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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Oak Hill (LSD-51)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Romeo - Delta - Echo
NRDE
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Chief of Naval Operations Letter of Commendation
Precedence of awards is from left to right, top to bottom
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation
Bottom Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (1) - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1)


Harpers Ferry Class Dock Landing Ship:
  • Laid down, 21 September 1992, at Avondale Industries New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched 11 June 1994
  • Commissioned USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), 8 June 1996
  • USS Oak Hill is assigned to COMSURFLANT and is homeported at NAB Little Creek, VA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 11,604 t.(lt), 16,601 t.(fl)
    Length 609' 7"
    Beam 84'
    Draft 20' 4" (max)
    Speed 20+kts.
    Complement
    22 Officers
    327 Enlisted
    Troop Capacity
    27 Officers
    473 Enlisted
    Aircraft, helicopters (Flight Deck, 2 spots)
    Boats (Well Deck Capacity) two LCAC's
    Armament
    two (mk15 mod1) Phalanx (CIWS) 20mm Vulcan cannon gun mounts
    two (mk16) 25mm Bushmaster chain gun mounts
    six .50 cal machine guns
    two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers
    six Super Rapid Blooming Outboard Chaff launchers
    Propulsion
    four Colt-Pielstick 16 cylinder Diesel engines
    two propellers, combined SHP 33,000

