GARY FFG 51

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Oliver Hazard Perry Class (Long Hull, LAMPS III modified) Frigate Keel Laid 18 December 1982 - Launched & Christened 19 November 1983 USS GARY FFG-51 Commissioned 17 November 1984 - Decommissioned 5 August 2015

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each name of the ship (for example, Bushnell AG-32 / Sumner AGS-5 are different names for the same ship so there should be one set of pages for Bushnell and one set for Sumner). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. USS Gary FFG-51 Covers Page 1     (1984-2015)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each name and/or commissioning period. 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.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

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Ship Postmarks

 

Locy Type FDC 2-1(n+)(D1,USS)

1984-11-17

First Day of Commission, cachet by the USS America Chapter No. 71, USCS

 

Locy Type 2-2mtn+ (USS,FPO AP 96666-1505)

1997-06-09

Portland Rose Festival

 

Locy Type 11-2n+ (USS,FPO AP 96666-1505) (Short Bars)

2010-06-21

First Day of Cachet, cachet by Richard Hoffner

 

Locy Type LDC 11-2n+ (USS,FPO AP 96666-1505) (Long Bars)

2015-08-05

Last Day of Commission, cachet by Wolfgang Hechler

 

Locy Type LDC 12-2n+ (USS,FPO AP 96666-1505)

2015-08-05

Last Day of Commission, cachet by Wolfgang Hechler

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USPS Pictorial Postmark

 

USPS Pictorial "Decommissioning Sta." San Diego CA

2015-08-05

Last Day of Commission, cachet by McIntosh Cachets

 

Other Information

USS GARY FFG-51 earned the following awards during her Naval career - Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Medal w/ 1 star, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (4 awards), National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 5 stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal w/ 1 star, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 13 stars and the Navy / Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 6 stars.

NAMESAKE - Commander Donald Arthur Gary, USN (July 23 1903 - April 9 1977)
Gary enlisted in the Navy in December 1919, serving continuously in the enlisted ranks until November 1943, when he received a commission to Lieutenant (Junior Grade). In 1943, Lt(jg) Gary was assigned to the Third Naval District as an inspector of machinery at the Babcock and Wilcox Company. In December 1944, he was sent to the aircraft carrier USS FRANKLIN CV-13 as an engineering officer. When that ship was severely damaged by Japanese air attack on March 19 1945, Lt(jg) Gary distinguished himself as he helped hundreds of trapped men to escape from below decks, organized and led fire-fighting parties and directed the restoration of power in one boiler room. For his heroism on that occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Subsequently promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant and Lieutenant Commander, Gary remained with FRANKLIN until she was decommissioned in February 1947. He was then assigned to the Naval Disciplinary Barracks at Terminal Island, California, where he served until relieved from active duty pending retirement in June 1950. On the basis of his combat awards, he was advanced to the rank of Commander upon retirement. Commander Gary died in 1977 and was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

The ships sponsor is Mrs. Dorothy G. Gary, widow of Cmdr. Gary, and Mrs. George D. Leamer.

 

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