USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066)

USS "Marvin Shields" (FF-1066) was a Sclass|Knox|frigate of the US Navy. The ship was named after the only Seabee to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. CM3 Marvin Glenn Shields was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Constructed by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, laid down April 12, 1968, launched October 23, 1969 and delivered April 1, 1971. "Marvin Shields" was commissioned April 10, 1971, decommissioned July 2, 1992 and struck 11 January 1995. She was subsequently sold to Mexican Navy and renamed ARM "Abasolo".

1983 Deployment

On July 20, 1983 the New York Times reported that the Marvin Shields along with seven other vessels in the Carrier Ranger Battle Group left San Diego on Friday July 15, 1983 and were headed for the western Pacific when they were rerouted and ordered to steam for Central America to conduct training and flight operations in areas off the coasts of Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras as part of major military exercises planned for that summer.

Besides the "Marvin Shields", the battle group is composed of the carrier USS|Ranger|CV-61|2, the cruiser USS|Horne|CG-30|2, the guided missile destroyer USS|Lynde McCormick|DDG-8|2, the destroyers USS|Fletcher|DD-992|2 and USS|Fife|DD-991|2, the oiler USS|Wichita|AOR-1|2 and the support ship USS|Camden|AOE-2|2.

External links

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FF1066.htm Naval Vessel Register FF1066]
* [http://navysite.de/ff/ff1066.htm Navysite.de]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/06021066.htm NavSource images]

Ship's Association Formed

In June of 2006, at the first shipmate's reunion in San Diego, the ship's association was formed. Twenty shipmates were in attendance. The second reunion will occur during September of 2008 in St. Louis. For more information about the association check out the association website.