047°05' North 127° 17' West, Depth: 1452 Fathoms

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Hepburn
    0602105501
    74k Arthur Japy Hepburn was born 15 October 1877 in Carlisle, Pa. and graduated from the Naval Academy on 05 June 1897. During the Spanish-American War he served as Passed Midshipman in battleship Iowa, and he participated in the defeat of Admiral Cervera's Spanish Squadron off Santiago, Cuba, 03 July 1898. Commissioned Ensign 01 July 1899, during the next two decades he assisted in making oceanic surveys in the Pacific and performed a variety of duties ashore and afloat, including service in Georgia, Olympia, and South Carolina. During World War I he commanded the seized German liner Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Submarine Chaser Base, New London, Conn., until ordered to Europe in July 1918 to command the subchaser base at Queenstown, Ireland. After the armistice, he served in Chester, inspecting German naval ships and aircraft in accordance with naval terms of the Armistice. From 1919 to 1922 he was Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering, and from 1922 to 1924 he served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters. During the years prior to World War II, he served a wide variety of important posts both ashore and afloat. He took command of West Virginia (BB 48) in May 1925; became Director of Naval Intelligence in July 1926. From 1927 to 1930 he served as Chief of Staff with Battle Fleet and U.S. Fleet and on 23 May 1931 took command of Submarine Forces, U.S. Fleet. Between June 1932 and July 1933, he served as a naval member to the three-power Limitations of Arms Conference as Naval Adviser to the Geneva Delegation in Switzerland and to the American Representative at the London Naval Conference. After serving as Commander 4th Naval District, and commanding destroyers of the U.S. Fleet, he became Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet 24 June 1936, serving in the rank of Admiral. Two years later he headed a board which reviewed America's national defense structure during the deteriorating international situation. The "Hepburn Board Report" was the basis for the massive Shore Establishment expansion that took place prior to World War II. In 1942, Admiral Hepburn was appointed Chairman of the General Board of the Navy, serving in that capacity throughout the war. He also served as a delegate to the Dumbarton Oaks meetings, which established guidelines for founding the United Nations. Admiral Hepburn retired from active duty 10 December 1945, and died 31 May 1964.

    USS Hepburn (DE 1055) (1969-1991) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #80-G-K-13936 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.

    Assoc. Researcher
    Navsource
    Hepburn
    0602105502
    351k 26 May 1969: the Pacific Ocean - USS Hepburn (DE 1055) off San Pedro, California.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo # USN 1139848 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Hepburn
    0602105503
    225k 20 January 1970: the Pacific Ocean - The escort ship USS Hepburn (DE 1055) is shown underway in the Pacific.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1143096 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Hepburn
    0602105523
    287k 20 January 1970: the Pacific Ocean - The escort ship USS Hepburn (DE 1055) is shown underway in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Hawaii.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1143094 by PHC John D. Osborn from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #K-81300 by PHCS H. L. Fautheree from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Hepburn
    0602105524
    291k
    Hepburn
    0602105525
    293k 27 January 1970: the Pacific Ocean - The escort ship USS Hepburn (DE 1055) is shown underway in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Hawaii.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1143093 by PHC John D. Osborn from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #K-81298 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #USN 1143095 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Hepburn
    0602105526
    199k
    Hepburn
    0602105527
    323k
    Hepburn
    0602105522
    368k 08 July 1970: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - USS Hepburn (DE 1055) underway off Vancouver.

    (Photograph by Walter E. Frost) (Photo #AM1506-S3-3-: CVA-7-5006 from the City of Vancouver Archives)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    ***Roark***
    0602105322
    292k Spring 1971: Yokosuka, Japan - Three U.S. Navy Knox-class destroyer escorts at Yokosuka, Japan (l-r): USS Hepburn (DE 1055), USS Gray (DE 1054) and USS Roark (DE 1053).

    (U.S. Navy photo from the
    All Hands Magazine, May 1971)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Hepburn
    0602105504)
    76k 1972: Hawaii - entering Pearl Harbor Chuck Howshall
    ET1, USN-ret.
    Hepburn
    0602105528
    525k 18 December 1972: the Pacific Ocean - USS Hepburn (DE 1055) underway in the Gulf of Tonkin, taken by PH1 Coan aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60).

