U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today that the U.S. Navy has committed to sending the USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) to pay a port visit to the Town of Bucksport during the Bucksport Bay Festival, to be held July 25-28. Senator Collins wrote to the Navy requesting the visit.
“I am pleased that the Navy has agreed to my request to honor our state with this port visit during the Bucksport Bay celebration in Bucksport,” said Senator Collins. “I am delighted that the Navy has committed to sending the USS Groves. This visit is a wonderful opportunity for all us to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy, especially the ship’s namesake, Ensign Stephen Groves.”
The USS Groves is named for Ensign Stephen W. Groves of East Millinocket. Ensign Groves took part in the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. Groves was one of six American planes that were able to successfully fight off a vastly superior Japanese force that was attempting to destroy the damaged USS Yorktown. During the battle, Groves was shot down over the Pacific. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
The USS Groves is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, launched on April 4, 1981 from Bath Iron Works. The Groves is home-ported at the Mayport Naval Station in Mayport, Florida.