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Navsource Online: Frigate Photo Archive
Ship's Patches Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23)


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


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row: Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Second Row: Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (2) - National Defense Service Medal - Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
"Esprit - Discipline - Service"
Specifications:
Class: Oliver Hazard Perry (Short Hull, As Built)
Type: SCB No. 201 / 1973 - 1978
Number in Class: 25 (7, 9 - 16, 19 - 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
Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23) Building and Operational Data:
  • 28 February 1977: Building contract awarded to the Todd Shipyard Corp.
  • 23 May 1979: Keel laid by the Todd Pacific Shipyard Corp., LA Division, San Pedro, Cal.
  • 15 March 1980: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. Lewis B. Puller, widow of Maj. Gen. Puller
  • 17 April 1982: Commissioned at Long Beach, Cal., Cmdr. Ralph K. Martin in command, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 9 at Long Beach
  • 01 June 1987: Assigned to Naval Reserve Force at Long Beach, Cal.
  • 18 September 1998: Decommissioned after 16 years and 5 months of service, struck from the NVR, transferred as Grant Aid to Egypt, renamed Toushka (F906)
    5
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Lewis B. Puller
    072301    		 83k 01 September 1953: Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, namesake of FFG 23.

    USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23) (1982-1998) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DM-SN-02-05309 from the Defense Visual Information Center)    		 Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Lewis B. Puller
    072334    		 250k 15 March 1980: San Pedro, Cal. - After being christened by the widow of Lieutenant General Puller the future guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23) slides into the West Basin of San Pedro Harbor. Lewis B. Puller was the fifth of eighteen FFG's built at Todd, San Pedro. Today, a container port sits where she was built. S. Dale Hargrave
    Newport News, Va.
    Lewis B. Puller
    072302    		 116k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - A Marine Corps color guard marches during the commissioning ceremony for the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-06796 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)    		 Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Lewis B. Puller
    072335    		 417k17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - A view of the crowd attending the commissioning ceremony for the guided missile frigate USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-06814 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072303    		 103k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Crewmen stand at parade rest during the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-06822 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072304    		 82k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Mrs. Lewis B. Puller, ship's sponsor, listens during the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-06816 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072305    		 89k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Lewis B. Puller Jr. (1945-1994), a disabled Viet Nam veteran and author of the 1992 Pulitzer prize winning "Fortunate Son", listens during the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-06817 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072306    		 95k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Mrs. Lewis B. Puller, ship's sponsor, presents a sword to the ship during the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-06797 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072307    		 96k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - A crewman prepares to raise the flag during the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-06813 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072308    		 110k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Crew members of Lewis B. Puller man the rails.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-06798 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072309    		 116k 17 April 1982: Long Beach, Cal. - Mrs. Lewis B. Puller, sponsor, and Gen. Robert H. Barrow, commandant of the Marine Corps, leave at the conclusion of the commissioning ceremony.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-82-06781 by PH3 Kenneth V. Flemings, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072310    		 98k date / location unknown -
    Lewis B. Puller
    072311    		 91k date / location unknown Wendell R. McLaughlin, Jr.
    Lewis B. Puller
    072313    		 98k 25 September 1982: San Pedro Bay, Cal. - A starboard beam view of Lewis B. Puller underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00512 by PH2 Shayna Brennan, from the DVIC)    		 Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Lewis B. Puller
    072314    		 87k 25 September 1982: at sea - A port bow view of Lewis B. Puller underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00954 by PH2 Ron Garrison, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072312    		 86k date / location unknown (from The War Machine, Vol 11) Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Lewis B. Puller
    072315    		 96k 25 September 1982: at sea - Crewmen on the forward deck of New Jersey (BB 62) watch as Lewis B. Puller comes alongside. The New Jersey, on sea trials after renovation and modernization, is scheduled for reactivation in January 1983.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00955 by PH2 Ron Garrison, from the DVIC)    		 Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Lewis B. Puller
    072316    		 281k 05 May 1983: at sea - A port bow view of Lewis B. Puller underway during sea trials.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-83-07631, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072317    		 267k 17 September 1983: at sea - An elevated starboard bow view of Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09065 by PH3 Tony Yebba, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072318    		 259k 17 September 1983: at sea - A port bow view of Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09066 by PH3 Tony Yebba, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072336    		 404k 17 September 1983: at sea - An elevated starboard bow view of Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy Photo ARC ID #6423339 by PH3 Tony Yebba from the United States National Archives)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072319    		 148k 01 October 1983: at sea - An aerial port bow view of Lewis B. Puller underway.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-06887 by PH3 C. Yebba, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072320    		 109k 01 October 1983: at sea - An aerial view, left to right, of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), the Neosho class oiler USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) and Lewis B. Puller underway preparing to unrep.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-06880 by PH3 C. Yebba, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072321    		 118k 01 October 1983: at sea - A port side view of the bridge structure of USNS Kawishiwi. A signalman can be seen on the upper wing. In the background is Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-06872 by PHAN B. Collins, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072323    		 272k 01 October 1983: at sea - A port bow view of Kawishiwi with fuel lines extended to the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk during underway replenishment operations. Lewis B. Puller can be seen in the background.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-06871 by PHAN B. Collins, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072324    		 388k 15 October 1983: San Francisco Bay, Cal. - Port bow view of Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07465 by PHAN Menard, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072325    		 271k 15 October 1983: San Francisco Bay, Cal. - Port side view of Lewis B. Puller as a harbor tug from Oakland sprays water into the air. Visible in the background is the guided missile destroyer USS Chandler (DDG 996).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07462 by PHAN Menard, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072326    		 306k 15 October 1983: San Francisco Bay, Cal. - Port beam view of Lewis B. Puller and Chandler.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-85-07463 by PHAN Menard, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072337    		 137k 1984: the Pacific Ocean - Photo taken from USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during her 1984 WestPac Cruise. This was taken during the "Tiger Cruise" transit from CONUS to Pearl Harbor Mike Hiscano
    MM2, USN
    USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072332    		 63k 1985: at sea - Lewis B. Puller makes her approach on USNS Kawishiwi (T-AO 146) to refuel.

