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{{Use American English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
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|Ship flag={{USN flag|1993}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1993}}
|Ship name=USS ''Kirk''
|Ship name=USS ''Kirk''
|Ship namesake=[[Alan Kirk]]
|Ship namesake=
|Ship owner=
|Ship owner= United States: Leased to Taiwan
|Ship operator=
|Ship operator=
|Ship registry=
|Ship registry=
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|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship nickname=
⚫
|Ship honours=
|Ship honors=
|Ship honors=
|Ship captured=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=Transferred to [[Taiwan]], as ''Fen Yang''
|Ship fate=Transferred to [[Taiwan]], as ''Fen Yang''
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship badge=
⚫
|Ship honours=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=Taiwan
|Ship country=Taiwan
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Taiwan|naval}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Taiwan|naval}}
|Ship name=''Fen Yang'' ({{lang-zh|汾陽}})
|Ship name=''Fen Yang'' ({{Lang-zh|汾陽}})
|Ship namesake=
|Ship namesake=
|Ship acquired=*loaned 6 August 1993
|Ship acquired=*loaned 6 August 1993
*purchased 29 September 1999
*purchased 29 September 1999
|Ship commissioned=6 August 1993
|Ship commissioned=6 August 1993
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship recommissioned=
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|Ship captured=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=
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|Ship notes=
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|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass-|Knox|frigate}}
|Ship class={{sclass|Knox|frigate}}
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement=3,221 tons (4,202 full load)
|Ship displacement=3,221 tons (4,202 full load)
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|438|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|438|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|46|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|46|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
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|Ship propulsion=*2 × CE 1200psi boilers
|Ship propulsion=*2 × CE 1200psi boilers
*1 Westinghouse geared turbine
*1 Westinghouse geared turbine
*1 shaft, {{convert|35,000|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
*1 shaft, {{convert|35000|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed=over {{convert|27|kn}}
|Ship speed=over {{convert|27|kn}}
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|Ship time to activate=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=*AN/SPS-40 Air Search Radar
|Ship sensors=*AN/SPS-40 Air Search Radar
*AN/SPS-67 Surface Search Radar
*AN/SPS-10 Surface Search Radar
*AN/SPS-67 Navigation Radar
*AN/SQS-26 [[Sonar]]
*AN/SQS-26 [[Sonar]]
*AN/SQR-18 [[Towed array sonar]] system
*AN/SQR-18 [[Towed array sonar]] system
*Prairie/Masker System
*[[AN/SPG-53|Mk68]] Gun Fire Control System
*[[AN/SPG-53|Mk68]] Gun Fire Control System
|Ship EW=[[SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite|AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Warfare System]]
|Ship EW=[[SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite|AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Warfare System]]
|Ship armament=*1 × Mk-16 8 cell missile launcher for [[ASROC]] and [[Harpoon missile]]s
|Ship armament=*1 × Mk-16 8 cell missile launcher for [[ASROC]] and [[Harpoon missile]]s
*1 × Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber gun
*1 × Mk-42 [[5"/54 caliber Mark 42 gun|5-inch/54]] caliber gun
*[[Mark 46 torpedo]]es from four single tube launchers)
*[[Mark 46 torpedo]]es from four single tube launchers)
*1 × [[Phalanx CIWS]]
*1 × [[Phalanx CIWS]]
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|}
|}


'''USS ''Kirk''''' was a {{sclass-|Knox|frigate|0}} [[destroyer escort]], originally designated as DE-1087 and reclassified as a [[frigate]], FF-1087 (1975), in the [[United States Navy]]. Her primary mission of [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] remained unchanged. She was named for Admiral [[Alan Kirk|Alan Goodrich Kirk]].
'''USS ''Kirk''''' was a {{sclass|Knox|frigate|0}} [[destroyer escort]], originally designated as DE-1087 and reclassified as a [[frigate]], FF-1087 (1975), in the [[United States Navy]]. Her primary mission of [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] remained unchanged. She was named for Admiral [[Alan Goodrich Kirk]]. She is in service with the [[Republic of China Navy|Taiwanese navy]] as the ROCN Fen Yang (FFG-934).


