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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive


Left patch contributed by John Pastula, center patch contributed by Tommy Trampp, right patch contributed by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN Ret. - Popular Patch

USS Tarawa (LHA-1)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Lima - Hotel - Alpha
NLHA
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Proud Eagle
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons




Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Second Row - Navy Unit Commendation (3) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (5)
Third Row - Navy Expeditionary Medal (1-Iran/Indian Ocean, 1-USS Cole Determined Response) - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Lebanon, 1-Somalia, 1-Southwest Asia Op Northern Watch)
Fourth Row - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (3) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose):
  • Laid down in November 1972, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula MS.
  • Launched, 1 December 1973
  • Commissioned USS Tarawa (LHA-1), 29 May 1976, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. Pascagoula MS., CAPT. James H. Morris USN in command
  • USS Tarawa was assigned to Amphibious Group Three, Naval Surfaces Forces Pacific, US Third Fleet, US Pacific Fleet, and is homeported at San Diego, CA.
  • Decommissioning Ceremony held, 4 December 2008, actual decommissioning date, 31 March 2009
    Specifications:
    Displacement 38,900 tons (fl.)
    Length 820'
    Beam 106'
    Draft 26'
    Speed 24 kts.
    Complement
    82 Officers
    882 Enlisted
    Troop Accommodations 1900 plus
    Armament
    two Sea Sparrow launchers (as build)
    three single 5"/54 dual purpose gun mounts (as build)
    two single 20mm Phalanx (CIWS)(upgraded)
    six single 25mm chain guns (upgraded)
    Aircraft 28 amphibious transport helicopters
    Propulsion
    two 600 psi boilers
    two geared steam turbines
    two shafts, 70,000shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Tarawa
    100701124
    219k
    Namesake
    Tarawa - The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943 between the United States and Japan at the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, and was part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio, in the extreme southwest of Tarawa Atoll. The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the critical Central Pacific region. It was also the first time in the Pacific War that the United States faced serious Japanese opposition to an amphibious landing. Previous landings had met little or no initial resistance, but on Tarawa the 4,500 Japanese defenders were well supplied and well prepared, and they fought almost to the last man, exacting a heavy toll on the United States Marine Corps. The losses on Tarawa were incurred within 76 hours. (Wikipedia)
    Photo - Defenseimagery photo VIRIN:HD-SN-99-02572 - U.S. Marines take cover behind a sea wall on Red Beach 3, Tarawa, November 1943.
    Map - Invasion of Makin and Tarawa Atolls, Gilbert Islands, 20-23 Nov 1943, United States Military Academy
    Tommy Trampp
    Tarawa 448k Starboard side view and overhead plan of USS Tarawa (LHA-1), July 1976.
    Plan by A.D. Baker III. Images from "U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman
    Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 155k "Navy Times" 1986 Ship in the Spotlight featuring USS Tarawa (LHA-1). Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 438k The bow and flight deck of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) loom ahead and above the tiny riverboat stern-wheeler used to christen her during launch ceremonies at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Ms. 1 December 1973. . Dale Hargrave
    Tarawa 118k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way during at-sea trials, Summer 1975.
    US Navy photo from "NAVSEA Journal."
    Bob Bush
    Tarawa 146k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway during at-sea trials, Summer 1975.
    US Navy photo from "NAVSEA Journal."
    Bob Bush
    Tarawa 410k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way early in 1976. Clearly evident are the two forward 5"/54 guns. Note also her forward Mk 25 Sea Sparrow BPDMS launcher forward of the island.
    US Navy photo.
    Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 433k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way in March 1976. Note the two LCMs on deck; they were easily handled by the ship's large crane. She is armed with NATO Sea Sparrows for self-defense and 5"/54 guns for fire support.
    US Navy photo from "U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman".
    Robert Hurst
    CV-43 Coral Sea 106k USS Tarawa(LHA-1) and aircraft carriers USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and USS Constellation (CV-64), tied up along the quay wall at NAS North Island, CA., in the late 1970s (maybe 1976).

