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USS Rentz Returns to Birthplace

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070706-07
Release Date: 7/6/2007 10:33:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elizabeth Thompson, Navy Information Office West Public Affairs

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (NNS) -- The USS Rentz (FFG 46) made a historic port visit to its “birthplace” over the Fourth of July holiday.

Built at Todd Pacific Shipyards, in San Pedro, over 23 years ago, the guided-missile frigate was the centerpiece of Navy Days Los Angeles July 2-5.

“It is such a great opportunity to bring the Rentz back to the city it was built in. We are honored to be a part of this historic visit,” said Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Mark Johnson.

While the ship was in port, Sailors were invited to a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves baseball game at Dodgers Stadium and a “Burger Bash” hosted by the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club. The Santa Barbara Navy League also supplied buses to Cabrillo Beach for Fourth of July festivities and fireworks and food for ships crew to enjoy.

The Rentz color guard paraded colors for the Dodgers game during the national anthem and the Cabrillo Beach community before the Fourth of July fireworks show.

“The port visit was better than I thought it would be,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Troy Beard. “The public has been outstanding and you can tell they don’t get many Navy personnel here, so it has been a warm welcome."

In a two-day period, the Rentz conducted ship tours for over 1,500 people of the Los Angeles community and hosted 212 people to spend a day at sea with the ship on its transit to and from San Diego.

“It means a lot to the community to have the Rentz visit the city of San Pedro for the education opportunity the ship offers,” said Camilla Townson, president and CEO of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. “You can see how impressed everyone was on their faces after they left, from touring the ship, and that is such a great opportunity to make available to the community.”

Volunteers from the ship also visited with sick children at the Los Angeles Children Hospital. Ball caps, photos of the ship and honorary Sailor certificates were given out about 38 patients.

Rentz is the only ship to be named after Chaplain George S. Rentz who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his selfless bravery following the loss of USS Houston (CA-30) during the Battle of Sunda Strait in World War II.