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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Cruise Books Accidents aboard the Ship About the Ship's Name History Image Gallery to end of page |  |  |
USS DAVIDSON was the fifth GARCIA - class frigate. Commissioned as a destroyer escort, the ship was redesignated as a frigate on June 30, 1975. Decommissioned on December 8, 1988, the ship was leased to Brazil where it was recommissioned as PARAIBA. On January 24, 2001, Brazil officially purchased the DAVIDSON and the ship was stricken from the Navy list the same day.
| General Characteristics: | Awarded: January 3, 1962 |
| Keel laid: September 30, 1963 | |
| Launched: October 2, 1964 | |
| Commissioned: December 1, 1965 | |
| Decommissioned: December 8, 1988 | |
| Builder: Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La. | |
| Propulsion system: 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 1 Westinghouse geared turbine; 35,000shp; 1 shaft | |
| Length: 414.4 feet (126.3 meters) | |
| Beam: 44.3 feet (13.5 meters) | |
| Draft: 25.9 feet (7.9 meters) | |
| Displacement: approx. 3,500 tons full load | |
| Speed: 27 knots | |
| Armament: one Mk-16 missile launcher for ASROC missiles, two Mk-30 5-inch/38 caliber guns, | |
| Aircraft: one | |
| Crew: 16 officers, 231 enlisted |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS DAVIDSON. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageUSS DAVIDSON Cruise Books:
back to top go to the end of the pageAccidents aboard USS DAVIDSON:
| Date | Where | Events |
|---|---|---|
| June 1980 | Arabian Sea | USS DAVIDSON suffers a major fire in her boiler room in the Arabian Sea after leaving Diego Garcia for Gonzo Station. The fire occured during an unrep alongside the USS SACRAMENTO (AOE 1), when a fuel oil/salt water compensating system component failed releasing about 100,000 gallons of JP5 and saltwater into the space. As DAVIDSON burned fuel in the boilers, saltwater filled the fuel tanks so that an even draft was maintained. The fire burned out some equipment but was put out (sufficated) by the large volume of JP5 and saltwater and the professional actions of the BT watch team. Salt water and fuel (JP5) contaminated electrical motors and components. USS DAVIDSON was under tow for 8 days to Diego Garcia and stayed there for 30 days while ship yard workers, repairs parts, and insulation (lagging) were flown in from Subic Bay. No sailors were hurt. |
| August 1983 | Pacific | USS DAVIDSON suffers a Class Alpha fire while operating in the Pacific. |
back to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Ship's Name:
Vice Admiral Lyal Ament Davidson was born in Muscatine, Iowa, on December 2, 1886. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1906, graduated with the Class of 1910, and was commissioned an ensign in 1912. While serving aboard USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (BB 25), Davidson took part in the United States intervention at Veracruz, Mexico, in 1914 and received commendation for his service with the ship's landing force. During World War I he served aboard USS KANSAS (BB 21). Davidson subsequently held a series of sea and shore assignments, including command of Destroyer Division 9, the hospital ship USS RELIEF (AH 1), and the light cruiser USS OMAHA (CL 4). From 1940 to 1941 he headed the Naval ROTC unit at the University of Michigan before returning to operational duties during World War II.
As a rear admiral, Davidson commanded Cruiser Division 8 and, during Operation Torch in November 1942, commanded the Southern Attack Group responsible for the landing at Safi, French Morocco, with USS PHILADELPHIA (CL 41) as his flagship. He later held senior naval commands during Allied operations in the Mediterranean and European theaters. For his wartime service he received two Navy Distinguished Service Medals and two Legions of Merit.
