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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive



Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Golf - Uniform - November
NGUN
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (7) - National Defense Service Medal
Bottom Row - Southwest Asia Service Medal - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - Armed Forces Service Medal (10)


Whidbey Island Class Dock Landing Ship:
  • Laid down, 26 May 1986, at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
  • Launched, 27 June 1987
  • Commissioned USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), 22 April 1989, CDR. John P. Jeffcoat in command
  • USS Gunston Hall is a unit of the US Atlantic Fleet assigned to COMPHIBGRU TWO, COMPHIBRON TWO, and is homeported at NAB Little Creek, VA.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 11,471 t.(lt), 15,939 t.(fl)
    Length 609' 7"
    Beam 84'
    Draft 19' 2"
    Speed 20+ kts.
    Complement
    Officers 22
    Enlisted 391
    Marine Detachment 402 + 102 surge
    Aircraft, helicopters (Flight Deck, 2 spots)
    Landing/Attack Craft Four (LCAC) Landing Craft, Air Cushion
    Armament
    two 25mm MK 38 Machine Guns
    two 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
    six .50 cal. machine guns
    two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Mounts
    Propulsion
    four Colt-Pieistick PC2.5V 16 cylinder marines diesel engines
    four 1,300kw Fairbanks-Morse O-P 38D8-1/8 Generating Sets
    two controllable pitch propellers, combined SHP 33,000

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    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)
    Fort Marion
    10120523
    212k
    Namesake
    Gunston Hall is an 18th-century Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia, United States. The house was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason. It was located at the center of a 5,500 acre plantation. The home is also located not far from George Washington's home. The construction period of Gunston Hall was between 1755 and 1759. (Wikipedia)
    Skip Sanders
    Gunston Hall 404k Christening by Mrs, Barbara Morgan, wife of Gen. Thomas R. Morgan, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps of Gunston Hall (LSD-44) and launching, 27 June 1987 at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
    US Navy photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Gunston Hall 566k Side launch of Gunston Hall (LSD-44), 27 June 1987 at Avondale Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
    US Navy photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Gunston Hall 153k Starboard side and overhead views of USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) after the Maintenance Enclosure modification to the Phalanx CIWS installation in 1991.
    Drawing by A. D. Baker from "U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman".
    Robert Hurst
    Gunston Hall 26k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Gunston Hall 29k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) moored pierside during port visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia, date unknown. Peter Wilson
    Gunston Hall 60k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Gunston Hall 36k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) moored pierside at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA., date unknown. Note the Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) in this photo.
    US Navy photo
     
    Gunston Hall 71k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) loads out a Navy-Marine Corps amphibious team in mid-August for Operation Desert Shield.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, October 1990.
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Gunston Hall 200k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) at Genoa, Italy, 18 February 1995. Photo by Carlo Martinelli
    Gunston Hall 212k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) at Genoa, Italy, 19 February 1995. Photo by Carlo Martinelli
    Santaquin 80k The large harbor tug Santaquin (YTB-824) assists USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) into the harbor at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, VA.,, 17 April 1999, as Gunston Hall Sailors and Marines man the rails. Gunston Hall was returning to her homeport after deploying to the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
    DVIC photo # DNST9109712 by PH3 Tuemler USN
    Defense Visual Information Center
    Gunston Hall 398k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) (background), the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) (foreground), and Al Jawf class HMS Shaqra (MHC-422) (center) conduct Surface Action Group operations during exercise Nautical Union. Nautical Union is a joint exercise directed through Commander Destroyer Squadron Five Zero (COMDESRON 50) between the U.S. and coalition forces. Nautical Union operations include conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) training, air defense, anti submarine warfare, surface warfare, mine counter measures, electronic warfare, replenishment at sea (RAS), and command and control. Maritime Security Operations (MSO) set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complements the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
    US Navy photo # 050719-N-5526M-014 Persian Gulf July 19, 2005) by PH1 Robert R. McRill.
    Robert M. Cieri
    Gunston Hall 284k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) conducts Surface Action Group operations during exercise Nautical Union, Persian Gulf, 19 July 2005.
    US Navy photo # 050719-N-5526M-001, Persian Gulf (19 July 2005. by PH1 Robert R. McRill
    Robert Hurst
    Gunston Hall 729k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) anchored near the Killick Haitian Coast Guard Base. Gunston Hall was diverted from its Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission to assist with relief and humanitarian efforts for Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12, 2010.
    US Navy photo # 100119-N-6676S-001 KILLICK, Haiti (Jan. 19, 2010) by MC2 John Stratton.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall 1037k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) operates off the coast of Killick, Haiti. Gunston Hall is supporting Operation Unified Response after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake caused severe damage near Port-au-Prince Jan. 12.
    US Navy photo # 100122-N-5345W-154 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Jan. 22, 2010) by MC2 Kristopher Wilson.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall 947k Sailors and Marines aboard USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) man the rails as the ship arrives in Sekondi, Ghana, for the first African port visit of Africa Partnership Station West 2010. Gunston Hall is on a scheduled deployment in West Africa supporting Africa Partnership Station West, an international initiative developed by U.S> Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.
    US Navy photo # 100310-N-7948C-045 SEKONDI, Ghana (March 10, 2010) by MC1 Martine Cuaron.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall
    110112-N-5292M-379
    NORFOLK (Jan. 12, 2011)
    143k A tug guides USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) away from the pier as it departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. Gunston Hall is leaving on a two-month deployment supporting Southern Partnership Station 2011, a deployment of various specialty platforms to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in the Caribbean and Central America.
    US Navy photo #s 110112-N-5292M-379 NORFOLK (Jan. 12, 2011) and 110112-N-5292M-359 NORFOLK (Jan. 12, 2011) by MC1 Julie Matyascik.
    Lee Wahler
    26k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo
     
