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USS SIMPSON honors Rear
Admiral Rodger Whitten Simpson (1898-1964). RADM Simpson spent one year at
the University of Oregon before entering the United States Naval Academy in
June 1917. As a midshipman, he served in USS OHIO which operated with the
Atlantic Fleet in World War I. He was commissioned an Ensign in June of 1920,
graduating with the class of 1921.
After graduation, RADM Simpson served in the cruiser BROOKLYN and destroyers
FARQUHAR, TWIGGS, SLOAT, WILLIAM JONES, LUDLOW and WHIPPOORWILL. Following
sea duty, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis and Yale
University, completing courses in communications engineering in 1928.
RADM Simpson was then assigned to the staff of Commander, Destroyer Squadron
14, Scouting Fleet (USS HOPKINS flagship). He later became Assistant District
Communications Officer of the 12th Naval District, San Francisco, and served
until July 1933. After a two year tour in USS COLORADO, he was assigned as
Assistant to the Officer in Charge, Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York City.
RADM Simpson assumed command of the destroyer USS MAHAN in March of 1941.
During that tour, he was awarded the Navy cross for extraordinary heroism
during action against enemy Japanese forces south of the Gilbert Islands in
October of 1942. The citation reads in part, "Boldly engaging an enemy
patrol line in a daring daylight raid, (he)...launched determined and
aggressive attacks in which two Japanese vessels were sunk by the effective
gunfire of his ship and that of an accompanying destroyer. Despite terrific
aerial opposition, he brought his ship and crew through this successful
engagement without loss or damage..."
RADM Simpson received the Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross while
serving as Commander, Destroyer Division 15 for heroism during an engagement
with enemy forces in Vella Gulf, Solomon Islands on the night of August 6,
1943. The citation in part states "...He disposed the units of his
command for maximum fire power and combat efficiency, striking at the enemy
boldly and with relentless determination and annihilating the entire hostile
force of one Japanese cruiser and three destroyers..."
As Commander, Destroyer Squadron 12 and Destroyer Division 23, RADM Simpson
was awarded the Silver Star and cited "...for gallantry and intrepidity
during operations in the Bismark Archipelago."
On April 6, 1944, with the rank of Commodore, RADM Simpson was assigned as
Commander, Task Flotilla 6. He planned and organized the rescue of over 7,500
Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japanese concentration
camps. For this rescue, he was awarded the Legion of Merit. The citation in
part follows: "...by freeing the prisoners before the actual signing of
the surrender, he saved the lives of hundreds of sick and starving U.S.
service people..."
RADM Simpson also served tours as Commander, Training Command, Marianas;
Commander Fleet Training Group, Western Pacific; Commander, Underway Training
Unit , Guam; Commanding Officer, USS ATLANTA; and Commanding Officer, Naval
Station Treasure Islands. He retired in 1951.
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On SIMPSON's first overseas deployment
in January 1988, the ship was assigned as an escort to U.S.-flagged merchant
vessels in the Arabian Gulf. On 18 April 1988, SIMPSON was a principle unit
of Operation Praying Mantis responding to the Iranian mine attack on USS
SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58). Operating in conjunction with two other Navy
ships, SIMPSON was responsible for the destruction of an Iranian oil platform
and sinking the Iranian Navy missile patrol combatant, JOSHAN. The ship was
awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon for
this operation. SIMPSON was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for
the deployment.
SIMPSON's second overseas deployment in October 1990 saw her again operating
in the Arabian Gulf, escorting U.S.-flagged and other neutral shipping in the
Arabian Gulf.
SIMPSON departed on her third deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea
and a third visit to the Arabian Gulf in December 1991. In the Mediterranean
Sea, SIMPSON rendezvoused with two CIS warships and conducted ship
maneuvering exercises, the first such between U.S. and CIS forces. SIMPSON
then proceeded to the Red Sea to participate in the United Nations embargo
against Iraq. Assigned as an escort to USS AMERICA (CV 66) in the Arabian
Gulf, SIMPSON participated in two major joint exercises and qualified for the
Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medals issued by the
governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
In the spring of 1993, SIMPSON again prepared for a major overseas
deployment. During a three day port visit and Independence Day Celebration,
SIMPSON was adopted by the City of Stamford, CT.
