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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Reasoner (DE 1063)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - P - X - Q
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (2) - Navy Expeditionary Medal
Third Row: National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 star - Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 1 star
Fourth Row: Humanitarian Service Ribbon w/ 1 star - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


"Fidelity"
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
Reasoner (DE 1063) Building and Operational Data:
  • 22 July 1964: Building contract awarded to Lockheed Shipbuilding & Construction Co.
  • 06 January 1969: Keel laid by the Lockheed Shipbuilding & Construction Co., Seattle, Wash.
  • 01 August 1970: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. James C. Curry and Mrs. Robert Svinger
  • 31 July 1971: Commissioned, Cmdr. Francisco Velazquez-Suarez, USN, commanding; assigned to CruDesPac at San Diego, Cal.
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1063)
  • Summer 1979: The music video "In the Navy" by the Village People was shot aboard Reasoner. Intended to be used as a recruiting tool, it never served that purpose.
  • 28 August 1993: Decommissioned at Naval Station San Diego after 22 years and 1 month of service
  • 28 August 1993: Leased to Turkey, renamed TCG Kocatepe (F-252)
  • 11 January 1995: Struck from the NVR
  • 29 August 1997: Lease to Turkey renewed
  • 22 February 2002: Sold to Turkey, decommissioned late 2002
  • 04 May 2005: Sunk as a target in the Eastern Mediterranean
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Reasoner
    0602106301

    Reasoner
    7k Frank Stanley Reasoner was born 16 September 1937 in Spokane, Washington. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from Kellogg, Idaho in 1955, and reached the rank of sergeant prior to entering the United States Military Academy in 1958. At West Point, he won four consecutive brigade boxing championships. Graduating in June 1962, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. In April 1965 he arrived in Vietnam as commanding officer of A Co., 3rd Recon Bn, 3rd Marine Division. 1st Lt. Frank Reasoner died in action near Danang, Vietnam, on 12 July 1965. On that day he led a five-man reconnaissance patrol into enemy-controlled territory. Ambushed by a numerically superior enemy force, 1Lt. Reasoner boldly shouted encouragement to his men, and virtually isolated from the main body, he organized a base of fire for an assault on the enemy positions. The slashing fury of the Viet Cong machinegun and automatic weapons fire made it impossible for the main body to move forward. Repeatedly exposing himself to the devastating attack he skillfully provided covering fire, killing at least 2 Viet Cong and effectively silencing an automatic weapons position in a valiant attempt to effect evacuation of a wounded man. As casualties began to mount his radio operator was wounded, and 1LT Reasoner immediately moved to his side and tended his wounds. When the radio operator was hit a second time while attempting to reach a covered position, 1LT Reasoner, courageously running to his aid through the grazing machinegun fire, fell mortally wounded. For his bravery in battle and his concern for the wounded, Frank Reasoner was awarded the Medal of Honor.

    USS Reasoner (DE 1063) was the first ship named in his honor.

    (Photo and a more complete biography at the The Official Site of the Medal of Honor.)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Reasoner
    0602106333
    306k 01 August 1970: Seattle, Wash. - Launching day for the future USS Reasoner (DE 1063) at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. From left to right: Mr. Robert Svingen, Mrs. Robert Svingen (Co-sponsor, the widow of 1Lt. Reasoner), Michael Reasoner (Son), Mrs. James Curry (Co-sponsor, mother of 1Lt. Reasoner), and Mr. James Curry.

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 72196 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    S. Dale Hargrave
    Newport News, Va.
    Reasoner
    0602106334
    356k 01 August 1970: Seattle, Wash. - Launching day for the future USS Reasoner (DE 1063) at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. From left to right: Mrs. Robert Svingen (Co-sponsor), Mrs. George Price (Matron of Honor), Miss Shayrol Ann Coston (Flower Girl), Mrs. James Curry ( Co-sponsor).

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 72194 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Reasoner
    0602106331
    307k 01 August 1970: Seattle, Wash. - The future USS Reasoner being christened by her joint sponsors, Mrs. James C. Curry and Mrs. Robert Svingen.
    Reasoner
    0602106328
    307k 01 August 1970: Seattle, Wash. - The future USS Reasoner sliding down the building way after being christened.
    Reasoner
    0602106330
    604k 24 March 1973: The U.S. Navy ocean escort USS Reasoner (DE 1063) underway in the Pacific Ocean. Note that the ship's 127 mm/54 gun mount is trained directly aft, and her ASROC launcher is trained to starboard, with its right-middle cell elevated to firing position.

