NavSource Main Page FAQ Contact us Search NavSource

Waving US Flag

NavSource Naval History
Photographic History of the United States Navy
DESTROYER
ARCHIVE

USS LASSEN (DDG-82)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NLSN

CLASS - BURKE Flight IIa As Built.
Displacement 8373 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 504' 7" (oa) x 66' 11" x 20' (Max)
Armament 1 x 5"/62 RF, 2 Phalanx 20mm Guns, 96 VLS Cells,
8 Harpoon Missiles, 6 x 12.75" TT.
Machinery, 100,000 SHP; 4 GE LM-2500 Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Range 4400 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 370.
Operational and Building Data
Built by Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS.
Keel laid on 24 August 1998.
Launched on 16 October 1999.
Commissioned April 21 2001 in Tampa, Florida.
Active unit of the US Navy.
Homeported at Yokosuka, Japan.

Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By
Lassen 20kClyde Everett Lassen, a native of Fort Myers, Florida, earned the Medal of Honor for his courageous rescue of two downed aviators while commander of a search and rescue helicopter in Vietnam. On June 19, 1968, Lassen, then a 27 year old Lieutenant flying a UH-2 Sea sprite, embarked on a mission to recover two downed naval aviators whose plane had been shot down deep in North Vietnamese territory. Upon reaching the hilly terrain where the aviators were hiding, LT Lassen made several attempts to recover the aviators, but dense tree cover, enemy weapons fire and intermittent illumination frustrated his efforts. Determined to complete his mission, LT Lassen turned on the landing lights of the helicopter, despite the danger of revealing his position to the enemy. After the pilots made their way to the helicopter and with his damaged helicopter dangerously low on fuel, LT Lassen evaded further antiaircraft fire before landing safely at sea onboard a guided missile destroyer-with only five minutes of fuel left in the helicopter's fuel lines.The account of the rescue was logged as a successful, routine search and rescue mission. But at the home base for Helicopter Combat Squadron Seven, the rescue flight of June 19, 1968, will always be acclaimed as one of the most daring feats of flying to come out of the Vietnam Conflict. LT Lassen became the first naval aviator and fifth Navy man to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in Vietnam.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 294kAn artist's rendering of LT Lassen's Rescue Mission of 19 June 1968.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 208kShip's poster for the Lassen. Image courtesy of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SEVEN.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 24kUndated, from the USS Lassen's website.Fabio Peña
Lassen 21kUndated, from the USS Lassen's website, pasing the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, HI.Fabio Peña
Lassen 81kUndated, location unknown. Official file photo of the USS Lassen (DDG-82) for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 110kUnderway in 2001, location unknown.Fred Weiss
Lassen 27kTampa, FL prior to commissioning April 18 2001.Marc Piché
Lassen 106kCover of the Commissioning program, April 21 2001 at Tampa, FL.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 95kPhilippine Sea, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) steams alongside USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an underway replenishment recently. Lassen, home ported in San Diego, was commissioned April 21, 2001, and is on her maiden voyage as part of the Carl Vinson Battle Group. The battle group is currently on an extended deployment in the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris Valdez.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 117k020705-N-3236B-009. At sea aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) Jul. 5, 2002 -- Quartermaster Seaman Katrina Jimenez from San Francisco, CA, plots the current position of USS Lassen during exercise "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) 2002. RIMPAC 2002 is designed to improve tactical proficiency in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while building cooperation and fostering mutual understanding between participating nations. Countries participating this year are: Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Ted Banks.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 117k030116-N-9214G-043. Naval Station San Diego, California January 16 2003, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) gets underway with her crew "manning the rails" and family and friends watching from the pier. Lassen is part of the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Angela Gonzalez.Steven A. Cardali/Fred Weiss/Bill Gonyo
Lassen 56kA CH-46D "SEa Knight" assigned to the "Gunbearers" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One One (HC-11), conducts a vertical replenishment while the Guided Missile Destroyer USS Lassen DDG-82 prepares to come alongside the fast combat support ship USS Sacramento for a underway replenishment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographers Mate 3rd class Ryan Jackson Feb 10, 2003 Steven A. Cardali
Lassen 69kPhilippine Sea June 15 2003, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) sails alongside the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a scheduled refueling at sea (RAS). U.S. Navy photoFred Weiss