Davidson retired from active duty in June 1946 with the rank of vice admiral. He died at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland, on December 29, 1950, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS DAVIDSON History:
USS DAVIDSON was a GARCIA-class destroyer escort. Her construction was authorized under a contract awarded to Avondale Shipyards, Inc., at Westwego, Louisiana, on January 3, 1962. Her keel was laid on September 30, 1963, and she was launched and christened on October 2, 1964, sponsored by Mrs. Lyal A. Davidson, the widow of the ship's namesake. DAVIDSON was commissioned at Charleston Naval Shipyard, South Carolina, on December 7, 1965, with Commander Henry Lawrence Stanfield as her first commanding officer. After fitting out, trials, training and transfer to the Pacific Fleet, DAVIDSON became a Pearl Harbor-based unit of the Pacific Fleet.
DAVIDSON departed Pearl Harbor on April 18, 1967 for her first Western Pacific deployment. She crossed the Pacific as part of an antisubmarine warfare group centered on USS HORNET (CVS 12). Ships operating with the group included USS HOOPER (DE 1026), USS TAYLOR (DD 468), USS BRONSTEIN (DE 1037), USS EVANS (DE 1023), USS BRIDGET (DE 1024), and USS WALKER (DD 517). During the deployment, DAVIDSON visited Yokosuka and Sasebo in Japan, Chinhae in South Korea, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the Thai ports of Bang Saen and Bangkok. Her deployment also took her into the combat area off Vietnam. She operated in the Gulf of Tonkin in support of carrier operations from Yankee Station and performed naval gunfire support duties along the South Vietnamese coast. Her qualifying Vietnam service periods during the deployment included May 22 through May 31, June 3 through June 6, June 13 through June 28, July 19 through July 31, August 8 through August 19, and September 11 through October 6, 1967. These operations occurred while United States carrier forces continued Operation Rolling Thunder against North Vietnam and surface combatants supported both the carrier force and allied troops ashore. DAVIDSON completed the deployment and returned to Pearl Harbor on October 23, 1967. Commander Stanfield was relieved by Commander Robert M. Whitaker on December 10, 1967.
DAVIDSON remained in Hawaiian waters through much of 1968 before departing Pearl Harbor on October 18, 1968 for another Western Pacific deployment. She reached Yokosuka on October 27 and remained there until October 30, when she departed for the Gulf of Tonkin. She arrived at Yankee Station on November 3 and operated there through November 15. From November 16 through November 22 she participated in Exercise Beacon Lamp 1-68, after which she entered Hong Kong for a port visit lasting from November 22 through November 27. She departed Hong Kong on November 27 and returned toward the Vietnam operating area. Beginning on November 30, she again operated at Yankee Station, performing antisubmarine warfare and other fleet support duties. This period continued until December 19, when DAVIDSON departed for Japan. She arrived at Sasebo on December 23 and spent the remainder of the year there.
DAVIDSON departed Sasebo on January 2, 1969 and returned to operations off Vietnam. From January 7 through January 9, she served on the naval gunfire support line. She then participated in Operation Market Time from January 9 through January 15. Market Time was the continuing United States and South Vietnamese effort to detect and intercept vessels attempting to transport weapons, ammunition and other supplies by sea to Communist forces in South Vietnam. DAVIDSON returned to naval gunfire support from January 16 through January 19 and participated in Beacon Lamp 1-69 from January 22 through January 25. She then proceeded to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where she remained from January 27 through February 3.
Returning to the Gulf of Tonkin, DAVIDSON operated at Yankee Station from February 6 through February 22. She subsequently sailed to Thailand and visited Bangkok from February 24 through March 4. She was again at Yankee Station from March 7 through March 21, entered Subic Bay on March 24 and remained there through April 1, and then returned to the Vietnamese coast for another naval gunfire support period from April 3 through April 16.
