USS UNDERWOOD cloth patch

Date2007

Object number00044930

NamePatch

MediumFabric

DimensionsOverall: 100 x 85 mm, 5.86 g

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sea Power Centre Australia

Terms

DescriptionThis cloth patch depicts the ship badge of USS UNDERWOOD. Its design commemorates the US ship Captain, Gordon White Underwood, who received three Navy Crosses for his successful submarine patrols in the Pacific during World War II. In 2007, USS UNDERWOOD was deployed to the Persian Gulf at the same time as HMAS TOOWOOMBA and this badge was probably traded between sailors, during shore leave or when the vessels came into contact in the Gulf.HistoryUSS UNDERWOOD, Frigate 36 is part of the United States' Navy Frigates Fleet. It was built at Bath Iron Works and has its home port at Mayport, Florida. The guided missile frigates (FFG) offer a short range anti-air warfare capability (provided by their Phalanx Close-In Weapon System) to the frigate mission. USS UNDERWOOD was deployed to the Persian Gulf at the same time as HMAS TOOWOOMBA, a Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigate. On 4 January 2007, HMAS TOOWOOMBA with a crew of 183 personnel departed its homeport of Fleet Base West, at Garden Island, Western Australia to commence passage to the Persian Gulf. TOOWOOMBA sailed to take over the duties of HMAS WARRAMUNGA, contributing to the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq, the mission agenda of Operation CATALYST. This was TOOWOOMBA’s first deployment to the North Persian Gulf and the 15th rotation of Navy ships since 2001 as part of a multi-national operation. HMAS TOOWOOMBA arrived home on 3 July 2007. Its main tasks had been protecting Iraqi oil platforms, ensuring security boarding of all vessels proceeding to the platforms and the training of the Iraqi Navy. During its time in the Gulf, TOOWOOMBA conducted 65 boarding and security patrols, over 300 boat evolutions, 16 replenishments at sea and vertical replenishments, 230 flying hours by its embarked Navy Seahawk helicopter and 470 investigative queries of merchant vessels.SignificanceThis badge is representative of swapping and bartering between allied servicemen during times of war and peace. It highlights the interaction between American and Australian servicemen in recent operations in the Middle East.