Lassen 77k030615-N-0905V-006 Philippine Sea June 15 2003, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) part of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group will remain in the Western Pacific while the forward-deployed USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) completes scheduled dry dock maintenance. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris Valdez.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 198k030704-N-7265L-023. Vladivostok, Russia, July 4 2003, U.S. Consul Gen. Vladivostok and Cdr. Hugh Wetherald, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), salute during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Slava Tof memorial held in honor of those who died in World War II. Lassen is making a goodwill visit to the country that was last visited by a U.S. ship almost a year ago. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Inez Lawson.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 165kThe Russian Navy Commanding Officer of Division of Surface Ships, Capt. 1st Rank Valeriy Vasilievich Tereokhin, greets the USS Lassen (DDG 82) Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Hugh Wetherald, before a farewell ceremony, as USS Lassen and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) prepare to depart port Vladivostok. The U.S. Navy ships were on a goodwill visit to Russia in July 2003. Photo by PH2 Inez Lawson, USN.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 111kUSS Lassen (DDG-82) under maintenance February 4 2004. Photo by Kristina.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 75k050902-N-9851B-003. Yokosuka, Japan, September 2 2005, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) pulls into her new forward deployed operating base, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY). Lassen shifted her homeport from Norfolk, Va., to Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class John L. Beeman.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 36k060618-N-7597G-031, Philippine Sea, June 18 2006, guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), foreground, followed by guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and Military Sealift Command (MSC) underway replenishment oilier USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) shown in formation during the photo portion of Exercise Valiant Shield 2006.Tony Cowart
Lassen 67k070109-N-0483B-001. Yokosuka, Japan, January 9 2007, the Arleigh Burke Class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) entered a dry dock onboard Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka to begin regularly scheduled maintenance. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 175k070413-N-5253W-002. Pacific Ocean, April 13 2007, Ensign Michael Miller, left, stands the officer of the deck (OOD) watch on the bridge of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) during an integrated training team exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 223k070413-N-5253W-005. Pacific Ocean, April 13 2007, sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) assemble on the fantail for a simulated abandon-ship procedure during an Integrated Training Team Exercise (ITTE). The ITTE is designed to test the ability of the ship's combat systems, damage control, and medical training teams to effectively train the crew to deal with wartime scenarios. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 102k070414-N-5253W-002. Guam, April 14 2007, line handlers aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) heave on the forward mooring line as the ship pulls into Guam to take on fuel and supplies. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 196k070416-N-5253W-002. Pacific Ocean, April 16 2007, smoke billows from the 5"/62-caliber deck gun aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) during a calibration test firing. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 81k070416-N-5253W-007. Pacific Ocean, April 16 2007, a Gunners Mate aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) mans the starboard 25-mm chain gun during a heavy-weapons qualification shoot. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 109k070419-N-5253W-005. Pacific Ocean, April 19 2007, sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) raise a practice torpedo following a torpedo exercise, conducted by Detachment 6, Helicopter Squadron Light Five One (HSL 50) "Warlords". U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 147k070618-N-1251W-003. Oita, Japan, June 18 2007, the USS Lassen (DDG 82) Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Marshall B. Brown, takes part in a news conference with local media during Lassen's port visit to Oita. Lassen's visit marks the first time in three years a U.S. Navy ship has visited Oita. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is forward deployed to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, and is part of Destroyer Squadron 15 operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 165kYokosuka, Japan, August 16 2007, USS Lassen (DDG-82) moored pierside undergoing a maintenance period.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 145k070918-N-4649C-110. Yokosuka, Japan, September 18 2007, Gunner's Mate 1st Class Matt Kelly loads ordnance onto an elevator aboard Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) during an ammunition onload. Low sea state and low winds are just two of the key elements in order to safely complete ammo onload at sea. Lassen is underway for a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 55k070919-N-4649C-030. Yokosuka, Japan, September 19 2007, sailors aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) help guide a Tomahawk cruise missile into place during ammunition onload. Low winds and a calm sea state are two necessary elements for a safe onloading evolution. Lassen is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is underway on deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 165k070924-N-4649C-076. Vladivostok, Russia, September 24 2007, Cmdr. Marshall B. Brown, commanding officer of guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), fields questions from the media. While visiting Vladivostok, the Arleigh Burke-class ship will participate in Pacific Eagle, a bilateral exercise with the Russian Federated Navy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 113kYokosuka, Japan, December 18 2007, holiday lights illuminate the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Every Yokosuka-based ship of the forward-deployed naval forces is decorated with holiday lights to celebrate the festive season. Just before midnight on New Year's Eve, every ship will go black for a countdown to the New Year. At midnight, every ship will illuminate its holiday lights to bring in the New Year. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Bryan Reckard, ID# 071218-N-2638R-001.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 150kShanghai, People's Republic of China, April 8 2008, USS Lassen (DDG 82) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Anthony L. Simmons greets officials from the People's Liberation Army (Navy) shortly after Lassen arrived in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Shanghai, meaning, “go onto the sea” in English, is one of the world’s busiest ports. While in port Sailors from Lassen will have the opportunity to experience the local culture and interact with their People’s Liberation Army (Navy) counterparts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. WhiteBill Gonyo