    Richard Miller, BMCS, USNR (Ret.)
    Tarawa 98k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) entering the last lock before entering Lake Gatun during her passage through the Panama Canal in July 1976 while enroute from Pascagoula to her new homeport of San Diego. W. P. Dart
    Tarawa 95k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way, date and location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 89k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) arriving at White Beach, Okinawa, 4 April 1979. Ken Moss EN3 CTF-76 Staff
    Tarawa 89k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored at White Beach, Okinawa, April 1979. In the foreground LCU-1666 is underway entering the pier area after leaving Tarawa's well deck. Ken Moss EN3 CTF-76 Staff
    Tarawa 60k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) about to recover a Marine Corps AV-8A Harrier during the exercise "Valiant Blitz", in the Philippines, 1980. Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 77k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way, date and location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 105k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way, date and place unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 242k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way at San Diego, CA, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.
     
    Tarawa 610k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) anchored off the coast of Thailand near Pattaya during Exercise Cobra Gold '86, 5 August 1986.
    US Navy photo # DA-SC-88-00434 GULF OF THAILAND (5 August 1986) by Al Chang.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 62k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way location unknown, June 1986.
    US Navy photo
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 53k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Tarawa 55k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) at anchor in Hong Kong harbor, BCC, 24 November 1989. William Chiu
    Tarawa 59k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) at anchor in Hong Kong harbor, BCC, 24 November 1989. William Chiu
    Tarawa 63k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) at anchor in Hong Kong harbor, BCC, 24 November 1989. William Chiu
    Tarawa 1379k Starboard bow view of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) approaching Naval Station Pearl Harbor through the channel, 1 June 1991.
    US Navy photo # DN-SC-92-03415 PEARL HARBOR (1 June 1991) by OS2 John Bouvia.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1561k Starboard bow view of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) approaching Naval Station Pearl Harbor through the channel, 1 June 1991.
    US Navy photo # DN-SC-92-03416 PEARL HARBOR (1 June 1991 by OS2 John Bouvia.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 993k Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1) as she arrives at Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, 1 June 1991, for a port visit before returning to Naval Station, San Diego, Calif. Tarawa was returning to the U.S. following her deployment to the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
    US Navy photo # DN-SC-92-00887 PEARL HARBOR (1 June 1991) by OS2 John Bouvia.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1356k Starboard quarter view of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) anchored near the British naval facility HMS Tamar, Hong Kong, BCC, 1 June 1992.
    US Navy photo # DN-SC-93-06146 HONG KONG (1 June 1992) by LTjg. Jeff Hilton.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Ex-CV-61 Ranger 341k

    An aerial view of the decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-USS Ranger (CV-61) in a graving dock at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach, CA., 6 October 1993. Moored in the background are the amphibious assault ships USS Essex (LHD-2), left, and USS Tarawa(LHA-1), right. Ex-Ranger was being stripped of useful material, sealed and prepped for being towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Inactive Storage Facility for retention in reserve status.
    Defenseimagery.mil VIRIN DN-ST-94-00735, by PH2 R.J. Davis.