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 107487 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Hepburn
    0602105516
    592k 28 August 1981: Naval Station Subic Bay, Luzon, the Philippines - A view of the docked ships including the guided missile destroyer USS Berkeley (DDG 15), the frigate USS Hepburn (FF 1055), the oiler USNS Hassayampa (T-AO 145), the guided missile cruiser USS Sterett (CG 31) and the guided missile destroyer USS Henry B. Wilson (DDG 7).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-01679 by PHC Larry Foster from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Chicago
    04011114
    76k date / location unknown: USS Chicago (CG 11) and USS Hepburn (DE 1055) underway. -
    ***Enterprise***
    026591
    171k October 1982: At sea, the Pacific Ocean - Aerial starboard side view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV 41), background, underway with their task groups. Hepburn is underway in the foreground.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-07596 by PHAN Mellendorf from the DVIC))
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Hepburn
    0602105505
    171k 01 January 1983: At sea - The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders perform their USO show "America and Her Music" on the deck of the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE 1). Hepburn maneuvers off the port side of Sacramento.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-04865 by PH2 Paul B. Souter from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105506
    200k 01 January 1983: At sea - The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders perform their USO show "America and Her Music" on the deck of the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE 1). Hepburn maneuvers off Sacramento's port side.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-04867 by PH2 Paul B. Souter from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105507
    159k 06 January 1984: At sea - An aerial bow view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-00372 by PH1 R. L. Matthews from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105508
    222k 06 January 1984: At sea - An aerial port beam view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-00368 by PH1 R. L. Matthews from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105509
    143k 06 January 1984: At sea - A vertical view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-00367 by PH1 R. L. Matthews from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105510
    240k 02 June 1986: At sea - An aerial starboard bow view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-05-06611 by PH2(NAC) Grzezdzinski from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105511
    148k 02 June 1986: At sea - A starboard quarter view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-05-06612 by PH2(NAC) Grzezdzinski from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105512
    198k 02 June 1986: At sea - An aerial starboard quarter / stern view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-05-06614 by PH2(NAC) Grzezdzinski from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105513
    153k 02 June 1986: At sea - A starboard bow view of Hepburn underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-01817 by PH2(NAC) Grzezdzinski from the DVIC)
    Hepburn
    0602105520
    263k 15 October 1986: Vallejo, Cal. - Hepburn departing Mare Island. She was in the San Francisco Bay area for Fleet Week.

    (Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
    Darryl Baker
    PNCM, USNR (ret.)

    Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
    Hepburn
    0602105519
    419k 08 June 1989: near Portland, Ore. - Hepburn underway on the Columbia River.

    (Photo by Rick Garcia, from the collection of  Chris Howell)
    Chris Howell
    Southland Ship Stores Ltd
    Port of Bluff, New Zealand
    Hepburn
    0602105514
    173k August 1989: Nanoose Torpedo Test Range - The Nanoose Torpedo Testing Range is maintained and operated by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport (NUWCDIVKP). The range is a joint US-Canadian facility located in the Strait of Georgia on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, Vancouver, British Columbia.

    (photo taken by Darryl Shaw)
    Robert M. Cieri
    Hepburn
    0602105521
    707k 01 October 1989: The Pacific Ocean - A starboard bow view of the frigate USS Hepburn (FF 1055) underway off the coast of California.

    (U.S. Navy photo #DN-SC-90-02003 by Lcdr. Richard Benne, USNR from the National Archives and Records Administration, photo ID #6450034 )
    Ron Reeves
    Oaklyn, N.J.
    Hepburn
    0602105515
    152k 01 October 1989: At sea - A starboard beam view of Hepburn underway off the coast of California.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-90-02005 by Lcdr Richard Benne from the DVIC)
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.
    Hepburn
    0602105517
    164k 1990: San Pedro, Cal. - Taken while on a harbor cruise.

    (Both Photos © Michael McBroom)
    Michael McBroom
    Hepburn
    0602105518
    148k
    ***Knox / Hepburn***
    0602105225
    258k 27 July 1996: Naval Inactive ship Maintence Facility, Bremerton, Wash. - Meyerkord (FF 1058), Hepburn and Knox (FF 1052) in mothballs, nested at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

    (Photos by Gilbert Gyssels)
    Gilbert Gyssels
    ***Knox / Hepburn***
    0602105226
    209k

    Hepburn Memorabilia
    Bullion Ship's
    Patch
    Hepburn
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Navy Times Ship in the Spotlight
    © Mario DeMarco
    Hepburn
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski

    Hepburn History
    View the USS Hepburn (DE 1055) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Hepburn's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)   03 Jul. 1969 - 29 Apr. 1971Cmdr. Stuart D. Landersman (OCS '53) (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
    2.)   29 Apr. 1971 - 08 Aug. 1972Cmdr. John William Sellers (USNA '54) (Terre Haute, Ind.)
    3.)   08 Aug. 1972 - 21 Dec. 1973Cmdr. William C. Manes (Granite City, Ill.)
    4.)   21 Dec. 1973 - 30 May 1975Cmdr. Ramon Ronald Owens
    5.)   30 May 1975 - 04 Feb. 1977Cmdr. George William Culberson Jr.
    6.)   04 Feb. 1977 - 08 Jan. 1980Cmdr. James Clarke Richardson Jr.
    7.)   08 Jan. 1980 - 20 Mar. 1982Cmdr. Peter Wolcott Soverel (USNA '63) (Navy Jr., Newport, R.I.)
    8.)   20 Mar. 1982 - 23 Jun. 1984Cmdr. Harry James Miller Jr.
    9.)   23 Jun. 1984 - 23 Aug. 1986Cmdr. John Thomas Lyons III (USNA '68) (St. Paul, Minn.) (ret. as Radm.)
    10.) 23 Aug. 1986 - 14 Dec. 1988Cmdr. James Armand Boland (USNA ‘69) (Wayne, N.J.)
    11.) 14 Dec. 1988 - 17 Nov. 1990Cmdr. Charles Daniel Carey III (USNA ‘70) (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
    12.) 17 Nov. 1990 - 20 Dec. 1991Cmdr. Kenneth A. Poorman

    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

    USS Hepburn Facebook Page
    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
    To The DE, FF, LCS Photo Index Page
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    Page Last Updated: 05 July 2022