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USS Rentz (FFG-46)
Encyclopedia
USS Rentz (FFG-46) is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class
of guided missile
frigate
, of the United States Navy
, the 40th ship to be constructed of its class. The Rentz was named after World War II Navy Chaplain
George S. Rentz
(1882–1942). Chaplain Rentz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
for selfless bravery following the loss of in the Battle of Sunda Strait
. He was the only Navy chaplain
to be so honored during World War II
.
in San Pedro, California. She was launched 16 July 1983, and commissioned at Naval Station Long Beach on 30 June 1984 under the command of CDR
Martin Jules Mayer (b. 1944). In attendance were survivors of the Houston, as well as Chaplain Rentz's surviving daughter.
In December, 1985, Rentz moved from Long Beach, California
to its current (2007) location in San Diego, California
. Following initial shakedown cruises and operations, Rentz was assigned to the aircraft carrier group. As part of that group, the ship regularly cruised the Southern California Operations Area off the coast of San Clemente Island
with a pair of fuzzy dice dangling above the ship's computerized helm. During "breakaways" after underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea, Rentz blasted the Beach Boys song "Little Deuce Coupe
" as its inaugural "UNREP breakaway song
."
On 5 November 1986, Rentz was part of an historic visit to Qingdao
(Tsing Tao; 青岛) China
—the first US Naval visit to China since 1949. Rentz was accompanied by two other ships, the and . The visit was officially hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy
(PLAN). Previously, the was the last ship to moor in China, departing in 1949 when the communists forced the Americans to leave the Chinese mainland.
In July 1987, Rentz was sent to the Persian Gulf
as part of Operation Earnest Will
. Her primary duties consisted of escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz
. "Rentz" provided missile security escort for the North Persian Gulf Battlegroup destroyers during their transit in and out of the Straits of Hormuz en route to an operation code name "Nimble Archer" involving naval gun bombardment and SEAL Team take over of an abandoned oil rig being used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to stage attacks on Persian Gulf shipping. Rentz has been deployed to the Gulf numerous times since 1987.
On November 28, 2009 while the ship was moored in Jebel Ali
, United Arab Emirates
as part of the Nimitz carrier strike group, a crewman was killed while performing repairs to the ship. According to the Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class David M. Mudge was electrocuted while working in an auxiliary machinery space. In response to the mishap, the Navy ordered the entire fleet to inspect ship electrical enclosures.
. The crossed missiles indicate the type of ship "Frigate with Guided Missiles." The cross on the shield symbolizes the ship's namesake, Chaplain Rentz. The motto "Dread Nought" tells all to have no fear for the ship is watched over by higher powers.
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
of guided missile
Guided Missile
Guided Missile is a London based independent record label set up by Paul Kearney in 1994.Guided Missile has always focused on 'the underground', preferring to put out a steady flow of releases and developing the numerous GM events around London and beyond....
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, the 40th ship to be constructed of its class. The Rentz was named after World War II Navy Chaplain
United States Navy Chaplain Corps
The Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy consists of ordained clergy who are commissioned naval officers. Their principal purpose is to "promote the spiritual, religious, moral, and personal well-being of the members of the Department of the Navy," which includes the Navy and the United States...
George S. Rentz
George S. Rentz
George Snavely Rentz was a United States Navy chaplain who served during World War I and World War II. For selfless heroism following the loss of in the Battle of Sunda Strait, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross— the only Navy Chaplain to be so honored during World War II.-Personal...
(1882–1942). Chaplain Rentz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for selfless bravery following the loss of in the Battle of Sunda Strait
Battle of Sunda Strait
The Battle of Sunda Strait was a naval battle which occurred during World War II. On the night of 28 February – 1 March 1942, the Australian light cruiser and the American heavy cruiser faced a major Imperial Japanese Navy task force. After a fierce battle of several hours duration, both Allied...