    William Stevens, USN (Ret.)
    Tarawa 73k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way, September 1995, location unknown. Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 566k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in port San Diego in 1996.
    Photo from the N.A. "Stretch" Brown collection
    Submitted by Carol Edgemon Hipperson author of "Radioman: An Eyewitness Account of Pearl Harbor & World War II in the Pacific" (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martins Press, 2008) ISBN-10 031238694X ISBN-13 978-0312386948
    Tarawa 105k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) on patrol off southern California in support of exercise Kernel Blitz '97, 28 June 1997.
    US Navy photo # 970628-N-3962B-001.
    Bill Gonyo
    Rushmore
    040711-N-4304S-238 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN
    269k Dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47), the Australian replenishment vessel HMAS Success (AOR 304) and USS Tarawa (LHA-1) conduct a Refuel At Sea (RAS) operation. These ships are a few of many participating in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 11 July 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year's exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region.
    US Navy photo #'s;
    040711-N-4304S-238 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN,
    040711-N-4304S-262 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN
    and
    040711-N-4304S-268 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN by PH2 Bradley J. Sapp and
    Robert Hurst
    Rushmore
    040711-N-4304S-262 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN
    382k
    Rushmore
    040711-N-4304S-268 (Jul. 11, 2004) PACIFIC OCEAN
    233k
    Tarawa 306k CAPT. Chris Ames, Commanding Officer of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) reads message traffic, 21 June 1997, on the bridge during Exercise Kernal Blitz '97, taking place off the coast of Southern California and Camp Pendleton. KERNEL BLITZ is a biannual Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) fleet training exercise (FLEETEX) focused on operational/tactical training of Commander, Third Fleet (C3F)/ I Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) and Commander, Amphibious Group 3 (CPG-3)/ 1st Marine Division (MARDIV). KERNEL BLITZ is designed to enhance the training of Sailors and Marines in the complexities of brigade-size amphibious assault operations.
    US Navy photo # DN-SD-03-05269 PACIFIC OCEAN (21 June 1997) by PH1 (NAC) Stephen Batiz.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 70k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) at anchor off Bahrain, 11 March 1998
    US Navy photo 980311-N-1717N
     
