Mahlon Tisdale (FFG 27) - Naval Cruise Book

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CHARACTERISTICS Displacement 3.600 Tons Omensons. Length 445 Feet Beam 47 Feet Draft 24 5 Feet Comptment 15 Officers. 178 Enksted Proputston Two General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbines with 40.000 total Shaft Horsepower One Controllable. Reversible Pitch Propeter. Two 350 Horsepower Auxiliary Propulsion Units Auxtanes Four 1000 Kilowatt Ship ' s Service Diesel Generators At craft Capable of supporting two SH-2 LAMPS Helicopters um Speed Armament Sensors to 29+ Knots in 90 Seconds MK13 Guided Missile Launcher, with SM- 1 Surface to Air Missiles and HARPOON Surface to Surface Missiles MK75 76MM Oto Malera Gun MK32 Torpedo Tubes capable of launching MK46 Torpedoes. MK15 Close m Weapons Sys- tem AN SQS-56 Medium Range So- nar AN SQS-49 Long Range Air Search Radar. AN SPS-55 Surface Search Radar AN SLQ-32 Electronic Intercept System. MK92 Fire Control Sytem COAT OF ARMS SHIELD Dark blue and gold are the colors traditional- ly used by the Navy and symbolize the sea and excetence The shield design represents the many honors and awards earned by Admiral Tis- ooie dunng his outstanding naval career The crosses, one upon the other, indicates two suc- cessive awards of the Navy Cross The chief in red otudes to the ribbon of the Legion of Merit; the pies from the three Vs . a device worn on the nbbon bar to designate that this medal was awarded to Admiral Tisdale three times for com- bat valor CREST The lion, a symbol of strength and courage. refers to Admiral Tisdale s devotion to duty and outstanding service The fleur-de-lis. symbolizing France, and the palm, referring to the Pacific blonds, indicate the far ranging scope of his naval career The words HONO R. PATRIE. VALEUR . stand for ■HONOR. COUNTRY. COURAGE

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USS Mahlon S. Tisdale HISTORY USS MAHLON S. TISDALE is the twenty-first Oli- ver Hazard Perry Class Frigate built for the U.S. Navy by Todd Pacific Corporation, Los Angeles, California. On her commissioning of 13 November 1982, TISDALE joined the Pacific Fleet. The concept of the class began in 1971 when the United States Navy initiated a program to build fifty Patrol Frigates. The Class was later redesignated as Guided Missile Frigates and the Class leader USS Oliver Hazard Perry was commis- sioned on 1 7 December 1977. It is the largest Na- val destroyer class to be built since World War II. TISD ALE ' s operational role is to complement the fleet ' s ability to keep the world ' s sea lanes open and free and to provide for in-depth pro- tection of military and merchant shipping, under- way logistics support, amphibious forces and air- craft battle groups. To achieve this the ship has been specifically designed to simultaneously counter threats posed by air, surface and subsur- face launched missiles and enemy warships. In today ' s defense enviroment, the key abili- ty to respond rapidly and effectively is the key to success All of TISDALE ' s systems are designed to meet this important requirement. The Combat System is a new and innovative design, integrat- ing a computerized command and decision sys- tem with the ship to reduce the number of crew members required. Designed to provide quick reaction defense against surprise anti-ship missile attack, TISDALE complements the capabilities of other ships of the fleet in ensuring thorough multi-threat pro- tection. Digital computers provide rapid evaluation of potential threats detected by our radars, digi- tal sonar, or other shipboard sensors. Should the need arise, surface-to-air and surface-to-sur- face missiles, a rapid fire gun. Close In Weapons System, ASW torpedoes, and an embarked heli- copter can be employed effectively in counter- ing potential threats. Quick reactions are not limited to combat systems alone. Two computer controlled Gas Turbine Engines operating through a Controllable Pitch Propeller give the ship high acceleration speed, maneuverability, and the ability to be ' ' on line in less than one tenth of the time required by steam turbine ships. Two forward mounted Auxiliary Propulsion Units give the ship excellent maneuverability in confined harbors and a sec- ondary means of propulsion.

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MAHLON S. TISDALE VICE ADMIRAL Mahlon Street Tisdale was born December 6, 1890 in Wenona, Illinois, and in 1908 received his appointment to the US Naval Academy. Following his commissioning as an Ensign in 1912. He was assigned to the USS NORTH CAROLINA and then USS SALEM where he served as a Watch and Division Offi- cer during the battle of Vera Cruz. For the remaining years prior to World War I. he was assigned to the carrier USS NEP TUNE, and then to the commissioning crew of the battleship USS PENNSYLVANIA. At the time of the United States entry into World War I he was reassigned as aide and flag secretary on the staff of Commander, Patrol Force. Atlantic Fleet. In that capacity he served at sea in European waters in USS BIRMINGHAM as well as ashore in Gibraltar, New York, and Norfolk For distinguished service , he was awarded his first Navy Cross. Following the war. he served initially as Executive Officer •t the USSHAR1, tt, on USS LUDLOW, USS AROOSTOOK, and in 1937 USS RIGAL Other sea duty assignments included First USS LEXINGTON and Division Radio Officer on • • . if Commander, Battleship Division SIX embarked on USS WYOMING On October 23. 1926. he assumed command USS FARE NHOLT ' .ubsequent command at prior to World War II included Commander. Destroy - ■ ■■ ■ n, Commanding Officer of USS VESTAL, and then USS CHESTER. Shore duty assignments In ' m Charge of the Navy Recruit- ing Station, Los Angeles, and Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving a third tour of duty at the Naval Academy as Commandant of Midshipmen. In June 1942. Rear Admiral Tisdale reported to the Pacific Fleet as Commander Cruisers. Task Force Sixteen. It was in this command that he distinguished himself in a Series of critical battles in the South Pacific. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for action against Japanese forces east of the Solomon Islands on 24 August 1942. Again for his part in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942. he was awarded the Legion of Merit. And. For Extraordinary Heroism as Commander of a Cruiser Division, he was a warded a Gold Star In lieu of a second Navy Cross for engaging Japanese forces during the Battle of Tassafarenga (Guadalcanal), on 30 November 1942. In 1943. he was assigned as Commander, Destroyers, Pa- cific Fleet and served in this capacity until January 1944 when he was re-assigned as the Commandant of the Navy Yard. Mare Island. He was subsequently relieved of active duty there, pending retirement for physical disability In 1947 and advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral on the basis of combat awards. Vice Admiral Mahlon S. Tisdale died 12 July 1972 in Oak- land. California.