Events on the Korean Peninsula then abruptly shifted the focus of the deployment. On April 15, 1969, North Korean MiG-21 fighters shot down a United States Navy EC-121M reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan, killing all 31 men aboard. The United States assembled Task Force 71 to protect subsequent reconnaissance operations and demonstrate a substantial naval presence in the region. DAVIDSON joined the force on April 19 and remained associated with the operation through April 26, with her Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal eligibility extending through April 27. Major ships assigned to the force included USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65), USS TICONDEROGA (CVA 14), USS RANGER (CVA 61), HORNET, USS CHICAGO (CG 11), USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLG 5), USS ST. PAUL (CA 73), USS MAHAN (DLG 11), USS DALE (DLG 19), USS STERETT (DLG 31), and USS LYNDE McCORMICK (DDG 8), together with numerous additional escorts and supporting ships. DAVIDSON departed the Sea of Japan area on April 27 and reached Yokosuka on April 29.
On May 1, 1969, DAVIDSON departed Yokosuka on the eastbound passage to Hawaii with an antisubmarine group centered on HORNET. Ships participating in the transit included USS WEDDERBURN (DD 684), USS PARSONS (DDG 33), USS LOFBERG (DD 759), USS ERNEST G. SMALL (DD 838), USS RICHARD B. ANDERSON (DD 786), USS SHELTON (DD 790), and USS FLETCHER (DD 445), although individual ships were detached as the transit progressed. On May 6, DAVIDSON, FLETCHER and ERNEST G. SMALL were detached from the main formation to proceed toward Pearl Harbor, where DAVIDSON arrived on May 8. Her operations from October 24, 1968 through May 2, 1969 were subsequently recognized by a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Commander Whitaker was relieved by Commander Richard Carl Smith on May 15, 1969.
During the opening months of 1970, DAVIDSON prepared for another deployment. From January 1 through January 20 she underwent a ready-for-sea period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. She then conducted type training in Hawaiian waters from January 21 through February 15. From February 16 through March 1, she was in restricted availability at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Refresher training followed from March 2 through April 10. After additional upkeep and training, DAVIDSON participated in Composite Training Unit Exercise 8-70 from April 27 through April 30, conducting antisubmarine, weapons and other predeployment training.
On May 26, 1970, DAVIDSON departed Pearl Harbor for the Western Pacific as part of Task Group 17.5 with USS ORISKANY (CVA 34) and USS FRANK KNOX (DD 742). The commander of Destroyer Division 112 was embarked in DAVIDSON during the transit. The group passed into Seventh Fleet control on June 1 and reached Subic Bay on June 6-7. After a brief upkeep period, DAVIDSON departed on June 10 and operated with ORISKANY at Yankee Station through June 20, providing escort and plane-guard services. From June 21 through July 2, she shifted to naval gunfire support, firing in support of allied forces in several parts of South Vietnam. She then proceeded to Kaohsiung, arriving on July 3 and remaining for repairs through July 9.
DAVIDSON returned to the carrier force on July 10 and again operated with ORISKANY through July 16. From July 17 through July 22, she served on the northern search-and-rescue station as armed escort for USS COONTZ (DLG 9), one of the guided-missile ships maintaining radar coverage and supporting search-and-rescue operations associated with air missions over North Vietnam. From July 23 through July 29, she operated with Task Group 77.3 before proceeding to Yokosuka. Repairs there continued from August 2 through August 11.
DAVIDSON departed Yokosuka on August 12 with USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA 31), bound for the Gulf of Tonkin. During an underway replenishment with the carrier on August 14, a malfunction developed in DAVIDSON's fuel distribution system, forcing her to break away and proceed toward Subic Bay. Emergency repairs were carried out from August 16 through August 18, after which she returned to Yankee Station and resumed escort and plane-guard duties with BON HOMME RICHARD from August 21 through August 31.
From August 31 through September 3, DAVIDSON and RICHARD B. ANDERSON accompanied BON HOMME RICHARD toward Singapore. The ships entered Singapore on September 4, and DAVIDSON remained there through September 8. Departing on September 9, she headed back toward the Philippines. During the passage she made a southerly diversion and crossed the Equator on September 10. DAVIDSON reached Subic Bay on September 12 for brief upkeep. On September 14, she proceeded toward Hong Kong, where she remained from September 16 through September 21. During the visit members of the crew participated in a blood donation program. She departed Hong Kong on September 22 and returned briefly to Subic Bay.
