View source for USS George Philip

{{Use American English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
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{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS George Philip FFG-12.jpg|300px|USS ''George Philip'' underway during sea trials in 1982]]
|Ship caption=USS ''George Philip'' underway during sea trials in 1982
}}
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|2003}}
|Ship name=''George Philip''
|Ship namesake=[[Commander (United States)|Commander]] George Philip Jr.
|Ship ordered=27 February 1976
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division]], [[San Pedro, Los Angeles|San Pedro]], [[California]]
|Ship original cost=
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|Ship laid down=14 December 1977
|Ship launched=16 December 1978
|Ship sponsor= Snow Philip-Simpson, daughter of Commander Philip
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|Ship commissioned=10 October 1980
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|Ship decommissioned=15 March 2003
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|Ship struck=24 May 2004
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|Ship homeport=[[Naval Base San Diego|San Diego]], [[California]] (former)
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Surface combatant type|Hull symbol]]:FFG-12
*[[International Code of Signals|Code letters]]:NSGP
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Papa}}
|Ship motto=*"Intrepide Impelle"
*(To Go Boldly)
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|Ship fate=Scrapped 2015 at Southern Recycling, [[Port Fourchon, Louisiana]]
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|Ship badge=[[File:USS George Philip (FFG-12) crest.jpg|150px]]
}}
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|Ship class={{Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|3}}
|Ship displacement={{OHP frigate displacement}}
|Ship length={{OHP frigate length short hull}}
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|Ship sensors={{OHP frigate sensors}}
|Ship EW=[[AN/SLQ-32]]
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|Ship aircraft=1 × [[Kaman SH-2 Seasprite|SH-2F LAMPS I]] helicopter<ref name="navysite" />
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'''USS ''George Philip'' (FFG-12)''', sixth ship of the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|4}} of guided-missile [[frigate]]s, was named for Commander George Philip Jr. (1912–1945), posthumous recipient of the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for actions as commanding officer of the destroyer {{USS|Twiggs|DD-591|6}}.<ref name="navycross">{{cite web |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20780 |title=Valor awards for George Philip Jr |website= Military Times |access-date= 2014-05-30}}</ref>

''George Philip'' was expected to join the [[Portuguese Navy]] in 2006, together with her [[sister ship]] {{USS|Sides|FFG-14|2}}, but the Portuguese Navy dropped the offer and chose two Dutch {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate}}s instead. ''George Philip'' was expected to join the [[Turkish Navy]] in the summer of 2008, together with her sister ship {{USS|Sides|FFG-14|2}}, but the Turkish Navy dropped the offer. As of May 2012, both frigates were awaiting their fates at anchor in the Sinclair Inlet off the [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility]].<ref name="navysite">{{cite web |url=http://navysite.de/ffg/FFG12.HTM |title=FFG-12 |publisher=Navysite.de |access-date=2015-04-10 |website=Navysite.de}}</ref>

==Namesake==
[[File:CDR George Philip Jr..jpg|thumb|left|George Philip Jr. as a LCDR]]
George Philip Jr. was born on 14 April 1912 in [[Fort Pierre, South Dakota]], to George Philip (1880{{spaced ndash}}1948), a Scottish immigrant from [[County of Moray|Morayshire]], [[Scotland]] and Alice Island "Isle" Waldron (1890{{spaced ndash}}1972), of part [[Oglala Lakota]] descent and also born in Fort Pierre. He was known as Geordie.<ref name="Cowboy Life">{{cite book |title= Cowboy Life: The Letters of George Philip |first= George |last= Philip |publisher= [[South Dakota State Historical Society]] |year= 2013 |isbn= 9780985290573}}</ref> He attended the [[South Dakota School of Mines and Technology|South Dakota School of Mines]] in [[Rapid City, South Dakota]] before his appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]]. After completion of the course of instruction at the Naval Academy, he was commissioned an [[Ensign (rank)|Ensign]] on 6 June 1935. He continued to progress in grade until his promotion to Commander on 4 September 1944. During this period he served under a variety of commands including: {{USS|Mississippi|BB-41|6}} (1935–37), {{USS|California|BB-44|6}} (1937–38), {{USS|Ellet|DD-398|6}} (1938–40), {{USS|O'Bannon|DD-450|6}} (1942-43). For his service during the [[Solomon Islands campaign]], Philip was awarded the [[Silver Star]] Medal and ''O'Bannon'' received the [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]].<ref name=ShipBio>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20030214181459/http://www.george-philip.navy.mil/namesk.htm |url= http://www.george-philip.navy.mil/namesk.htm |title= Namesake of USS George Philip, Public Domain US Navy |accessdate= 2014-05-30 |archivedate= 2003-02-14 }}</ref> He then served with Operational Training Command, Pacific Fleet, [[San Diego]], [[California]] (1943–44).