    Tarawa 1828k Port beam view of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way while on deployment to the Western Pacific, 7 September 2000.
    US Navy photo # 000907-N-8743M-019 PACIFIC OCEAN (7 September 2000) by PH1 David Miller.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 97k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) conducting flight operations off the Coast of Aden Yemen during Operation DETERMINED RESPONSE, 28 October 2000.
    US Navy photo # 001028-N-8743M-014 (28 October 2000) by PH1 David Miller.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 58k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) departing Pearl Harbor, 28 June 2002.
    US Navy photo # 1-020628-N-3228G-002 from the US Navy Newsstand web site.
    Bernard A. Cardali USN, USS LST-308
    Tarawa 51k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored pierside at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA., 2003. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 762k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) conducting an amphibious landing, 12 February 2003, as Marines go ashore in Kuwait. Landing Craft Utility LCU-1666 leaves the ship's well deck with equipment and Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) while a CH-53E "Super Stallion" helicopter heads to the beach.
    US Navy photo # 030212-N-1131G-021 Arabian Gulf (February 12, 2003) .
    Robert M. Cieri
    Yukon 96k USNS Yukon (T-AO-202) delivers fuel to USS Tarawa (LHA 1) during an underway replenishment (UNREP), in the Arabian Gulf, 7 April 2003.
    US Navy photo # 030407-N-2515C-005 by PH2 Larry S. Carlson.
    Navy Newsstand
    Yukon 82k USNS Yukon (T-AO-202) delivers fuel to USS Tarawa (LHA 1) during an underway replenishment (UNREP), in the Arabian Gulf, 7 April 2003.
    US Navy photo # 030407-N-2515C-009 by PH2 Larry S. Carlson.
    Navy Newsstand
    Tarawa
    030420-N-2515C-091
    373k The amphibious assault ships of Commander, Task Force Fifty One (CTF-51) come together in an unprecedented formation during operations in the North Arabian Gulf. This marked the first time that six large deck amphibious ships from the East and West coasts have deployed together in one area of operation. Led by the flag ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), the ships are (from left to right):
    USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6),
    USS Kearsarge (LHD-3),
    USS Bataan (LHD-5),
    USS Saipan (LHA-2), and
    USS Boxer (LHD-4).
    CTF-51 led Navy amphibious forces in the Arabian Gulf region during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 32 ships of CTF-51 composed the largest amphibious force assembled since the Inchon landing, during the Korean War. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.
    US Navy photo # 030420-N-2515C-091 North Arabian Gulf (Apr. 20, 2003) by PH2 Larry S. Carlson.
    US Navy photo # 030420-N-7128D-011 North Arabian Gulf (Apr. 20, 2003) by PHC Tom Daily.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    030420-N-7128D-011
    2154k
    Tarawa 63k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) during amphibious operations, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Bill Gonyo
    Tarawa 50k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway, date and location unknown. Photo by Justin Kavalauskas, USMC HMM-163 REIN Mark Tilton
    Tarawa 79k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) under way aerial view, date and location unknown. Photo by Justin Kavalauskas, USMC HMM-163 (REIN) Mark Tilton
    Tarawa 62k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) flight deck view, date and location unknown. Photo by Justin Kavalauskas, USMC HMM-163 REIN Mark Tilton
    Tarawa 45k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) stern gate view, date and location unknown. Photo by Justin Kavalauskas, USMC HMM-163 REIN Mark Tilton
    Tarawa 74k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) leading the Parade of Ships passing Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, 9 October 2003, during Fleet Week 2004. Photo by CAPT. Jack C. Goldthorpe, USCG Ret.
    Tarawa 140k The Pakistani Navy frigate PNS Badr (D 184) steams alongside USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in the Northern Persian Gulf, 8 November 2005. Tarawa was the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1), commanded by Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, who was also coordinating US forces for the Pakistani led relief effort for the earthquake that struck the northern part of the country on 8 October. The ships of ESG-1 have made several trips to Pakistan to unload relief supplies.
    US Navy photo # 051108-N-0716S-002 by PH3 Tony Spiker.
    Robert Hurst
    Tarawa 63k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) departing from her home port, San Diego, CA., 16 July 2005 for a WESTPAC deployment. The ship returned to San Diego, 20 February 2006.
    US Navy photo.
    Jack Treutle
    Tarawa 483k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego, CA., March 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 447k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego, CA., 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 181k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego, CA., August 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 51k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) outbound to sea in 2006 passing , ex-USS Midway (CV-41) moored pierside downtown San Diego, CA. in 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa 404k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego, CA., October 2006. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Tarawa
    071111-N-6597H-104
    978k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) steams through the Pacific Ocean, while on deployment in support of maritime security operations.
    US Navy photo #'s 071111-N-6597H-104 (11 November 2007) and 071111-N-6597H-220 (11 November 2007) by MCSN Jon Husman.
    071111-N-6597H-104 - Robert M. Cieri
    071111-N-6597H-220 - Robert Hurst
    Tarawa
    071111-N-6597H-220
    1558k
    Tarawa 1386k Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise, on the flight deck of USS Tarawa (LHA-1), 28 November 2007, during her regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific in support of maritime security operations and the war on terror.
    US Navy photo # 071121-N-8335D-001 (28 November 2007) by MC1 Richard Doolin.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1028k Yellow Shirt aircraft directors aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1) move a UH-1N Huey helicopter onto the deck-edge elevator to strike it below to the hangar deck, while underway, 11 December 2007. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terror.
    US Navy photo # 071211-N-4774B-082 INDIAN OCEAN (11 December 2007) by MC3 Daniel A. Barker.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1191k Sailors aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1) prepare to move the UH-1N Huey helicopter from the elevator onto the hangar deck, during an exercise in which as many aircraft as possible are relocated below, 11 December 2007. Tarawa and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terror.
