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USS Marvin Shields (FF 1066)

USS MARVIN SHIELDS was the 15^th ship in the KNOX - class of frigates and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name. Decommissioned on July 2, 1992, and stricken from the Navy list on January 11, 1995, the MARVIN SHIELD was transferred to Mexico on January 29, 1997. There, she was recommissioned as MARIANO ABASOLO.

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Crew List:

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

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

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USS MARVIN SHIELDS Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 1986-87
• WestPac Cruise Book 1988-89

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About the Ship's Name:

Marvin Glen Shields was born 30 December 1939 in Port Townsend, Washington. After attending high school in that city, he enlisted in the Navy on 8 January 1962. Following recruit training at the Naval Training Center, San Diego, he was assigned to Naval Air Station, Glyncoe, Georgia, and then, to the Construction Battalion School at Port Hueneme, California.

Attached to Mobile Construction Battalion ELEVEN, Shields was ordered to Vietnam as an Automotive Construction Mechanic, Third Class. Shields' unit, 1104, was assigned to build and improve training facilities at the Civilian Irregular Defense Group at Dong Xoai, fifty five miles north of Saigon. On 9 June 1965, the compound was taken under fire by a Viet Cong regiment armed with machine guns, recoilless rifles, small arms and flame throwers. Breaching the camp defenses, the Viet Cong surrounded the Americans. For approximately three hours Shields continually supplied his fellow Americans with needed ammunition and returning enemy fire, although he had been wounded. During a massive, close range Viet Cong attack with flame throwers, hand grenades, and small arms fire, Shields assisted in carrying a more critically wounded man to safety and then resumed his gun position for four more hours. When the Commanding Officer asked for a volunteer to accompany him outside the headquarters defenses in an attempt to knock out an enemy machine gun position, which was endangering American personnel with its accurate fire, Shields unhesitatingly volunteered. Advancing toward their objective with a 3.5 inch rocket launcher, they succeeded in destroying the enemy gun emplacement, undoubtedly saving the lives of many American servicemen. While returning to the defensive position, Shields was mortally wounded. He died on the afternoon of 10 June 1965, shortly after being evacuated by helicopter.

Although Dong Xoai was left charred ruins, the American position was held. Marvin Shields was posthumously awarded the Vietnamese Order of Gallantry with Palm and the military Merit Medal. President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him with the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony at the White House on 13 September 1966.

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USS MARVIN SHIELDS History:

The construction contract for USS MARVIN SHIELDS was awarded to Todd Shipyards Corporation on July 22, 1964. Her keel was laid at the company's Seattle yard on April 12, 1968. The ship was one of the KNOX-class ocean escorts developed during the Cold War primarily for anti-submarine warfare, convoy protection and the screening of aircraft carriers, amphibious formations and replenishment groups. She was launched and christened at Seattle on October 23, 1969, cosponsored by Mrs. Victoria B. Cassalery, Shields' mother, and Mrs. Richard A. Bennett, his widow. After launching, the hull remained at Todd Shipyards while machinery, weapons, sensors, communications equipment and accommodations were installed and tested. USS MARVIN SHIELDS conducted running trials in the Pacific Ocean on February 24, 1971 and was delivered to the Navy shortly before commissioning.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS (DE 1066) was commissioned at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, on April 10, 1971, with Commander William J. Hunter as her first commanding officer. She was assigned to the Pacific Cruiser-Destroyer Force and homeported at San Diego, California. During the remainder of 1971 and the opening months of 1972, the ship completed trials, initial crew training, weapons and engineering evaluations and the preparations required for her first overseas deployment.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed San Diego on May 17, 1972 for her first Western Pacific deployment. The cruise occurred during a major escalation of the Vietnam War following the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, which had begun in March. United States naval forces had increased their presence in the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, where aircraft carriers conducted strikes and support operations while surface escorts protected the carrier formations and monitored submarine activity. From June 8 through June 26, 1972, USS MARVIN SHIELDS participated in anti-submarine sweeps in the South China Sea with USS TICONDEROGA (CVS 14), USS BADGER (DE 1071) and USS HEPBURN (DE 1055). Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Group Three directed the formation, which was joined at different times by missile-equipped escorts and ships assigned to plane-guard duties. USS TICONDEROGA operated as an anti-submarine support carrier, while the destroyer escorts used their sonars and anti-submarine weapons to screen the formation and investigate contacts.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS remained in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asian operating areas during the following months. She was photographed underway on October 4, 1972 with her anti-submarine rocket launcher elevated. Her service during the deployment qualified the ship for Vietnam-related campaign recognition, including the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The Combat Action Ribbon is also included among the awards recorded for the ship. USS MARVIN SHIELDS returned to San Diego on December 15, 1972, ending a deployment of almost seven months. Commander Ingolf N. Kiland Jr. relieved Commander Hunter on December 21. The ship then entered a post-deployment period of maintenance, crew leave and renewed training.

