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Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive


Ship's patch
Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Stark (FFG 31)


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




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


"Strength For Freedom"
Specifications:
Class: Oliver Hazard Perry (Short Hull, As Built)
Type: SCB No. 201 / 1973 - 1978
Number in Class: 25 (7, 9 - 34)
Displacement: 3109 tons (std), 3993 tons (full)
Length: 408' (wl), 445' (oa)
Beam: 45.4' (extreme)
Draft: 24' 6" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 GE LM 2500 gas turbine engines; 41,000 shp; 1 shaft, cp propeller, 325 hp retractable propeller pods
Speed: 29 kts
Range: 4,500 nm @ 20 knots, 5400 nm @ 16 knots
Complement: 13 / 206 (includes 19 man air detachment)
Missiles: 1-Mk 13 Mod 4 launcher, 4-SSM McDonnell-Douglas Harpoon missiles, 36-GDC-Pomona Standard SM-1MR missiles
Guns: 1 OTO Melara Mk 75 3"/62 cal., 1 Vulcan Phalanx CIS, 4-.50 cal. MGs
ASW Weapons: 6-324mm Mk 32 (2 triple) tubes / Mk 46 torpedoes
Radars: AN/SPS-55 (surface), AN/SPS-49(V)214 (air)
Sonars: AN/SQS-56, AN/SQR-19 TACTAS (Towed Array)
Elec. Warfare: SLQ-25 Nixie System, SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Countermeasures System
Fire Control Systems: 1 Mk13 Weapon-Direction System, 1 Mk92 weapons FCS, 1 modified SPG-60 STIR radar (Separate Target Illumination Radar)
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Stark (FFG 31) Building and Operational Data:
  • 23 January 1978: Building contract awarded to Todd-Pacific Shipyard Corp.
  • 24 August 1979: Keel laid by the Todd-Pacific Shipyard Corp., Seattle, Wash.
  • 30 May 1980: Launched and christened
  • 23 October 1982: Commissioned at Seattle, Wash., Cmdr. Terence W. Costello in command, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 8 at Mayport, Fla.
  • 07 May 1999: Decommissioned after 16 years and 6½ months of service, Struck from the NVR
  • 07 October 2005: Contract for scrapping ($1,718,836) awarded to Metro Machine Corp. of Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 28 June 2006: Scrapping completed. Stark was the last ship scrapped there as the company filed for bankruptcy soon after her completion.
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    Stark
    073101

    Stark

    35k Harold Rainsford Stark was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on 12 November 1880 and graduated with the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1903. He served in battleship Minnesota during the Atlantic Fleet's Great White Cruise around the world. He then served in a number of ships and positions with extensive duty in torpedo boats and destroyers, commanded USS West Virginia, and in 1934 became the Chief of the Bureau of Ordinance. He then served as ComCruDiv Three and Commander, Cruisers, Battle Force. In 1937, with the rank of Admiral, he became the Chief of Naval Operations. He served as CNO until relieved by Admiral Ernest J. King in March 1942 when he became Commander, US Forces, Europe. He received the additional title of Commander, Twelfth Fleet, in October 1943 and supervised U.S. Navy participation in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He left active duty in April 1946 and made his home in Washington, D.C. until he died on 21 August 1972.

    USS Stark (FFG 31) (1982-1999) was the first ship named in his honor.    (U.S. Navy photo #NH49967, dated 1 April 1940, from the Naval History and Heritage Command)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073102
    133k 24 August 1979: Seattle, Wash. - The keel laying ceremony for the guided missile frigate USS Stark (FFG 31), takes place at Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corporation.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-11683 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Stark
    073103
    158k 25 February 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A port bow view of Stark at 40 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02840 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073104
    186k 25 February 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A port quarter view of Stark at 40 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02841 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073105
    135k 25 February 1981: Seattle, Wash. - A starboard bow view of Stark at 40 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02842 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073106
    149k 12 January 1982: Seattle, Wash. - A port bow view of Stark at 80 percent completion.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-84-02828 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073107
    223k 13 July 1982: at sea - An aerial port quarter view of Stark as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation conducts sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-05353 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Fred Weiss
    Stark
    073108
    97k 13 July 1982: at sea - A bow view of Stark as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation conducts sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11736 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073109
    149k 13 July 1982: at sea - An aerial port bow view of Stark as Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation conducts sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11735 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073110
    114k 13 July 1982: at sea - A low angle port bow view of Stark on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11738 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073111
    119k 13 July 1982: at sea - A port beam view of Stark on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11739 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073112
    124k 13 July 1982: at sea - A port quarter view of Stark on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-11741 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073113
    120k 13 July 1982: at sea - A starboard beam view of Stark on sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-84-02846 by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Corp. from DVIC)
    Stark
    073114
    94k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - Officers and crewmen of Stark perform the duties of honor guard during the ship's commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-02051 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073115
    113k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - The crew of Stark stand on the pier in formation during its commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-02049 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073116
    108k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - The audience listens to a guest speaker during the commissioning ceremony for Stark.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-02240 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073117
    103k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - Cdr. Terence W. Costello, commanding officer, speaks during the commissioning ceremony for Stark.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-83-02053 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073118
    128k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - Crewmen man the rail on Stark during the ship's commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-02244 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073119
    82k 23 October 1982: Seattle, Wash. - Crewmen aboard Stark raise a United States flag for the ship's commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-02236 by PH3 Paul Bleam from DVIC)
    Stark
    073120
    57k 15 September 1983: Guantanamo Bay Cuba - A motor whaleboat takes Fleet Training Group instructors to Stark.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-84-07544 by JO1 Gary Hopkins from DVIC)
    Stark
    073121
    66k 15 September 1983: The Caribbean Sea - Stark passes Naval Base Guantanamo Bay as it heads out to sea for a day of training.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-84-07534 by JO1 Gary Hopkins from DVIC)
    Stark
    073122
    117k date / location unknown Wendell R. McLaughlin, Jr
    Stark
    073123
    126k date / location unknown

