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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive



Ship's patches courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Davidson (DE 1045)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign:
N - H - G - M
Tactical Voice Radio Call: "Husky Pup"

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Combat Action Ribbon
Second Row: Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/star - Navy Navy Battle "E" - Navy Expeditionary Medal
Third Row: National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/star - Vietnam Service Medal w/ 7 stars
Fourth Row: Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation w/ 2 stars - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal


"Vigilant - Valiant - Victorious"
Specifications:
Class: Garcia
Type: SCB No. 199A / 1961 - 1963
Number in Class: 10
Displacement: 2,620 tons (std), 3,400 tons (full)
Length: 390' 0" (wl), 414' 6" (oa)
Beam: 44' 0" (extreme)
Draft: 24' 0" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 2 Foster Wheeler 1200-psi boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000 shp; 1 shaft
Speed: 27 kts
Range: 4,000 nm @ 20 knots
Complement: 13 / 234
Guns: 2 - 5"/38 Mk30 Gun (2x1) (350 rounds)
ASW Weapons: 1 - Mk16 ASROC launcher (1x8) (16 missiles), 6 - 12.75" (324mm) Mk 32 torpedo tubes (2x3) / Mk 46 torpedos (18)
Radars: AN/SPS-10 (surface), AN/SPS-40 (air)
Sonars: AN/SQS-26AXR in DE 1040 - 1045, AN/SQS-26BX in DE 1047 - 1051
Fire Control Systems: Mk56 Mod 43 Gun FCS, Mk114 Mod 8/11 ASW FCS
Helicopter: 1 - SH-2 LAMPS Helicopter
Davidson (DE 1045) Building and Operational Data:
  • 03 January 1962: Building contract awarded to the Avondale Shipyards, Inc.
  • 30 September 1963: Keel laid by the Avondale Shipyards, Inc., Westwego, La.
  • 02 October 1964: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Lyal A. Davidson, Vice Admiral Davidson's widow
  • 07 December 1965: Commissioned at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Cmdr. Henry L. Stanfield in command, assigned to Destroyer Flotilla 5 at Pearl Harbor
  • 30 June 1975: Reclassified Frigate (FF 1045)
  • 08 December 1988: Decommissioned at Naval Station Pearl Harbor after 23 years and 1 day of service
  • 15 April 1989: Leased to Brazil, renamed NAe Paraiba (D-28)
  • 24 January 2001: Struck from the NVR; sold to Brazil (decommissioned from Brazilian Navy 26 July 2002)
  • early 2005: Sank while being towed from Brazil to Alang, India, in company with ex-USS Sample (FF 1048) (Lat. 23 Deg. 05', 745 S, Long. 042 Deg. 59', 521 W at a depth
    of 60 meters (just off the coast of Brazil)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    Davidson
    0602104501

    Davidson

    48k Lyal Ament Davidson was born on 12 December 1886 in Muscatine, Iowa. He graduated from Annapolis in 1910 and was commissioned in 1912. He served aboard New Hampshire during the invasion of Vera Cruz in 1914 and was assigned to USS Kansas during WW I. Davidson earned his M.S. from Columbia University in 1917. His next assignment was being an Aide to the Commandant Eleventh Naval District from 1931 to 1934. From 1934 to 1936 he was Commander of the 9th Destroyer Division. He held the position as Commanding Officer of Relief from 1938 to 1939 and Omaha from 1939 to 1940. At the University of Michigan he was the ROTC Instructor from July 1940 to December 1941. In November of 1941 he was promoted to Rear Admiral. Davidson was made Commander of Cruiser Division Eight, Atlantic Fleet 1942 -1944. He was then appointed Commander of Task Force 86 from July to October 1944. Next duty assignment was to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as a member of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee 1945-1946. He was promoted to Vice Admiral upon retirement in June 1946. His decorations included two Distinguished Service Medals and two Legions of Merit. Vice Admiral Lyal Ament Davidson died on 29 December 1950 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

    USS Davidson (DE 1045) (1965-1988) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
    Bill Gonyo
    Downey, Cal.

    Assoc. Researcher
    Navsource
    Davidson  154k       Davidson  457k       Davidson  566k       Davidson  443k      
    1964: Westwego, La. - Four views of the future USS Davidson (DE 1045). The first three show Davidson on the building
    way of Avondale Shipyard. The fourth, showing her on the building way dressed out in signal flags, was taken shortly before
    her christening on 02 October 1964.