On September 24-25 DAVIDSON proceeded toward the Paracel Islands and on September 26 conducted special operations in the vicinity of the disputed South China Sea island group. She then returned to carrier escort duties with BON HOMME RICHARD from September 27 through October 4. On October 5, she headed toward the southern Vietnamese operating areas, and on October 6 she relieved USS ROBISON (DDG 12) for naval gunfire support duties. DAVIDSON continued supporting forces ashore through October 21, when she completed turnover near Da Nang and departed for Subic Bay. She remained at Subic Bay for voyage repairs through October 27 and began her return passage to Hawaii on October 28. DAVIDSON arrived at Pearl Harbor on November 7, 1970. On December 7, she entered Dry Dock No. 4 at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for maintenance.
Commander Smith remained in command until May 21, 1971, when Commander Charles Griggs Wheeler assumed command. DAVIDSON began her next major Western Pacific deployment on July 7, 1971, leaving Pearl Harbor as part of Task Unit 70.0.1. After crossing the central Pacific, including a fuel stop at Midway, she reached Subic Bay in late July and underwent upkeep and repair from approximately July 22 through July 26. Departing on July 26, she headed toward the northern search-and-rescue station in the Gulf of Tonkin. From July 29 through August 8, she served as armed escort for USS REEVES (DLG 24), helping protect the guided-missile ship while it provided radar surveillance and support for United States air operations.
DAVIDSON was again underway for the Vietnamese coast by August 16. From August 17 through August 26, she participated in Operation Market Time. Between August 26 and August 29, she provided naval gunfire support for the Republic of Vietnam's 21st Division in the U Minh Forest area of southwestern South Vietnam, after which she resumed Market Time duties through August 30. She subsequently headed north, visited Hong Kong, and then proceeded to Yokosuka, where she remained until September 24. On September 24, DAVIDSON departed Japanese waters for operations farther north. From September 26 into early October, she conducted special operations in northern western-Pacific waters. She subsequently transited toward Sasebo from October 2 through October 5 and remained in port there from October 5 through October 10, with repairs occupying part of the visit. DAVIDSON left Sasebo on October 10 and proceeded to Hong Kong, arriving on October 13 and remaining through October 18. After another stop at Subic Bay, she entered a floating dry dock on October 19 for emergency repairs to a rudder bearing.
With steering repairs completed, DAVIDSON was again underway by November 11. She proceeded to the Positive Identification Radar Advisory Zone station in the Gulf of Tonkin and from November 13 through November 19 served as armed escort for USS FOX (DLG 33). The radar-advisory ships maintained extensive air-surveillance coverage of the Gulf and supported United States air operations over Southeast Asia. DAVIDSON moved from this duty to Yankee Station on November 19 and from November 20 through November 27 operated as an escort for ENTERPRISE. She then returned to Subic Bay before beginning the eastbound voyage home. DAVIDSON reached Pearl Harbor on December 16, 1971 after an approximately six-month deployment and entered a postdeployment stand-down extending to January 16, 1972.
DAVIDSON had initially expected her next Western Pacific deployment to begin later in 1972, but the strategic situation in Vietnam changed sharply when North Vietnam launched the conventional offensive later known as the Easter Offensive at the end of March. North Vietnamese forces crossed the Demilitarized Zone and rapidly increased pressure on South Vietnamese defenses, prompting the United States to reinforce its naval forces in Southeast Asian waters. DAVIDSON received standby orders on April 7. Three days later, on April 10, she departed Pearl Harbor several months earlier than originally planned. USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (DD 950) accompanied her for part of the rapid westward transit.