    (from Atlantic Fleet Sales)
    Robert M. Cieri
    Stark
    073124
    104k 18 May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port quarter view of Stark listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-03233 from DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073125
    105k 18 May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port quarter view of Stark listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06412 from DVIC)
    Fred Weiss
    Stark
    073126
    136k 18 May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port quarter view of Stark listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06413 from DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073127
    150k 18 May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A port quarter view of Stark listing to port after being struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06414 from DVIC)
    Fred Weiss
    Stark
    073128
    92k .. May 1987: taken from USS Coontz (DDG 40) Edward Cleary
    Stark
    073129
    83k .. May 1987: taken from Coontz
    Stark
    073130
    83k A Sikorsky SH-3, the "Desert Duck", assigned to COMIDEASTFOR in the Persian Gulf. This was the aircraft that transferred the Coontz Rescue and Assistance Detail to the Stark after the 17 May 1987 Iraqi attack.
    Stark
    073131
    152k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A close-up view of damage to Stark after it was struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-06416 from DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073132
    178k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A close-up view of damage to Stark after it was struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-06417 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073133
    178k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A close-up view of damage to Stark after it was struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-06418 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073134
    150k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A close-up view of damage to Stark after it was struck by an Iraqi-launched Exocet missile.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-06419 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073135
    133k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A view of damage sustained by Stark when it was hit by two Iraqi-launched Exocet missile while on patrol in the Persian Gulf.

    (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-01562 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073136
    138k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A view of damage sustained by Stark when it was hit by two Iraqi-launched Exocet missile while on patrol in the Persian Gulf.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-01563 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073137
    181k .. May 1987: The Persian Gulf - A view of damage sustained by Stark when it was hit by two Iraqi-launched Exocet missile while on patrol in the Persian Gulf.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-01569 from DVIC)
    Stark
    073138
    117k 05 August 1987: Mayport, Fla. - Crew members man the rails of Stark upon the ship's return to home port. Iraqi-launched Exocet missiles severely damaged Stark when the ship was deployed in the Persian Gulf earlier this year.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-01497 by JOCS (SW) Fred Klinkenberger, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073148
    142k 28 August 1988: the Gulf of Mexico off Pascagoula, Miss. - A port quarter view of Stark underway during sea trials, off Pascagoula after being repaired at Ingalls Shipbuilding yard.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-10218 by PH2 Hicks from DVIC)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Stark
    073139
    102k 28 August 1988: Pascagoula, Miss. - Harbor tugs maneuver Stark toward the dock at Ingalls Shipbuilding after the ship underwent repairs for damage sustained when it was struck by two Iraqi-launched Exocet missiles while on patrol in the Persian Gulf. The battleship Wisconsin (BB64), which will undergo sea trials, is visible to the left of Stark.

    (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-88-10221 by Lcdr Lynn Howell, from DVIC)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073140
    120k 28 August 1988: Pascagoula, Miss. - Harbor tugs maneuver Stark toward the dock at Ingalls Shipbuilding after the ship underwent repairs for damage sustained when it was struck by two Iraqi-launched Exocet missiles while on patrol in the Persian Gulf. The battleship Wisconsin (BB 64), which will undergo sea trials, is visible to the left of Stark.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-88-10222 by Lcdr Lynn Howell, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073149
    606k 28 August 1988: Pascagoula, Miss. - A port bow view of the guided missile frigate USS Stark (FFG 31) en route to sea trials. The ship has just completed repairs by Ingalls Shipbuilding after suffering damage when it was struck by two iraqi-launched Exocet missiles while on patrol in the Persian Gulf. The guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) are in the background, still under construction.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-00645 by Lcdr Lynn Howell, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073141
    99k January 1990: At sea - SN Daniel Bezpalko stands watch on the fantail of Stark during FLEET EX 1-90.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-06267 by PH1 Michael D.P. Flynn, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073142
    128k 01 July 1992: Mayport, Fla. - A starboard bow view of Stark and USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34) moored together in port.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-08792 by OS2 John Bouvia, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073143
    478k 23 May 1992: Port Everglades, Fla. - Port quarter bow view of Stark moored to the pier.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-03-10051 by OS2 John Bouvia, from DVIC)
    Stark
    073144
    224k 19 September 1997: Between Cuba and Florida Keys - The Coast Guard Cutter Matinicus (WPB-1315) patrols the waters off the coast of Cuba alongside a navy ship during Operation Able Vigil. Operation Able Vigil got underway in mid-August when the number of Cuban rafters rescued in the Florida straits skyrocketed above the month of June's record of 1,173 to 2,607 in a single week of August.

