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USS Valdez (FF-1096)
Encyclopedia
The USS Valdez (FF-1096) is the forty-fifth and was built by Avondale Shipyard, Westwego, Louisiana
Westwego, Louisiana
Westwego is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and a suburb of New Orleans. The population was 10,763 at the 2000 census. It lies along the west bank of the Mississippi River.-Geography:...
, and originally assigned as a Knox-class destroyer escort (DE-1096). She was propelled by one Westinghouse steam turbine with a total of 35,000 shp. Keel laid 30 June 1972; launched 24 March 1973; sponsored by Mrs Manuelita Valdez (mother of Hospitalman Valdez); and commissioned at Charleston, South Carolina 27 July 1974, CDR Joe D. Peden in command. Decommissioned 16 December 1991 after seventeen years and four months in active, in commission and struck from the Navy Register on 11 January 1995. Valdez is currently assigned to the Security Assistance program, for cash sale and was taken to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
for conversion and transfer to Taiwan.
USS Valdez was leased to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
29 April 1998 and renamed Yi Yang (FF-939). The ship was commissioned 18 October 1999 and is still in service.
Namesake
With a complement of 245, the Valdez is named in honor of Hospitalman Phil Isadore Valdez. Born on 13 April 1946 in Dixon, New MexicoDixon, New Mexico
Dixon is an unincorporated village located in Rio Arriba County in the U.S. state of New Mexico, on NM Highway 75, just east of NM Highway 68 in the north-central part of the state, at Latitude 36.20 & Longitude -105.89. The elevation of Dixon is 6028 feet above sea level...
. He graduated from Espanola High School, Espanola, New Mexico
Española, New Mexico
Española also known as Espanola , is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, in the United States. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. Española was founded in 1880 as a railroad village, incorporated as a city in 1925. The city is situated in...
. On 1 November 1965 he reported to Recruit Training and then attended Naval Hospital Corps Schools 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...
. He was assigned to Naval Hospital Key West, Florida; and then on 19 December 1966 transferred to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force in the Republic of Vietnam, near Danang.
Hospitalman Valdez was killed in action on 29 January 1967 while serving as corpsman with the Third Platoon when that unit was flown in by helicopter to provide support for the embattled Company H, Second Battalion. Upon landing Valdez’ unit came under heavy sniper fire, and several Marines were wounded. Valdez sprang into action running across open land to an injured Marine while being raked by enemy fire. After helping the first Marine to cover and treating his wounds, Valdez returned to the open and rushed to the aid of a second Marine. Positioning himself as to protect the wounded Marine Valdez was mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire. As a result of his exceptional courage he was posthumously advanced in rank to Petty Officer Third Class and 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...
.