    (U.S. Naval Historical Center photo #NH 107481 by AN S. L. Oliver, U.S. Navy, of USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Reasoner
    0602106302
    52k 18-22 July 1973: Hong Kong ....Great Liberty! Bill Bayard
    GMT2
    Reasoner
    0602106303
    59k Picture scanned from my Reasoner Maiden Voyage '73 Book.
    Reasoner
    0602106304
    66k circa 1977-1979: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Dr. Kenneth Hartman
    **Myerkord / Reasoner**
    0602105803
    126k 1977: San Diego - Taken while on a San Diego Harbor tour cruise. John W. Robbins
    Reasoner
    0602106332
    356k 15 March 1978: at sea, the Pacific Ocean - USS Reasoner (FF 1063) underway off Oahu, the Hawaiian Islands.

    (U.S. Navy National Archives photo #KN-26912 from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Archive Manager
    DE / FF / LCS Archive
    Navsource
    Reasoner
    0602106327
    235k circa 1978: at sea - USS Reasoner (FF 1063) alongside the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during fleet training exercises off the Southern California coast circa 1978.

    (U.S. Navy photo #1996.488.125.091 from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Museum / Naval Aviation Museum)
    Mike Green
    Port Angeles, Wash.
    Reasoner
    0602106305
    154k Scanned from 1978 cruise book, taken at Rabaul. Joseph E. Sullenger
    OSC, USN (ret.)
    Reasoner
    0602106329
    93k Scanned from the USS Midway (CV 41) 1978-1979 cruise book. Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Reasoner
    0602106306
    91k Reasoner showing hull number 1065 vice 1063, with USS Stein (FF 1065) across the pier. We (Reasoner) had just returned from a FLEETEX where we were the "bad guys" and had painted a "5" over our "3." Stein was in the same FLEETEX and the "good guys" never took a shot at us. When we returned from the FLEETEX it was night and the XO of Dixie (AD 14) kept trying to ward us off saying Reasoner, not Stein has the tender availability. The crew thought up the idea which was great ... as was the crew. Keith Ott
    Captain, USN (ret.)
    Reasoner
    0602106307
    66k date / location unknown Ken Wilson
    Reasoner
    0602106325
    70k date / location unknown Richard Miller
    BMCS, USNR (ret.)
    Reasoner
    0602106326
    73k date / location unknown
    Reasoner
    0602106308
    189k 15 October 1982: At sea - Aerial starboard bow view of the Knox class frigate USS Reasoner (FF 1063) underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-07606 by PHAN Mellendorf, from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Reasoner
    0602106309
    200k 15 October 1982: At sea - 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. Reasoner is underway in the foreground.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-85-07595 by PHAN Mellendorf from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106310
    131k 01 February 1990: San Diego Harbor, Cal. - Pleasure craft sail near Reasoner.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-06642 by PHCS Terry C. Mitchell from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106311
    167k 01 May 1990: At sea - The amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), top, and Reasoner sail alongside one another during the multinational Exercise RimPac '90. The Pacific Rim nations of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. are participating in the annual naval and amphibious exercise.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-05081 from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106312
    179k 02 August 1990: At sea - A starboard quarter view of Reasoner underway north of Diego Garcia en route to the Persian Gulf after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-06591 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106313
    187k 02 August 1990: At sea - Underway north of Diego Garcia are the frigates Reasoner, background, and USS Brewton (FF 1086). The ships are en route to the Persian Gulf after the invasion of Kuwait.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-05665 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106314
    148k 02 August 1990: At sea - A port bow view of Reasoner underway north of Diego Garcia en route to the Persian Gulf.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-05659 by OS2 John Bouvia from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106315
    151k 14 June 1991: At sea off San Diego - An aerial overhead shot of Reasoner underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-04-10035 by PH2 Mark Correa from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106316
    105k 14 June 1991: At sea off San Diego - An aerial bow of Reasoner underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-04-10034 by PH2 Mark Correa from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106317
    601k 14 June 1991: At sea off San Diego - An aerial port view of Reasoner underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-04-10033 by PH2 Mark Correa from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106318
    133k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego, Cal. - Bunting decorates Reasoner as sailors man the rails aboard the vessel during her decommissioning/transfer ceremony. Following her decommissioning from U.S. naval service, the Reasoner is being transferred to the Turkish navy and will be known as the frigate TCG Kocatepe (F-252).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06106 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106319
    109k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - A U.S. Navy/Turkish color guard presents the colors during the decommissioning/transfer ceremony for Reasoner, moored to Pier 13 in the background. Upon being decommissioned from U.S. naval service, the Reasoner is being transferred to the Turkish navy as the frigate TCG Kocatepe (F-252).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06107 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106320
    104k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - A U.S./Turkish color guard stand in formation during the decommissioning/transfer ceremony for Reasoner.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06112 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106321
    91k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - U.S. and Turkish navy personnel stand in formation during the decommissioning/transfer ceremony for Reasoner.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06111 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106322
    87k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - Officers stand on the stern of Reasoner as the national ensign is lowered during the decommissioning/transfer ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06109 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106323
    106k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - An officer carries the national ensign down the gangway of the former frigate USS Reasoner following the ship's decommissioning from U.S. naval service.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06110 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)
    Reasoner
    0602106324
    88k 28 August 1993: Naval Station San Diego - The Turkish flag is raised on the stern of the former frigate USS Reasoner following the vessel's decommissioning from U.S. naval service and its transfer to the Turkish navy as the frigate TCG Kocatepe (F-252). The frigate has a 20mm Mark 15 Phalanx close-in weapons system mounted on the stern.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-93-06108 by PH2 M.C. Farrington from the DVIC)