DAVIDSON reached Midway around noon on April 12, refueled, and departed again later that day. She arrived at Guam at approximately 0600 on April 19, refueled, and resumed the voyage around noon. At approximately 0900 on April 22, she arrived at Subic Bay. After only a short preparation period, DAVIDSON departed Subic Bay at 0001 on April 25 and proceeded directly toward the combat area. After refueling underway en route, she arrived off the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone at approximately 1600 on April 26. Within about an hour she received her first naval gunfire support mission.
During April 26 and April 27, DAVIDSON operated near the Cua Viet River and the northern South Vietnamese battlefield, where North Vietnamese forces were pressing toward Dong Ha and Quang Tri. She conducted naval gunfire missions against enemy positions and came under hostile fire during these operations without sustaining reported battle damage. Her actions on April 26 qualified the ship for the Combat Action Ribbon. On April 29, she temporarily shifted to escort USS OKINAWA (LPH 3) during special operations before resuming naval gunfire missions around Cua Viet, Dong Ha and Quang Tri on April 30.
The operational command situation in the Gulf of Tonkin changed during the first part of May. Rear Admiral Rembrandt C. Robinson, who commanded cruiser-destroyer forces in the area, came aboard DAVIDSON on May 4. During the day, he transferred by DAVIDSON's motor whaleboat to USS BENJAMIN STODDERT (DDG 22) and later departed by helicopter for USS PROVIDENCE (CLG 6). At approximately 2300 on May 4, Captain E. C. Kline, Commander Destroyer Squadron 15, shifted his flag to DAVIDSON.
On May 8, 1972, Rear Admiral Robinson was returning by SH-3 Sea King helicopter from USS CORAL SEA (CVA 43) to PROVIDENCE when the helicopter crashed during the approach. Robinson, Captain Edmund B. Taylor Jr. and Commander John M. Leaver Jr. were killed; members of the helicopter crew and another staff officer survived. Captain Kline, embarked aboard DAVIDSON, temporarily assumed additional command responsibilities in the area. DAVIDSON replenished 5-inch ammunition from USS PYRO (AE 24) during May 9, and Kline transferred his flag from DAVIDSON to PROVIDENCE at approximately 1645 on May 10.
The intensity of DAVIDSON's gunfire operations during this period was considerably greater than on her earlier Vietnam deployments. From her arrival on April 26 through May 9 she conducted repeated underway replenishments while remaining in the combat area. On May 8 and May 9 alone her two 5-inch/38-caliber mounts fired 1,197 rounds. During the entire 1972 deployment DAVIDSON fired 11,997 rounds of 5-inch ammunition. Repeated ammunition replenishment was therefore necessary during the deployment.
These operations coincided with a major escalation of United States air and naval activity against North Vietnam. Operation Linebacker began in response to the Easter Offensive, while Operation Pocket Money commenced on May 9, 1972 with the mining of Haiphong and other North Vietnamese ports. Naval gunfire forces simultaneously increased their operations against military targets along the coast and in support of South Vietnamese forces ashore. On May 13 DAVIDSON provided naval gunfire in connection with Operation Song Thanh, supporting operations involving the 369th Vietnamese Marine Brigade north of Hue. On May 15, she shifted farther south to fire missions in the vicinity of Qui Nhon. On May 17, she assisted the Republic of Vietnam Navy patrol craft WPB-718 after the vessel had been hit by recoilless-rifle fire, sustaining damage and a casualty. On May 18, DAVIDSON herself came under fire believed to have originated from a recoilless-rifle position and responded against the suspected firing point. On May 19, she temporarily left the gunline to undertake escort and plane-guard duties with USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63). She later proceeded to Subic Bay, where repairs and upkeep began on May 24, and returned to carrier escort duties with KITTY HAWK near the end of the month.