During 1973 and the first half of 1974, USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued to operate with the Pacific Fleet from San Diego. Her schedule combined maintenance periods with engineering exercises, weapons qualifications, anti-submarine training and operations in the Southern California exercise areas. Commander Jerome F. Smith Jr. assumed command on June 28, 1974.

On June 30, 1975, the Navy redesignated USS MARVIN SHIELDS (FF 1066) as part of a service-wide reclassification of surface combatants. The former destroyer escorts of the KNOX-class became frigates.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed Long Beach, California, on October 16, 1975 in company with USS FRANCIS HAMMOND (FF 1067). USS FRANCIS HAMMOND was transferring to a new home port at Yokosuka, Japan, while USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued with a Western Pacific deployment. The cruise took place only a few months after the fall of Saigon and the conclusion of direct United States military involvement in Vietnam. American naval activity in the region was shifting toward maintaining forward presence, supporting alliances and monitoring the growing Soviet Pacific Fleet. The cruise included operations in the Western Pacific and visits in the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. USS MARVIN SHIELDS conducted the anti-submarine, surveillance and readiness duties expected of a Pacific Fleet frigate while operating with Seventh Fleet forces. Commander Joseph Keeley Jr. relieved Commander Smith on June 10, 1976.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued her cycle of overseas deployment, local training and maintenance during 1976 and 1977. A further Western Pacific cruise in 1977 extended into the central and southern Pacific and included a visit to Western Samoa. The deployment required prolonged independent steaming and operations over the long distances separating the principal American and allied bases in the Pacific. Commander Lawrence C. Gaskell assumed command on July 1, 1978. During 1978 and 1979, USS MARVIN SHIELDS underwent a drydocking and shipyard period at Seattle. The availability provided the maintenance required after several years of regular Pacific deployments. After completing the yard period and associated trials, the frigate returned to San Diego and resumed Pacific Fleet operations.

During 1980, USS MARVIN SHIELDS undertook another extensive Western Pacific and southern Pacific deployment. The recorded itinerary included Hawaii, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and American Samoa. The cruise involved long-distance transits, underway training and cooperation with United States and allied naval forces across a broad area extending from the central Pacific to Southeast Asia and the southwestern Pacific.

Commander John W. Allin relieved Commander Gaskell on June 14, 1980. Following the deployment, USS MARVIN SHIELDS returned to San Diego for maintenance and training. She marked the tenth anniversary of her commissioning on April 10, 1981 and continued anti-submarine exercises, helicopter operations, engineering drills and weapons training during the remainder of the year.

In March 1982, USS MARVIN SHIELDS visited Port Adelaide, South Australia, where she berthed at No. 2 Berth. The visit formed part of a period of Pacific operations and naval contact with Australia. During 1982, the ship earned the Battle Efficiency Award and all nine departmental awards for which a frigate was eligible to compete. The recognition covered the principal fields by which the Navy evaluated a ship's readiness, including engineering, operations, weapons, supply and navigation.

Commander Robert A. Conder relieved Commander Allin on June 4, 1983. On July 15, USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed San Diego with the battle group centered on USS RANGER (CV 61). The battle group had been preparing to proceed toward the Western Pacific when it was diverted to waters off Central America. The ships conducted training and flight operations off Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras during a period of increasing regional tension. The administration of President Ronald Reagan was supporting the government of El Salvador during its civil war and opposing the Sandinista government in Nicaragua, while large American military exercises were being conducted in and around Honduras.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS served within the carrier's escort screen during these operations. Her primary responsibilities included anti-submarine surveillance, surface monitoring and support of the carrier formation. After the Central American phase, the battle group continued across the Pacific and into the Indian Ocean and northern Arabian Sea. The deployment coincided with the Iran-Iraq War and with continuing Cold War competition between the United States and Soviet navies. American carrier groups operating in the Indian Ocean were intended to provide a sustained regional presence, monitor the maritime approaches to the Persian Gulf and remain available for contingencies affecting international shipping or United States interests. USS MARVIN SHIELDS performed carrier-screening and escort duties during the extended deployment. By February 1984, she had reached Pearl Harbor during her homeward transit. USS RANGER returned to San Diego on February 29, but USS MARVIN SHIELDS completed her own return passage separately and arrived at San Diego on March 29, 1984.