Lassen 193k080409-N-1251W-005. Shanghai, People's Republic of China, April 9 2008, Cmdr. Anthony L. Simmons, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), explains the layout of the ship's bridge to officers of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) during a port visit to Shanghai. Sailors assigned to Lassen were able to experience the local culture and interact with PLAN counterparts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 111k080410-N-1251W-005. Shanghai, People's Republic of China, April 10 2008, the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) is moored as two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Sailors stand watch on the flight deck of the PLAN frigate Sanming (FFGHM 524). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 76k080410-N-1251W-001. Shanghai, People's Republic of China, April 10 2008, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) is moored with the Shanghai skyline behind her. Lassen arrived in Shanghai April 8 for a scheduled port visit. While in port Sailors from Lassen will experience the local culture and interact with People's Liberation Army Navy counterparts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 69k080420-N-1251W-006. Pacific Ocean, April 20 2008, an SH-60 Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Squadron (HS) 14 "Chargers" is secured to the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) as she pulls away from the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199), right, after completing an underway replenishment. The guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) is approaching Tippecanoe for a replenishment. Lassen and Curtis Wilbur are conducting routine operations with the Kitty Hawk Strike Group in the Pacific Ocean and are two of seven Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 173k080420-N-1251W-001. Pacific Ocean, April 20 2008, USS Lassen (DDG-82) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Anthony L. Simmons keeps a watchful eye on USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during an underway replenishment. Lassen is conducting routine operations with the Kitty Hawk Strike Group in the Pacific Ocean and is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 which operates out of Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 100k080421-N-1251W-006. Pacific Ocean, April 21 2008, Damage Controlman Fireman Christopher Tornay shouts commands at Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Bryan Egolf during fire hose handling training on the foc'sle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 125k080421-N-1251W-001. April 21 2008, Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) Fireman Andrew Carter, left, and Lt. j.g. Michael Papa participate in fire hose handling training on the forecastle of USS Lassen (DDG 82) while underway in the Pacific Ocean. The training teaches sailors how to properly handle a charged fire hose and fight a fire. Lassen is conducting routine operations with the Kitty Hawk Strike Group in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 89k080424-N-1251W-008. April 24 2008, sailors heave a line connecting their ship, the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), and the Military Sealift Command Henry J. Kaiser-Class Oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) operation in the Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 139k080424-N-1251W-009. April 24 2008, sailors aboard USS Lassen (DDG 82) stand clear of the fuel line during a replenishment-at-sea with Military Sealift Command USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) while under way in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. White.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 150k090131-N-2013O-043. Bali, Indonesia, January 31 2009, Cmdr. Anthony Simmons, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) greets Cameron R. Hume, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia after Lassen arrives in Bali. Lassen, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, is in Bali for a scheduled port visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Oki.Bill Gonyo
Lassen 166k090323-N-3215T-024. Yokosuka, Japan, March 23 2009, contractors from the Fleet Activities Yokosuka Ship Repair Facility perform maintenance on the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) as it rests in dry dock. Lassen, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, is currently undergoing a scheduled dry dock ship's restricted availability.U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brock A. Taylor.Robert M. Cieri
Lassen 32kShip's patch.Mike Smolinski

USS LASSEN DDG-82 History
Note: History is unavailable at this time
This ship was built too late to be covered by the DANFS project

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves

CDR Sean Eugene O'Connor    Apr 21 2001 - Sep 5 2002
CDR Hugh Denny Wetherald    Sep 5 2002 - Jul 29 2004
CDR Kerry Spencer Gilpin    Jul 29 2004 - May 31 2006
CDR Marshall Brent Brown    May 31 2006 - Nov 29 2007
CDR Anthony Louis Simmons    Nov 29 2007 - Apr 23 2009
CDR Hung Ba Le    Apr 23 2009 - present

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Lassen Website
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

Back To The Main Photo Index To The Destroyer Index Page


Comments and Suggestions about this page, E-mail DestroyerInfo
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster

This Page Is Created And Maintained By Fred Willshaw (ex DD692)
All Pages Copyright © 1996-2009 Paul R. Yarnall © 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.