The Gary (FFG 51) is the 41st Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate and is named for Commander Donald A. Gary, who saved the lives of 300 men onboard USS Franklin (CV 13) in fighting off the coast of Kobe, Japan, during Operation Iceberg. Cmdr. Gary later received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on that memorable day, in the battle of Okinawa, March 19, 1945.

The keel was laid down on December 18, 1982, by Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp., Seattle Division. The ship was christened and launched on January 19, 1983, by Mrs. Donald A. Gary, the widow of ship's namesake. USS Gary was commissioned during a ceremony at Pier 7 in Naval Station Long Beach, Calif., on November 17, 1984. Cmdr. Harlan R. Bankert, Jr., is the first commanding officer.

August 16, 1999 USS Gary arrived in its new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, after a three-month western Pacific deployment in support of CARAT '99 exercise.

August 31, Cmdr. Steven J. Camacho took command of the Gary during an exchange of command and crew ("hull swap") ceremony with the USS Thach (FFG 43) at Naval Base Yokosuka.

September 17, FFG 51 departed Yokosuka for "Y2K" validation and testing. Inport okinawa, Japan, from Sept. 19-20; Returned home on Sept. 22.

October 14, USS Gary arrived in Oita, Japan, for a four-day port visit. Returned home on Oct. 20; Underway again on Oct. 30; Port call to Sasebo, Japan, from Nov. 1-3; Underway in support of ANNUALEX 11G from Nov. 3-10; Underway for a Dependent's Cruise on Nov. 12.

January 5, 2000 USS Gary departed Naval Base Yokosuka for a scheduled Middle East deployment, as part of Maritime Expeditionary Force 00-1.

January 13, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Singapore for a four-day port call. Anchored off Phuket, Thailand, from Jan. 19-21; Entered the Arabian Gulf on Jan. 28 for Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) in the NAG; Inport Manama, Bahrain, from Jan. 30- Feb. 3.

February 9, The Gary arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a four-day port visit. Inport Kuwait City from Feb. 21-24; Transited Gulf of Oman southbound on March 16; Inport Singapore from March 23-24.

March 26, FFG 51 anchored off Pattaya, Thailand, for a four-day port visit. Port call to Hong Kong from April 3-8.

April 13, USS Gary returned to Yokosuka after more than a three-month underway period.

May 11, The Gary arrived in Shimoda, Japan, for a four-day port visit to participate in the annual Black Ship Festival. Returned home on May 18; Underway for Limited Team Training (LTT) from May 30- June 3; Underway for Mid-Cycle Assessment (MCA) from June 12-15.

From October 5-7, USS Gary was underway for sea trials after a two-and-a-half month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Underway for LTT from Oct. 16-20; Underway for Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II from Oct. 23-27; Underway in support of ANNUALEX 12G from Nov. 6-21.

November 27, Cmdr. Michael R. Olmstead relieved Cmdr. Steven J. Camacho as the 11th CO of Gary.

From December 4-13, the guided-missile frigate was underway for a four-day port visit to Moji, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

From January 22-26, 2001, USS Gary was underway for a Total Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) II. Underway for a port visit to Hakodate and for Underway Demonstration (UD) from Jan. 29- Feb. 9.

March 2, USS Gary departed homeport for a Spring Patrol as part of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Battle Group.

March 22, FFG 51 pulled into Singapore for a four-day port call. Anchored off Pattaya, Thailand, from April 5-8; Inport Saipan from April 20-30.

May 24, USS Gary moored at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney, Australia, for a five-day port visit after participated in exercise Tundem Thrust as part of opposition forces. Port call to Apra Harbor, Guam, from June 7-8; Returned to Yokosuka on June 11.

From July 12-22, the Gary was underway in support of Counter Special Operations Forces Exercise (CSOFEX). Underway for Multi Sail operations on Aug. 23; Port call to Nagoya, Japan, from Aug. 27-30; Returned home on Sept. 1.

October 1, USS Gary departed Yokosuka, Japan, for a surge deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as part of the USS Kitty Hawk BG. Arrived on Station in the North Arabian Sea in support of MIO in mid-October.

In November, the guided-missile frigate conducted Maritime Interception Operations in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG) and provided surface and air defence for the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in support of the World Trade Organization meeting in Doha, Qatar, from Nov. 9-14.

December 13, The Gary anchored off Phuket, Thailand, for a three-day port visit. Brief stop in Okinawa to refuel on Dec. 22.?

December 24, USS Gary returned to Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a nearly three-month underway period in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AoR).

