El Paso at Sea: USS El Paso

USS El Paso

Photo from the El Paso Times

The USS El Paso was in fact named after the city and county of El Paso. Her initial launch was on May 17, 1969 and she was later decommissioned April 21, 1994. The USS El Paso was not the only vessel from the fleet to bear the namesake of the Sun City. Previously, a patrol frigate built in 1943 had taken the name of El Paso.

The commissioning of the ship was a major historical event, which can been seen through the plans made for El Pasoans to be in attendance. American Airlines chartered a jet to deliver El Pasoans to the commissioning in Norfolk, Virginia for a fee of $121.24 at a 53% discount. The commissioning took place January 17, 1970.

For More Information Visit These Resources:

• El Paso Vertical File USS El Paso
• El Paso Times Microfilm
• El Paso Herald Post Microfilm