The frigate spent the remainder of 1984 and much of 1985 in maintenance, inspection and training cycles. Her operations were centered principally on the Southern California exercise areas as the crew restored readiness following the long deployment. USS MARVIN SHIELDS was photographed underway off the Southern California coast on July 28, 1985. Commander Jeffrey L. Richard relieved Commander Conder on October 11. Training continued during the first half of 1986. USS MARVIN SHIELDS was photographed entering Pearl Harbor on June 1, 1986 during a period of Pacific exercises. These operations preceded her next major deployment and provided opportunities to integrate the ship's sonar, helicopter, communications and weapons teams with a larger naval formation.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed San Diego on August 12, 1986 with the battle group centered on USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). The deployment covered the northern and western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The documented ports and anchorages visited during the cruise included Pusan in South Korea, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Singapore, Perth in Australia, Diego Garcia, Masirah off Oman, Mombasa in Kenya and Karachi in Pakistan. USS MARVIN SHIELDS operated as one of the battle group's anti-submarine escorts. Her hull-mounted and variable-depth sonars, together with the embarked SH-2 helicopter, enabled her to search beyond the immediate carrier screen and to investigate contacts reported by other ships or aircraft. She also carried out surface-surveillance, plane-guard and general escort duties while the carrier conducted flight operations.

The visit to Pusan supported United States naval relations with South Korea during a period of continuing tension on the Korean Peninsula. Subic Bay remained the principal United States naval logistics and repair facility in the Western Pacific, while Singapore provided access to the approaches between the Pacific and Indian oceans. Perth was an important allied port and support location in Australia. Diego Garcia served as the principal American logistics base in the central Indian Ocean, and Masirah provided an anchorage near the Arabian Sea. Visits to Mombasa and Karachi extended the group's presence to East Africa and Pakistan.

The deployment took place during the closing years of the Cold War, when Soviet ships, submarines and maritime patrol aircraft regularly monitored American carrier operations. The Iran-Iraq War also continued to create uncertainty in and around the Persian Gulf, although the most intensive phase of attacks on commercial shipping would occur later. USS MARVIN SHIELDS completed the cruise and returned to San Diego on February 5, 1987. Maintenance, inspections and local exercises followed. The ship was photographed underway on September 30, 1987. Commander Rodney L. Benson relieved Commander Richard on December 5.

During 1988, USS MARVIN SHIELDS prepared for another extended deployment through engineering training, weapons qualifications, helicopter operations, anti-submarine exercises and integration with a carrier battle group. By this stage of her career, the frigate had received substantial improvements over her original configuration. Harpoon missiles gave her a long-range anti-surface capability, the Phalanx system provided close-range protection, and the combination of variable-depth and towed-array sonar improved her ability to detect submarines under differing ocean conditions.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed San Diego on December 1, 1988 with the battle group centered on USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). The deployment began with operations in the eastern and central Pacific before the force proceeded toward the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. On December 5, an EA-6B Prowler from the carrier's air wing disappeared during flight operations off Baja California with the loss of its four crew members. USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued westward with the battle group and was photographed underway on December 16. The cruise included visits to Pearl Harbor, Subic Bay, Masirah, Diego Garcia, Karachi, Perth, Pattaya in Thailand, Hong Kong and Seattle. USS MARVIN SHIELDS alternated between screening positions within the carrier formation, independent assignments, helicopter operations and periods of underway replenishment.

The ship embarked an SH-2F Seasprite from a detachment of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 35. The helicopter extended the frigate's search area and could carry torpedoes to attack submarine contacts detected by the ship, the helicopter itself or other units. It was also used for personnel and cargo transfers. While anchored off Masirah, Oman, USS MARVIN SHIELDS conducted small-boat operations between the frigate and the anchorage. The location allowed ships operating in the Arabian Sea to obtain limited support near the entrance to the Gulf of Oman without taking the entire battle group into the Persian Gulf. The cruise occurred shortly after the ceasefire that ended active fighting in the Iran-Iraq War in August 1988. Although the war had ended, United States naval forces remained in the region because of continuing political instability, the importance of international oil routes and the recent experience of attacks, mining and naval confrontations in the Persian Gulf.

The frigate's port visits provided maintenance, logistics and crew-rest opportunities across the deployment route. Pearl Harbor and Subic Bay were established United States support centers. Diego Garcia supported sustained Indian Ocean operations, while Karachi provided a port call in Pakistan and Perth a visit to a major Australian naval partner. Pattaya and Hong Kong were included during the return through Southeast and East Asia, and Seattle was visited during the final phase of the homeward voyage. USS MARVIN SHIELDS also conducted ammunition-transfer operations as the deployment neared its conclusion. A vertical replenishment was carried out with USS SACRAMENTO (AOE 1), and ammunition was offloaded with USS SHASTA (AE 33). The ship's crew transferred anti-submarine rockets from the forward launcher area and moved ammunition through the handling system in preparation for the forthcoming maintenance period. USS MARVIN SHIELDS returned from the deployment on June 1, 1989. From August through November, she underwent a Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. After leaving the yard, she completed trials and began rebuilding operational readiness through local exercises, engineering evaluations and weapons training.