Her contract awarded to [[Avondale Shipyard|Avondale Marine]] on 25 August 1966. ''Kirk'' was laid down on 4 December 1970, launched on 25 September 1971 and commissioned on 9 September 1972.
Her contract was awarded to [[Avondale Shipyard|Avondale Marine]] on 25 August 1966. ''Kirk'' was laid down on 4 December 1970, launched on 25 September 1971 and commissioned on 9 September 1972.


==Service history==
==Service history==
In April 1975 ''Kirk'' participated in [[Operation Eagle Pull]], the evacuation of [[Phnom Penh]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of [[Saigon]], [[Vietnam]].<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/seairland/chap5.htm By Sea, Air and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the war in Southeast Asia Chapter 5: The Final Curtain, 1973–1975]</ref>
In April 1975 ''Kirk'' participated in [[Operation Eagle Pull]], the evacuation of [[Phnom Penh]], [[Cambodia]], and [[Operation Frequent Wind]], the evacuation of [[Saigon]], [[Vietnam]].<ref>[http://www.history.navy.mil/seairland/chap5.htm By Sea, Air and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the war in Southeast Asia Chapter 5: The Final Curtain, 1973–1975]</ref>


As part of the U.S. fleet sent to facilitate the evacuation of Americans from South Vietnam, USS ''Kirk'' carried out one of the most significant humanitarian missions in U.S. military history. Under the direction of a civilian, [[Richard Armitage (politician)|Richard Armitage]], ''Kirk'' rescued the [[Republic of Vietnam Navy|South Vietnamese Navy]], and along with it, tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees, and led them to the [[Philippines]]. From there, most of the refugees ultimately emigrated to the United States.<ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129578263 At War's End, U.S. Ship Rescued South Vietnam's Navy]</ref>
As part of the U.S. fleet sent to facilitate the evacuation of Americans from South Vietnam, USS ''Kirk'' carried out one of the most significant humanitarian missions in U.S. military history. Commanded by Commander Paul H. (Jake) Jacobs and under the direction of a civilian, [[Richard Armitage (politician)|Richard Armitage]], ''Kirk'' rescued the remainder of the [[Republic of Vietnam Navy|South Vietnamese Navy]]{{clarify|date=June 2018}}, consisting of 18 ships and tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees, leading and protecting the flotilla from Vietnamese waters to the [[Philippines]]. From there, most of the refugees ultimately emigrated to the United States.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129578263 At War's End, U.S. Ship Rescued South Vietnam's Navy]</ref>


During the evacuation, it became a makeshift landing zone for a stream of helicopters flown by South Vietnamese airmen fleeing for their lives with their families and friends on board. Having only a small helipad, ''Kirk'' had nowhere to store the helicopters so the crew pushed each one overboard into the China Sea. The final refugees it received were literally tossed out of a hovering [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook]] that was too large to land on ''Kirk''. Once the passengers were safely aboard, the pilot steered the craft a few hundred yards off ''Kirk''{{'}}s bow and landed in the water. He successfully emerged and joined his family on board the American frigate.<ref>{{cite serial |authorlink= Rory Kennedy |first= Rory (Producer Director) |last= Kennedy |url= http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/lastdays/ |series= [[American Experience]] |title= Last Days in Vietnam |date= 2015 |station= [[WGBH Educational Foundation]] }}</ref>
During the evacuation, the ''Kirk'' became a makeshift landing pad for a stream of fourteen helicopters flown by South Vietnamese airmen fleeing for their lives with their families and friends on board. Having only a small flight deck, ''Kirk'' had nowhere to store the helicopters so the crew pushed all but three overboard into the China Sea. Early one morning while on station, the crew of the ''Kirk'' rescued two Marine pilots after their USMC AH-1J Cobra gunship crashed into the ocean near the ship. This was the last helicopter-gunship to be lost in Vietnam. The final refugees the ''Kirk'' received were literally tossed out of a hovering [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook]] that was too large to land on ''Kirk''. Once the passengers were safely aboard, the pilot steered the craft about 50 yards aft of ''Kirk''{{'}}s stern, and jumped from the hovering helicopter. The craft then crashed into the water over the submerged pilot. He successfully surfaced and, after rescue by ''Kirk'' sailors, joined his family on board the American frigate.<ref>{{cite serial |authorlink= Rory Kennedy |first= Rory (Producer Director) |last= Kennedy |url= https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/lastdays/ |series= [[American Experience]] |title= Last Days in Vietnam |date= 2015 |station= [[WGBH Educational Foundation]] }}</ref>


