USS OUELLET (FF-1077) was the first ship of the United States Navy to bear the name of Seaman David George Ouellet. It was one of a class of frigates specifically designated to locate and destroy enemy submarines.

Seaman, United States Navy
1944 - 1967

David George Ouellet was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on June 13, 1944, son of Chester J. and Elizabeth E. Ouellet. He graduated from Hardy School, Wellesley, Massachusetts, in 1958; attended Wellesley Junior High School; and subsequently was employed by the Alfred Fisher Trucking Company in Wellesley. On July 28, 1964 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Boston, Massachusetts, and had recruit training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. Completing his training in October 1964, he joined Assault Craft Division TWELVE, and while attached to that division served for five months in 1965 in the Vietnam era.

Between June and August 1966 he had river patrol boat training at the Naval Schools Command, Vallejo, California, after which he had training at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California. On September 21, 1966 he reported for duty with River Squadron FIVE and was attached to Detachment 532 of that squadron and at the time of his death on March 6, 1967. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and cited as follows:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with river Section 532, in combat against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. As the forward machine gunner on River Patrol Boat (PBR) 124, which was on patrol on the Mekong River during the early evening hours on March 6, 1967, Seaman Ouellet observed suspicious activity near the river bank, alerted his Boat Captain, and recommended movement of the boat to the area to investigate. While the PBR was making a high-speed run along the river bank, Seaman Ouellet spotted an incoming enemy grenade falling toward the boat. He immediately left the protected position of his gun mount and ran aft for the full length of the speeding boat, shouting to his fellow crew members to take cover. Observing the Boat Captain standing unprotected on the boat, Seaman Ouellet bounded onto the engine compartment cover, and pushed the Boat Captain down to safety. In the split second that followed the grenade's landing and in the face of certain death, Seaman Ouellet fearlessly placed himself between the deadly missile and his shipmates, courageously absorbing most of the blast fragments with his own body in order to protect his shipmates from injury and death. His extraordinary heroism and his selfless and courageous actions on behalf of his comrades at the expense of his own life were in the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Seaman Ouellet was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in enemy action.