. He was the only Navy chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to be so honored during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
The keel of Rentz was laid on 18 September 1982 at Todd Pacific ShipyardsTodd Pacific Shipyards
Vigor Shipyards was founded in 1916 as the William H. Todd Corporation through the merger of Robins Dry Dock & Repair Company of Erie Basin, Brooklyn, New York, the Tietjen & Long Dry Dock Company of Hoboken, New Jersey, and the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Company...
in San Pedro, California. She was launched 16 July 1983, and commissioned at Naval Station Long Beach on 30 June 1984 under the command of CDR
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Martin Jules Mayer (b. 1944). In attendance were survivors of the Houston, as well as Chaplain Rentz's surviving daughter.
In December, 1985, Rentz moved from Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
to its current (2007) location in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Following initial shakedown cruises and operations, Rentz was assigned to the aircraft carrier group. As part of that group, the ship regularly cruised the Southern California Operations Area off the coast of San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island is the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California. It is owned and operated by the United States Navy, and is a part of Los Angeles County. Defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block Group 2 of Census Tract 5991 of Los Angeles County, California, it is long and...
with a pair of fuzzy dice dangling above the ship's computerized helm. During "breakaways" after underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea, Rentz blasted the Beach Boys song "Little Deuce Coupe
Little Deuce Coupe
Little Deuce Coupe is The Beach Boys' fourth album, and third overall LP release in 1963. Almost unintentionally, the album was rush-recorded and compiled when leader Brian Wilson sought to protect his band from exploitation from Capitol Records....
" as its inaugural "UNREP breakaway song
Breakaway music
Breakaway music is a modern U.S. Naval tradition used to motivate sailors upon the conclusion of underway replenishment UNREP, although using breakaway music is at the discretion of the Captain, and not all commands use it...
."
On 5 November 1986, Rentz was part of an historic visit to Qingdao
Qingdao
' also known in the West by its postal map spelling Tsingtao, is a major city with a population of over 8.715 million in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China. Its built up area, made of 7 urban districts plus Jimo city, is home to about 4,346,000 inhabitants in 2010.It borders Yantai to the...
(Tsing Tao; 青岛) China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
—the first US Naval visit to China since 1949. Rentz was accompanied by two other ships, the and . The visit was officially hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
(PLAN). Previously, the was the last ship to moor in China, departing in 1949 when the communists forced the Americans to leave the Chinese mainland.
In July 1987, Rentz was sent to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
as part of Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will was the U.S. military protection of Kuwaiti owned tankers from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War. It was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II.The U.S. Navy warships that escorted the tankers, part of...
. Her primary duties consisted of escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically important waterway between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf. On the north coast is Iran and on the south coast is the United Arab Emirates and Musandam, an exclave of Oman....
. "Rentz" provided missile security escort for the North Persian Gulf Battlegroup destroyers during their transit in and out of the Straits of Hormuz en route to an operation code name "Nimble Archer" involving naval gun bombardment and SEAL Team take over of an abandoned oil rig being used by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to stage attacks on Persian Gulf shipping. Rentz has been deployed to the Gulf numerous times since 1987.
On November 28, 2009 while the ship was moored in Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali is a port town, located 35 kilometres southwest of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates . The village has a thriving expatriate community with over 300 residents. The area is also home to "5,500 companies from 120 countries"....
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
as part of the Nimitz carrier strike group, a crewman was killed while performing repairs to the ship. According to the Navy, Petty Officer 3rd Class David M. Mudge was electrocuted while working in an auxiliary machinery space. In response to the mishap, the Navy ordered the entire fleet to inspect ship electrical enclosures.
Awards
- "outstanding food service" in the Pacific Fleet, 1997 Ney Award winner "Small Afloat."
- "outstanding food service" in the Pacific Fleet, 2000 Ney runner-up "Small Afloat."
- 2003 Mobility Energy Efficiency award from the Federal Emergency Management AgencyFederal Emergency Management AgencyThe Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
.
About the Ship's Crest
The colors blue and gold are traditionally associated with the U.S. Navy. The vertical trident represents the sea god NeptuneNeptune
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in the Solar System. Named for the Roman god of the sea, it is the fourth-largest planet by diameter and the third largest by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth and is slightly more massive than its near-twin Uranus, which is 15 times...
. The crossed missiles indicate the type of ship "Frigate with Guided Missiles." The cross on the shield symbolizes the ship's namesake, Chaplain Rentz. The motto "Dread Nought" tells all to have no fear for the ship is watched over by higher powers.