USS Boone (FFG-28)

USS "Boone" (FFG-28) is the twentieth ship in the United States Navy's "Oliver Hazard Perry" class of guided missile frigates.

The frigate was named for Vice Admiral Joel Thompson Boone, M.D. (1889–1974). FFG-28, the first U.S. ship to bear the Admirals name, was ordered January 23rd, 1978, launched January 16, 1980 by Todd Pacific Shipyards, and commissioned May 15, 1982. She has since racked up numerous awards and commendations.

Namesake

Joel Thompson Boone was born in St. Clair, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Mercersburg Academy in 1909, and went on to Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. After his graduation in 1913 he joined the Naval Reserve Medical Corps. Boone was transferred to the regular Navy in May 1915. He served on active duty until December 1, 1950.

Boone received official commendation throughout his Naval career. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels recognized Boones service with the Marines in Haiti in 1915. Boone served on board the battleship USS "Wyoming" (BB-32) from September 1916 to August 1917, when he transferred to the U.S. 6th Marine Regiment and was sent to France. With the Marines and later with the 2nd Infantry Division of the American Expeditionary Force, he received many awards for valor. Chief among them was the Medal of Honor, but Boone also received the Distinguished Service Cross; the Silver Star with five Oak Leaf Clusters; the Purple Heart (two Oak Leaf Clusters), one of which was a special award from General John Pershing; four awards from the French Government the Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre, the Gold Medal of Honor, and Order of the Fourragre; and the Italian (Croce di Guerra) with Diploma from Italy.

Boone received the Medal of Honor for action at Vierzy, France, during the Aisne-Marne offensive of 18-20 July 1918. He administered first aid along the front during the Marine attack on Soissons. He put himself in extreme danger by leaving relative safety in a ravine to aid the wounded lying in the open field. And without regard to artillery fire, he replenished supplies by motorcycle twice in the same day. After the St. Mihiel offensive in September 1918, Boone served with the Second Army Division as Assistant Division Surgeon.

Between 1922 and 1933, he was physician for three presidents: Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. During World War II, Boone was Senior Medical Officer at San Diego Naval Air Station and later commanded a Naval Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Boone represented the Naval Medical Corps at Japan's surrender on board the battleship USS "Missouri" (BB-63), September 2, 1945.

Boone was placed on the retired list December 1, 1950 and was promoted to Vice Admiral. He died on April 2, 1974 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Currently

USS "Boone" is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 14 and was the recipient of the 2005 DESRON 14 Battle "E". On 16 February 2007, "Bunker Hill" was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award. [http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895]

"Boone" is homeported in Mayport, Florida, and is a member of the Navy Reserve.

External links

* [http://www.boone.navy.mil// USS "Boone" Official site]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0728.htm navsource.org: USS "Boone"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG28.HTM navysite.de: USS "Boone"]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/boone_ffg_28_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS Boone FFG-28]

Further reading

*cite book
author=Milton F. Heller III
title=The Presidents' Doctor : An Insider's View of Three First Families
publisher=Vantage Pr; 1st ed edition (August 2000)
year=2000
id=ISBN 0-533-13159-6