    Gunston Hall
    110112-N-5292M-359
    NORFOLK (Jan. 12, 2011)
    223k
    Gunston Hall 320k US Marines, operating amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) with the Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF), prepare to debark from USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), 11 February 2011, during Amphibious Southern Partnership Station 2011. A-SPS 11 will focus on strengthening existing regional partnerships and encouraging the establishment of new relationships through the exchange of subject matter expertise.
    US Army Photo # unknown by Pfc. Lorraine S. Mendoza.
    Robert Hurst
    New York 417k The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) perform divisional tactics, which are tactical maneuvers practiced by multiple ships in unison. New York and Gunston Hall are deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 120404-N-VE788-095 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 4, 2012) by MC3 Travis J. Kuykendall.
    Scott Koen and uss newyork.com
    Gunston Hall 1110k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) under way in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.
    US Navy photo # 121019-N-XQ375-101 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Oct. 19, 2012) by MC2 Deven B. King.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall 426k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) operates in the Mediterranean Sea. Gunston Hall is part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 121106-N-NN926-114 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 6, 2012) by MC2 Zane Ecklund.
    Lee Wahler
    Robert E. Peary 340k USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) steams alongside USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) during a replenishment-at-sea. Gunston Hall and the embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) are deployed after supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
    US Navy photo # 121212-N-YO707-007 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 12, 2012) by MCSN Cyrus Roson.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall 158k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) participates in a vertical replenishment. Sailors from the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) are participating in ARGMEU exercises.
    US Navy photo # 131106-N-JX484-228 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 6, 2013) by MCSN Mark Hays.
    Lee Wahler
    Gunston Hall 199k USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) returns to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story from Southern Seas. Southern Seas is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment focused on subject matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
    US Navy photo # 180918-N-VC599-0007 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Sept. 18, 2018) by MC2 Justin Wolpert.
    Lee Wahler


    For more photos and information about USS Gunston Hall, see:
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • Command Operation Reports
  • USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) Historical Chronology
  • Gunston Hall (LSD-44)
  • Navy Fact File - Dock Landing Ship - LSD

  • Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Jeffcoat, John Phillip22 April 1989 - 23 October 1990
    02CDR. Marshall, William J., USN23 October 1990 - 24 July 1992
    03CDR. Nowakowski, Michael Peter : RADM24 July 1992 - 15 April 1994
    04CDR. Brinkley, Ronald Waverly.15 April 1994 - 26 October 1995
    05CDR. Clark, James Lonial, USN25 October 1995 - 8 May 1997
    06CDR. Legg, John Christopher8 May 1997 - 23 October 1998
    07CDR. Mehl, Grace23 October 1998 - 4 August 2000
    08CDR. Donahue, Mark Edeward, USN (USNA 1981)4 August 2000 - 3 May 2002
    09CDR. Walker, Garrett John (Johnny)3 May 2002 - 19 March 2004
    10CDR. Negus, Thomas Martin, USN19 March 2004 - 20 January 2006
    11CDR. Brasek, Thomas Payton, USN (USNA 1987)20 January 2006 - 29 June 2007
    12CDR. Brown, Wayne R., USN29 June 2007 - 2009
    13CDR. Wilhelm III, Fred R.9 April 2009 - 8 March 2010
    14CAPT. Scovill, Mark Henry9 March 2010 - 7 December 2010
    15CAPT. Meier, John Francis, USN (USNA 1986) :RADM7 December 2010 - 9 March 2012
    16CAPT. Loiselle, Andrew Joseph, USN :RADM9 March 2012 - 2013
    17CAPT. Kuehhas, Timothy Charles, USN2013 - 1 June 2014
    18CDR. Burke, Sean Kevin, USN (USNA 1997)1 June 2014 - December 2015
    19CDR. Lull, Eric H., USN December 2015 - 31 March 2017
    20CDR. Halbritter, Fiona C., USN 31 March 2017 - 15 September 2018
    21CDR. Hamel, Brian K., USN 15 September 2018 - 10 December 2019
    22CDR. Betz, Jeffrey D, USN 10 DEcember 2019 -  
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

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    Last Updated 29 May 2020