Francis Xavier Castellano (born January 7, 1964) is a United States Navy captain currently assigned as the commanding officer of Center for Surface Combat Systems . He was the commander of the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge during the hijacking of MV Maersk Alabama .
68-667: Captain Castellano was listed as executive officer of USS Vella Gulf on May 5, 2014, during a Holocaust memorial ceremony in Haifa , Israel. He was executive officer of Vella Gulf from December 2013 to April 2015 and was commanding officer from April 2015 to September 2015. Castellano graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He has attended
136-583: A U.S. Navy budget plan proposed putting Vella Gulf, along with her Ticonderoga -class sister ships Monterey , Shiloh , and Port Royal , on a path to early decommissioning, as they had not been modernized. In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2022. On 4 August 2022, Vella Gulf
204-430: A black man, was a member and among other activities, spoke on the stage of the 1896 Knights of Columbus Massachusetts State Convention to an audience that included two future Supreme Knights . The path to individual membership in a local Knights council did not explicitly exclude African Americans . Each local council voted in new members, and as few as four or five negative votes against a prospective candidate (no matter
272-411: A deceased Knight's widow a $ 1,000 death benefit. Each member was assessed $ 1 upon a death, and when the number of Knights grew beyond 1,000, the assessment decreased according to the rate of increase. Each member, regardless of age, was assessed equally. As a result, younger, healthier members could expect to pay more over the course of their lifetimes than those men who joined when they were older. There
340-488: A distress call from the Indian freighter Premdivya which reported that she had been pursued by pirates who had fired at the ship. Vella Gulf dispatched a helicopter to the scene which fired warning shots and chased the pirate skiff down. Vella Gulf launched a boarding party in two RHIBs (inflatable boats) and captured nine pirates, who were again transferred to Lewis and Clark for processing. In 2012 while Vella Gulf
408-546: A family when the main income earner died. This was before most government support programs were established. Because of religious and ethnic discrimination, Catholics in the late 19th century were regularly excluded from labor unions, popular fraternal organizations, and other organized groups that provided such social services. Although its first councils were all in Connecticut, the Order spread throughout New England and
476-530: A local geographical area. They lead the efforts to reach out to veterans and active military and to embody the fact that one can be a faithful Catholic and also be a faithful citizen. As of 2024 , there are more than 3,600 Fourth Degree assemblies worldwide. Fourth Degree assemblies may form Color Corps , an elective division of the Fourth Degree, whose distinctive presence in parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, Confirmations and other Catholic functions are
544-461: A sound investment before stock in it is purchased, and secondly the company's activities must not conflict with Catholic social teaching . The guidelines include protecting human life, promoting human dignity, reducing arms production, pursuing economic justice, protecting the environment, and encouraging corporate responsibility. As of 2017, it had been named a "World's Most Ethical Company" by Ethisphere Institute for five consecutive years. Citing
612-563: A videotaped message to the 111th Supreme Convention saying the Order's "contributions to the Catholic Church and to your communities merit our applause." Church historian Massimo Faggioli believes the scope of the Knights' philanthropy can "create influence through money, especially in important places like Rome or Washington, D.C." The order is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Membership
680-569: A visible reminder of the Knights' service to their communities. Fourth Degree Color Corps are often the most visible arm of the Knights. The Supreme Council is the governing body of the order. It elects insurance members to serve three-year terms on a 24-member Board of Directors . Leaders' salaries are set by the board of directors and ratified by the delegates to the Supreme Convention. The seven-figure salaries of senior K of C officers have been criticized as excessive. In 1969,
748-703: Is a member of the Knights of Columbus Patchogue , N.Y., Council 725. USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) was a Ticonderoga -class guided missile cruiser that served with the United States Navy . She was the second ship named for the Battle of Vella Gulf , a naval engagement in the Solomons campaign of World War II , the first being USS Vella Gulf (CVE-111) , an escort carrier commissioned in 1945. The ship's keel
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#1732791478043816-651: Is restricted to men, at least 18 years of age, who are practicing Catholics in union with the Holy See and are in good standing with the Church. As of August 2024 , there were over 2.1 million Knights of Columbus worldwide, with the majority in North America. After his induction and completion of the Exemplification of Charity, a new member becomes a First Degree Knight. He then progresses through