DAVIDSON resumed operations off Vietnam in June. On June 3, she conducted naval gunfire support in the Point Dianne area. On June 6, she relieved USS BADGER (DE 1071) on the middle search-and-rescue station and served as armed escort for STERETT. On June 10, she shifted to support USS BIDDLE (DLG 34) on the northern search-and-rescue station. During June and July, DAVIDSON alternated among radar-station escort, replenishment, maintenance periods and naval gunfire support. She was again on the gunline by July 5. On July 7, DAVIDSON and BADGER exchanged gunline assignments as the ships rotated through the combat area. A television news team embarked during July 10-11 while DAVIDSON was operating off Vietnam. She subsequently returned to Subic Bay for repairs beginning around July 17 and was again conducting gunfire missions by July 29.
After further combat operations in August, DAVIDSON proceeded to Sasebo. Beginning on August 29, she underwent repairs there, including replacement of the barrels of her heavily used 5-inch guns. She departed Sasebo on September 6 and returned directly to the Quang Tri area, where South Vietnamese forces were attempting to regain territory lost earlier in the Easter Offensive. DAVIDSON resumed naval gunfire support on September 9 and continued recurring gunfire assignments through October 17. Commander Wheeler was relieved by Commander Allen Leonard Shapero on September 24 while the ship was still deployed.
DAVIDSON finally left the gunline on October 17, 1972. She reached Hong Kong on October 19 and remained there through October 24. She then proceeded to Subic Bay, arriving on October 25. DAVIDSON departed the Philippines for Hawaii on October 30 and returned to Pearl Harbor on November 10, seven months after her emergency departure. Her service from April 17 through November 4, 1972 was subsequently recognized by a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Her 1972 deployment marked the final and most sustained combat phase of DAVIDSON's Vietnam War service.
The January 27, 1973 Paris Peace Accords brought direct large-scale American combat operations in Vietnam to an end, and DAVIDSON's subsequent employment shifted increasingly back toward the Cold War antisubmarine and fleet-escort missions for which the GARCIA-class had originally been designed. She remained based at Pearl Harbor and underwent maintenance, training and preparations for further Pacific deployments.
During 1974, DAVIDSON became closely associated with the expanding Light Airborne Multipurpose System program using the manned SH-2F Seasprite helicopter. Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (Light) 33 Detachment 5 operated an SH-2F from DAVIDSON during a Western Pacific deployment lasting approximately six and a half months. The detachment became the first LAMPS detachment to complete refresher training and a Western Pacific deployment aboard a Pearl Harbor-based ship. During the deployment, DAVIDSON and her helicopter detachment participated in nine antisubmarine warfare exercises, including bilateral exercises involving Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese naval forces, as well as an amphibious exercise and several special operations. The helicopter and its support personnel were also temporarily transferred among ships when operational requirements required it. HSL-33 Detachment 5 completed its deployment on October 18, 1974 and returned across the Pacific aboard USS BRADLEY (DE 1041). Commander Shapero had meanwhile been relieved by Commander William Earl Held Jr. on July 13, 1974.
On June 30, 1975 the Navy implemented a fleetwide ship-classification change that redesignated DAVIDSON from destroyer escort DE 1045 to frigate FF 1045. Western Pacific operations continued during the middle 1970s as the Navy increasingly concentrated on monitoring Soviet submarine and surface activity in the Pacific following the end of the Vietnam War. Commander Held remained in command until June 17, 1976, when Commander Duncan F. Dempster relieved him. DAVIDSON was documented underway at Pearl Harbor Naval Station in September 1976 and continued operating from Hawaii through 1977. Commander Dempster was relieved by Commander Edward W. Froehlich Jr. on June 15, 1978.
By early 1979, DAVIDSON was again operating in the Western Pacific. On February 9, 1979, a brief fire in the Philippine Sea resulted in a serious engineering casualty and loss of power. USS BRUNSWICK (ATS 3), which had recently completed a Hong Kong visit, was sent to assist. BRUNSWICK took DAVIDSON in tow on February 10 and brought the disabled frigate into Subic Bay on February 14, where repairs were undertaken.
