PAUL F FOSTER EDD 964

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Spruance Class Destroyer Keel Laid 6 February 1973 - Launched 22 February 1974 USS PAUL F. FOSTER DD-964 Commissioned 21 February 1976 - Decommissioned 14 March 2003 Struck from Naval Register 6 April 2004 PAUL F. FOSTER EDD-964 Activated In Service 16 March 2005 as Self-defense Test Ship (EDD)

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. USS Paul F. Foster DD-964 Covers Page 1     (1976-1987)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 2-1 (n+) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. P-58

1976-02-21

Notes: Although the USCS Catalog of United States Naval Postmarks indicates that this postmark is variant (n+), it sure doesn't look like there is a dash between the designation and hull number - nor does it look like there is one in the illustration (P-58) in the catalog. So is it really (n+) or (n)? Contributed by Jennifer Hoffman.

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. P-58

1976-03-08

Note:

 

Locy Type 2-1(n) (USN,USS)

1979-08-01

From the Bob Govern collection.

 

Locy Type 2-1(n) (USS,USN)

1987-07-04

Note:

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. P-58a

1987-10-12

Columbus Day. Cachet by the USS Oregon Chapter No. 79, USCS

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) USCS Postmark Catalog Illus. P-58a

1988-03-17

St. Patrick's Day

 

Locy Type 9-1(nu) (USS omitted)

1987-11-26

Note:

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USPS Type 9 Everett WA

2003-03-14

N/A

Decommissioning, cachet by Stephen Decatur Chapter No. 4, USCS

 

Other Information

USS PAUL F. FOSTER earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy "E" Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal during her Naval career.

NAMESAKE - Vice Admiral Paul Frederick Foster, USN (25 March 1889 - 30 January 1972)
Foster attended the University of Idaho and was then appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the class of 1911. Following graduation he joined the USS WASHINGTON CA-11 in which he served until December of that year, when he was transferred to the newly commissioned USS UTAH BB-31. While serving in UTAH, he participated in the Mexican Campaign, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, for "Distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Vera Cruz 21-22 April 1914. In both days, fighting at the head of his company, Ensign Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage." In December 1914 Admiral Foster had submarine instruction aboard the USS PRAIRIE AD-5 and the USS G-4 (SS-26). In February 1916, he assumed command of G-4. He was then assigned to command the USS AL-2 (SS-41), which, while operating off Bantry Bay was credited with sinking the German Submarine UB-65, one of three officially listed as sunk by the U.S. Navy. While in command, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for "Exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as commanding officer of the USS AL-2 in an encounter with an enemy submarine on July 10 1918, in which the enemy submarine was sunk." In January 1924 he was ordered to Philadelphia to assist in fitting out the USS TRENTON CL-11, and he served aboard as Engineering Officer upon commissioning on April 19 1924. In January 1927 he was awarded the Navy Cross for "Extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the turret explosion on board the USS TRENTON." Lieutenant Commander Foster was the first man to receive all three of the Navy's highest awards. From March 1927, when he resigned his regular commission, he was active in various civilian organizations, some directly involved with U.S. Military functions. In 1941 he was recalled to active duty where he served on the Navy Inspector General's Staff and during World War II conducted three major inspections at personal direction of President Roosevelt. In June 1954, Admiral Foster joined the staff of the Atomic Energy Commission as special assistant to the General Manager for International Activities and on July 1 1957 he was appointed General Manager of the AEC, where he served until June 1958. In 1959, President Eisenhower appointed him to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria with the rank of Ambassador. He served in this position until 1961. Admiral Foster died in 1972 in Virginia Beach, VA at age 83.

The ships sponsor was Isabelle L. Foster.

 

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