884-418: Is the most highly rated program in North America. For more than 40 consecutive years, the order has received A. M. Best's highest rating, A++. Forbes publishes an annual list of what it refers to as "America's Best Insurance Companies", and it has included the Knights of Columbus insurance program on this list since 2022. The order maintains a two-prong investment strategy: a company must first be
952-494: The 1890s depression . Councils also offered employment agency services and provided aid to the poor and sick. Aid has also been dispensed to assist victims of natural and man-made disasters, starting with a flood in Kansas in 1903. In 2015 alone, the order donated hundreds of thousands of US dollars to victims of typhoons and other natural disasters. During times of war, the Order supports aid to refugees. Between 2014 and 2018,
1020-435: The A. M. Best list of all life insurance companies in North America. Products include permanent and term life insurance , as well as annuities , long term care insurance , and disability insurance . The insurance program is not a separate business offered by the order to others, but is exclusively for the benefit of members and their families. All agents are members of the order. The order's insurance program
1088-481: The Catholic view on public policy issues around the world. The organization also provides certain financial services to the individual and institutional Catholic market. Its wholly-owned insurance company, a Fortune 1000 company based on its annual revenue, underwrites more than two million insurance contracts, totaling more than $ 121 billion of life insurance in force as of 2023. The order also owns
1156-677: The Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group XVI and as a Surface Warfare Lieutenant Commander – Commander Assignments Officer, Navy Personnel Command (PERS 41). He was also previously assigned to the Joint Forces Staff College . Castellano was the commanding officer of Bainbridge during the April 12, 2009 rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from pirates off the coast of Somalia. On April 12, 2009, Phillips
1224-973: The Naval Postgraduate School , earning a Master Of Science Degree in Systems Technology (Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), and the United States Naval War College , earning Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Castellano's naval sea duty assignments include O.I. Division Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and Communications Officer of USS Anzio ; Operations Officer of USS Cole ; Commanding Officer of USS Chinook ; as Executive Officer of USS Donald Cook and as Commanding Officer of USS Bainbridge from June 2008 until April 2010. Ashore, he served as an Associate Fellow to
1292-594: The terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 , the ship set sail in support of defense and humanitarian efforts off the coast of New York. A week later, she deployed as part of the USS ; Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group, to the Mediterranean, and South Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Battle Group transited the Suez Canal on 13 October and arrived in
1360-560: The 2,000 Knights of Columbus in the country worked to help those impacted. They began by providing food and clothing to those at train and bus stations in Lviv who were fleeing into Poland. They then began organizing busses to take people the Polish border. In the first three months of the war, the Knights in Poland helped more than 300,000 people, or 10% of those who fled to that country. Since
1428-1094: The Arabian Sea on 15 October, before returning home in April 2002. In March 2003 she was assigned to Carrier Strike Group Eight . On 5 January 2007, Vella Gulf departed on a six-month cruise as part of the Bataan expeditionary strike group (BATESG). She conducted operations in the Persian Gulf , Northern Arabian Sea with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (in support of Operation Enduring Freedom), Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden . She participated in multi-national exercises, including AMAN '07, hosted by Pakistan. Vella Gulf visited Agadir , Morocco and Gaeta , Italy as liberty ports of call, and twice visited Manama , Bahrain. She returned to her home port in Norfolk, Virginia on 3 July 2007. Vella Gulf
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#17327914780431496-716: The Church. Pope John Paul I 's first audience with a layman was with Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant , and Pope John Paul II met with Supreme Knight Dechant three days after his installation. During the pope's 1979 visit to the United States, the Supreme Officers and Board were the only lay organization to receive an audience. Richard Nixon addressed the Supreme Convention in 1971. Ronald Reagan spoke in 1982 and 1986 and George W. Bush spoke in 2004. George H. W. Bush spoke as vice US president in 1984 and then again as president in 1992. Bill Clinton sent