February 4, 2002 FFG 51 departed Yokosuka for Multi-Sail exercise and MISSILEX, off the coast of Okinawa. Port visit to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, from Feb. 17-20; Returned home on Feb. 23; Anchored at A-12 for ammo offload from March 20-21; Commenced a two-month Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) on March 25; Underway for sea trials from May 30- June 1; Underway for ammo onload from June 3-4; Underway in support of JMSDF Midshipmen Cruise on June 21.

June 24, USS Gary arrived in Kure, Japan, for a three-day port visit. Returned to Yokosuka on June 29; Underway for Commanding Officer's Time from July 8-10.

July 15, Cmdr. Tito P. Dua relieved Cmdr. Michael R. Olmstead as commanding officer of the Gary during a ceremony on board the ship.

July 19, USS Gary departed homeport for Ready Tail Ship operations. Port call to Hong Kong from July 25-29; Inport Busan, ROK, from Aug. 4-6; Inport White Beach, Okinawa, from Aug. 10-12; Returned to Yokosuka on Aug. 15; Underway for local operations from Sept. 3-4; Emergency sortied to avoid the typhoon on Sept. 13; Inport Okinawa from Sept. 17-18; Returned on Sept. 20; Underway again on Sept. 27.

September 30, The Gary arrived in Chinhae Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a brief port call before participating in a Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) 142 exercise. Inport Chinhae again from Oct. 11-14; Returned home on Oct. 17; Underway for local operations on Oct. 18.

October 25, USS Gary departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a Fall Patroll as part of the USS Kitty Hawk BG.

November 15, FFG 51 is currently participating in a large bilateral maritime exercise ANNUALEX 14G, between the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), from Nov. 11-22. The exercise is designed to improve both naval forces capabilities for coordinated and bilateral operations in the defense of Japan.

November 29, The Gary arrived in Hong Kong for a four-day port visit. Returned to homeport on Dec. 13.

January 29, 2003 USS Gary departed Yokosuka for a surge deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

March 13, The Gary rescued all eight fishermen from the motor vessel Kaptain Muhamadat about 5:30 p.m. local time, some 20 miles south of the Iranian coast.

June 19, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Chocin, India, for a three-day port visit.

July 26, USS Gary returned to homeport after a six-month Middle East deployment.

December 12, Capt. Samuel Perez, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 relieved of command Cmdr. Tito P. Dua due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Cmdr. Henry D. Derbes, II assumed temporary command of the Gary. FFG 51 recently failed its INSURV assessment.

January 8, 2004 Cmdr. Robert G. Marin relieved Cmdr. Henry D. Derbes, II as CO of the FFG 51.

August 19, USS Gary pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port call. The ship recently departed for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Kitty Hawk CSG, in support of maritime readiness demonstration Summer Pulse 2004, a test of the Navy’s new Fleet Response Plan (FRP), and in support of Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX) ‘04 with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CSG.

In October, the Gary made a port call to Goa, India, as part of exercise Malabar 2004.

November ?, USS Gary returned to Yokosuka, Japan, after a three-month underway period.

February 8, 2005 USS Gary departed homeport for a Spring Patrol as part of the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group (CSG).

February 22, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Hong Kong for a scheduled port visit.

March 18, USS Gary departed Chinhae, Republic of Korea, after a four-day port call to participate in Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI)/Foal Eagle exercise, which is being conducted throughout the peninsula.

March 29, The Gary arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a four-day port call.

April 13, FFG 51 entered the Dry Dock #4 at Yokosuka Naval Ship Repair Facility for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

September 16, Cmdr. Joseph A. De Leon relieved Cmdr. Robert G. Marin as the 15th CO of USS Gary.

July 11, 2006 The Gary is currently in dry-dock at Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for a maintenance availability.

October 15, USS Gary departed Yokosuka for a Fall Patrol as part of the USS Kitty Hawk CSG.

October 24, The guided-missile frigate departed Hong Kong Harbour after a brief port call to participate in a Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) 2006.

January 25, 2007 FFG 51 recently departed homeport for a western Pacific patrol.

February 5, The Gary departed Sepanggar naval base after a four-day port visit to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

February 9, USS Gary arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, for a historic port visit, the first by a U. S. Navy ship in 30 years.

March 16, Cmdr. Joker L. Jankins relieved Cmdr. Joseph A. De Leon as commanding officer of the Gary.

March 20, FFG 51 departed Yokosuka for a scheduled underway period.

September 10, USS Gary arrived in its new homeport of San Diego, Calif., after a four-week transit from Yokosuka, Japan.

March 25, 2008 USS Gary is currently underway in support of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) CSG's COMPTUEX as part of opposition forces.

June 5, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Portland, Ore., to celebrate the 101st annual Portland Rose Festival.

September 9, Cmdr. Daniel J. Senesky relieved Cmdr. Joker L. Jankins as CO of USS Gary during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego.

