USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066)

USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066) was a Knox-class frigate of the US Navy. The ship was named after the only Seabee to receive the Medal of Honor. CM3 Marvin Glenn Shields was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. Constructed by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, laid down 12 April 1968, launched 23 October 1969, and delivered 1 April 1971. Marvin Shields was commissioned 10 April 1971, decommissioned 2 July 1992, and struck 11 January 1995. She was subsequently transferred to Mexican Navy and renamed ARM Abasolo.

1983 Deployment

On 20 July 1983, the New York Times reported that the Marvin Shields along with seven other vessels in the Carrier Ranger Battle Group left San Diego on Friday, 15 July 1983, and were headed for the West Pacific when they were rerouted and ordered to steam for Central America to conduct training and flight operations in areas off the coasts of Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras as part of major military exercises planned for that summer.

Besides the Marvin Shields, the battle group was composed of the carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), the cruiser USS Horne (CG-30), the guided missile destroyer USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8), the destroyers USS Fletcher (DD-992) and USS Fife (DD-991), the oiler USS Wichita (AOR-1), and the support ship USS Camden (AOE-2).