1564-543: The ChurchLoan program. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic , the Order established a $ 100 million fund to provide short-term loans to help dioceses weather the economic storm. Each diocese was eligible to obtain a $ 1 million secured line of credit. Since its earliest days, the Knights of Columbus has been a "Catholic anti-defamation society." In 1914, it established a Commission on Religious Prejudices. As part of
1632-490: The Exemplification of Patriotism and progress to the Fourth Degree. This is an optional degree, but represents the highest ideals of the order. A Knight who has attained this level is addressed as “Sir Knight.” Each member belongs to one of more than 17,000 local councils around the world. Most are based in Catholic parishes, though some have their own council hall within a community. Each local council works to assist with
1700-583: The Gulf of Aden. Polaris reported that pirates in a single skiff were attempting to board the tanker with ladders, though Polaris ' s crew was able to thwart their efforts. Upon arriving in the area, Vella Gulf intercepted a skiff with seven men aboard. The crew aboard Polaris identified them as the attackers, and they were taken aboard Vella Gulf , transferred to the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark for processing, and sent to Kenya for trial. The following day, 12 February, Vella Gulf responded to
1768-536: The Knights gave more than $ 2 million to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical care to persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East. The Knights donated $ 250,000 in 2018 to help refugees crossing over the Mexico–United States border who were seeking asylum in the United States and later expanded the program. Within days of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine ,
1836-561: The Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, a money management firm which invests in accordance with Catholic social teachings . As of 2024, the Knights reported having over 2.1 million members around the world. Women may participate in K of C through the Columbiettes and other female auxiliaries, and boys may join the Columbian Squires . The Order comprises four different "degrees," each one of which exemplifies one of
1904-487: The Knights of Columbus has provided active support to members of the armed forces and their families. As of 2024 , there are more than 50 military councils in military bases throughout North America and around the world. A Knight who has attained the Fourth Degree also belongs to a Fourth Degree assembly . Fourth Degree Knights are men who have chosen to embrace the order’s fourth principle of patriotism. Fourth Degree assemblies get their members from multiple councils within
1972-763: The Knights opened a 23-story headquarters building in New Haven. (* Appointed annually by each council's Grand Knight or Faithful Navigator ) (** Appointed for a three-year term by the Supreme Knight ) (** Appointed by the Past Faithful Navigators of the Assembly and Faithful Navigator ) Charity is the foremost important principle of the Knights of Columbus. At their 2024 convention in August, 2024, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly said that
2040-657: The Knights provided more than 11,000 wheelchairs to the Global Wheelchair Mission. The Knights also donate to the institutional church, including being a major donor to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops . As of 2017 , the Knights' Vicarius Christi fund has contributed more than $ 57 million to the charitable efforts of the pope. The Knights have supported
2108-480: The Making of America by George Cohen, and The Germans in the Making of America by Frederick Schrader. The Knights of Columbus "was the only American fraternal society which did not, by its constitution, prohibit Negro [sic] membership", according to historian Christopher Kauffman. During World War I , the Knights were designated as the official agency for supporting Catholic troops, and its support facilities were
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2176-456: The Second and Third Degrees after completing the subsequent Exemplifications of Unity and Fraternity. A Third Degree Knight is considered to have attained full “Knighthood” status. Privileges of Third Degree membership include the ability to serve as a local council officer, and admission to state and Supreme Council business meetings. A Third Degree Knight in good standing is eligible to complete
2244-639: The United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization , Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly called on the order to increase their support for women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies with the Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) initiative. The Global Wheelchair Mission is an alliance of independent international organizations working to deliver wheelchairs and mobility assistance to people worldwide. In 2023,
2312-422: The United States in subsequent years. As the order expanded outside of Connecticut, structural changes in the late 1880s and 1890s were instituted to give the Knights a federalist system with local, state, and national levels of government. This allowed them to coordinate activities across states and localities. During World War I , the Knights established soldiers' welfare centers in the U.S. and abroad. After