    0602104529   -   0602104530   -   0602104531   -   0602104532

    Russell Crosby
    BT3, Dec. '66 - Aug. '69
    Tulsa, Okla.
    Davidson
    0602104533
    518k 02 October 1964: Westwego, La. - The future USS Davidson (DE 1045) in the water for the first time immediately after her launching.
    Davidson
    0602104528
    252k 02 October 1964: Westwego, La. - The future USS Davidson (DE 1045) immediately after her launching at the Avondale Shipyards. According to the caption on the back of the photo, Davidson was launched a day earlier than scheduled due to a threat of hurricane conditions. It was decided that the ship would be safer in the water than on the launching ways. S. Dale Hargrave
    Newport News, Va.
    Davidson
    0602104534
    598k undated: Westwego, La. - The future USS Davidson sits at Avondale Shipyard's fitting out pier. Russell Crosby
    BT3, Dec. '66 - Aug, '68
    Tulsa, Okla.
    Davidson
    0602104535
    266k undated: Westwego, La. - The future USS Davidson undergoing inclining tests at Avondale Shipyard.
    Davidson
    0602104536
    354k December 1965: Charleston, S.C. - The future USS Davidson at "dress ship" pierside at the Charleston Naval Station awaiting her commissioning ceremony on 07 December 1965.
    Davidson
    0602104538
    228k April 1966: the Pacific Ocean - A ship's portrait taken while underway off Pearl Harbor.
    Davidson
    0602104502)
    92k Postcard from the 1968-1969 WESTPAC cruise, note ship's cancellation stamp
    Davidson
    (0602104537
    171k date / location unknown
    Davidson
    0602104503
    108k date / location unknown
    Davidson
    0602104504
    97k date / location unknown
    ***Hooper / Davidson***
    0602102612
    198k April 1967: off Pearl Harbor - Four of USS Hornet's task group on the way to WESTPAC in April 1967. Left to right: USS Hooper (DE 1026), USS Taylor (DD 468), Davidson, and USS Bronstein (DE 1037). Photo taken from USS Evans (DE 1023) port side. USS Bridget (DE 1024) and USS Walker (DD 517) would have been to Evans' starboard side. Darryl Baker
    PNCM, USNR (ret.)

    Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
    Davidson
    0602104505
    152 Refueling underway on her first WESTPAC cruise in 1967. The shorter of the two Officers and one standing to left is Lt. Robert K.U. Kihune who later rose to the rank of Admiral. After retiring, he later went on to become Vice-Chairman and President of the USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
    (Photo © Russell Crosby)
    Russell Crosby
    Davidson
    0602104539
    282k April 1970: Pearl Harbor, Hi. - A ship's portrait taken from Hospital Point at Pearl Harbor.
    Davidson
    0602104506
    137k date / location unknown Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Davidson
    0602104542
    371k September 1976: Oahu, Hi. - USS Davidson (FF 1045) underway in the Pearl Harbor Naval Station.

    (Heilenday photo #II 0432A from the Heilenday Collection)
    Mark Heilenday
    Virginia Beach, Va,

    Captain, USN (ret.)
    June 1974 - July 2004
    Davidson
    0602104543
    331k March 1978: Oahu, Hi. - USS Davidson (FF 1045) moored at the Pearl Harbor Naval Station.

