USS Roark (FF-1053)

USS "Roark" (FF-1053), originally designated DE-1053, was a Knox class frigate named for William Marshall Roark. "Roark" was laid down on 2 February 1966 by the Todd Shipyards Corporation in Seattle, Washington; launched on 24 April, 1967, sponsored by Mrs. William M. Roark and Mrs. Frank F. Roark; and commissioned on 22 November 1969, with Commander Wayne L. Beech in command.

Since completing shakedown in the spring of 1970, "Roark" a unit of DesRon 21, conducted training operations out of her homeport of San Diego, California, until the end of the year. With 1971 she began preparations for her first deployment with the 7th Fleet in the western Pacific and departed from San Diego 7 January. After stopping at Pearl Harbor and refueling at Midway Island, "Roark" suffered a fire in her engine room. The damage was sufficient to require her return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Almost two months later, in March, she was underway again for WestPac. She remained in the western Pacific until July, when she started for home, arriving in San Diego, California, on 10 August. For the remainder of 1971, "Roark" operated out of San Diego.

The new year, 1972, brought with it another deployment to the Far East. She departed San Diego on 8 February and arrived in Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, on 29 February. She operated in WestPac, primarily in the Vietnam area until 15 August, when she pointed her bow homeward. "Roark" entered San Diego 30 August and remained in the vicinity for the duration of 1972 and the first eight months of 1973. She departed San Diego in August and arrived in Subic Bay on the 31st. After almost four months of deployment with the Seventh Fleet, "Roark" sailed into San Diego on 21 December 1973.

"Roark" transferred to the Naval Reserve in 1987 and was decommissioned December 14, 1991. She was disposed of by scrapping, dismantling October 13, 2004.

"Roark" received three battle stars for Vietnam service.

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

* Combat Action Ribbon
* Navy "E" Ribbon (6)
*
* National Defense Service Medal (with one star)
* (with three stars)
*
* Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
*

ources

* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FF1053.htm Naval Vessel Rgister FF1053]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/06021053.htm navsource.org]
* [http://navysite.de/ff/ff1053.htm navysite.de]