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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   2025  Reunion will be in Philadelphia
with the 250th Navy Anniversary
Restaurants in area   
Registration​
          Commerative 80th Anniversary Coin  $20
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                                            It is Time to Refuel the Frank Knox!
      Hello Fellow Shipmates,  the 2024 Memorial Day Auction is here!  There are some unique and valuable items to be auctioned, so don't miss a good opportunity.  Anyone wanting to donate items are requested to do so.  Items such as Naval History, memorabilia, and  general auction items usually sell well.  
​    Our annual WHITE ELEPHANT AUCTION is on-line this year.  Auction will begin Monday, 20 May 2024 at 0900 Central Time (9:00 am) and ends  Memorial Day Monday, 27 May 2024 at 2000 Central Time (8:00 pm).  Don Landers is the auction manager again this year.  His contact information is 817-723-7654 and his email is    ​[email protected].  (Please note the underline in Don's email address.)  All bids should be by text or email.  Please note minimum bids and let's "Refuel the Knox" coffers.  A daily email to all members defining the daily status on bidding will be sent.  If you do not desire the auction updates, please reply to this email and state "opt out" and your contact information will be deleted.

​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, 2020 is the 55th 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" scheduled for publishing around June 2023. (Editing still in progress.)  EST Publish by 07-6-23  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 
​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
10-2-2024 Meeting

What's New?
Read our Latest Newsletter

​What's Old?
Visit our Newsletter archive

By Laws
​By Laws 2021   
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Mt. Soledad Plaque Donors   





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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

New Stories
Under About/44-71/45/51/56/61/66

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.