Carr (FFG 52) - Naval Cruise Book

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m-vff USS CARR (FFG-52) is the forty-sixth ship of the FFG 7 (Oliver Hazard Perry) class. She was built by Todd Shipyards Corporation, Seattle Washington. Carr ' s mis- sion is to escort and protect convoys, underway replenish- ment groups, amphibious landing groups and carrier bat- tle groups. Carr ' s missile, gun, and anti-submarine war- fare systems, combined with her quick reaction and high speed capability, make her a valuable asset in today ' s multi -threat environment. Ship ' s Characteristics Displacement: Dimensions: Compliment: Propulsion: Maximum Speed: Armament: 4100 Tons Length 453 ' , Beam 45 ' , Draft 24.5 ' 13 Officers, 187 Enlisted Main - Two LM 2500 Gas Turbines with 40,000 Shaft HP. One shaft with controllable pitch propeller. Auxiliary - Two Retractable 325 HP engines for maneuvering or casualty operations. 28+ Knots MK 13 MOD 4 Launcher MK 75 76MM Gun MK 15 close in Weapons System (CIWS) MK 46 ASW Torpedoes Two triple MK 32 Torpedo Tube Mounts Two SH-60 Seahawk Lamps, MK III Helicopters AN SPS-56 Digital Sonar MK-92 MOD 2 Fire Control System AN SPS-55 Surface Search Radar AN SPS-49 Air Search Radar

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Commanding Officer Executive Officer CDR Edward G. Bagley III Commander Bagley was born in Southside, Virginia. Attended school in his hometown of Kenbridge, he grad- uated from Kenton Forest School in 1968 and immediate- ly entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1972. Commander Bagley ' s initial sea assignments includ- ed duty on the USS RATHBURNE (De-1057) as Auxil- iaries Officer, USS O ' CALLAHAN (FF-1051) as First Lieutenant, and USS TRUXTUN (CGN-35), initially as the Navigator and then as the Combat Information Center Officer. Following Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, he was ordered to the USS TATTNALL (DDG-19) as Engineering Officer, and subsequently to the USS RALEIGH (LPD-1) as opera- tions Officer. In his shore assignments, he served in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Naval Warfare) as an anti-air warfare staff officer. Following Prospective Executive Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island, he served on USS FAHRION (FFG-22) as Exec- utive Officer. In his second shore assignment, he served in the Joint Staff as a wide-area surveillance staff officer. Commander Bagley has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and various campaign and service awards. Commander Bagley is married to the former Gillian R. Cullen of Limerick, Ireland. They have two daughters, Cara and Jessica. LCDR Curtis E. Middlebrook Lieutenant Commander Middlebrook was born in Missoula, Montana. Attended Fort Johnson High School in Charleston, South Carolina, he graduated in 1972 and immediately entered the Citadel in Charleston, graduat- ing in 1976. LCDR Middlebrook ' s initial sea assignments includ- ed duty in USS MILWAUKEE (AOR-2) as Combat In- formation Center Officer, Electronic Material Officer, and later Communications Officer, and USS LEFTWICH (DD-984) as Missile Officer. He reported to Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic in September 1980 as the FFG-7 Class Combat Systems Operational Team Training Officer. From January to June 1983, he attended Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, followed by assignment to USS CONNOLLY (DD-979) as Engineer ing Officer. In July, 1985, he re- ported to Destroyer Squadron Three Two as the Combat Systems Material Officer. Attending the Naval Com- mand and Staff at the Naval War College from August 1987 to June 1988, he graduated with distinction. From War College, he reported to USS CARR (FFG-52) in September 1988 as Executive Officer. LCDR Middlebrook has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and various cam- paign and service awards. He is married to the former Lynn Wiederhold of Charleston, South Carolina. They have two children; Mi- chelle and Douglas.

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Paul Henry Carr CARR (FFG-52) is named in honor of Gunner ' s Mate 3rd Class Paul Henry Carr, USNR (1924-1944), the heroic gun captain of the after 5-inch mount of the destroyer escort SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413) during the Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944, awarded a posthumous silver star for his conspicuous and gallant display of outstanding technical skill and courageous initiative. When Samuel B. Roberts engaged Japanese heavy cruisers attacking a force of escort carriers, off Samar during the battle of Leyte Gulf, the fire of her 5-inch gun inspired every man on the ship. As the destroyer escort maneuvering radically and used minimal fire control equipment, CARR ' s mount fired over 300 rounds of 5-inch ammunition, scoring, at close range, a great many hits on one of the enemy heavy cruisers, knocking out an 8-inch turret, demolishing her bridge and starting fires aft. Ultimately, the damage received from Japanese shells knocked out all power, compressed air, and communications crippling the ship. Know- ing the hazards involved, CARR ' s close-knit crew loaded, rammed, and fired six charges by hand, without the safety device of a gas-injection sys- tem. In attempting to fire a seventh round, however, the powder charge cooked-off before the breach was closed, wrecking the gun and killing or wounding all but three men in the gunhouse. After the order to abandon ship had been given a petty officer entered the mount to find Carr, literally torn open from neck to thigh, holding a 54-pound projectile, trying unassisted to load and ram the only shell available. Carr begged the man to help him get off the last round, but the latter, seeing that the gun had been destroyed and its breach rendered an unrecognizable mass of steel, took the projectile from the gunner ' s hands. After helping one of the other wounded men to the main deck, the petty officer returned to find Carr again attempting, although horri- bly wounded, to place the projectile on the loading tray of the inoperative gun. Carr perished a few minutes later he was dragged from the mount.