2380-603: The Vatican's news operation for decades. In the field of education, the Knights of Columbus have a number of scholarships and other programs for seminarians, veterans and students at the Catholic University of America , and at other Catholic colleges. Especially during World War I and World War II , the Order operated a number of "huts" to support troops serving in combat, regardless of race or religion. The original insurance system devised by McGivney gave
2448-403: The animus targeted at racial and religious minorities, including Catholics, the Order formed a historical commission which published a series of books in the 1920s on their contributions, among other activities. The "Knights of Columbus Racial Contributions Series" of books included three titles: The Gift of Black Folk: The Negroes in the Making of America , by W. E. B. Du Bois , The Jews in
2516-537: The awards they have won, the order calls themselves "champions of ethical investing." In 2017, over $ 965 million was awarded in benefits. Since the founding of the order, $ 3.5 billion in death benefits have been paid. Additionally, the insurance program has a low 3.5 percent lapse rate of the 1.9 million members and their families who are insured. Its insurance operation invests in loans to various churches, schools, and other Catholic institutions. As of 2008 , over $ 500 million had been loaned through
2584-402: The commander ordered the action." Castellano stated, "[We] ultimately believed the pirates were about to kill the captain. That's what was the decision point." U.S. Navy SEAL snipers on Bainbridge ' s fantail opened fire and killed the three pirates remaining in the lifeboat. Bainbridge had the lifeboat under tow approximately 25 m (82 ft) astern at the time. A fourth pirate
2652-488: The core principles of the order. There are more than 17,000 local Knights of Columbus councils around the world, including over 400 on college campuses. American Catholic priest Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Church in 1882 as a mutual benefit society for Catholic immigrants in New Haven, Connecticut . As a parish priest in an immigrant community, McGivney saw what could happen to
2720-448: The effort, the order distributed pamphlets, and lecturers toured the country speaking on how Catholics could love and be loyal to America. The creation of the 4th Degree, with its emphasis on patriotism, performed an anti-defamation function as well as asserting claims to Americanism. In response to a defamatory "bogus oath" circulated by the KKK, in 1914 the Knights set up a framework for
2788-529: The end of the 1950s, KoC Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart was actively encouraging councils to accept black candidates. In 1963, Hart attended a special meeting at the White House hosted by President John F. Kennedy to discuss civil rights with other religious leaders. After the rejection of Joseph Bertrand's membership application in Chicago, Hart declared that the process for membership would be revised at
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2856-437: The existence of any such oath, calling the rumors libel. In 1923, the Knights of Columbus offered $ 25,000 to any person with proof that the fake oath attributed to the fourth-degree membership was part of any authentic ceremony. The Knights began suing distributors for libel in an effort to stop this, and the KKK ended its publication of the false oath. As the Order and its charitable works grew, so did its prominence within
2924-486: The first games in 1968. In 2023, the Knights donated more than $ 4 million to Special Olympics and helped organize and run nearly 4,000 competitions. After the Knights had donated more than 1,000 ultrasound machines to crisis pregnancy centers from 2009 to 2019, Anderson said, "Our ultrasound initiative is now the greatest humanitarian achievement in the history of the Knights of Columbus. ... We can, and I am confident that we will, save millions of unborn lives." Following
2992-465: The lease-back program for a total of $ 29 million. During this time, the amount of money invested in common stock also increased. The order offers a modern, professional insurance operation with more than $ 121 billion of life insurance policies in force and $ 26 billion in assets as of June 2023 . This places the Order on the Fortune 1000 list and it is large enough to rank 49th on
3060-494: The method of funding the program changed. Each member was assessed five cents a month for 100 months, so that he would contribute $ 5. Since its first loan to St. Rose Church in Meriden, Connecticut , in the late 1890s, the Knights of Columbus have made loans to parishes, dioceses, and other Catholic institutions. By 1954, over $ 300 million had been loaned and the program "never lost one cent of principal or interest." In
3128-559: The needs of its community consistent with the principles of the order. The college councils program, started at Catholic University of America in 1898, was created to promote the moral, intellectual and spiritual development of college men on campuses throughout the world. The oldest continuously running college council is the University of Notre Dame Council #1477, chartered in 1910. As of 2024 , there are more than 340 college councils worldwide. Throughout most of its history,
