Deputy Commander of U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. John Schommer, with the leadership of guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), visited the original U.S. 4th Fleet headquarters in Recife, Brazil, Nov. 19, to commemorate the 75th anniversary since U.S. 4th Fleet was originally established.

The fleet’s history with its oldest regional partner dates back to March 15, 1943, one year and three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the United States officially entered World War II. Command of U.S. 4th Fleet was given to the South Atlantic Force Commander, Vice Adm. Jonas Ingram, who was tasked with protecting the shipping lanes in the South Atlantic from German U-boat and other Axis forces.

From 1942-1944, the United States and Brazil’s coordinated naval efforts resulted in the sinking of 18 German U-boats, one Italian submarine and countless Axis blockade runners operating in the South Atlantic.

“As the two largest democracies and two largest economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the United States are natural partners,” said Schommer. “[This is] a partnership that we can trace back 75 years when our naval forces fought in the South Atlantic, where our fleet found a home amongst our ally, Brazil.”

In the decades following World War II, Brazil and the United States navies have maintained a close partnership through participating in annual exercises such as UNITAS and PANAMAX.

The admiral capped off his visit with a reception aboard Ramage to honor U.S. 4th Fleet’s anniversary and the friends and contacts of the U.S. Consulate. Consul General John Barrett said he was honored to participate.

“The U.S. Consulate in Recife is proud to welcome and support the visit of the USS Ramage to Recife,” said Barret. “They represent an important and visible symbol of our unique historical connection, and our continued commitment to partnership with Brazil.”

Ramage’s visit was supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Recife. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) fulfills the maritime role within U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations. USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, fortify the ability of U.S. forces to work together with partner nations, and build enduring partnerships with the ultimate goal of enhancing regional security and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions.

For more information, visit www.public.navy.mil/comusnavso-c4f, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4thflt, or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/navsous4thflt. 

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or Twitter.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.

More Details

More Details

More Details