Mission Statement
 The USS Frank Knox Reunion Association conducts reunions and other meetings to foster camaraderie with the officers and sailors who served aboard the USS Frank Knox (DDR-742) during her 27 years of service in the US Navy. The Reunion Association will maintain a factual narrative of the ship and men who served aboard USS Frank Knox.​ Call a shipmate and share a story or picture. It is through  shared stories that we live on! OUR HISTORY DOES NOT WRITE ITSELF!
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​                            Ships Roster
We are trying to gather all the names of shipmates who served on the  USS Frank Knox DDR 742 for 27 years of service, 1944 till 1971.  Click above to see if yours appear.  If new, please send info to  [email protected]   Attn Tom Soltis.  The roster is also broken down into 5 year segments below:
 
1944 – 1950  |  1951 – 1955  |  1956 – 1960  |  1961 – 1965  |  1966 – 1971 

Also Collecting  Photo Roster Under Photo Tab

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2026 USS Frank Knox DDR 742
Reunion to be held in San Diego, Ca.

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2025 USS Frank Knox DDR 742 Philadelphia, PA. Reunion
          80th Anniversary Coin  $20 - still available!
                                            It is Time to Refuel the Frank Knox!
      Hello Fellow Shipmates,  the 2026 Memorial Day Auction is one to mark your calendars and bid on historic items or unpack and donate an item to raise funds for our reunion association.  

​Auction Page Winners
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THE SHIP'S STORE - IS OPEN!
These great patches, Ship of the Year and Arleigh Burke medallions are all in stock.  Frank Knox hats are also available. Browse the Store. 



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​                NEW PUBLICATION
*July 18, 2025 is the 60th Anniversary of the commencement of salvage operations to free USS Frank Knox  DDR-742 from Pratas Reef in the South China Sea.  A determined crew, salvage personnel, Navy and civilian experts all formed a successful team to free the ship and record "the most dramatic and successful ship salvage in the Pacific."  Who will tell your story?  We will!

This certificate recognizes the on-board salvage crew for their efforts.  Share your story or memories and pictures by contacting Steve Cross, VP Communications to learn about the new publication - "Stranded"  in progress.)    Pictures?  Memories? Join 20+ shipmates in recording your part of this momentous event.  Still receiving comments and pictures.
Steve Cross, 619-992-9449, [email protected]


Navy Chow Ships Recipes 
     From Tin Can Sailors
​Get Involved

​Become a Member of the U.S.S. Frank Knox Reunion Association
Download our ​Association Membership Application & LIFE MEMBER INFORMATION

Annual Business Meeting
10-16-2025 Meeting

What's New?
Read our Latest Newsletter

​What's Old?
Visit our Newsletter archive

By Laws
2025 PDF
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Mt. Soledad Plaque Donors   

Reunion Coordinator
Phil Jenkins
​[email protected]


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Website Latest Updates
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Various info about
​Agent Orange
Under About/44-71/66-71

Ships listed in VA for
Agent Orange exposure
​Under About/44-71/66-71
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​Veterans Exposed Compensation
​Under About/44-71/66-71

Burial at Sea
Under About/Home

STAINED GLASS ART SEARCH – The photo shows a stunning stained-glass art work of the USS FRANK KNOX. Everyone seeing this, comments “beautiful” and “I wish I had one”. Pete Lopez BT3 actually commissioned three of these stained-glass pieces. The other two Pete placed into the annual White Elephant auction. The detail in the stained glass is very accurate for his time. I Thought it would it would be fun the see if we could locate the owners of the other two art pieces purchased at a FRANK KNOX Reunion. Look for an email blast to try and locate one or both of the lucky owners. DO YOU OWN THIS ART?
1. Juanna Lopez 
2. Mike Haloski 
​One more owner out there!​

  U.S.S. Frank Knox -True Story   +   U.S.S. Frank Knox in Fiction


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Copies available - USS Frank Knox Reunion Assoc. $29.00 send check to Margaret Watson Treasurer.
Out of Stock
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or,
Order it Amazon.com Frankiemaru Lionel F. Price

  "​The true story behind the Grounding of the USS Frank Knox (DDR-742) and its Aftermath"

  Author Lionel Price, CDR USN Ret.  was assigned to USS Frank Knox as the ship's First Lieutenant in 1964.  He details the journey of the 1963 Ship of the Year through her assignment to the First Concord Squadron and travels to Mombasa, Aden Saudi Arabia and other ports before returning to assignments in Vietnam under CO Orlin Putman.  Returning to San Diego in late 1964, Putman was relieved by new CO, CDR Nicholas Gerkavic.  The Frank Knox deployed to Vietnam waters and engaged in naval gunfire support, interdicting enemy resupply vessels and other duties in the Republic of Vietnam before heading for a rest period in Taiwan.  During this transit USS Frank Knox ran aground on Pratas Reef.  The grounding, evacuation of 155 sailors off the ship, salvage operations for 38 days, and journey to Yokosuka Japan for repairs are all part of the story recounted by CDR Price.  He details the investigation into the grounding and the Courts Martial that resulted from the findings of the investigation.  Well documented, the book is recommended for those who like naval history.

                                                                                                           
​  Murder On Pratas Reef

  Finalist for the 2007 National Best Books Award for Historical Fiction, this must-read delivers a compelling story of suspense and intrigue. Set in the context of the real life accident, the burgeoning Vietnam war and the civil rights movement, the fictional murder tests the men of the Knox to their limits. Follow the adventure as they attempt the next-to-impossible feat of freeing their ship and turn what could have been humiliation into a testament to honor, loyalty, and dedication. 
 
​  See it on Amazon.com.