USS Rentz (FFG-46)

History

USS "Rentz" (FFG-46) was the 40th ship to be constructed in the "Oliver Hazard Perry"-class of guided missile frigates of the United States Navy. The "Rentz" was named after World War II Navy Chaplain George S. Rentz (1882–1942). Chaplain Rentz was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for selfless bravery following the loss of USS|Houston|CA-30|6 in the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was the only Navy chaplain to be so honored during World War II.

The keel of the "Rentz" was laid on September 18, 1982 at Todd Pacific Shipyards in San Pedro, California. She was launched July 16, 1983, and commissioned at Naval Station Long Beach on June 30, 1984 under the command of CDR Martin Jules Mayer (b. 1944). [cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/bib/49389|title=Martin Mayer Collection (AFC/2001/001/49389), Veterans History Project|last=Nguyen|first=Lisa|publisher=Library of Congress|accessdate=2008-09-18] In attendance were survivors of the "Houston", as well as Chaplain Rentz's surviving daughter.

In December, 1985, "Rentz" moved from Long Beach, California to its current (2007) location in San Diego, California. Following initial shakedown cruises and operations, "Rentz" was assigned to the USS|Ranger|CV-61|6 aircraft carrier group. As part of that group, the ship regularly cruised the Southern California Operations Area off the coast of San Clemente Island with a pair of fuzzy dice dangling above the ship's computerized helm. During "breakaways" after underway replenishment (UNREP) at sea, "Rentz" blasted the Beach Boys song "Little Deuce Coupe" as its inaugural " UNREP breakaway song."

On November 5, 1986, "Rentz" was part of an historic visit to Qingdao (Tsing Tao; 青岛) China—the first US Naval visit to China since 1949. "Rentz" was accompanied by two other ships, the USS|Reeves|CG-24|2 and USS|Oldendorf|DD-972|2. The visit was officially hosted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ("After 37-year absence, U.S. vessels visit China," "New York Times" Nov. 6, 1986, Sec. A, p. 3). Previously, the USS|Dixie|AD-14|6 was the last ship to moor in China, departing in 1949 when the communists forced the Americans to leave the Chinese mainland.

In July 1987, "Rentz" was sent to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will. Her primary duties consisted of escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "Rentz" has been deployed to the Gulf numerous times since 1987.

Commanding Officers

* June 30, 1984 - 1987(?) Commander Martin Jules Mayer, USS|Ranger|CV-61|6 aircraft carrier group.
* 1987 - 2005 : ?
* 2005 - April 2008 : Commander Dominic DeScisciolo, Destroyer Squadron 21 (San Diego).
* April 2008 - present : Commander Dave Glenister, Destroyer Squadron 1 (San Diego).

Interesting events

* Rescue of a downed helicopter crew in the Persian Gulf (August 16, 1997)
* Interception of cocaine smugglers off the Southern California coast (April 11, 2002, and August 5, 2003)
* Rescue of 90 Ecuadorians on a disabled vessel (June 18, 2005).

Awards

* "outstanding food service" in the Pacific Fleet, [http://www.seabeecook.com/today/news/archive.01/cook0027.htm 1997 Ney] Award winner "Small Afloat."
* "outstanding food service" in the Pacific Fleet, [http://www.seabeecook.com/today/news/cook0083.htm 2000 Ney] runner-up "Small Afloat."
*" [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/services/awards_fewm2004.html#mobilorg 2003 Mobility Energy Efficiency] " award from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

About the Ship's Crest

The colors blue and gold are traditionally associated with the U.S. Navy. The vertical trident represents the sea god Neptune. The crossed missiles indicate the type of ship "Frigate with Guided Missiles." The cross on the shield symbolizes the ship's namesake, Chaplain Rentz. The motto "Dread Nought" tells all to have no fear for the ship is watched over by higher powers.

References

External links

* [http://www.rentz.navy.mil/ USS "Rentz" official website]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0746.htm navsource.org: USS "Rentz"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG46.HTM navysite.de: USS "Rentz"]
* [http://www.destroyerhistory.org/desron21/ussrentz.html USS "Rentz" at Destroyer History]
* [http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1338000&lastnode_id=124 "Rentz" Everything2 Writeup]
* [http://www.airpac.navy.mil/news/pr1997/pr97-015.asp U.S. NAVY HELO CREW RESCUED BY USS RENTZ, COMNAVAIRPAC Press Release 1997: PR97-015]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/rentz_ffg46_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS Rentz FFG-46 pages]
* [http://www.dodmedia.osd.mil/ Defense Visual Information Center (search for "Rentz")]

Gallery

Qingdao China
Underway replenishment with USS|Ranger|CV-61