Belknap (CG 26) - Naval Cruise Book

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On the 1st of July, 1975, BELKNAP was redesignated a Guided IVIissile Cruiser (CG). She departed Norfolk in mid-August for the Sixth Fleet. On the night of 22 November, while engaged in flight operations with USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, BELKNAP and the carrier were involved in a collision resulting in almost complete destruction of BELKNAP ' S superstructure and the loss of seven BELKNAP crewmembers. Following the collision, BELKNAP was towed to Agusta Bay, Sicily, and eventually to Naples, Italy, where she was decommissioned on 29 December 1975. After being placed in an out-of-commission special status, she was towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard arriving on 30 January 1976. Upon completion of an extensive planning and survey period. BELKNAP began her restoration and modernization overhaul in 1978. Repair and modernization began 9 January 1978. Cost of repairs was over $200 million and included a new improved 5 inch gun, up-dated missile armament, sonar communications and radar suites as well as improvements in habitability. BELKNAP was recommissioned 10 May 1980. Since recommissioning, BELKNAP has made two cruises to the Mediterranean and one cruise to Northern Europe. During Med Cruise 2-83, BELKNAP was the first ship to fire rounds ashore since the Vietnam War and did so in support of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. USS BELKNAP (CG 26) Insignia The ship ' s insignia is adapted from the Belknap Family Arms and Crest. The American branch of the Belknap family was founded in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1637 by Abraham Belknap of Warwickshire, England. The family line can be traced to Sir Edward Belknap, Justice of Common Pleas during the of King Henry VIII and to Robert de Kent, King ' s Sergeant and Assessor Lord of the Manor of Hempstead Kent in the 14th Century. Additionally, the battle abbey list of nobles who followed William the Conqueror into England contains the name Belknape. The modifications to the Belknap Family Coat of Arms include the addition of (CG 26) to the banner and surrounding the entire insignia with a cable for naval adaptation and nautical connotation.

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Battlecruiser Belknap — — A Place in History The first BELKNAP (DD 251), named in honor of Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap, USN, was launched 14 January 1919. Following her shakedown cruise BELKNAP served in the Mediterranean with the 28th Division, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, until placed in reserve at Charleston Navy Yard in 1920. She was decommissioned 28 June at Philadelphia Navy Yard, remaining there until 1940. During 1940 BELKNAP was converted into a seaplane tender (reclassified AVD 8) and recommissioned 22 November 1940. Her first assignement was with Patrol Wing 5 at Hamilton, Bermuda. From August 1942 to January 1944, she served with BOGUE, CROATAN and VOTR hunter-killer groups in the Atlantic. Reclassified (DD 251) 14 November 1943, BELKNAP received the Presidential Unit Citation for her service with task group 21.12 BOGUE Group. Following convoy duty along the East and Gulf coasts, February - June 1944, BELKNAP underwent conversion into a high speed transport (reclassified APD 34). Her conversion completed, BELKNAP arrived in the Pacific in September 1944. During 18-22 October she served as a screen ship during the Leyte invasion and during January 1945 as a shore bombardment and beach reconnaissance vessel at the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, landings. After being damaged by a Japanese suicide plane, BELKNAP was returned to Philadelphia Navy Yard Decommissioned in 1945, scrapped in 1946. via the West Coast. BELKNAP was sold and The second BELKNAP is named in honor of Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap and his son. Rear Admiral Reginald Rowan Belknap. The lead ship of a new class of guided missile frigates, she was built by the Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, Maine. Originally designated as DLG 26, BELKNAP is designed for an overall length of 547 feet; and extreme beem of 54 feet 10 inches; full load displacement of 7900 tons, designed speed of over 30 knots and accommodations for 31 officers and 387 men. The initial armament included a dual TERRIER- ASROC missile launcher, a 5754 caliber gun mount; two 3750 caliber guns; two single torpedo tubes; two triple torpedo tubes; and a Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter System. Her keel was laid on 5 February 1962 and she was commissioned in the Boston Naval Shipyard on 7 November 1964. BELKNAP completed her fitting out at Boston in February 1965, then departed for a shakedown cruise to Bermuda. She departed Norfolk in April for a Fleet research project with guided missile destroyers, frigates, and the nuclear guided missile cruiser LONG BEACH (CGN 9). During the succeeding ten years BELKNAP success- fully participated in many and varied exercises and projects. Among them were the PUEBLO Incident, for which she was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. BELKNAP a so received the Meritorius Unit Commen- dation for her role In operations during the Jordanian Civil War. DD-251

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C0yM iNDISG Captain Edward E. Alexander, Jr. entered the Naval Academy from the State of West Virginia and was commissioned an Ensign upon gradua- tion In 1959. His advanced degrees include a Degree in Weapons Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Administration from George Wa- shington University, Washington, D.C. Additional- ly, Captain Alexander is a graduate of the National War College. His first assignment was to USS JONAS INGRAM (DD-938) on which he served as Damage Control Assistant and Chief Engineer. Transferring to USS FARRAGUT (DLG-6), Captain Alexander again served as Chief Engineer. Captain Alexander ' s first command at sea was in 1965 as Commanding Officer, USS KINGBIRD (MSC-194). Subsequent to this tour he served as Weapons Officer on board USS WORDEN (CG-18) and as Executive Officer, USS BUCHANAN (DDG-14). In 1971, Captain Alexander served as Commanding Officer of USS RICHARD E. BYRD (DD-23) and in 1976 served as Commissioning Commanding Officer of USS HEWIT (DD-966). His shore assignments include tours as a Branch Head In the Naval Ordnance Systems Command, Naval Aide and Administrative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and most recently as Combat Systems Engineer in the AEGIS Shipbuilding Project, Naval Sea Systems Command. Captain Alexander ' s personal decorations In- clude the Meritorious Service Medal witti two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Navy Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal and various campaign and service ribbons. Captain Alexander is married to the former Ann Bryan of Mobile, Alabama. They have three sons, Edward, Bryan and Bruce. Captain E. E. Alexander, Jr. - - On the bridge