    (U.S.C.G. photo by PA1 Don Wagner)
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.
    Stark
    073147
    122k November 1999: Philadelphia, Pa. - Stark in the Inactive Ship Facility at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Stark has been demilitarised and awaits disposition.

    (from the authors collection, photo taken from Warship Boneyards by Kit and Carolyn Bonner)
    Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Stark
    073146
    95k
    Stark
    073145
    212k 27 April 2006: ex-Philadelphia Naval Shipyard - I was visiting the Philly shipyard last week, took some pictures of the Stark being broke up. It’s really heartbreaking seeing fine ships being scrapped so young, especially with storms on the horizon. Matthew Harris
    USS Torsk volunteer
    Stark
    073150
    239k 17 May 2007: Mayport, Fla. - Former USS Stark (FFG 31) crewmember Tim Martineau reads the names of the fallen Sailors during the tolling of the bell at the USS Stark 20-year anniversary memorial ceremony. 17 May 1987, Stark was on routine patrol in the Persian Gulf when two Iraqi missiles struck the ship killing 37 Sailors. Despite the severe damage inflicted, the heroic efforts of Stark's crew saved the ship. Stark was decommissioned in 1999.

    (U.S. Navy photo #070517-N-8102J-077 by MC1 Toiete Jackson from the Navy News Stand)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Stark
    073151
    246k 17 May 2007: Mayport, Fla. - Former USS Stark sailors, Capt. Matthew Schellhorn, chief of staff, Navy Region Southeast, and Chief Intelligence Specialist Chris Ryden take part in a wreath laying during a memorial ceremony to honor their shipmates who lost their lives aboard the ship.

    (U.S. Navy photo #070517-N-8102J-083 by MC1 Toiete Jackson from the Navy News Stand)
    Stark
    073152
    314k 17 May 2007: Mayport, Fla. - Naval Station Mayport honors detail performs a 21-gun salute in memory of the sailors who lost their lives aboard USS Stark (FFG 31) during the 20-year anniversary memorial ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo #070517-N-8102J-096 by MC1 Toiete Jackson from the Navy News Stand)
    Stark
    073143
    110k 17 May 2007: Mayport, Fla. - What remains of the former USS Stark (FFG 31). The hull plate containing the ships name has been saved and was on display for the Memorial Service. Austin Oliver

    Stark Memorabilia
    Welcome Aboard
    Pamphlet (circa 1989)
    Stark
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Red Sea 91-92
    Cruise Patch
    Stark
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    UNITAS XXXIV
    Cruise Patch
    Stark
    Courtesy of
    Tommy Trampp

    Stark History
    View the USS Stark (FFG 31) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.

    Stark's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.) 23 Oct. 1982 - 29 Jan. 1985Cmdr. Terrence W. Costello III
    2.) 29 Jan. 1985 - 23 Jun. 1987Capt. Glenn Richard Brindel (OCS '65) (Dormont, Pa.)
    3.) 23 Jun. 1987 - 29 May 1990Cmdr. John Byard Noll (NROTC '70) (Wayne, N.J.)
    4.) 29 May 1990 - 20 Mar. 1992Cmdr. Henry George Ulrich III (USNA '72) (Southampton, Pa.) (retired as Adm.)
    5.) 20 Mar. 1992 - 25 Feb. 1994Cmdr. Peter Wynkoop, Jr. (Long Beach, Cal.)
    6.) 25 Feb. 1994 - 19 Jan. 1996Cmdr. Richard Crittendon Rush (USNA '75) (Petersburg, Va.)
    7.) 19 Jan. 1996 - 10 Aug. 1997Cmdr. Michael Raymond Johnston
    8.) 10 Aug. 1997 - 07 May 1999Cmdr. Orrin Wayne Young (Jacksonville, Fla.)

    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

    Tin Can Sailors
    The U.S. Navy Memorial
    The Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
    The Destroyer History Foundation
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    This page created by Daniel N. Dunham,
    expanded and maintained by Mike Smolinski
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    by Paul R. Yarnall, All Rights Reserved.
    Page Last Updated: 17 October 2016