View source for COMTE DE GRASSE DD 974

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<h3>Ship Name and Designation History</h3>
This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. 
The list is in chronological order.
<table width="90%">
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<ol>Spruance Class Destroyer<br/>
Keel Laid April 4 1975 - Launched March 26 1976<br/><br/>
<li>'''USS COMTE DE GRASSE DD-974'''<br/>
Commissioned August 5 1978 - Decommissioned June 5 1998<br/><br/>
Struck from Naval Register June 5 1998<br/>
Sunk June 7 2006 as a target
</ol></td>
<td align="center" width="220" valign="top">
[[Image:COMTE DE GRASSE PATCH.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p> </p>

<h3>Naval Covers</h3>
This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the 
ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, 
for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should 
be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't 
take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date 
range for covers on that page.
<ol>
<li>[[COMTE DE GRASSE DD-974_Covers_Page_1 | Covers Page 1]]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1979-90)</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Postmarks</h3>
This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a 
separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry 
in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks 
should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark 
has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest 
known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an 
image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN 
THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
<br/>&nbsp;<br/>
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the
existing example.
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><th align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Postmark Type<br/>---<br/>Killer Bar Text
</th><th align="center" valign="center" width="100">
Date From<br/>to<br/>Date To</th>
<th align="center" width="350">Thumbnail Link To<br/>Postmark Image</th>
<th align="center" width="120">Thumbnail Link To<br/>Cover Image</th>
</tr></table>

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<hr/>
<h4>Post Office Established July 30 1978 - Disestablished June 5 1998</h4>

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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/> FDC 2-1(n+) Aug 5, 1978
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1978-08-05
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JohnGermann_Comte de Grasse_DD974_19780805_1a_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JohnGermann_Comte de Grasse_DD974_19780805_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Commissioning, cachet by [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_71_USS_America_ | U.S.S. America Chapter No. 71, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type <br/>2-1(n+) (USS, DEGRASSE)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1978-08-21 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19780821_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19780821_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Welcome to Norfolk - [[Country_Great_Britain_Ships_ | HMS CHARYBDIS]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_Tazewell_G_Nicholson_ | Tazewell G. Nicholson]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type <br/>2-1(n+) (USS, DE GRASSE)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1979-12-05
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19791205 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19791205.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type <br/>9-1(n+u) (USS, DEGRASSE)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-06-02
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870602-1 pm9.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870602-1.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"ARMED /<br/>FORCES /<br/>DAY '87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-05-016 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870516 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870516.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"ARMED /<br/>FORCES /<br/>DAY '87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-05-16 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870516r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870516_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Armed Forces Day '87, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"SOLID /<br/>SHIELD /<br/>'87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-05-01 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870501 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870501.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"SOLID /<br/>SHIELD /<br/>'87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-05-01 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870501r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870501_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Fleet_Maneuvers_ | Solid Shield '87]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"DEPENDENT'S /<br/>CRUISE '87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-06-02 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870602 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19870602.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"DEPENDENT'S /<br/>CRUISE '87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-06-02 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870602r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870602_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Dependent's Cruise '87, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F<br/><br/>"MED /<br/>CRUISE /<br/>'87"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56a
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-06-14 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870614r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19870614_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Med Cruise '87, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"/1987/"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56a
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-10-13 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871013r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871013_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Navy Day 1987, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"/FPO 09566/"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-11-11 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871111r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871111_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Memorial Day 1987, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"MERRY /<br/>CHRISTMAS"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-12-25 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19871225 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19871225.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"MERRY /<br/>CHRISTMAS"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1987-12-25 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871225r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19871225_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Christmas_Day_ | Merry Christmas]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"NEW YEAR'S /<br/>DAY"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1988-01-01 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880101r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880101_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_New_Year's_Day_ | New Year's Day]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"LINCOLN'S /<br/>BIRTHDAY"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1988-02-12 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880212r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880212_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Lincoln's_Birthday_ | Lincoln's Birthday]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"WASHINGTON'S /<br/>BIRTHDAY"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1988-02-22 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880222r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19880222_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Washington's_Birthday_ | Washington's Birthday]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"CHECK /<br/>MATE /<br/>SEVEN"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56b
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1988-08-16 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_CDGrasse_DD974_19880816_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_CDGrasse_DD974_19880816_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Fleet_Maneuvers_ | Law Enforcement Operations]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"SEASONS /<br/>1988 /<br/>GREETINGS"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56c
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1988-12-25 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_CDGrasse_DD974_19881225r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_CDGrasse_DD974_19881225_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Christmas_Day_ | Merry Christmas]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<!-- POSTMARK ENTRY -->
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"CHANGE /<br/>OF /<br/>COMMAND"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56d
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1989-03-14 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19890314 pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:JonBurdett comtedegrasse dd974 19890314.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Note:
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<!-- POSTMARK ENTRY -->
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type F <br/><br/>"CHANGE /<br/>OF /<br/>COMMAND"<br/><br/>USCS Postmark<br/>Catalog Illus. C-56d
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1989-01-09 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19890109r_1_Front-1- pm.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19890109_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
Change of Command, cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type <br/>LDC 2-1(n+) (USS,DEGRASSE)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1998-06-05 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19980605_1_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|300px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19980605_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Ship_Decommissioning_ | Decommissioning]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<br/>&nbsp;<br/><table width="95%" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center" valign="center" width="140">
Locy Type<br/>LDC 9-1(n+u) (USS,DEGRASSE)
</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="100">
1998-06-05 
</td><td align="center" width="350">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19980605_2_Postmark.jpg|thumb|center|200px]]
</td><td align="center" width="120">
[[Image:GregCiesielski_ComteDeGrasse_DD974_19980605_1_Front.jpg|thumb|center|100px]]
</td></tr></table>
[[Cachet_Category_Ship_Decommissioning_ | Decommissioning]], cachet by the [[Cachet_Maker_USCS_Chapter_4_Stephen_Decatur_ | Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS]]
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Other Information</h3>
'''NAMESAKE''' - François Joseph Paul, marquis de Grasse Tilly, comte de Grasse (1722 - January 14 1788) a French admiral<br/>
At the age of eleven, de Grasse entered the Order of Malta as a page of the Grand Master. In 1734, de Grasse became an ensign on the galleys of the Knights Hospitaller and, in 1740, he entered the French Navy. In 1776, the American War of Independence against Great Britain began and the French Navy was assigned to assist the American cause. As a commander of a division, de Grasse served under Louis Guillouet, comte d'Orvilliers at the First Battle of Ushant from July 23 to 27, 1778. In 1779, he joined the fleet of Count d'Estaing in the Caribbean and distinguished himself in the battles of Dominica and Saint Lucia during 1780 and of Tobago during 1781. He contributed to the capture of Grenada and took part in the three actions fought by Guichen against Admiral Rodney in the Battle of Martinique. He came to the aid of Washington and Rochambeau, setting sail with 3,000 men from Saint-Dominique. de Grasse landed the 3,000 French reinforcements in Virginia, and immediately afterwards decisively defeated the British fleet in the Battle of the Chesapeake in September 1781. He drew away the English forces and blockaded the coast until Lord Cornwallis surrendered, ensuring the independence of the United States of America. He was less fortunate at Battle of St. Kitts, where he was defeated by Admiral Hood. Shortly afterwards, in April 1782, he was defeated and taken prisoner by Admiral Rodney at the Battle of the Saintes. Some months later, he returned to France, published a Mémoire justificatif and, in 1784, was acquitted by a court-martial

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