In 2010, under the direction of [[Adam M. Robinson, Jr.|VADM Adam Robinson]], former [[Surgeon General of the United States Navy|Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy]], the U.S. Navy created a documentary entitled ''The Lucky Few''. It has since been translated into Vietnamese as well.
In 2010, under the direction of [[Adam M. Robinson, Jr.|VADM Adam Robinson]], then [[Surgeon General of the United States Navy|Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy]], the U.S. Navy created a documentary entitled ''The Lucky Few''. It has since been translated into Vietnamese as well.


===Decommissioning and Taiwanese service===
===Decommissioning and Taiwanese service===
[[File:ROCN FFG-934 head in Keelung 20190324.jpg|thumb|ROCN Fen Yang FFG-934 head in Keelung 20190324]]
She served in the U.S. Navy up until 6 August 1993, when the ship was decommissioned and leased to [[Republic of China Navy]] in [[Taiwan]]. In Taiwanese service she was renamed ''Fen Yang'' ({{lang-zh|汾陽}}) with the hull number changed to 934. On 29 September 1999, the ship was finally purchased by Taiwan.
She served in the U.S. Navy up until 6 August 1993, when the ship was decommissioned and leased to [[Republic of China Navy]] in [[Taiwan]]. In Taiwanese service she was renamed ''Fen Yang'' ({{Lang-zh|汾陽}}) with the hull number changed to 934. On 29 September 1999, the ship was finally purchased by Taiwan.

==See also==
* {{USS|Brewton}}
* {{USS|Joseph Hewes|FF-1078}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* {{NVR|{{NVR url|id=FF1087}}}}
* {{Naval Vessel Register|{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=FF1087}}}}


==External links==
==External links==
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* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/destroyer_escorts/pages/kirk_de_1087_page_1.htm Maritimequest USS Kirk DE-1087/FF-1087 Photo Gallery]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/destroyer_escorts/pages/kirk_de_1087_page_1.htm Maritimequest USS Kirk DE-1087/FF-1087 Photo Gallery]
* [http://forums.kirk1087.org/gallery/album.php?album_id=2 USS Kirk (FF1087) Operation Frequent Wind gallery]
* [http://forums.kirk1087.org/gallery/album.php?album_id=2 USS Kirk (FF1087) Operation Frequent Wind gallery]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129475773 Forgotten Ship: A Lifesaving Mission As Saigon Fell] - slideshow by ''[[NPR]]''
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129475773 Forgotten Ship: A Lifesaving Mission As Saigon Fell] – slideshow by ''[[NPR]]''
* [http://video.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365430311 "Last Days in Vietnam" NPR broadcast April, 29, 2015]
* [http://video.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365430311 "Last Days in Vietnam" NPR broadcast April, 29, 2015]


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[[Category:Ships built in Bridge City, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bridge City, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Republic of China Navy]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Republic of China Navy]]
[[Category:Cold War frigates and destroyer escorts of the United States]]

