Antrim (FFG 20) - Naval Cruise Book

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IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM A] COAT OF ARMS SHIELD: The colors dark blue and gold are traditionally associated with the Navy and represent the sea and excellence. The light blue and reversed star refer to the Medal of Honor awarded to Rear Admiral Antrim for heroic actions while in a Japanese POW camp at Makassar Celebes and Batavia, Java. The anchor symbolizes his naval career and the crossed crosslets, a personal device, represents his dedication to servic e. The cross throughout the shield is an allusion to the Navy Cross awarded Admiral Antrim for action in the Battle for Java Sea in the Dutch East Indies. CREST: The wreath is for outstanding gallantry and achievement. The palm denotes victory, and the laurel, honor. The torch symbolizes leadership and bravery. The portcullis represents POW imprisonment. The USS ANTRIM Coat of Arms was prepared by Nadine Russell of the Army Institute of Heraldry, Wash- ington, D.C. • rss iiichi Peru, Hegi Nava recoil causs thes event ;iiiki Thel m ar,i :heo force Tllr COK aere Antr adva

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and SHAREM-58 exercises off the coast of Puerto Rico. While deployed, ANTRIM ' S helo detachment was onboard readying itself for the upcoming deployment. The first week of December, ANTRIM was busy again, this time assuming flagship duties for Commander Des- troyer Squadron TWENTY-FOUR. Through the end of the year, ANTRIM enjoyed a brief and well-deserved break over the holidays while readying herself for the upcoming Middle East Force (MEF 2-85) deployment. On 4 February 1985, with a fair wind and early morning mists, ANTRIM deployed to the Middle East Force, her second extended deployment in almost as many years. Enroute, after crossing the Atlantic and her notorious heavy seas, ANTRIM made a brief stop at Rota, Spain and conducted a 3-day port visit to the island of Palma de Mallorca. Leaving behind the beauty of the Balearic Islands on 21 February, ANTRIM continued eastward, combating the heavy seas of the Mediterranean, and the French seafarer ' s eloquent term mal de mer. The 27th of February found ANTRIM transiting the famous Suez Canal as she continued her eastward transit to the Persian Gulf. Along the way many hours were spent in training evolutions and shipboard drills while steaming through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, the final leg of her voyage to the Persian Gulf. From March through July, 1985, ANTRIM was constantly on alert in her Persian Gulf operating area. The hazardous environment of the Persian Gulf proved to be tested when ANTRIM was called upon to render assistance to the merchant vessels CARIBBEAN BREEZE and NORDIC TRADER, both of whom had been hit by missiles from Iranian F-4s. ANTRIM ' S ability to remain on station was commendable and noted on by COMIDEASTFOR. On 26 March, 1985, ANTRIM commenced a five-day upkeep in Dubai, U.A.E., which, of historical importance, became the first-ever upkeep for a U.S. Naval warship in that state. On 21 April, ANTRIM hosted her Second Annual Miss Karachi Contest while enroute to Karachi, Pakistan. The remainder of April and through the months of May and June, ANTRIM ' S operations schedule and upkeep periods in Bahrain kept her constantly on alert and ready for any task that may be required of her. On 5 Julv, ANTRIM was relieved on station by USS KLAKRING and USS REID in the Arabian Sea. Thus detached from her duties, she commenced a homeward transit. Stopping in Djibouti for fuel on 10 July, ANTRIM once again transited the Suez Canal on 14 July. Her next port-o-call was Valencia, Spain on 20 July for a 3-day port visit. Departing Valencia on the 23rd of July, ANTRIM continued on to Rota, Spain, arriving on the 24th. Sailing the same day, the course was set, and with the sun setting to the West, ANTRIM commenced her Atlantic transit, stopping in the Azores for fuel on 27July . The next stop for fuel and to bring aboard passengers for ANTRIM ' S Tiger Cruise was in Bermuda on the 2nd of August. Underway once again, ANTRIM ' S course was steadfast . . . home! In total, ANTRIM spent 151 days at sea and only 32 days inpt)rt during her deployment to the Persian Gulf. Those few, but memorable, port visits included: Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Dubai, U. A. E.; the island city of Manama, Bahrain; Karachi, Pakistan; and Valencia, Spain. In retrospect, ANTRIM ' S history is short, but now brings us to the present, with ANTRIM completing her extended deployment to the Middle East Force and subsequently arriving in her homeport of May port, P ' lorida on 5 August 1985. ANTRIM ' S reputation as a can do ship is well known throughout the Fleet. She was well named, for Rear Admiral Antrim was a man who sought the challenge, the first to step out in front, one to be counted on. Her future still lies ahead and her commitment to her motto, In Defense of Freedom, will always precede those who seek the challenge.

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ADMIRAL RICHARD NOTT ANTRIM USS ANTRIM (FFG-20) is named for Rear Admiral Richard Nott Antrim, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, and the Purple Heart. Rear Admiral Antrim was born on 17 December 1907 in Peru, Indiana. In June, 1926, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Upon being discharged in 1927, he accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy from Indiana. He graduated and was commissioned an Ensign in 1931. In September, 1940, he received the designation of Naval Aviator. The Navy Cross was awarded to Antrim upon the recommendations of his Commanding Officer for having caused extensive damage to the enemy and then, in the same battle, for being the prime factor in the eventual saving of the lives of 151 survivors of the actual sinking of the USS POPE at the Battle of Java Sea in the Dutch East Indies. The Medal of Honor and the Bronze Star were won for heroic actions while in a Japanese POW camp at Makas- sar, Celebes, and Batavia, Java. In April, 1942, Lt. Antrim intervened in behalf of a junior naval officer who was being clubbed by a frenzied Japanese guard. Antrim first attempted to persuade the guard to discuss the charges against the officer. When the entreaties to the Japanese had availed nothing, and it was apparent that the officer would either be maimed or killed, Antrim stepped forward in front of the entire Japanese guard force and 2700 Allied prisoners and indicated that he would take the remainder of the punishment. According to the recommendations written by the American senior officer at the camp, the Japanese were so startled by Antrim ' s daring move that no punishment was forthcoming. In fact, prison life, which had been worsening, improved. The Bronze Star was won on a later occasion , July 1945, when Antrim was forced to take charge of a labor party which was to construct the slit trenches for bomb protection. Antrim caused the trenches to be constructed in such a manner that Allied aerial photographs would reveal the nature of the trenches and whom they protected. Upon his return to the United States, Antrim was progressed in rank to Captain. On 1 April 1954, he was transferred to the Retired List of the U.S. Navy and was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of combat awards. After his retirement from the Navy, Rear Admiral Antrim and his family settled in Mt. Home, Arkansas, where he died in 1969. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I