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 Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books About the Ship's Coat of Arms In the News USS Crommelin History SinkEx Patch Gallery Image Gallery to end of page

USS Crommelin (FFG 37)

Assigned to the US Pacific Fleet, the USS CROMMELIN was one of the "long hull" - versions in the PERRY - class of guided missile frigates. The ship was named after three brothers, all US Naval Academy graduates, who served during World War II. Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on October 26, 2012, the CROMMELIN was finally stricken from the Navy list 5 days later. The decommissioned CROMMELIN was sunk as a target during exercise RIMPAC 2016 off the Hawaiian Islands on July 19, 2016.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS CROMMELIN. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS CROMMELIN memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS CROMMELIN Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 1985

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

(Click on the Coat of Arms for a larger version)

The Shield:

The colors blue and gold are traditionally associated with the U. S. Navy. The three interlaced chevronels represent the Crommelin brothers after whom the ship is named. The two winged chevronels refer to the air exploits of Lieutenant Commander Richard and Commander Charles Crommelin who served and died as Naval aviators. The central chevronel over which an anchor is placed alludes to the surface ship career of Vice Admiral Henry Crommelin, the oldest and first to serve of the brothers.

The linked chevronels suggest the strength and determination of U. S. naval forces in their efforts to regain enemy held territories of the Pacific Ocean throughout World War II. It was in this effort that the Crommelin brothers so distinguished themselves.

The Crest:

The rampant sea lion is a symbolic creature associated with valor at sea; its head and mane are scarlet for courage and its body is gold for zeal and achievement. The scarlet sword recalls the fierce conflict of the Pacific war. The wings and silver collar with blue cross signify some of the decorations the brothers received, such as the Navy Cross, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

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USS CROMMELIN in the News:

• April 15, 2003 - USS Crommelin Keeps Nearly Two Tons of Cocaine Off the Market

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History of USS CROMMELIN:

USS CROMMELIN's keel was laid on 30 May 1980 at Todd Pacific Shipyard, Seattle Division. The frigate was christened and launched on 2 July 1981. Commissioned on 18 June 1983, CROMMELIN was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 9 and reached its homeport of Long Beach, California in August 1983.

In 1985, CROMMELIN was assigned to the USS CONSTELLATION battle group and deployed to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. During this deployment, CROMMELIN became the first FFG to successfully engage a high-speed, maneuvering target with missiles. It was also the first ship to complete an operational deployment with the LAMPS MK III weapon system. In June 1986, CROMMELIN received the first CNO LAMPS MK III Safety Award.

In the summer of 1986, CROMMELIN was awarded every departmental and divisional excellence award and won its first Navy "E" award. In 1987, CROMMELIN was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 13 and began an accelerated deployment with the CONSTELLATION battle group. CROMMELIN was the first FFG to deploy with two LAMPS MK III helicopters embarked. CROMMELIN was assigned to Commander, Middle East Force from 1 July to 25 August 1987, earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation for the convoy escort of the first five reflagged Kuwaiti tankers.

On 1 January 1988, CROMMELIN was reassigned to Destroyer Squadron 9, and on 6 March 1988, the ship received a second consecutive Navy "E" award. Upon completion of its second availability period at Todd Pacific Shipyard, CROMMELIN was deployed in support of tanker escort operations in the Persian Gulf. During this deployment, CROMMELIN was used as a test ship for the Mast Mounted Sighted System (MMS) while in the Persian Gulf. CROMMELIN returned to Long Beach, CA in September 1989 until she was again deployed in support of Joint Service, Counternarcotics Operations in the Central, South American, and Caribbean theater 1990-1991. CROMMELIN was awarded the Joint Services Meritorious Unit Award for its performance during this deployment. In 1991, CROMMELIN received the Navy "E" as well as its fifth consecutive warfare excellence awards for anti-air and anti-surface warfare, navigation and seamanship, damage control, engineering, and communications. On 1 September 1991, CROMMELIN shifted homeports to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and joined Destroyer Squadron 31.

CROMMELIN completed a second four-month counternarcotics deployment in the Central, South American and Caribbean theater from November 1992 to March 1993. Upon return to its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, CROMMELIN was assigned to Commander Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific.

In 1994, the CROMMELIN was again operating in Far East and Middle East waters. Assigned to the KITTY HAWK (CV 63) Battle Group, the CROMMELIN conducted several port visits including Hong Kong and South Korea. The ship returned home to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December 1994.

In Feb. 2001 the CROMMELIN returned from a WESTPAC deployment with the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Battle Group.

In Dec. 2001, FFG 37 had the opportunity to serve as a testing bed for the employment of U.S. Army helicopter OH-58s from her flight deck. Three OH-58s and their crews from the U.S. Army 3rd Squadron 4th Aviation Cavalry Regiment/25th ID (L) were embarked onboard for the trials. The CROMMELIN, working together with Joint Shipboard Helicopter Integration Process (JSHIP) personnel, successfully increased the operational maneuvering envelopes, on deck safety procedures and improved operational tactics necessary for future joint operations.

USS CROMMELIN worked together with USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) to resolve many of the issues associated with the Army OH-58s operating on the decks of Navy frigates. Hours were spent in the rolling seas off the coast of Hawaii documenting safe flight envelopes and recording safe deck handling procedures for the OH-58s.

The CROMMELIN returned to Pearl Harbor on April 22, 2003 following a six-month deployment to the SOUTHCOM AOR where she took part in drug interdiction operations. CROMMELIN also was involved in three rescues at sea, rescuing 174 Ecuadorian citizens from a leaky vessel at sea, and lending assistance to two fishing vessels.

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USS CROMMELIN SINKEX:

The video below is an official US Navy video and shows the burning ex-USS CROMMELIN during RIMPAC 2016 on July 19, 2016. Participants in the SINKEX included HMCS CALGARY (FFH 335), HMNZS TE KAHA (F 77) and the USS CORONADO (LCS 4). The latter tested the new Block III version of the Harpoon anti-ship missile, however, the CORONADO was unable to score a hit on the CROMMELIN with the missile. Also involved were two AH-64D Apache helicopters based at the Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. They fired a total of eight AGM-114L Hellfire missiles at the CROMMELIN. CROMMELIN's final resting place is about 55 nautical miles north of the island of Kauai, Hawaii.

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USS CROMMELIN Patch Gallery:

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USS CROMMELIN Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by Sherman Pitzer, former crewmember of the USS CROMMELIN, between 1992 and 1996.

The photos below were taken by Brad Manzenberger, former crewmember of the USS CROMMELIN.

The photos below were contributed by Rex Miller, former crewmember of the USS CROMMELIN.

The photo below was taken by me and shows the CROMMELIN at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 8, 2012.

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