    US Navy photo # 071211-N-4774B-066 INDIAN OCEAN (11 December 2007) by MC3 Daniel A. Barker.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1360k A CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron One Six Six (HMM-166) "SeaElk" comes in to land on USS Tarawa (LHA-1), 7 January 2008. The Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a regularly scheduled deployment while under way in the Middle East.
    US Navy photo # 080107-N-7643B-003 (7 January 2008) by MCSN David A. Brandenburg.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 644k An EH-96 Puma helicopter from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE 2) conducts a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) of USS Tarawa (LHA-1). Tarawa is part of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group which is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for a scheduled deployment.
    080207-N-2190B-001 PERSIAN GULF (Feb. 7, 2008) by LCDR. Kevin D. Borden.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 770k An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-166 (reinforced) launches from the flight deck of USS Tarawa (LHA-1). U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the region that deters destabilizing activities while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.
    US Navy photo # 080301-N-6597HN-093, PERSIAN GULF (March 1, 2008) by MCSN Jon Husman.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 309k Aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit run and train on the fight deck, 7 March 2008.
    US Navy photo # 080307-N-1786N-018, PERSIAN GULF (March 7, 2008) by MC3 Bryan Niegel.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 631k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) arriving at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 10 May 2008. Glenn Towler, World Ships Society
    Tarawa 496k
    Tarawa 752k
    Tarawa 501k
    Tarawa 907k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 10 May 2008. Glenn Towler, World Ships Society
    Tarawa 641k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) outbound to sea from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 13 May 2008. The Australian Icebreaker Aurora Australis is moored in the foreground. Glenn Towler, World Ships Society
    Tarawa 225k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) outbound to sea from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 13 May 2008. Glenn Towler, World Ships Society
    Tarawa 3092k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) returns to her homeport of San Diego, CA. 3 June 2008, for the last time, after completing her final deployment before being decommissioned.
    US Navy photo # 080603-N-8909B-032 SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2008) by MCSA Cale Bentley.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1671k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) passes under the Coronado Bridge, 3 June 2008, as she pulls into Naval Base San Diego after completing her 14th and final Western Pacific deployment. Tarawa is scheduled to be decommissioned in March 2009.
    US Navy photo # 080603-N-2943C-002 SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2008) by MC2 Carlos Cepeda.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1386k An MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) "Blackhawks" lands aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1), 8 August 2008, as the ship sails south toward the Panama Canal to participate in the multinational training exercise Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2008. This will be the final exercise for Tarawa before decommissioning in early 2009.
    US Navy photo # 080808-N-4774B-466 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2008) by MC3 Daniel A. Barker.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1705k ABH3 Jonathan Lambes, left, and Melchor Navora direct an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter assigned to Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) "Blackhawks", for a landing on the flight deck of USS Tarawa (LHA 1), 8 August 2008. Tarawa is approaching the Panama Canal to participate in the multi-national training exercise Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2008. This will be the final exercise for Tarawa before decommissioning in early 2009.
    US Navy photo # 080808-N-8335D-078 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 8, 2008) by .MC1 Richard Doolin.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa 1154k AMS2 Russell Butterfield, left, and AMS3 Zach Brown, assigned to Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15) "Blackhawks", perform maintenance on an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter on the flight deck of USS Tarawa (LHA-1) during Fuerzas Aliadas (FA) PANAMAX 2008. FA PANAMAX 2008 is a multi-national training exercise tailored to the defense of the Panama Canal, involving civil and military forces from the U.S. Southern Command area of focus
    US Navy photo # 080818-N-8335D-005 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 18, 2008) by MC1 Richard Doolin.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    100701117
    233k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) outbound to sea from San Diego, CA., date unknown.
    © George Barber
    Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701118
    146k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) passing under the Coronado Bridge in San Diego harbor, date unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701119
    388k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701120
    415k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway, date and location unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701121
    207k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) crew manning the rails as she steams out to sea from San Diego, date unknown.
    © George Barber
    Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701122
    171k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway in the harbor at San Diego, CA., outbound to sea, date unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa
    100701123
    519k USS Tarawa (LHA-1) underway sailing into the sunset, date unknown. Nicholas Tiberio
    Tarawa 211k The decommissioned USS Tarawa (LHA-1) moored at the Navy Inactive Ship Facility, Pearl Harbor, HI., 6 April 2011 Photo by Michael Goughan
    Crommelin 422k Ex-USS Tarawa (LHA-1) with ex-USS Crommelin (FFG-37) moored alongside at the Pearl Harbor Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, 6 December 2012. Wade Armstrong
    Pearl Harbor Pilots
    Crommelin 394k Ex-USS Tarawa (LHA-1) with ex-USS Crommelin (FFG-37) and ex-USS Curts (FFG 38) moored alongside at the Pearl Harbor Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, 25 October 2013.
    Tarawa 210k The decommissioned USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and USS Peleliu (LHA-5) moored at the Navy Inactive Ship Facility, Pearl Harbor, HI., 18 May 2016. Yu Chu courtesy Buddy Steward
    Peleliu
    100705102
    167k U.S. Navy ships laid up in reserve in Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as of 1 July 2016. Identifiable ships are (front to back):

