U.S. Naval USS Simpson warship decommissioned; another piece of history gone

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 12:57:07 -0400

Fair winds and Following Seas

U.S. Naval USS Simpson warship decommissioned - CNNPolitics.com

The USS Simpson turned into a ghost ship today. The Simpson was the last modern U.S. Navy warship to sink an enemy vessel in action.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 1:01 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:01:15 -0400

Rest easy, we have the watch. I wonder if they will turn it into a museam ship

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 1:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:02:35 -0400

Great post! I was not aware of this ship's history.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 29 at 2015 1:13 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:13:20 -0400

SSG Warren Swan with the history of the ship, I would suggest that instead of selling it off, that it become a museum piece. Once it is gone, there is no getting it back. It should be preserved.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 29 at 2015 1:14 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:14:00 -0400

"The hull of the former Simpson will be towed to storage in Philadelphia, possibly destined for sale to a U.S. ally"...reading this actually hurts. History shouldn't have a price tag, and this is the LAST Naval ship to have sunk another? Should be a museum somewhere. Replace the USS Barry in DC with this maybe?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 29 at 2015 1:31 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:31:05 -0400

Thanks for reminding us SSG Warren Swan. Hopefully the memory of the USS Simpson will live on in those who served on that vessel.
In littoral warfare where enemy combatants may be in high speed boats, small subs, disguised as other vessels it will be interesting to see if the designation "enemy vessel" may be expanded to include non-traditional and non-linear vessel threats.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 29 at 2015 2:25 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:25:55 -0400

Fair winds and following seas, USS Simpson.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 29 at 2015 2:43 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:43:28 -0400

Thanks for this post.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 29 at 2015 2:45 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 14:45:20 -0400

They just had this great ship in a movie this past year. I though it was still a new ship.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 29 at 2015 3:49 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 15:49:52 -0400

It's always difficult when a time in your life is still so vivid yet time has moved on, and the cherished memories become even more long ago memories when your ship is decommissioned. So many great war ships with incredible stories have passed in the night and sailed away not to return.

Response by CDR Mike Kovack made Sep 29 at 2015 9:58 PM

CDR Mike Kovack — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:58:39 -0400

Ouch! We're getting old. I was around when they commissioned her......;) Aboard USS Lynde McCormick during Preying Mantis

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 30 at 2015 10:48 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:48:18 -0400

The FFGs had some good features to them; they also had their limitations. Yet, it's always sad to see a class of ships go away.

When I retired from the Navy, all of the ships I deployed in had already been decommissioned. It was a sign of the times, and of my age...