Community support needed for naming ship

Gary Moskowitz

Local residents can show their support of commissioning a new ship

named for the city of Glendale simply by writing a letter.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Glendale) spoke to City Council members

Tuesday about his proposal to Secretary of the Navy Gordon England to

commission another ship with Glendale’s name, but said his proposal

needs the support of the Glendale community to succeed.

“We want to know the city is behind this effort. The more we can

show that this city is involved and active, the better,” Schiff said.

“We need the help of the residents of this city. This is the first

step.”

A U.S. Naval frigate named Glendale was christened in 1943 and saw

active duty in World War II and the Korean War. The frigate won five

battle stars for World War II service and earned four battle stars

for Korean War service.

The ship was decommissioned in 1951 and is now in possession of

the Thai Royal Navy, Schiff said. Today it is called the H.T.M.S.

Tachin and is kept in a dockyard near Bangkok.

The U.S. flag that flew over the ship hangs inside City Hall.

“We think it’s time for the stars and stripes to fly over a new

U.S.S. Glendale,” Schiff said.

Councilman Frank Quintero encouraged Glendale residents to get

involved.

“I’m particularly excited about this ship and I’m sure we will do

everything we can to promote the cause,” he said. “If we all team

together as a community, we can pull it off. I’m sure we can.”