In August 1993, SIMPSON sailed with USS AMERICA on her fourth overseas
deployment. While assigned to Joint Task Group AMERICA, SIMPSON participated
in Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise in the Adriatic Sea and U.N.
Operation Continue Hope off the coast of Somalia. After a brief assignment in
the Red Sea supporting U.N. sanctions against Iraq, SIMPSON returned home in
February 1994.
Shortly after her return home, SIMPSON was called upon to participate in
Operations Support Democracy and Able Manner off the coast of Haiti in
support of the U.N. embargo against HAITI. After returning to Newport, RI for
three weeks, SIMPSON shifted homeports to Norfolk, VA in May 1994. Enroute,
SIMPSON was tasked to return to the Caribbean to participate in Operation
Restore Democracy, finally arriving in Norfolk in June 1994.
Upon completion of post-deployment maintenance, SIMPSON returned to the
Caribbean to participate in Counter Drug Operations with the Coast Guard.
SIMPSON returned to Norfolk in December and deployed again to the Caribbean
in February 1995 to continue Counter Drug Operations.
After a summer at home, SIMPSON deployed for the fifth time in November 1995.
This trip was to the Mediterranean as part of NATO's Standing Naval Forces
Atlantic. During this deployment, SIMPSON primarily operated in the Adriatic
Sea in support of NATO Operation Sharp Guard, enforcing the U.N. Security
Council's arms embargo against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ship earned the Armed
Forces Service Medal and the NATO Medal for the deployment.
USS SIMPSON celebrated the arrival of 1996 while inport Barcelona, Spain as
part of the Standing Naval Forces, Atlantic (SNFL). SIMPSON operated with the
forces of OPERATION SHARP GUARD enforcing the arms embargo against Croatia,
throughout the 1996 deployment. SIMPSON also enjoyed port visits in Augusta
Bay Sicily, Valencia Spain, Palma de Mallorca Spain, Trieste Italy, Corfu
Greece, Napels Italy, Toulon France, Genoa Italy, and Gibraltar United
Kingdom.
SIMPSON conducted turn over with the USS MCINERNEY (FFG 8) as the United
States Representative SNFL. SIMPSON arrived in Bermuda on May 5th, where she
picked up family members for the remainder of SIMPSON's transit home. SIMPSON
returned to Norfolk, Virginia on May 8th to an enthusiastic crowd of friends
and family and immediately began post deployment stand down.
In 1996, SIMPSON conducted a training availability for Surface Warfare
Officer's School Division Officer's Course, and proceeded to Maine, where she
conducted a series of port visits in Castine and Booth Bay Harbor in support
of Castine's 200th anniversary and the Booth Bay Harbor Windjammer Festival.
SIMPSON's served as the surface support unit for CNO Project Emerald II and
Operation Global Yankee, and visited Rockland, Maine where she anchored in
support of the Maine Lobster Festival. After a three day visit, during which
the crew was pampered with lobster dinners and lunches, SIMPSON returned to sea
and transited to Annapolis, Maryland where she hosted Midshipmen and their
parents for three days in support of Plebe Parent's Weekend at the United
States Naval Academy.
SIMPSON returned to sea in October as Opposing Force for the THEODORE
ROOSEVELT Battle Group Joint Task Force Exercise, followed by a trip to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Navy League.
In November 1996, SIMPSON moved up the Elizabeth River to Marine Hydraulics
International (MHI), Incorporated. SIMPSON remained at MHI through the
remainder of the year, where she began work on habitability projects in the
Combined Office Complex (COC) and Operations Berthing, and installation of a
Passive Countermeasure System (PCMS).
USS SIMPSON began 1997 in the middle of an Extended Selected Restricted
Availability (ESRA) at MHI, Incorporated.