He then served as Commanding Officer of {{USS|Twiggs|DD-591|6}} (1944–45).<ref name=ShipBio/> On 16 June 1945 while operating off [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] ''Twiggs'' was hit by a [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[kamikaze]] aircraft.<ref name=ShipBio/> According to eyewitness Chief [[Machinist's mate]] Charles F. Schmidt, Commander Philip was last seen mortally wounded, grasping the railing of the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] trying to stand.<ref>{{cite news |first= Lt. John G. |last= Norris |title= Death of a Destroyer |newspaper= US Navy Press Release |date= 1945-06-26 }}</ref> Philip and 151 other crewmen were killed or missing when ''Twiggs'' sank. He was posthumously awarded the [[Navy Cross]]. On 12 March 1946, [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[James Forrestal]] stated, during the presentation of the Navy Cross to his widow, Margaret Taussig-Philip:
{{blockquote|His courage, fortitude and initiative in the performance of a difficult and hazardous duty characterized Commander Philip as a brilliant leader and seaman, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service, he gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.|[[James Forrestal]]<ref name=ShipBio/>}}  Captain Philip was the son in law of [[Joseph Taussig]], brother in law of [[Joseph K. Taussig Jr.]] and uncle of Captain Joseph K. Taussig III USMC.

== History ==
Ordered from [[Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division]], [[San Pedro, Los Angeles|San Pedro]], [[California]] on 27 February 1976 as part of the FY76 program, ''George Philip'' was laid down on 14 December 1977, launched on 16 December 1978, and commissioned on 10 October 1980. Decommissioned on 15 March 2003, as of June 2003 ''George Philip'' was in reserve at Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility [[Bremerton, Washington]].

=== 1980s ===
''George Philip'' was [[ship sponsor|sponsored]] by Snow Philip-Simpson, daughter of the ship's namesake, George Philip Jr. at the [[ceremonial ship launching|ship launching]] on 16 December 1978. ''George Philip'' was commissioned 15 November 1980 at Todd Shipyard in San Pedro, California.

From November 1980 to June 1981 ''George Philip'' conducted sea trials and testing. In June 1981 the ship received the [[Battle Effectiveness Award|Battle "E" award]] for excellence.

From July 1982 to February 1983  ''George Philip'' deployed for the first time in support of {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}} battle group. ''George Philip'' and her crew were awarded a Battle Effectiveness Award for operations during the 18-month period from 1 January 1982 to 30 June 1983.<ref name="awards">{{cite web |website=Navy Unit Awards |title=Navy Unit Awards |url=https://awards.navy.mil/ |access-date=2014-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041014224730/https://awards.navy.mil/ |archive-date=14 October 2004 }}</ref>

From September 1984 to March 1985 the ship was deployed in support of U. S. efforts to keep sea lanes open in the [[Persian Gulf]] during the height of the [[Iran–Iraq War]]. In June 1985 the frigate transferred to the Naval Reserve Force (NRF). As a member of the NRF, the focus turns to the training and readiness of Selected Reservists. The ship goes from full manning to 60% manning, with the remainder made up of Reservists. From June 1985 to June 1987 engineering and weapons readiness examinations and inspections were performed along with training for helicopter pilots.

''George Philip'' underwent an overhaul at Southwest Marine in [[San Diego]], California from December 1987 to June 1989. While in overhaul the ship received major upgrades in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities among which, the ship was fitted with a Tactical Towed Array Sonar (TACTASS).

From June 1989 to May 1992 ''George Philip'' participated in extensive ASW operations and was used as a test platform for the new ASW equipment.<ref name="History">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030221111510/http://www.george-philip.navy.mil/shiphist.htm |url=http://www.george-philip.navy.mil/shiphist.htm |title=Ship's History |website=USS George Philip (FFG-12) – Public Domain, US Navy |archive-date=2003-02-21 |access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
From May to August 1992 ''George Philip'' was deployed in support of efforts to counter drug traffic from South America to the United States. In August 1992 the ship began a series of independent operations and port visits that included: [[San Francisco]]; [[Seattle]]; [[Vancouver]], British Columbia; and [[Mazatlán]], Mexico.

These operations lasted until July 1994 when ''George Philip'' deployed in support of efforts to counter drug traffic from South America to the United States. In October 1994 the frigate was escort to the towing of the retired submarine {{USS|Richard B. Russell|SSN-687|6}} to Bremerton Naval Station.

''George Philip'' and her crew were awarded a [[Battle Effectiveness Award]] for operations in 1994, 1995 and 1996.<ref name="awards" />

In November 1997 the ship participated in the Maritime Combined Operational Training (MARCOT) Exercise in the Northern Pacific. From January to April 1998 ''George Philip'' took part in counter-narcotics operations (CNOPS) in the South Pacific.

From March to October 1999 the ship was assigned to the Co-operation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Deployment.<ref name="History" />

=== 2000s ===
''George Philip'' underwent the Dry-Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA 00) at Continental Marine in San Diego from January to March 2000 In April ''George Philip'' transited to [[Alaska]]. The frigate conducted port visits to [[Esquimalt]], British Columbia and [[Juneau, Alaska]]. On 2–8 October 2000 the ship made a port visit to [[Ensenada, Baja California|Ensenada, Mexico]].<ref name="History" />

''George Philip'' was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] on 15 March 2003, as of June 2003 the ship was in reserve at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility]], [[Bremerton, Washington]].

== References ==
{{Naval Vessel Register|hull=FFG-12}}
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|USS George Philip (FFG-12)}}
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/george_philip_ffg_12.htm MaritimeQuest USS ''George Philip'' FFG-12 pages]

{{Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate}}
{{Los Angeles SB&DDC and Todd, Los Angeles ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:George Philip (Ffg-12)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:1978 ships]]
[[Category:Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Cold War frigates and destroyer escorts of the United States]]