3196-509: The next Supreme Convention so that membership rejections would require a majority vote of local council members. The change occurred but Hart died before he could see it take place. Around 1915, during the nadir of American race relations , the Ku Klux Klan began promoting a conspiracy theory claiming that Fourth Degree Knights swore an oath to exterminate Freemasons and Protestants . The Knights of Columbus vehemently denied
3264-466: The only racially integrated facilities open to troops. Emmett Jay Scott wrote, "Unlike the other social welfare organizations operating in the war, it never drew the color line." As the Knights grew and expanded, some councils in the United States were integrated, and others were not. An example of an integrated council was Sheridan Council 119 in Southborough, Massachusetts . Samuel F. Williams,
3332-467: The order's 14th Supreme Knight. The organization was founded on March 29, 1882 as a mutual benefit society for working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States. In addition to providing an insurance system for its members, it has grown to support refugee relief, Catholic education , local parishes and dioceses, and global Catholic social causes. The Knights of Columbus have played an active role in politics ever since its formation, and promote
3400-501: The organization had donated $ 190 million and 47 million volunteer-hours toward charity projects in 2023. Charitable activities include support for refugees, aid for victims of natural disasters, and advocating Catholic ethics , such as opposition to same-sex marriage and opposition to abortion . Beginning in 1897, the National Council encouraged local councils to establish funds to support members affected by
3468-502: The original owner "upon terms generally that would bring to our Order a net rental equal to the normal mortgage interest rate." Between 1952 and 1962, 18 pieces of land were purchased for a total of $ 29 million. Late in 1953 the order purchased the land beneath Yankee Stadium for $ 2.5 million. In 1971, the City of New York took the land by eminent domain . Between 1952 and 1962, 18 pieces of land were purchased as part of
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#17327914780433536-399: The post– World War II era, the interest rates on long-term bonds dipped below levels at which the order's insurance program could sustain itself, and Supreme Knight Hart moved the order into a more aggressive program of investing in real estate. Under his leadership, the order established a lease-back investment program in which the order would buy a piece of property and then lease it back to
3604-585: The relaxation of weapons posture and cessation of hostilities. Vella Gulf began the month of August engaged in multi-ship exercises, where she participated in DIVTACS, LeapFrogs, Tomahawk exercises, submarine exercises, Flight Ops, and Gunnery practice. On 22 September 1999 she returned home, then in November sailed to Yorktown, Virginia for a complete weapons offload. As part of the USS George Washington Carrier Battle Group (CVBG), and in response to
3672-474: The right place at the right time for a reason and that he'll do a great job there." Castellano stated that as the winds picked up, tensions rose among the pirates and "we calmed them" and persuaded the pirates to be towed by Bainbridge . Vice Admiral William E. Gortney reported the rescue began when Castellano determined that Phillips' life was in imminent danger and ordered the action. President Barack Obama had previously given orders to take no action unless it
3740-969: The ship commenced training operations while hosting the week-long course Force Air Defense Commander training. Vella Gulf ' s successful completion, in February 1999, of Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) '99 marked the end of a ten-month work-up. The vessel headed out for deployment to the Adriatic Sea on 26 March 1999. After a six-day transit, Vella Gulf took her position in the Adriatic Sea and participated in everything from Tomahawk Strike Ops to Fast-track Logistics Ops as part of Operation Noble Anvil . In May and June, Vella Gulf continued to participate in support of combat operations, fired Tomahawks, assumed warfare commander duties (ADC, ASUWC, ASWC and Launch Area Coordinator), and conducted numerous at-sea refueling and stores replenishment events until
3808-520: The size of the council) was enough to deny someone entry. Joseph Bertrand, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1954, was blackballed from joining a Chicago-area Knights council in 1963 after being nominated by Gene Liner. Liner said that as the vote was announced, "I just watched his face. There were five black balls." Liner then resigned his office in the Knights chapter along with five other council leaders. Meanwhile, Church officials and organizations increasingly encouraged integration. By
3876-550: The start of the war, the Knights of Columbus have delivered more than 8.5 million pounds of relief supplies and provided more than $ 17 million for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. The Knights of Columbus has donated more than $ 600 million to those with intellectual and physical disabilities. One of the largest recipients of aid in this area has been the Special Olympics , where the Knights have been involved since