DAVIDSON returned to operational service and in 1980 undertook another major deployment that carried her from the Pacific into the Indian Ocean. She operated in association with the battle group centered on CONSTELLATION as United States naval forces maintained an increased presence in the Indian Ocean and northern Arabian Sea. The strategic background was dominated by the Iran hostage crisis, which had begun with the seizure of the United States Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979. Following the unsuccessful attempt to rescue the hostages during Operation Eagle Claw on April 24-25, 1980, substantial United States naval forces remained in the region. DAVIDSON's qualifying Navy Expeditionary Medal service during this deployment extended from April 26 through August 4, 1980.
On June 17, 1980, DAVIDSON suffered a major engineering casualty while conducting an underway replenishment with USS SACRAMENTO (AOE 1). A Class Bravo fire broke out in the fireroom and caused a complete loss of propulsion. No personnel casualties were reported. DAVIDSON had to be taken under tow and USS TRUXTUN (CGN 35) ultimately brought the disabled frigate to Diego Garcia, where she arrived on June 20. Repairs required extensive work on the engineering plant and associated equipment. DAVIDSON remained at Diego Garcia for several weeks, and fireroom repairs were completed on July 14. She subsequently returned to her operating area. Commander Froehlich was relieved by Commander Henry Frederick Dalton on July 5 while DAVIDSON was still undergoing repairs during the deployment.
DAVIDSON began another notable Western Pacific deployment on July 23, 1982. She departed Pearl Harbor with USS GEORGE PHILIP (FFG 12) and USS STEIN (FF 1065) as part of a three-frigate group. Beginning on August 1, the ships participated in Fleet Exercise 1-82 with Destroyer Squadron 5. Poor visibility affected portions of the exercise, but on August 6 the three frigates turned north toward waters near the Soviet Far East and the Sea of Okhotsk.
By August 8, Soviet naval units were shadowing the American formation as it approached the Kuril Islands. The ships continued through the region and passed through the Soya Strait into the Sea of Japan on August 10. Between August 10 and August 14, the ships conducted antisubmarine exercises with USS SKATE (SSN 578) while Soviet naval units maintained surveillance. Soviet aircraft also monitored the group. On August 14, a Tupolev Tu-16 Badger reconnaissance aircraft passed over the formation, and DAVIDSON detected and visually identified a Soviet FOXTROT-class diesel-electric submarine. The operation took place during a period of intensive United States-Soviet naval competition in the western and northern Pacific, when both navies routinely monitored the other's movements near strategically important operating areas.
The three frigates reached Maizuru, Japan, on August 18 and departed on August 20 for a bilateral antisubmarine exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Exercise 82-3AJ was shortened by the approach of Typhoon Ellis on August 27, after which the ships returned to Maizuru for debriefing. DAVIDSON's approximately six-month deployment subsequently included port visits at Sasebo, Pusan in South Korea, Subic Bay, Tacloban in the Philippines, Sattahip in Thailand, Hong Kong and Kagoshima. She was photographed at Hong Kong on November 30, 1982 in company with USS TOWERS (DDG 9). Commander Dalton was relieved during the deployment by Commander Frank Charles Ferdon on October 7. DAVIDSON returned to Pearl Harbor on January 28, 1983. Her performance during the period beginning January 1, 1982 and extending through June 30, 1983 contributed to her award of the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon.
Early in 1984, DAVIDSON joined the battle group centered on KITTY HAWK for another extended Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment. KITTY HAWK had departed San Diego on January 13, while DAVIDSON and other Pacific Fleet escorts joined the force during its westward movement. The combined force conducted antisubmarine, amphibious and other fleet training in Hawaiian and western Pacific waters before proceeding toward East Asia.
During February and March, DAVIDSON operated with the group during Team Spirit '84, the annual large-scale United States-South Korean exercise intended to practice reinforcement and combined operations on and around the Korean Peninsula. The force also conducted further antisubmarine and fleet training in the western Pacific and South China Sea. Subic Bay served as an important logistics and upkeep location during the deployment.
