Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive
Patch at right contributed by Robert M. Cieri

T-AH-19 Mercy

"Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Mike - Echo - Romeo
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
Bottom Row - National Defense Service Medal - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Mercy Class Hospital Ship:
  • Laid down, 12 June 1974, as SS St. Worth, a Maritime Administration type (T8-S-100b) tanker hull, under Maritime Administration contract (MA-299) at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA.
  • Launched, 1 July 1975
  • Delivered, 1 February 1976 for commercial service to Apex Marine
  • Acquired (date unknown) by the US Navy and converted to a Hospital Ship at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA.
  • Placed in service as USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), 8 November 1986
  • Mercy is one of two Hospital Ships and is part of the Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, maintained in Reduced Operational Status (ROS-5) at a layberth at San Diego, CA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 24,712 t. (lt) 69,360 t.
    Length 894'
    Beam 105' 7"
    Draft 33' (max)
    Speed 17.5 kts.
    Complement
    Reduced Operational Status 12 Civilian Mariners, 58 Military
    Full Operational Status 61 Civilian Mariners, 214 Military, Naval Hospital Staff 956
    Patient Capacity 1000 beds
    Propulsion two boilers, two GE turbines, one shaft, 24,500hp (18.3MW)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Mercy 48k Mercy (T-AH-19)'s bow section in drydock at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, CA. while undergoing conversion from a commercial tanker to a hospital ship, date unknown.
    National Steel and Shipbuilding photo from "All Hands" magazine, March 1986.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Mercy 185k Mercy (T-AH-19) Welcome Aboard pamphlet, February 1987. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 78k Mercy (T-AH-19) underway off San Diego, CA. during her shakedown cruise, date unknown.
    US Navy photo by PHC Chet King USN, from "All Hands" magazine, November 1987.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Mercy 91k Mercy (T-AH-19) anchored off Luzon, Philippine Islands in 1987. Mercy set sail, 27 February 1987, on her shakedown cruise, which included performing a humanitarian mission to the Republic of the Philippines. The four-month mission was designed to train Military Sealift Command (MSC) and Navy personnel in the operation and support of the ship and its Medical Treatment Facility during extended operations in remote areas. An average of ten days was spent at the following deployment sites: Subic Bay, Luzon (first and last); Legazpi, Luzon; Davao and Zamboangna, Mindanao; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Cebu City, Cebu and finally Calbayog, Samar. The Medical Crew was made up of active duty and reserve Navy, Army, Air Force and Public Health Service personnel. After this mission Mercy returned to her new homeport at the US Naval Supply Center, Oakland, CA.
    US Navy photo by PHC Chet King USN, from "All Hands" magazine, November 1987.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Mercy 171k Mercy (T-AH-19) Welcome Aboard pamphlet, June 1987. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 63k Invitation to the Welcome Home ceremony for Mercy (T-AH-19), 13 July 1987, Naval Supply Center Oakland. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 172k Mercy (T-AH-19) Welcome Home ceremony program, 13 July 1987. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 81k Mercy (T-AH-19) arriving at US Naval Supply Center, Oakland, CA., her new homeport, 13 July 1987. LT Robert M. Cieri USNR in is the foreground. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 63k Mercy (T-AH-19) being assisted by Navy tug Poughkeepsie (YTB-813) and another Navy tug assist into her berth at Naval Supply Center, Oakland, CA., 13 July 1987. Robert M. Cieri
    Mercy 18k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored pierside, Point Loma, San Diego, CA., 2 July 1997
    US Navy photo by PH2 Felix Garcia Jr    		 USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) web site
    Mercy 66k Mercy (T-AH-19) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo     		Naval Hospital Corps School Web Site
    Mercy 28k Mercy (T-AH-19) underway during Operation Kernal Blitz 99, 24 April 1999
    US Navy photo by PH1 James C McCarter    		 USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) web site
    Mercy 20k Mercy (T-AH-19) underway during Operation Kernal Blitz 99, 24 April 1999
    US Navy photo by PH1 Paul Self    		 USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) web site
    Mercy 67k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored in Pearl Harbor for a brief port visit before deploying to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia, 11 January 2005. Photo by Jim Bedient
    Mercy 103k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored in Pearl Harbor for a brief port visit before deploying to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia, 11 January 2005. Photo by Jim Bedient
    Mercy 64k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored in Pearl Harbor for a brief port visit before deploying to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia, 11 January 2005. Photo by Jim Bedient
    Mercy 72k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored in Pearl Harbor for a brief port visit before deploying to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia, 12 January 2005.