During the first half of 1990, USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued preparing for future operations. Commander Michael D. Simpson relieved Commander Benson on June 10. Less than two months later, the strategic situation in the Middle East changed when Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait on August 2. The United Nations condemned the invasion, imposed economic sanctions and demanded an Iraqi withdrawal, while the United States began deploying forces to Saudi Arabia under Operation Desert Shield.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS departed San Diego on September 17, 1990 for a deployment to the Middle East. After crossing the Pacific and Indian oceans, she joined the multinational naval forces enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. In early November, she relieved USS BARBEY (FF 1088) in duties connected with maritime interception and escort operations. The frigate's work included challenging and monitoring merchant vessels suspected of carrying prohibited cargo to or from Iraq. Maritime interception operations required ships to identify approaching vessels, establish their nationality, destination and cargo and direct selected ships to stop, divert or submit to inspection. USS MARVIN SHIELDS also served as an escort and screen ship for the combined naval force. Before the beginning of hostilities, the crew assisted in training members of the Kuwaiti Naval Forces who had escaped after the occupation of Kuwait. The training helped maintain a limited Kuwaiti maritime capability while the coalition prepared for the possibility that Iraq would not comply with the United Nations withdrawal deadline.

As the deadline approached, the multinational naval force increased its readiness. Iraqi mining of northern Persian Gulf waters posed a particular danger to coalition warships and amphibious forces, although USS MARVIN SHIELDS remained principally engaged in interception, escort and screening duties. Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991. USS MARVIN SHIELDS continued her assigned maritime-interception and escort responsibilities during the coalition air campaign. The ground offensive to liberate Kuwait began on February 24, and organized Iraqi resistance collapsed rapidly. A ceasefire took effect on February 28.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS remained in the region during the immediate aftermath of the fighting before beginning the long return voyage across the Indian and Pacific oceans. She arrived at San Diego at approximately 8:30 a.m. on April 1, 1991, completing a deployment of about six and one-half months. Approximately 280 officers and enlisted personnel returned aboard her. The official Navy chronology identified USS MARVIN SHIELDS as the first West Coast-based ship to return to the continental United States following the Gulf War. The ship's Gulf deployment qualified her for the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two campaign stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medals issued by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Navy Unit Commendation is also included among her recorded awards.

After post-deployment leave and maintenance, members of the crew participated in the San Diego Salutes the Troops parade on May 18, 1991. The event recognized personnel who had served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. USS MARVIN SHIELDS subsequently sailed to Portland, Oregon, for the annual Rose Festival. On June 6, 1991, she was present with USS DAVID R. RAY (DD 971), USS MEYERKORD (FF 1058), USS SEMMES (DDG 18), USS PARSONS (DDG 33) and USS BARBEY. The visit combined ceremonial duties, public access to the ships and community-relations activities.

During the remainder of 1991, USS MARVIN SHIELDS conducted local operations, training and upkeep, but the Navy had begun a substantial reduction in force structure. The Cold War was ending, the Soviet Union was approaching dissolution and newer guided-missile frigates and destroyers were taking over many of the missions performed by the older, steam-powered Knox-class ships. Commander Barry J. Pochron relieved Commander Simpson on January 31, 1992 and became the frigate's final commanding officer. USS MARVIN SHIELDS spent the following months preparing for inactivation. Equipment, records, ammunition and spare parts were removed or transferred, machinery was placed in an appropriate preservation condition and members of the crew were reassigned.

USS MARVIN SHIELDS was decommissioned on July 2, 1992 after 21 years and almost three months of commissioned service. Her recorded awards included the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two campaign stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal issued by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Liberation Medal issued by Kuwait.

MARVIN SHIELDS remained on the Naval Vessel Register after decommissioning and was formally stricken on January 11, 1995. The United States sold the former frigate to Mexico on January 29, 1997 for approximately seven million dollars. The ship entered Mexican naval service on November 23, 1998 as ARM MARIANO ABASOLO (E-51), named for Jose Mariano de Abasolo, a participant in the Mexican War of Independence. Her pennant number was changed to F-212 in 2001. ARM MARIANO ABASOLO was withdrawn from active service in 2016 and remained at Tuxpan, Veracruz, while her final disposal was considered. The Mexican Navy subsequently prepared the former frigate for deliberate scuttling. The project underwent environmental review, and the ship was towed from the naval facilities at Tuxpan on April 27, 2022. Later that day, the former USS MARVIN SHIELDS was deliberately sunk approximately 35 nautical miles east of Tuxpan in water about 200 meters deep.

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