After much work, refurbishment, completion of a successful Light-Off
Assessment and sea trials, SIMPSON returned to Norfolk in February 1997. In
February 1997, SIMPSON completed the first FFG to FFG weapons transfer at
Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown with USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG 49).
USS SIMPSON started 1998 enroute to the Puerto Rican Oparea for JTFEX 1-98
with the JOHN C. STENNIS BATTLE GROUP. After completion of a successful
exercise, the ship was ready for deployment. 26 February, SIMPSON deployed to
the Mediterranean to participate in STANDING NAVAL FORCE MEDITERRANEAN 98-1.
Conducting a group sail with USS CARON, USS LABOON, and USNS SANTA BARBARA,
she arrived at the Strait of Gibraltar ready to rendezvous with USS UNDERWOOD
for turnover and inchop to STANDING NAVAL FORCE MEDITERRANEAN.
Joining NATO ships from Germany, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Britain, and
the Netherlands, SIMPSON became the United States representative for STANAVFORMED.
After participating in EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98, all STANAVFORMED ships
sailed to Portsmouth, UK for some well deserved R&R.
SIMPSON was then underway with STANAVFORMED ships enroute Amsterdam, NL.
After two days of maintenance, SIMPSON was underway for Hamburg, Germany.
This continuous, fast paced, cycle of underway exercises and inport
maintenance continued during SIMPSON's entire stay with STANAVFORMED
including visits to Antwerp, Belgium, Malaga and Cadiz Spain, Taranto, Italy,
and Koper, Slovenia.
SIMPSON completed her highly successful operation with STANAVFORMED, turned
over with USS KAUFFMAN, and proceeded to Rhodes, Greece. On the 16th of June,
with less than twenty four hours notice, SIMPSON was tasked to go to the
Adriatic Sea to assume duties as Undersea and Surface Warfare Commander for
the WASP Amphibious Ready Group. She conducted a twenty-two hour full power
run arriving in the Adriatic the next morning. Upon completion of that
assignment, SIMPSON had to play some "catch-up". On single engine
operations, SIMPSON was ordered to make best speed to rendezvous with
Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Two ships that left a couple of days earlier. She
ran at flank speed for six days straight travelling 3,360 nautical miles
meeting the LABOON and CARON just in time for a Engineering Mid-Cycle
Assessment in the Atlantic enroute to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.
On 2 July, SIMPSON arrived in Norfolk, Virginia and began her post deployment
stand down. Less than a week after completing stand down, SIMPSON was
underway again, this time for Midshipman training. In the Vacapes OpArea, she
conducted multiple ship-handling evolutions, BECCE's, and weapons
familiarization, CIWS and 76mm gun shoots.
In late August, Hurricane Bonnie threatened the coast of Virginia, and
SIMPSON joined the Sortie to the Atlantic. She conducted various
ship-handling evolutions, General Quarters drills, and BECCE's prior to
returning to port.
On 4 September, Commander Roland J. Mulligan was relieved as Commanding
Officer, USS SIMPSON by Commander Gerald F. DeConto. Two weeks later, SIMPSON
was underway again, in the Vacapes OpArea for OPFOR JTFEX 98-2 in support of
the ENTERPRISE BATTLE GROUP. Setting new standards in harassment operations,
SIMPSON returned to port.
A short upkeep period was next in line for SIMPSON followed by a highly
successful Logistics Management Assessment. SIMPSON then commenced a
Restricted Availability period where she completed work on the Gas Turbine
Engines, SSDG's, various decking jobs, non skid work, flight deck
maintenance, RAST maintenance, and gun maintenance. In addition, habitability
work in the Chief Petty Officer berthing, Operations head, Officers head and
ventilation, and the Engineering Berthing made the RAV a success.
SIMPSON conducted PLOT III, and completed her Light Off Assessment. She then
completed an ammunition onload, enjoyed a children's and adult Christmas
party, and stood down for the holidays.
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