History of the USS Moinester (DE/FF-1097)

USS Moinester (DE/FF-1097): History, Patrols, Crews

Commissioning

The USS Moinester was the forty sixth and final KNOX-class frigate. She was named after Lieutenant, junior grade Robert William Moinester, who was awarded the Silver Star and was posthumously awarded the National Order of Vietnam and Gallantry Cross with Palm from the Republic of Vietnam.

The Moinester was awarded to Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, La., on Aug. 25, 1966. Her keel was laid on Aug. 25, 1972; she was launched on May 12, 1973. She was commissioned on Nov. 2, 1974 with Commander George W Stewart in command.

Underway

The USS Moinester earned its first commendation, the Navy “E” Ribbon, on July 1, 1975. On April 1, 1976, she was awarded with the Navy Unit Commendation.

From June 20 to July 12, 1976, the Moinester served in the evacuation of Beirut, Lebanon. For her service, the Moinester was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal. Following her service in Lebanon, the Moinester would be awarded with her second Nay “E” Ribbon on Oct. 1, 1977. The following year, she would be awarded with her third Navy “E” Ribbon on Oct. 1, 1978.

The Moinester would return to Lebanon on July 9, 1983, as part of a multi-national peacekeeping force headquartered in Beirut. During her time off the Lebanese coast, the Moinester would take part in several fire support missions on enemy positions in and around Beirut. For her service, she was awarded the Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal. Following her second tour of duty in Lebanon, the Moinester would be awarded her fourth and final Navy “E” Ribbon on April 1, 1988.

Decommissioning

The Moinester was decommissioned on July 28, 1994 and was stricken from the Navy list on Nov. 1, 1995. Following her decommissioning, the Moinester became one of eight KNOX-class frigates that were transferred to the Naval Reserve Force. She served as a Reserve Training frigate. At this time she had a reserve crew, as well as four “nucleus crews” That would man her in the case she was ever reactivated.

She was sold to the Egyptian navy and renamed the Rashid (F962) on March 25, 1998.

Characteristics of the USS Moinester (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Class and type: Knox-class frigate
Propulsion system: 2 - 1200 psi boilers; 1 geared turbine, 1 shaft; 35,000 shaft horsepower Length: 438 feet (133.5 meters)
Beam: 47 feet (14.4 meters)
Draft: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
Displacement: approx. 4,200 tons fu`ll load
Speed: 27 knots
Armament: one Mk-16 missile launcher for ASROC and Harpoon missiles
one Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber gun
Mk-46 torpedoes from single tube launchers
one 20mm Phalanx
CIWS Aircraft: one SH-2F (LAMPS I) helicopter
Crew: 18 officers, 267 enlisted

Career:

Awarded: August 25, 1966
Builder: Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La.
Keel laid: August 25, 1972
Launched: May 12, 1973
Commissioned: November 2, 1974
Decommissioned: July 28, 1994
Fate: Sold to Egypt

Timeline:

July 1966: USS Moinester awarded
August 1972: Keel of USS Moinester laid
May 1973: USS Moinester launched
November 1974: USS Moinester commissioned
June 1976: USS Moinester serves in Lebanon and is awarded the Humanitarian Service Award
July 1983: USS Moinester serves in Lebanon a second time
July 1994: USS Moinester decommission

Crewmembers of the USS Moinester:

An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Moinester can be found on the unofficial navy website at: http://navysite.de. This list is compiled by former crewmembers that voluntarily register. Some quoted comments from former crewmembers are listed below; many more are available on the source website at the following Web address:
http://navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=ff_1097

Don Wilder (1980 – 1983): “In 12 years the only command that truly made me feel like a true sailor. The best OE shop I ever had.”

Thomas Epps (May 1980 – November 1985): “I've served in two frigates, a Spru-Can, an Aegis cruiser, an LCC and an oiler, and of them all I have the fondest memories of FF-1097. Moinester was one-of-a-kind!”

Andy Deal (November 1982 – March 1987): “My first ship as LPO and LCPO. grew up on Moinester. Had a great group of OSs and EWs. Always enjoy talking about my days aboard Moinester.”

Links:

http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/destroyerspostwwii.htm
http://navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=ff_1097
http://fp1.centurytel.net/Harkins/moinester.htm
http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/06021097.htm
http://navysite.de/ff/ff1097.htm

To receive a FREE Mesothelioma Web information packet** or to make a request, please fill out the following form :

**For a FREE information packet including treatments, clinical trials, and specialists, please complete the form above or call a Mesothelioma Web coordinator at 1-877-367-6376.

News

Resources

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here