USS Simpson (FFG-56)

USS Simpson (FFG-56) is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Rodger W. Simpson. She was laid down at Bath Iron Works, Maine, on 27 February 1984, launched on 31 August 1984 and commissioned on 9 November 1985.

Simpson was deployed to the Persian Gulf in January 1988, as an escort to reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. On 18 April 1988, Simpson took part in Operation Praying Mantis, the US response to the mining of the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts, which hit an Iranian M-08 mine on 14 April 1988.

Simpson together with other warships and military assets destroyed Iranian naval and intelligence facilities on two inoperable oil platforms in the Persian Gulf, and sent at least six armed speedboats to the bottom. Simpson was attacked by an AGM-84 Harpoon missile from the Iranian frigate Joshan, and hit back with four missiles. Joshan was then sunk by gunfire. Another Iranian frigate was damaged. The frigate Sabalan was a special target; it had repeatedly fired machine guns into the bridges of neutral commercial ships. It was heavily damaged minutes before the Americans halted their operation.

Simpson was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon for this operation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the deployment.

In the Gulf War of 1991, Simpson served as an escort to the aircraft carrier USS America.

In August 1993, Simpson again escorted USS America and took part in Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise during the Yugoslav wars.

In May 1994, Simpson took part in Operation Support Democracy and Operation Able Manner off the coast of Haiti in support of the United Nations embargo.

As of 2005, Simpson is homeported at NS Norfolk, Virginia, and is part of Destroyer Squadron 6.

See USS Simpson for other ships of the same name.

External links

• USS Simpson official website
• navsource.org: USS Simpson
• navysite.de: USS Simpson