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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Denver (LPD-9)

Official US Navy Photographs of the Burial-at-Sea of the remains of HTC Anthony J. Cieri, Jr. USN (Ret), from the USS Denver (LPD-9), Monday 13 June 1977

Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

All ceremony photos were taken by the ship's photographer: JO3 M. W. Manion, USN
At 1045 hours the Commanding Officer ordered the ship to head into-the-wind and commanded "All Stop". The ship's flag was flown at half-mast. The ship was located at Latitude 32 degrees 52.3 minutes North. Longitude 117 degrees 29.3 minutes West. She was 10.7 nautical miles northwest of Point La Jolla, California. The depth of the water was 286 fathoms.

The Burial-at-Sea Ceremonies commenced at 1100 on the flight deck.

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Image Description
Denver Letter from the Commanding Officer of USS Denver (LPD-9), Captain R.E. Klee, USN, to Mrs. Catherine Cieri, widow of HTC Anthony J. Cieri, Jr. USN (Ret.)
Denver Photograph of USS Denver (LPD-9) circa 1976, signed by the Commanding Officer of USS Denver (LPD-9), Captain R.E. Klee, USN to the Cieri family.
Denver Eight Honor Guards (also referred to as Honorary Pallbearers) are: BM3 A. Talk, BM3 S. Blocker, PC3 J. P. Duwe, YN3 D. E. Gantt, BM2 L. V. Manis, SA L. Harper, SA M. S. Perry and SA R. Campo, carry the casket from the hangar, across the flight, to the burial platform.
Denver The Honor Guard lower the casket to the burial platform rigged across the starboard catwalk along the edge of flight deck, observed by one of the two attending Chaplains.
Denver The Honor Guard stands at attention as the Commanding Officer Captain R. E. Klee, USN, the Executive Officer Commander C. E. Lambach, USN and the flag bearer SN R. M. Furnaniuk, USN stand by at the head of the casket.
Denver The two attending Chaplains Lieutenant Commander J. O. Nations, USNR and Lieutenant Commander R. J. Naylor, USN conduct the Religious Service for the Committal of a service member of the Roman Catholic Faith, which includes reading of scripture, a prayer naming the committed and the Benediction.
Denver A moment of silent prayer is observed by the ceremony assemblage, with bowed heads.
Denver The Commanding Officer orders "Hand Salute"!
Denver The Honor Guard prepares to commit the remains, as the Firing Detail stands by at Order Arms.
Denver The Honor Guard tilt the burial platform upward allowing the casket to slide overboard committing it to the sea.
Denver The Chaplains retreat from the committal as the Honor Guard and Firing Detail remain at attention.
Denver The Flag Bearer SN S. A. Furnaniuk, USN presents the folded National Ensign to the Commanding Officer Captain R. E. Klee, USN, as COMPHIBRON 5 Captain H.T. Jenkins, USN, looks on.
Denver The seven man Firing Detail, attached to the 2nd Platoon, ALPHA Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/7, 1st Marine Division, stationed at Camp Pendelton, California are ordered to fire a salute of three volleys. This was followed by the sounding of TAPS and the dismissal of the personnel of the Committal Ceremony.

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