USS Davidson FF 1045

USS Davidson
FF 1045 (Garcia Class)

Authorized: ? Builder: Avondale LA. Laid Down: September 30 1963 Launched: October 2 1964 Commissioned: December 7 1965 Decommissioned: December 31 1988 Fate: To Brazil April 15 1989; Sank on the way to the breakers 3/05

We are seeking information on the USS Davidson and her crews. Files and photos may be E-mailed to us and we will incorporate them into this page.

The End

From: Carolyn Abshire
To: Gary Smoyer
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005
Subject: Re: The unfortunate Demise of the USS Sample

Dear Gary, Thank you for the news of the USS SAMPLE. I guess the compensation for this final repose, so to speak, is the reunions and the stories of the men and life of the ship during her service. Another good note is that we have enlisted the services of a young man who will write a biographic sketch on my Father, William Sample, esp. his carrier duties and service during the War in the Pacific. As it hapens this young man wrote his Masters thesis on the Marines and the WW11 Pacific War. He has all the materials pertinent. We are very happy with this turn. Will keep you informed. With best wishes. Carolyn.

Dear Mrs. Abshire,

When we had the USS Sample reunion in San Diego, It was a pleasure to be able to meet you and talk with you. Unfortunately, in the last month, I have discovered some events that have happened to the ship that was once named after your father.

I discovered that both the the D28 Paraiba (Ex-USS Davidson) and D29 Parana (Ex-USS Sample) were auctioned off by the Brazilian Government in November 2004. Both ships were sold to Arusha Shipping Limited- 80 Broad Street - Monrovia, Liberia as scrap. On December 18th, 2004 both ships were being towed to Alang, India to be scrapped. The Ex-USS Davidson did not complete the transit, took on water and sunk in approximately 185 feet of water outside of the bay of Rio De Janerio. Personally, I would of rather had that of happened to the Sample, at least then she would of remained intact and untouched. But she has probably been scrapped by now or is being scrapped as we speak.

Unfortunately due to the hurricane that went thru Pensacola, Florida, and the lack of responses, we were unable to have another USS Sample reunion in October of 2004. Hopefully in the future we may be able to have another reunion, where shipmates can get together and chat of the times we had onboard. Yourself and your family will always be welcome to come to any reunions in the future.

With Warm Regards,

Gary Smoyer
USS Sample(1981-1985)

Commissioning Cover - Courtesy of Russell Crosby

FF 1045 -

- FF 1045

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