On March 21, 1984, the KITTY HAWK battle group became involved in a notable Cold War naval incident. While KITTY HAWK was operating in the Sea of Japan, the Soviet VICTOR I-class nuclear-powered submarine K-314 came into contact with the carrier's underwater hull. The collision caused limited damage to KITTY HAWK and damage to the Soviet submarine. DAVIDSON was serving as one of the battle group's escorts during this period of close Soviet surveillance.
After further operations and upkeep in the Western Pacific, the battle group proceeded into the Indian Ocean in April. By mid-April, its ships were operating in the northern Arabian Sea and approaches to the Persian Gulf. The regional situation differed markedly from DAVIDSON's previous Indian Ocean deployment in 1980. The Iran-Iraq War, which had begun in September 1980, increasingly threatened merchant shipping, and attacks against tankers and other vessels were becoming a growing regional concern. United States naval forces maintained a presence near the Strait of Hormuz and in the northern Arabian Sea while monitoring the conflict, regional shipping and Soviet naval activity. DAVIDSON remained associated with the KITTY HAWK force during this period.
In early June, the KITTY HAWK group was relieved by forces centered on USS AMERICA (CV 66), permitting KITTY HAWK and its accompanying ships to begin their eastward return. The homeward movement took the force across the Indian Ocean and back through the Western Pacific. DAVIDSON completed the deployment when she returned to Hawaiian waters later in the summer. Commander Ferdon remained in command until January 15, 1985, when Commander Tommy L. Hovland relieved him.
DAVIDSON continued operating from Pearl Harbor during 1985 and 1986. During the summer of 1986, she participated in a major Destroyer Squadron 35 midshipman training deployment to the western coast of North America. On July 1, 1986 DAVIDSON was operating as part of an eight-ship formation. The cruise combined professional training for embarked midshipmen with normal surface-force exercises and port visits. DAVIDSON visited Vancouver during the deployment, while the squadron's itinerary also brought ships to ports along the United States West Coast and Pacific Northwest. The deployment provided embarked midshipmen with practical fleet experience in navigation, engineering, weapons, communications and shiphandling.
Commander Hovland was relieved by Commander John Howard Strauss on April 15, 1987. Strauss became DAVIDSON's final United States Navy commanding officer. By this stage, the Navy was steadily replacing older steam-powered frigates of the GARCIA-class with newer ships, particularly the gas-turbine-powered OLIVER HAZARD PERRY-class. DAVIDSON nevertheless remained operational at Pearl Harbor into 1988 and was documented departing Pearl Harbor on February 1, 1988.
USS DAVIDSON was decommissioned at Naval Station Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1988, after almost twenty-three years of United States Navy service. Commander Strauss remained her commanding officer through decommissioning. DAVIDSON's recognized United States service included the Combat Action Ribbon for combat operations on April 26, 1972, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal eligibility for specified operations, and multiple Vietnam campaign credits. Her Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation related to qualifying operations from January 11 through January 15 and April 3 through April 16, 1969 rather than to her 1972 deployment.
The end of DAVIDSON's United States Navy career did not end the ship's operational service. She was leased to Brazil on April 15, 1989 and subsequently entered Brazilian Navy service as PARAIBA (D 28) on July 25, 1989. The former DAVIDSON then served for approximately thirteen years under the Brazilian flag. On January 24, 2001 she was struck from the United States Naval Vessel Register and ownership was transferred to Brazil. PARAIBA remained in Brazilian service until July 26, 2002, when she was decommissioned. After disposal arrangements were completed, the former DAVIDSON was sold for scrapping in 2005. While under tow from Brazil toward the shipbreaking facilities at Alang, India, together with the former USS SAMPLE, the former DAVIDSON took on water and sank off the Ilhas Maricas area of Rio de Janeiro state before the tow could cross the Atlantic.
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