    US Navy photo # 050112-N-8157C-008 from the Navy NewsStand web site. Photo by PH2 Dennis Cantrell.    		 Jack Treutle
    Mercy 72k Mercy (T-AH-19) navigates alongside Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) after arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 3 February 2005. Mercy has been forward deployed to assist in humanitarian aid efforts currently in progress. Mercy will serve as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful.US Navy photo # 050203-N-6020P-181 from the Navy NewsStand web site. Photo by PH3 Gabriel R. Piper. Jack Treutle
    Mercy 76k Mercy (T-AH-19) navigates alongside Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) after arriving on station near Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 3 February 2005. Mercy has been forward deployed to assist in humanitarian aid efforts currently in progress. Mercy will serve as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been operating in the Indian Ocean off the waters of Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia. US Navy photo # 050203-N-6020P-137 photo by PH3 Gabriel R. Piper. Navy NewsStand
    Mercy 86k Mercy (T-AH-19) arrives on station near Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 3 February 2005. Mercy has been forward deployed to assist in humanitarian aid efforts currently in progress. Mercy will serve as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful.US Navy photo # 050203-N-0499M-035 photo by PH3 James R. McGury. Navy NewsStand
    Swift 47k Mercy (T-AH 19), center, Swift (HSV-2), foreground, and San Jose (T-AFS 7),background, operating in the Indian Ocean, 25 February 2005. Mercy is serving as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. Mercy is off the waters of Indonesia in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia.
    US Navy photo # 050225-N-8629M-115 by PH3 Rebecca J. Moat.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mercy 71k Mercy (T-AH-19) receives fuel from Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) as combat stores ship San Jose (T-AFS 7), far left, and the High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV-2), far right, operate alongside in the Indian Ocean, 3 March 2005. Mercy is serving as an enabling platform to assist humanitarian operations ashore in ways that host nations and international relief organization find useful. Mercy is in the waters off the Indonesian coast in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to aid the victims of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia.
    US Navy photo # 050303-N-8796S-075 by PH2 Timothy Smith, from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Jack Treutle
    Mercy 47k Mercy (T-AH-19) sits off the coast of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, preparing for their return home, 16 March 2005. MercyMercy will continue to provide humanitarian relief in the South Pacific en route to her homeport of San Diego, CA.
    US Navy photo # 050316-N-6665R-149 by PH2 Jeffery Russell, from Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Jack Treutle
    Mercy 97k Mercy (T-AH-19) underway off the coast of Nias, Indonesia in the Indian Ocean, 4 April 2005. At the request of the government of Indonesia, Mercy and the Niagara Falls (T-AFS-3) are on station off the coast of Nias, providing assistance as determined appropriate and necessary with earthquake disaster relief efforts and provide medical assistance to those in need.
    US Navy photo # 050404-N-6665R-174 by PH2 Jeffery Russell.    		 Navy News Stand web site
    Mercy 256k Mercy (T-AH-19) moored, Pier 1, Naval Station San Diego, CA., January 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Mercy 165k Mercy (T-AH-19) sailors man-the-rails as the ship prepares to pull pier side at Naval Station San Diego, 8 June 2005. Mercy was returning from a five-month deployment in support of tsunami relief efforts and humanitarian aide missions to several South Pacific nations.