    (Photo by Richard Miller)    		 Richard Miller
    BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072327    		 367k 01 May 1987: at sea - Crew members form the phrase "We The People" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV 61) to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the constitution of the United States. The Constitution was formally signed on 17 September 1787. The guided missile cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN 9), bottom, and Lewis B. Puller are accompanying the Ranger.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-87-06761 by PH3 Ron Wimmer, from the DVIC)    		 Mike Smolinski
    Clifton, N.J.

    Navsource DE/FF/LCS
    Archive Manager
    Lewis B. Puller
    072328    		 247k 14 July 1987: at sea - An SH-3H Sea King helicopter prepares to land on Lewis B. Puller.

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-87-09130, from the DVIC)
    Wadsworth
    072315    		 553k 01 July 1988: Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hi. - Four U.S. Navy guided missile frigates are moored side by side in the harbor during Exercise RimPac '88. They include, from left: the guided missile frigates USS Duncan (FFG 10), USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), Lewis B. Puller and Wadsworth (FFG 9).

    (U.S. Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-91-12038) by PH1 Terry Cosgrove, from the DVIC)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072329    		 109k circa 1989 Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Lewis B. Puller
    072330    		 276k 02 August 1989: Vancouver, B.C. - Lewis B. Puller underway slowly off Vancouver.

    (Photo by Rick Garcia, from the collection of  Chris Howell)    		 Chris Howell
    Southland Ship Stores Ltd
    Port of Bluff, New Zealand
    Wadsworth
    070918    		 1046k 23 January 1994: at sea - Destroyer Squadron One (DesRonOne) steaming in formation off the coast of San Clemente Island. The formation consists of seven FFG class ships of the Naval Reserve Force. From left to right, rear to front; left row (rear) USS Sides (FFG 14), (front) USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), middle row (rear) USS Duncan (FFG 10) (center) USS Copeland (FFG 25) (lead ship) USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23), right row (rear) USS George Philip (FFG 12) and (front) USS Wadsworth (FFG 9).

    (U.S. Navy Photo, Local ID #330-CFD-DN-ST-95-01112, NAID #6491772 from the United States National Archives)
    		 Bob Hurst
    Worksop, Nottinghamshire,
    England, United Kingdom
    Lewis B. Puller
    072331    		 413k 20 May 2013: The Mediterranean Sea - Rigid-hull inflatable boats with sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) approach the Egyptian navy frigate ENS Toushka (FFG-906, ex-USS Lewis B. Puller) during a passing exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. Gravely, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

    (U.S. Navy photo #130520-N-KA046-341 by MC2 James Turner from the Navy Newstand)
    Lewis B. Puller
    072333    		 441k 20 May 2013: The Mediterranean Sea - Please find attached a pic of the guided missile frigate ENS Toushka (F-906, ex-USS Lewis B. Puller) underway in the Mediterranean Sea.

    (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 James Turner)
    Lewis B. Puller Memorabilia
    Ship's
    Plaque
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Ship's Belt
    Buckle
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Ship's
    Coffee Mug
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Wilton Armetale
    Wall Plaque
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Ship's
    T-Shirt
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Final Cruise
    T-Shirt
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski    		 Pen & Ink Drawing
    Paulette LaVine
    Lewis B. Puller
    Courtesy of
    Mike Smolinski
    Lewis B. Puller History
    View the USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG 23) DANFS history entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.
    Lewis B. Puller's Commanding Officers
    Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves
    Dates of Command Commanding Officers
    1.)  17 Apr. 1982 - 04 Aug. 1984Cmdr. Ralph Kenneth Martin (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    2.)  04 Aug. 1984 - 15 Oct. 1986Cmdr. Edward Moore Jr. (OCS '68) (Little Rock, Ark.) (ret. as Vadm.)
    3.)  15 Oct. 1986 - 30 Nov. 1988Cmdr. William Harold Smith (Pomona, Cal.)
    4.)  30 Nov. 1988 - 30 Nov. 1990Cmdr. Christopher A. Nitzel
    5.)  30 Nov. 1990 - 10 Dec. 1991Cmdr. John Robert MacLuskie (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    6.)  10 Dec. 1991 - 03 Apr. 1993Cmdr. William Ashby Lillard III
    7.)  03 Apr. 1993 - 14 Jan. 1995Cmdr. Gary Michael Erickson
    8.)  14 Jan. 1995 - 05 Dec. 1996Cmdr. Jeffery Scott Lee (NROTC '75) (Milwaukee, Wis.)
    9.)  05 Dec. 1996 - 18 Sep. 1998Cmdr. Robert Scott Wells (OCS '77) (Santa Monica, Cal.)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    None
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    This page created by Daniel N. Dunham,
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    Page Last Updated: 11 March 2023