    Amphibious Assault Ship USS Peleliu (LHA-5),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS McClusky (FFG-41),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG-48),
    Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS Crommelin (FFG-37),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS Curts (FFG-38),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS Thach (FFG-43),
    Guided Missile Frigate USS Rentz (FFG-46),
    Landing Ship Tank USS Racine (LST-1191),
    Dock Landing Ship USS Cleveland (LPD-7),
    Dock Landing Ship USS Denver (LPD-9),
    Dock Landing Ship USS Juneau (LPD-10);
    Amphibious Cargo Ship USS Durham (LKA-114) and
    Amphibious Cargo Ship USS St. Louis (LKA-116).
    US Navy photo # 160701-N-SI773-264 Pearl Harbor, July 16, 2001 by MC1 Ace Rheaume, USN.
    Robert Hurst

    USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Memorabilia
    Tarawa
    Christening Program

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    Commissioning Program

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    Ship's Namesake

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    WESTPAC 2003 patch

    Contributed by
    Tommy Trampp
    Tarawa
    Welcome Aboard - 1980

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    Welcome Aboard - 1986

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    Welcome Aboard - 1995

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri
    Tarawa
    Welcome Aboard - 2001

    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri


    For more photos and information about USS Tarawa, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • Ship History/Command Operations Reports
  • Photo Collection of John Pastula FTG1 USN
  • USS Tarawa Reunion Site
  • Decommissioning of USS Tarawa LHA-1

  • Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Morris, James Haines :RADM29 May 1976 - 2 July 1976
    02CAPT. Church, George Andrew2 July 1976 - 9 February 1979
    03CAPT. Klee, Robert Erhart9 February 1979 - 24 June 1980
    04CAPT. Timm, Dwight Dorwan24 June 1980 - 26 February 1982
    05CAPT. Siegel, Kent Rodney26 February 1982 - 27 September 1983
    06CAPT. Duffy, Phillip F. :RADM27 September 1983 - 24 May 1985
    07CAPT. Newman, Roger Lee24 May 1985 - 28 February 1987
    08CAPT. Blackmon, Thomas Lester28 February 1987 - 10 March 1989
    09CAPT. Fladd, Wirt Ross10 March 1989 - 30 July 1991
    10CAPT. Parkhurst, Nigel E.30 July 1991 - 6 May 1993
    11CAPT. Wikstrom, Raymond M.6 May 1993 - 21 January 1995
    12CAPT. Hayes, James A.21 January 1995 - 12 June 1996
    13CAPT. Ames, Christopher Conlan :RADM12 June 1996 - 19 December 1997
    14CAPT. Bray, James D.19 December 1997 - 2 July 1999
    15CAPT. Hall, Garry Evan :RADM2 July 1999 - 21 January 2001
    16CAPT. Clark, James Lonial21 January 2001 - 22 July 2002
    17CAPT. Bowling III, John Harrison (Jay) :RADM22 July 2002 - 22 January 2004
    18CAPT. Riley III, John Wallace22 January 2004 - 2 June 2005
    19CAPT. Murphy, Peter Denis2 June 2005 - 28 September 2006
    20CAPT. Shunkwiler, Donald Raymond J.28 September 2006 - 6 February 2008
    21CAPT. Luther, Brian Eugene (Lex) :RADM6 February 2008 - 31 March 2009
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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