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Oak Hill 396k Mrs. Sandra L. Boomer, wife of Gen. Walter E. Boomer, USMC Christens Oak Hill (LSD-51) during the ship's launching ceremony, 11 June 1994, at Avondale Industries New Orleans, LA.
    US Navy photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Oak Hill 500k
    Oak Hill 46k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51} underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Oak Hill 46k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51} underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Oak Hill 41k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51} underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Oak Hill 66k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51} underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
    USS Oak Hill web site
    Oak Hill 93k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51} en route to the waters off Long Island to assist in the search and recovery of victims and wreckage from TWA Flight 800, 23 July 1996. Oak Hill served as an afloat command post and at-sea base of operations for the Navy support effort. Oak Hill joined USS Grasp (ARS-51) and Navy diving, salvage and explosive ordnance disposal units on site.
    US Navy photo # 960723-N-00000-001.
    DOD Archive
    Typhoon 311k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) moored in the background at NAB Little Creek, VA., 30 April 2004. as sailors man the rails aboard the Cyclone-class, coastal patrol craft USS Typhoon (PC-5) as she departs NAB Little Creek for an 18 month deployment with the USS Sirocco (PC 6).
    US Navy photo # 040430-N-1464F-019 by JOC Dave Fliesen.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Oak Hill 208k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) at anchor in the Suez Canal, 30 January 2007. Oak Hill is part of the Bataan ESG deployed in support of the global war on terrorism.
    US Marine Corps photo # 070130-M-9389C-124 Suez Canal (January 30, 2007) by by Sergeant Freddy G. Cantu
    Robert Hurst
    Oak Hill
    10125157
    97k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) and amphibious transport dock USS Shreveport (LPD-12) follow the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) (not shown) while transiting the Suez Canal to depart U.S. Naval Central Command area of responsibility, 1 June 2007.
    U.S. Navy photo 070601-N-1467R-004 by MC2 Pedro A. Rodriguez.
    Robert Hurst
    Oak Hill
    10125155
    130k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) is guided to the pier by tugboats during a homecoming ceremony at Earl Industries Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA. Oak Hill returned after completing a seven-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.
    U.S. Navy photo 081018-N-798H-020 (Portsmouth, VA. (Oct 18, 2008) by MC3 Mandy Hunsucker.
    Robert Hurst
    Oak Hill 242k A tug helps turn USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) around in the bay at Castries, St. Lucia, before mooring pierside. Oak Hill is participating in Southern Partnership Station '09, a combined naval and amphibious operation with Oak Hill and maritime forces from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Oak Hill will also support U.S Marine Corps Forces South multinational Amphibious exercise Southern Exchange 2009.
    US Navy photo # 090609-N-0924R-075 CASTRIES, St. Lucia (June 8, 2009) by MC3 Cory Rose.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 1664k A tug helps turn USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) returns home after nearly three months of operations in South America supporting Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2009.
    US Navy photo # 090821-N-3542S-277 NORFOLK (Aug. 21, 2009) by MC2 Nikki Smith.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 217k A Riverine command boat from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON-2) departs the well deck of USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) after the completion of a Riverine well deck certification. The Riverine Force is a combat-arms force that performs point defense, fire support and interdiction operations along inland waterways to defeat enemies and support coalition forces.
    US Navy photo # 110531-N-MR305-330 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (May 31, 2011) by MC2 Michael R. Hinchcliffe.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 242k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) assisted by tugs Dakanawida (YTB-831) and Wanamassa (YTB-820) arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to conduct agricultural counter-measure wash downs of all embarked equipment. Guantanamo Bay is Oak Hill's final port visit before returning to the U.S. after supporting Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011 in the Caribbean. Oak Hill supported Southern Partnership Station 2012, an annual deployment of U.S naval assets in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. LCU 1659 is moving vehicles for wash down.
    US Navy photo # 111213-N-IQ128-049 GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (Dec. 13, 2011) by R. Vargas.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 178k Marine line-handlers wait on the pier while USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) arrives carrying more than 150 Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS-274). The Marines will return home to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., on 21 December 2011, following a three-month deployment with the Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (A-SPS) 2011 to Honduras, Columbia and Guatemala. A-SPS is an annual deployment of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Latin America. The exercise involves information sharing with navies, coast guards and civilian services throughout the region.
    US Marine Corps photo # 111219-M-FI266-002 Morehead City, NC (Dec. 19, 2011) by Lance Cpl. Glen Santy.
    Robert M. Cieri
    APL-58 625k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) moored across from APL-58 at General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk Shipyard (formerly Metro Machine), Norfolk VA, 17 June 2012. Stephen Pettway SK1 (SW) USN (Ret.)
    Oak Hill 3692k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) moored across from USS Elrod (FFG-55) at General Dynamics NASSCO-Norfolk Shipyard, Norfolk VA, in November 2012.
    US Navy photo.
    Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Oak Hill 196k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) prepares to moor in New York Harbor during the Parade of Ships at Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week New York, now in its 26th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. The week-long celebration is an opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services
    US Navy photo # 140521-N-WI365-061 NEW YORK (May 21, 2014) by MC3 Markus Castaneda.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 168k A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) departs USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) during Bold Alligator 2014. Bold Alligator is intended to improve Navy and Marine Corps amphibious core competencies while working with coalition, NATO, allied and partner nations The exercise takes place 29 October through 10 November 2014, afloat and ashore along the Eastern Seaboard.
    US Navy photo # 141031-N-YR571-370 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 31, 2014) by MC2 Kevin Johnson.
    Ron Reeves
    Oak Hill 336k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) under way with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) participating in ARG/MEUEX, a scenario-based amphibious integration exercise, in preparation for a future deployment.
    US Navy photo # 150628-N-XD363-534 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 28, 2015) by MC3 Michael Gendron.
    Lee Wahler
    Carl Brasher 254k The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) pull alongside the Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7) during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS). Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
    US Navy photo # 151111-N-AX638-036 RED SEA (Nov. 11, 2015), by MCSN Tyler Preston.
    Ron Reeves
    Oak Hill 1146k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) transits the Southern Arabian Gulf. Oak Hill is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
    US Navy photo # 151202-N-JO245-123 SOUTHERN ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 2, 2015) by MC3 Justin Yarborough/.
    Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 961k The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) transit alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) (center), during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS). Kearsarge, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group/26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
    US Navy photo # 160407-N-TT202-044 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 7, 2016) by MCSN Daniel E. Gheesling.
    Lee Wahler
    Kanawha 269k The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) pull alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) (center), during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS). Kearsarge, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group/26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.
    US Navy photo # 160407-N-AX638-050 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 7, 2016) by MC2 Tyler Preston.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 185k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) is under way in preparation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
    US Navy photo # 170904-N-SZ865-060 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 4, 2017) by MC3 Michael Eduardo Jorge.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 188k USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) is under way in support of hurricane relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The Department of Defense is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead federal agency, in helping those affected by Hurricane Maria to minimize suffering and is one component of the overall whole-of-government response effort.
    US Navy photo # 171018-N-BD308-0016 CARIBBEAN SEA (Oct.18, 2017) by MC3 Levingston Lewis
    Lee Wahler
    Patuxent 203k USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201) left, steams alongside the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) during a replenishment-at-sea. Oak Hill is homeported in Virginia Beach, VA., and is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
    US Navy photo # 180303-N-JS726-0034 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 3, 2018) by MC1 David Holmes.
    Lee Wahler
    Oak Hill 248k An AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle attached to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), enters the well deck of USS Oak Hill (LSD-51). Oak Hill is on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.
    US Navy photo # 180409-N-TJ319-0283 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (April 9, 2018), by MC3 Jessica L. Dowell.
    Lee Wahler
    Supply
    09590646
    251k USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) refuels the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Oak Hill(LSD-51) during a replenishment at sea, 30 October 2019. Bataan is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
    US Navy photo # 191029-N-MY922-1071 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 30, 2019) by MC3 Kaitlin Rowell.
    Lee Wahler

    USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) moored at Tirpitz quay in the German Naval Base at Kiel during Kiel Week, 15 June 2018 and at Gdynia, Poland 23 to 24 June 2018 during celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Polish Navy. Photos by Lucas "U-kasz" Blaszczak

    Oak Hill
    Entering the port of Kiel
    Oak Hill
    Entering the port of Kiel
    Oak Hill
    Entering the port of Kiel
    Oak Hill
    Entering the port of Kiel
    Oak Hill
    Moored at Tirpitz quay, Kiel Naval Base
    Oak Hill
    Moored at Tirpitz quay, Kiel Naval Base
    Oak Hill
    Moored at Tirpitz quay, Kiel Naval Base
    Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill
    Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill Oak Hill
    Moored at Polskie quay in Gdynia, 23 June 2018
    Oak Hill
    Moored at Polskie quay in Gdynia, 23 June 2018
    Oak Hill
    Departing Gdynia, 24 June 2018 to take part in sea parade honoring 100th anniversary of Polish Navy
    Oak Hill
    Departing Gdynia, 24 June 2018 to take part in sea parade honoring 100th anniversary of Polish Navy
    Oak Hill
    Departing Gdynia, 24 June 2018 to take part in sea parade honoring 100th anniversary of Polish Navy
    Oak Hill
    Departing Gdynia, 24 June 2018 to take part in sea parade honoring 100th anniversary of Polish Navy
    Oak Hill
    Under way during Polish Navy 100th anniversary sea parade celebration
    Oak Hill
    Under way during Polish Navy 100th anniversary sea parade celebration

    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Durnan, Michael Allister8 June 1996 - 12 January 1998
    02CDR. Joachim, Steven Charles12 January 1998 - 4 August 1999
    03CDR. Bess, Jonathan C.4 August 1999 - 20 April 2001
    04CDR. Zalamea, Ulysses Oca 20 April 2001 - 7 December 2002
    05CDR. Bryant Jr., John Linwood7 December 2002 - 1 October 2004
    06CDR. Gilbert, Curtis James1 October 2004 - 26 March 2006
    07CDR. Stapf, Ray Anton26 March 2006 - 2 September 2007
    08CDR. Agle, Heidi Christine2 September 2007 - March 2009
    09CDR. Blackburn, Daniel10 March 2009 - September 2010
    10CDR. Bauer, David E.September 2010- 2012
    11CDR. Lane, Kevin Alan2012 - 6 September 2013
    12CDR. Carmichael, Bryan K.6 September 2013 - 6 March 2015
    13CDR. Bowman, Orlando S.6 March 2015 - 5 August 2016
    14CDR. Cooper, Makia Monte, USN5 August 2016 - 12 January 2018
    15CDR. Knight, Philip Eric, USN12 January 2018 - 10 May 2019
    16CDR. Jacobo, Rodolfo (Rod), USN10 May 2019 - 19 September 2020
    17CDR. Wijnaldum, Kathryn Sampson, USN (USNA 2001)19 September 2020 - 2022
    18CDR. Meise, John William, USN (USNA 2003)2022 - 2023
    19CDR. Nowell, Jason T., USN2023 -  
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. Photos courtesy Bill Gonyo


    For more photos and information about USS Oak Hill, see;
  • USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) Historical Chronology
  • Navy Fact File - Dock Landing Ship - LSD

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

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    Last Updated 5 January 2024