3944-484: The war, the Knights participated in education, occupational training, and employment programs for veterans. The Oregon Compulsory Education Act of 1922 would have disallowed parochial schools , including Catholic schools, in that state. The Knights of Columbus challenged the law in court with the ACLU, and, in a landmark 1925 ruling ( Pierce v. Society of Sisters ), the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down. To combat
4012-561: The western Baltic Sea from 8 to 19 June 1998. During the exercise, the commander, Carrier Group Eight , commanded the exercise from the ship. She then completed an underway replenishment , her LAMPS helicopters moved aboard, she completed a successful command and control exercise (C2X), and had made a port call at Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands . Upon the completion of C2X, Vella Gulf continued pre-deployment work-ups. In January 1999, after winning her fifth consecutive " Battle "E" ,"
4080-709: Was laid down on 22 April 1991 at Pascagoula, Mississippi , by Ingalls Shipbuilding , then a division of Litton Industries . She was launched on 13 June 1992, sponsored by Mary A. McCauley, wife of Vice Admiral William F. McCauley (Ret.), and commissioned on 18 September 1993 at Naval Station Norfolk . Designed as a multi-mission ship, Vella Gulf was capable of sustained combat operations in Anti-Air, Anti-Submarine, Anti-Surface, and Strike warfare environments. She supported of carrier battle groups, amphibious assault groups, ballistic missile defense, as well as interdiction and escort missions. Her diverse combat capability
4148-522: Was aboard Bainbridge negotiating a ransom and was taken prisoner. The U.S. Navy evacuated Maersk Alabama ' s captain, Richard Phillips , to Bainbridge and then flew him by helicopter to USS Boxer for a medical evaluation. Castellano is a Roman Catholic . At his parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Patchogue, he served in turn as an altar boy , usher , lector , and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion . Castellano
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#17327914780434216-504: Was also a Sick Benefit Deposit for members who fell ill and could not work. Each sick Knight was entitled to draw up to $ 5 a week for 13 weeks (roughly equivalent to $ 155 in 2022 dollars). If he remained sick after that, the council to which he belonged determined the sum of money given to him. The need for a reserve fund for times of epidemic was seen from the earliest days, but it was rejected several times before finally being established in 1892. It had $ 12,000 in assets in 1896. By 1897,
4284-613: Was at sea, a petty officer sexually assaulted a female sailor, telling her he planned to kill her and dispose of her body overboard. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. In December 2015 the ship was assigned to Carrier Strike Group 12 . On 23 April 2017, Vella Gulf left for an eight-month deployment to support maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf ." In July, she joined Carrier Strike Group 11 for three months, conducting air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria . She returned on 15 December. In 2020,
4352-425: Was decommissioned at Naval Station Norfolk following just under 29 years of service. Disposal arrangements have not been announced. The ship will be berthed at Philadelphia. Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus ( K of C ) is a global Catholic fraternal service order founded by Blessed Michael J. McGivney . Membership is limited to practicing Catholic men. It is led by Patrick E. Kelly ,
4420-447: Was determined that Phillips' life was in immediate danger. A reporter summarized Vice Admiral William Gortney's description of the final events: "Just before the shooting, Capt. Phillips was topside of the lifeboat. One pirate was behind him, pointing an AK-47 rifle at him. The head and shoulders of each of the other two pirates were also visible above deck of the enclosed lifeboat. Determining that Phillips might be shot at any moment,
4488-405: Was identified as one of the U.S. Navy ships surrounding MV Faina , a Ukrainian -owned, Belizean - registered ship carrying 33 T-72 tanks, RPGs and other munitions, after she was seized by pirates off Somalia on 25 September 2008. Ultimately the ship was not recaptured, and a ransom was paid. On 11 February 2009 Vella Gulf responded to a distress call from the tanker Polaris in
4556-541: Was orchestrated by the Aegis Combat System , a fully integrated electronic detection, engagement, and fire-control system . Aegis enabled Vella Gulf to detect, evaluate, and engage an enemy with great firepower and accuracy. Vella Gulf successfully completed sea trials during the month of February 1998. In the months of May and June, she completed a two-month cruise, taking part in the 26th annual maritime exercise U.S. Baltic Operations ( BALTOPS ) '98 in
4624-456: Was rescued from his pirate captors. According to Kirk Lippold, former commander of USS Cole and superior officer to Castellano at that time, in a statement about Castellano in the hours prior to the rescue, "He – Frank is absolutely rock solid. He is a very, very mature and experienced commanding officer. He's had command previously of one of our navy's patrol craft. So with him being on Bainbridge , I have absolute confidence that he's in
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