    (Heilenday photo #II 0433A from the Heilenday Collection)
    Davidson
    0602104518
    152k May 1980: Davidson underway in the Pacific.
    (U.S. Navy Photo, Naval Photographic Center, DPC #K128712 by PHC Tom Ryals)
    David Johnston
    DCC(SS/SW), USN
    Navy Oper. Support Center
    Brunswick, Maine
    Davidson
    0602104507
    586k 01 May 1983: At sea - An aerial starboard bow view of Davidson underway.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-84-01994 by PH1 David MacLean from the Defense Visual Information Center)
    Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Davidson
    0602104508
    171k 01 May 1983: At sea - An aerial starboard bow view of Davidson underway.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-84-01993 by PH1 David MacLean from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104509
    143k 04 April 1986: At sea - An starboard bow view of Davidson underway off Diamond Head, Hawaii.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-86-08986 by PH3 McGlothlin from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104510
    119k 01 July 1986: At sea - An aerial starboard bow view of the Destroyer Squadron 35 task group underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise. The ships are, left to right: guided missile destroyer USS Goldsborough (DDG 20), Davidson, frigate USS Sample (FF 1048), fleet oiler USS Willamette (AO 180), guided missile destroyer USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG 22), frigate USS Badger (FF 1071), destroyer USS Leftwich (DD 984) and the guided missile cruiser USS Worden (CG 18).
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03072 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104511
    62k 01 July 1986: At sea - A starboard view of Davidson and USS Sample (FF 1048) underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03057 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104512
    107k 01 July 1986: At sea - A port beam view of Davidson underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03033 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104513
    201k 01 July 1986: At sea - A starboard bow view of Davidson underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03030 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104514
    100k 01 July 1986: At sea - Midshipmen and crew members from the destroyer USS Leftwich (DD 984) approach Davidson in a Mark 10 motor whaleboat while participating in a man-overboard drill during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03019 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104519
    287k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port bow view of Davidson while the ship is underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #DN-ST-87-03031 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104520
    260k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port bow view of the forward half of Davidson while the ship is underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #DN-ST-87-03032 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104521
    202k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port bow view of the forward section of Davidson showing the Mark 30 5-inch/38-cal. gun and the Mark 16 anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launcher. The ship is participating in a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN #DN-ST-87-03029 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104522
    237k 01 July 1986: at sea - A starboard beam view of Davidson and USS Badger (FF 1071), background, underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03060 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104523
    237k 01 July 1986: at sea - A starboard beam view of Davidson underway during a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-03058 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104524
    329k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port quarter view of the frigate Davidson underway for a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN#DN-ST-87-03027 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104525
    212k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port quarter view of the frigate Davidson underway for a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN#DN-ST-87-03028 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104526
    270k 01 July 1986: at sea - A port quarter view of the fleet oiler USS Willamette (AO 180) as the destroyer USS Leftwich (DD 984) approaches for an underway replenishment. The frigate USS Davidson (FF 1045) is starboard of Willamette. The ships are participating in a midshipmen's summer training cruise.
    (U.S. Navy photo VIRIN#DN-ST-87-02994 by PH2 Michael D.P. Flynn from the DVIC)
    Davidson
    0602104527
    290k 1986: Vancouver, B.C. - Davidson on a port visit to Vancouver.
    (Photo by  Rick Garcia)
    Chris Howell
    Southland Ship Stores Ltd
    Port of Bluff, New Zealand
    Davidson
    0602104515
    72k 1987: At sea - Picture of the Davidson's hanger curtain door with her motto. (photo © James E. Burgoyne) James E. Burgoyne
    HT2
    Davidson
    0602104516
    145k 01 February 1988: Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hi. - A port bow view of Davidson departing Pearl Harbor.
    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-92-05739 by OS2 John Bouvia from DVIC)
    Russell Crosby
    BT3, Dec. '66 - Aug, '68
    Tulsa, Okla.
    Davidson
    0602104540
    258k An undated shot of Davidson underway in the Pacific Ocean.
    Davidson
    0602104541
    260k An undated portrait of Davidson underway in the Pacific Ocean departing Pearl Harbor.
    Davidson
    0602104517
    35k date / location unknown, as Paraiba (D-28)

    Davidson
    Memorabilia

    Ship's
    Emblem
    Davidson
    Courtesy of
    Russell Crosby

    Davidson History
    The USS Davidson (DE 1045) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site is pending.
    The USS Davidson (DE 1045) DANFS history entry located on Wikipedia.

    Davidson's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  07 Dec. 1965 - 10 Dec. 1967Cmdr. Henry Lawrence Stanfield (NROTC '46) (St. Petersburg, Fla.)
    2.)  10 Dec. 1967 - 15 May 1969Cmdr. Robert M. Whitaker
    3.)  15 May 1969 - 21 May 1971Cmdr. Richard (Snuffy) Carl Smith (USNA '52) (Allentown, Pa.)
    4.)  21 May 1971 - 24 Sep. 1972Cmdr. Charles Griggs Wheeler
    5.)  24 Sep. 1972 - 13 Jul. 1974Cmdr. Allen Leonard Shapero
    6.)  13 Jul. 1974 - 17 Jun. 1976Cmdr. William Earl Held Jr.
    7.)  17 Jun. 1976 - 15 Jun. 1978Cmdr. Duncan F. Dempster
    8.)  15 Jun. 1978 - 05 Jul. 1980Cmdr. Edward W. Froehlich Jr.
    9.)  05 Jul. 1980 - 07 Oct. 1982Cmdr. Henry Frederick Dalton (USNA '63) (Tucson, Ariz.)
    10.) 07 Oct. 1982 - 15 Jan. 1985Cmdr. Frank Charles Ferdon
    11.) 15 Jan. 1985 - 15 Apr. 1987Cmdr. Tommy L. Hovland
    12.) 15 Apr. 1987 - 08 Dec. 1988Cmdr. John Howard Strauss

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information

    Next Reunion:
    19 - 23 October 2022 at San Antonio, Tex.

    Contact Name: Mike Peck
    Phone: (952) 380-7616
    E-mail: M. Peck

    see USS Davidson website listed below
    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 Davidson Web Site
    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: 10 June 2022