USS Simpson (FFG-56) is an guided missile frigate of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Rodger W. Simpson. History Simpson was laid down at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, on 27 February 1984, launched on 31 August 1984 sponsored by Mrs. Grace Fowles-Simpson widow of Rodger W. Simpson and commissioned on 21 September 1985 in Newport, Rhode Island. The ship was delivered 13 September 1985. Bath Iron Works plans called for delivery to occur 9 August 1985, but that date slipped due to an extended strike at BIW that began 30 June 1985. Simpson was homeported at Naval Station Newport until switching to Naval Station Norfolk on 31 March 1994. Simpson moved to Naval Station Mayport in July 2001. 1980s On 28 January 1986, the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launched Space Shuttle mission STS-51L utilizing the orbiter vehicle Challenger at 1138 EST. Escaping propellant combustion products cut into the craft's solid rocket booster, however, and 73 seconds after launch a massive explosion destroyed Challenger, killing all seven astronauts on board. Simpson took part in the ensuing search and rescue effort, and subsequently received the Coast Guard Unit Commendation with Operational "O" for her participation. Beginning January 1988, Simpsons first overseas deployment was to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Earnest Will, to escort reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers during the Iran–Iraq War. On 18 April 1988, Simpson took part in Operation Praying Mantis, the U.S. response to the mining of the frigate , which had hit an Iranian M-08 mine on 14 April 1988. On 18 April, Simpson, along with and , destroyed Iranian naval and intelligence facilities on the oil platform Sirri in the Persian Gulf. Later that day, the ships encountered the Iranian Kaman-class (La Combattante IIa type) missile patrol boat Joshan, which launched a Harpoon missile at the US vessels. Simpson immediately returned missile fire, striking Joshan in her superstructure. Joshan was then sunk by combined gunfire. Simpson was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Combat Action Ribbon for this operation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the deployment. 1990s 20 February 1990, Simpson rescued 22 crew members from , a reflagged Kuwaiti tanker carrying $9 million in naphtha and gas oil. Surf City was transiting near the Iranian island of Abu Musa when it exploded, killing two and forcing the crew to abandon ship. According to Central