Revision as of 12:49, 7 January 2024

USS Kirk (FF-1087)
USS Kirk
History
United States
NameUSS Kirk
OwnerUnited States: Leased to Taiwan
Ordered25 August 1966
BuilderAvondale Shipyard, Westwego, Louisiana
Laid down4 December 1970
Launched25 September 1971
Acquired27 August 1972
Commissioned9 September 1972
Decommissioned6 August 1993
Stricken11 January 1995
FateTransferred to Taiwan, as Fen Yang
Taiwan
NameFen Yang (Chinese: 汾陽)
Acquired
  • loaned 6 August 1993
  • purchased 29 September 1999
Commissioned6 August 1993
Identification934
General characteristics
Class and typeKnox-class frigate
Displacement3,221 tons (4,202 full load)
Length438 ft (134 m)
Beam46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Draught24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × CE 1200psi boilers
  • 1 Westinghouse geared turbine
  • 1 shaft, 35,000 shp (26,000 kW)
Speedover 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Complement18 officers, 267 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
  • AN/SPS-40 Air Search Radar
  • AN/SPS-10 Surface Search Radar
  • AN/SPS-67 Navigation Radar
  • AN/SQS-26 Sonar
  • AN/SQR-18 Towed array sonar system
  • Prairie/Masker System
  • Mk68 Gun Fire Control System
Electronic warfare
& decoys		AN/SLQ-32 Electronics Warfare System
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × SH-2 Seasprite (LAMPS I) helicopter

USS Kirk was a Knox-class destroyer escort, originally designated as DE-1087 and reclassified as a frigate, FF-1087 (1975), in the United States Navy. Her primary mission of ASW remained unchanged. She was named for Admiral Alan Goodrich Kirk. She is in service with the Taiwanese navy as the ROCN Fen Yang (FFG-934).

Her contract was awarded to Avondale Marine on 25 August 1966. Kirk was laid down on 4 December 1970, launched on 25 September 1971 and commissioned on 9 September 1972.

Service history

In April 1975 Kirk participated in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam.[1]

As part of the U.S. fleet sent to facilitate the evacuation of Americans from South Vietnam, USS Kirk carried out one of the most significant humanitarian missions in U.S. military history. Commanded by Commander Paul H. (Jake) Jacobs and under the direction of a civilian, Richard Armitage, Kirk rescued the remainder of the South Vietnamese Navy[clarification needed], consisting of 18 ships and tens of thousands of Vietnamese refugees, leading and protecting the flotilla from Vietnamese waters to the Philippines. From there, most of the refugees ultimately emigrated to the United States.[2]

During the evacuation, the Kirk became a makeshift landing pad for a stream of fourteen helicopters flown by South Vietnamese airmen fleeing for their lives with their families and friends on board. Having only a small flight deck, Kirk had nowhere to store the helicopters so the crew pushed all but three overboard into the China Sea. Early one morning while on station, the crew of the Kirk rescued two Marine pilots after their USMC AH-1J Cobra gunship crashed into the ocean near the ship. This was the last helicopter-gunship to be lost in Vietnam. The final refugees the Kirk received were literally tossed out of a hovering Boeing CH-47 Chinook that was too large to land on Kirk. Once the passengers were safely aboard, the pilot steered the craft about 50 yards aft of Kirk's stern, and jumped from the hovering helicopter. The craft then crashed into the water over the submerged pilot. He successfully surfaced and, after rescue by Kirk sailors, joined his family on board the American frigate.[3]

In 2010, under the direction of VADM Adam Robinson, then Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Navy created a documentary entitled The Lucky Few. It has since been translated into Vietnamese as well.

Decommissioning and Taiwanese service

ROCN Fen Yang FFG-934 head in Keelung 20190324

She served in the U.S. Navy up until 6 August 1993, when the ship was decommissioned and leased to Republic of China Navy in Taiwan. In Taiwanese service she was renamed Fen Yang (Chinese: 汾陽) with the hull number changed to 934. On 29 September 1999, the ship was finally purchased by Taiwan.

See also

References

  1. ^ By Sea, Air and Land: An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy and the war in Southeast Asia Chapter 5: The Final Curtain, 1973–1975
  2. ^ At War's End, U.S. Ship Rescued South Vietnam's Navy
  3. ^ Kennedy, Rory (Producer Director) (2015). Last Days in Vietnam. American Experience. WGBH Educational Foundation.
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