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USS Capodanno (FF 1093)

USS CAPODANNO was the 42^nd KNOX - class frigate. Decommissioned on July 30, 1993, the CAPODANNO was subsequently leased to Turkey where she was recommissioned as MAUVENET. Stricken from the Navy list on January 11, 1995, the CAPODANNO was finally sold to Turkey on February 22, 2002.

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Crew List:

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

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USS CAPODANNO History:

Since breaking her commissioning pennant on 17 November 1973, USS CAPODANNO has continued to gain new honors in memory of her name sake, Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno, CHC, USN. On her first Mediterranean Sea deployment, she conducted search and rescue operations on four occasions resulting in the saving of 22 lives. Subsequent deployments were to the Middle East Force in 1976 and to South America in 1977.

CAPODANNO had her first extensive overhaul in 1978 in Bath, Maine. Following this overhaul she was assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group FOUR with Newport, RI as her homeport. In 1979 she again deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and won the Battle Efficiency "E". In 1980 she participated in TEAMWORK "80" a major NATO Exercise and won another Battle "E". In 1981, the ship participated in her second UNTTAS deployment to South America.

In November 1982, CAPODANNO started her third Mediterranean deployment. She participated as a Naval Gunfire Support Ship in support of the Multi National Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon and earned the Navy Expeditionary Medal. Returning from this deployment she again had a major overhaul and modernization at the Bath Iron Works. In 1983, CAPODANNO earned her third Battle "E". 1984 saw the completion of overhaul and Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In October 1985, CAPODANNO deployed on a Mediterranean/Indian Ocean deployment. This deployment included strike operations against Libya as part of the CORAL SEA Coral Sea Battle Group for which the ship was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

Returning in May 1986, CAPODANNO completed a short overhaul in Boston MA and completed Refresher Training in Cuba in March 1987. The remainder of 1987 was spent in Naval Gunfire Support and ASW Training. In September 1987, CAPODANNO participated in Ocean Safari 87 a Major NATO exercise in the Norwegian Sea and Fjords. On 29 February 1988, CAPODANNO started her fifth Mediterranean Sea deployment as an ASW line ship.

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About the Ship's Name:

Vincent Robert Capodanno was born in Richmond County, New York on February 13, 1929. As an avid swimmer and great sports enthusiast, this native Staten Islander led the active life of an American boy. After his 1947 graduation from Curtis High School, he began a rigorous curriculum in preparation for the priesthood. Following a year's study at Fordham University, Capodanno attended Maryknoll Seminaries in Massachusetts and New York receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Sacred Theology and Master of Religious Education. Then on June 7, 1957, he was ordained by the late Cardinal Spellman and shortly after, fervently devoted eight years of Catholic Missionary service to the needy peoples of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Volunteering his services as Navy Chaplain on December 28, 1965, Father Capodanno received his commission as a Lieutenant in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Naval Reserve.

After completing orientation at the Naval Chaplain's School, Newport, Rhode Island, Lieutenant Capodanno requested duty with the Marines in Vietnam. Joining the First Marine Division in 1966, Father Capodanno immediately began making his presence in the combat operation of Chu Lai a regular part of his duties as Battalion Chaplain.

To stay with his men, Chaplain Capodanno even relinquished thirty days of Christmas holiday leave and after serving one year, he extended his tour of duty for six months on the condition that he be allowed to remain with the infantry. Father Capodanno's greatest desire was just that - to remain with his troops and to experience their fears and give them moral support. Then on the morning of September 4, 1967, the decision was no longer his to make. In an act that so typified his love for life and for the lives of others, Father Capodanno was fatally wounded by enemy sniper fire in Quang Tin Provence.

In January 1969, Lieutenant Vincent R. Capodanno became the second Chaplain in the history of the United States Navy to receive the Nation's highest military honor. "For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty . . ", he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition, Chaplain Capodanno earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. The government of Vietnam awarded him the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. Another lasting tribute was paid Father Capodanno on February 7, 1968, when the Newport Naval Base dedicated the Capodanno Memorial Chapel in his honor.

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USS CAPODANNO Patch Gallery:

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USS CAPODANNO Image Gallery:

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