    US Navy photo # 050608-N-1485H-002 by PH3 Lamel J. Hinton from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mercy 55k Mercy (T-AH-19) navigates through a rainy morning entering Apra Harbor, Guam, 15 May 2006. Mercy was deploying to the Western Pacific to perform humanitarian assistance and theater security cooperation mission, in an effort to continue to build upon relationships and goodwill established during Operation Unified Assistance in 2005 with partner nations in the region. The ship left its San Diego homeport in April 2006.
    US Navy photo # 060515-N-4658L-054 by PH2 Mark Allen Leonesio, from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Lee Wahler
    Pecos 97k Mercy (T-AH-19) conducting a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with Pecos (T-AO-197) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, 16 May 2006. Mercy is on a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006. The medical crew aboard Mercy will provide general and ophthalmology surgery, basic medical evaluation and treatment, preventive medicine treatment, dental screenings and treatment optometry screenings, eye wear distribution, public health training and veterinary services as requested by the host nations. Like all U.S. Naval forces Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice. Mercy is uniquely capable of supporting medical- and humanitarian-assistance needs and is configured with special medical equipment and a robust multi-specialized medical team who can provide a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities.
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-6501M-008 by Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Pecos 97k Mercy (T-AH-19) conducting a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with Pecos (T-AO-197) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, 16 May 2006, during a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006.
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-6501M-021 by Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Pecos 90k Aerial bow view of Mercy (T-AH-19) conducting a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with Pecos (T-AO-197) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, 16 May 2006, during a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006.
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-6501M-023 by Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Pecos 87k PH2 Gregory E. Badger, USN, uses a digital video recorder to document activities from his aerial platform, of a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) operation between Mercy (T-AH-19 and Pecos (T-AO-197) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, 16 May 2006, during a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006.
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-6501M-029 by Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Pecos 87k Aerial oblique view of Mercy (T-AH-19) and Pecos (T-AO-197) conducting a Replenishment at Sea (RAS) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, 16 May 2006, during a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006.
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-6501M-031 by Chief Photographer's Mate Edward G. Martens.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Mercy 87k MUC Donald Chilton, USN, conducts the US Navy Show Band as they perform on board Mercy (T-AH-19) as the ship conducts a Replenishment At Sea (RAS) operations with Pecos (T-AO-197). The Mercy was conducting a scheduled five-month deployment to deliver aid and humanitarian assistance to the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.2006. The Show band home based in Norfolk, VA. is deployed with the Mercy for the five-month humanitarian mission to South Asia Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands
    US Navy photo # 060516-N-9076B-002 by Chief Photographer's Mate Don Bray.    		 Defense Visual Information Center
    Mercy 67k Mercy (T-AH-19) anchored off of the coast of Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines, 29 May 2006, as she provides a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region. This care is provided by a portion of Mercy's staff working side by side with their Filipino counterparts at several medical centers in the city, as well as patients being given care on the ship itself. Mercy's stop in Zamboanga is the first of many, during its humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
    US Navy photo # 060529-N-6501M-062 by PHC Edward G. Martens, from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mercy 102k Mercy (T-AH-19) enters Pearl Harbor on 20 September 2006 for a port visit before returning to its homeport in San Diego. Mercy was in Hawaii after completing a humanitarian and civic assistance deployment to South and Southeast Asia.
    US Navy photo # 060820-N-8157C-142 by MC1 Dennis C. Cantrell, from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Lee Wahler
    Mercy 49k Mercy (T-AH-19) returns home to San Diego, 29 September, 2006, after a five month humanitarian relief mission to South and Southeast Asia. Her crew treated over 60,000 people. Mercy’s mission was carried out by volunteers from Project HOPE and Aloha Medical Mission, International Relief Team, along, with a contingent of military medical specialist from the United States, India, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and Canada. Mercy’s U.S. Military crew consists of medical teams from the Navy, Air Force and Army.
    US Navy photo # 060929-N-8909B-032 by MCSN Cale Bentley. from the Navy NewsStand web site.    		 Lee Wahler
    There is no DANFS history for Mercy (T-AH-19) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USNS Mercy (T-AH-19)
    Navy Fact File Hospital Ships -T-AH
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Hospital Ship (AH) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 30 August 2007