USS De Wert (FFG-45)

USS De Wert (FFG-45), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, is a ship of the United States Navy named for Hospitalman Richard De Wert (1931–1951). De Wert was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War.

De Wert was laid down on June 14, 1982 by the Bath Iron Works, in Bath, Maine; launched on December 18, 1982, sponsored by Rita C. Kennedy; and commissioned on November 19, 1983 at Bath, Commander Douglas Armstrong in command.

Comnander Destroyer Squadron Six conducted a Command Administration Inspection August 24-26, 1985. The ship got underway with the Air Det embarked August 13 through September 7 to participate in READEX 3-85 under Commander Carrier Group Two, along with fifteen surface ships, 2 submarines of the United States Atlantic Fleet and one unit of the Royal Netherlands Navy. On August 15 conducted a CIWS exercise and destroyed the TDU. On August 22 the ship had another successful SM-1 firing against a target drone. The ship's Preparation for Overseas Movement, 7 through September 30 was interrupted by having to get underway for hurricane evasion September 24–27. October 1 HSL 42 Det 4 embarked in preparation for deployment. The ship got underway on October 2 for its first major overseas deployment. On October 9, during the transit across the Atlantic the ship scored the quickest 'Quick Draw" of the battle group. De Wert in-chopped to the Sixth Fleet on October 14 and participated in Operation Display Determination 85, under the command of Commander Task Force 60 with 2 carriers, 16 warships, and 130 aircraft of the Sixth Fleet. This exercise proved to be predominately an AAW/ASW exercise.

De Wert is captained by Commander Joseph Thomas; she is part of Destroyer Squadron 14, Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, and is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

On February 16, 2007, De Wert was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.

In 2011, De Wert earned all command excellence awards and was awarded the 2010 Battle E award.

On October 11, 2011, it was reported that the De Wert, along with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Fort Victoria, had rescued the Italian vessel Montecristo after it was boarded by Somali pirates, while on joint anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.