    Reasoner Memorabilia

    Ship's Plaque
    (as a DE)
    Reasoner
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Navy Times Ship
    in the Spotlight,
    © Mario DeMarco
    Reasoner
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Biographical
    Vignette,
    © Audie Bransford
    Reasoner
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski

    Reasoner History
    View the USS Reasoner (DE 1063) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Reasoner's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)   31 Jul. 1971 - 20 Jan. 1973Cmdr. Francisco Antonio Velazquez-Suarez (USNA '53) (Penuelas, Puerto Rico)
    2.)   20 Jan. 1973 - 14 Jan. 1975Cmdr. Thomas Edward Fleming (USNA '58) (Norfolk, Va.)
    3.)   14 Jan. 1975 - 19 Jun. 1976Cmdr. Richard C. Ustick (NROTC '56) (Modesto, Cal.) (ret. as Radm.)
    4.)   19 Jun. 1976 - 16 Jun. 1978Cmdr. Keith Montgomery Ott (NROTC '60) (Kingfisher, Okla.)
    5.)   16 Jun. 1978 - 08 Aug. 1980Cmdr. Jon Jared Gershon (NROTC '60) (San Pedro, Cal.)
    6.)   08 Aug. 1980 - 06 Sep. 1982Cmdr. Gregory Stephen Smyth
    7.)   06 Sep. 1982 - 21 Nov. 1984Cmdr. Keith Milford Arndt (Richland, Wash.)
    8.)   21 Nov. 1984 - 27 Feb. 1987Cmdr. John Fleet Sigler (USNA '66) (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    9.)   27 Feb. 1987 - 16 Jun. 1989Cmdr. Stephen P. Marvil (USNA '68) (Laurel, Del.)
    10.) 16 Jun. 1989 - 20 Apr. 1991Cmdr. Richard D. Marvin (Aurora, Ill.)
    11.) 20 Apr. 1991 - 28 Aug. 1993Cmdr. Steven J. Sonntag (Los Angeles, Cal.)

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    Reasoner's Next Reunion:
    15 - 18 September 2022 at San Diego, Cal.
    Contact Name: Del Becker
    E-mail: FF 1063 Reunion

    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 Reasoner Web Page by Bill Bayard
    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
    Back To The Main Photo Index

    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail: Webmaster.

    This Page Created And Maintained By Mike Smolinski
    All pages copyright Navsource Naval History
    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 01 May 2022