From November 3-6, The Gary hosted 29 civilian leaders from both the private and public sector from across the country, while underway off the coast of southern California, as part of the "Leaders to Sea" program.

April 8, 2009 USS Gary departed San Diego for a deployment in support of counter-illicit trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

August 19, 2010 Cmdr. Christopher J. Budde relieved Cmdr. Daniel J. Senesky as CO of the Gary during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

December 8, USS Gary is currently underway in support of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) CSG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) as part of opposition forces.

February 4, 2011 USS Gary departed homeport for a scheduled deployment in support of counter-illicit trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean. On last deployment the guided-missile frigate seized 6.5 tons of cocaine.

February ?, FFG 51 pulled into Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base for a port call to Panama City, Panama.

August 18, USS Gary returned to Naval Base San Diego after six-and-a-half month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet AoO. The ship interdicted more than 4 metric tons of cocaine and visited several countries including Guatemala, El Salvador and Colombia.

May 4, 2012 Cmdr. James E. Brown relieved Cmdr. Christopher J. Budde as CO of the Gary during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

June 28, USS Gary pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012.

October 4, USS Gary, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Det. 3, departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment in support of Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet AoR.

October 22, The guided-missile frigate arrived in Golfito, Costa Rica, for a week-long port visit.

November 7, The Gary recently arrived in Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base in Balboa, Panama, for a routine port call.

December 9, FFG 51 pulled again into Balboa Naval Base for a brief stop to refuel.

December 21, USS Gary recently moored at Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to Panama City.

January 4, 2013 The Gary and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard team retrieved more than 600 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a "go-fast" speed boat in the eastern Pacific. This case concluded a week in which the Gary's crew successfully boarded three vessels and disrupted the smuggling of more than 2,000 pounds of cocaine.

January 22, The guided-missile frigate pulled again into Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base for a routine port call.

February 3, Capt. Michael L. Elliot, Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, relieved of duty XO Cmdr. James M. Pickens due to a "loss of confidence because of offensive comments and behavior towards the crew."

February 6, USS Gary recently arrived in Balboa Naval Base for a port visit to Panama City, Panama.

February 23, FFG 51 retrieved more than 1,100 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a "go-fast" speed boat, approximately 300 miles off the Pacific coast of Colombia.

March 1, The Gary recently moored at Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base for a brief port call to refuel and onload supplies.

April 5, USS Gary returned to Naval Base San Diego after a six-month deployment in support of Operation Martillo. The ship participated in nine interdictions and disruptions of drug trafficking vessels resulting in the seizure of more than 12,000 pounds of cocaine.

June 17, The guided-missile frigate departed homeport for local operations. Underway for joint training and operations with the U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET) 101, from Aug. 26-29; Underway for Task Group Exercise (TGEX) from Oct. 7-11.

November 22, Cmdr. Steven R. McDowell relieved Cmdr. James E. Brown as CO of the USS Gary during a pierside ceremony at Naval Base San Diego.

June 10, 2014 USS Gary departed San Diego to participate in biennial multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

June 22, An MH-60S, assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Detachment, medically evacuated (MEDEVAC) Norwegian Air Force Capt. Kristofer Pedersen, from the frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310), to the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) for emergency operation.

June 25, The Gary pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for the in-port phase of RIMPAC 2014; Underway for at-sea phase on July 9; Returned home on Aug. ?.

September 24, USS Gary, with an embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Det. 4, departed Naval Base San Diego for its last deployment in support of Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) operations.

October 3, FFG 51 moored at Berth 1 in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, for a brief stop to refuel.

October 16, USS Gary retrieved more than 2,100 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean; Disrupted a shipment of 1150 pounds of cocaine on Nov. 9.

November 17, The Gary, and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) team, disrupted a shipment of 1300 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a "go-fast" speed boat; Seized more than 3600 pounds of cocaine in December.

January 11, 2015 USS Gary seized more than 700 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a "go-fast" speed boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean; Disrupted a shipment of 315 pounds of cocaine on Feb. 10.

March ?, USS Gary, in coordination with USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719) and HMCS Whitehorse (MM 705), seized more than 11,400 pounds of cocaine after interdicted a merchant vessel in international waters off the coast of Central America.

April 13, The guided-missile frigate pulled into Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a brief stop to refuel.?

April 17, USS Gary returned to San Diego after a nearly seven-month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet AoR.

May 22, FFG 51 moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway for ammo offload at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif.

July 23, USS Gary held a decommissioning ceremony at Pier 1 after a nearly 31 years of active service. The ship will be towed to Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor and eventually sold to Taiwan.

August 5, USS Gary was officially decommissioned and stricken from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register.

September 16, The ex-Gary departed San Diego, under tow by USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169), for a two-week transit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.