Cleveland (LPD 7 CL 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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DEDICATION The successful undertaking of any worthwhile endeavor requires dedication, loyalty, motivation and selfless sacrifice. During the past six months, you, my CLEVELAND Crew and Officers met every challenge, conquered every obstacle and shouldered every burden in the defense of our country and her allies. Even in peacetime, freedom and global stability demand an exhausting price — A price that you pay every moment of every day. Through all the adversity and hardship of being away from loved ones, you never allowed your high standards to slip, proving that only men of iron succeed when the going gets tough. Americans everywhere should be forever indebted to you, for you have written another chapter in the defense of the ideals and values that every American should cherish so dearly. I salute all of you and 1 share your pride and joy as we venture forward, knowing full well that we must never yield our guard in the protection and service of our great nation. Lastly, 1 express my heartwarming gratitude to the CLEVELAND wives and dependents. Your unending endurance and equivalent sacrifice during this time of tremendous stress and difficulty is nothing less than heroic. Your support for your loved one has fueled the torch of freedom. 1 am proud of you and to have deployed with your men, the men of CLEVELAND. May you continue to meet the challenge and may God be with you always. Sincerely, THOMAS E. HOPSON COMMANDING OFFICER

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COMMAND MASTER CHIEF DCCM(SW) THOMAS Command Master Chief After joining the Navy in January 1968, DCCM(SW) John L. Thomas served in GSS BOXER (LPH 4), GSS MGLIPHEN (AKA 61), GSS RALEIGH (LPD 1), GSS SHENANDOAH (AD 26), GSS TRENTON (LPD 14), Fleet Training Group Gitmo Bay, Cuba, Fleet Training Center San Diego, GSS KINKAID (DD 965) and Headquarters Staff Training Command G.S. Pacific Fleet, He relieved RMCM(SW) Long as GSS CLEVELAND Command Mas- ter Chief on 28 February 1989.

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— uilt in Paroagoulff, JlAississippi -at- (J«S CLEVELAND (LPD 7). was tommtssroned April 21, , i967 at Norfoll , Virginia. CLEVEL WD istheihjrd shi ' fefe named after Cleveland, Oinio. The first was a Prfff Beted Cruiser (C-19) from 1903-1929 and the second •« feht Cruiser (CL-55) from 19421947. - Kvfter commissioning, GSS CLEVELAND changed ho- meport to San Diego and joined the Pacific Fleet Am- phibious Forces. From 1968 to 1972. CLEVELAND divid- ed her time between local operations in the Eastern Pacif- ic and three extended deployments to the Western Pacif- ic. CLEVELAND was usually assigned as part of the JAarine Amphibious Ready Group and, with her embarked Warines, acted as an integral part of the Onited States tnilitary effort in Southeast Asia. In addition to participat- ing in numerous amphibious and combat support oper- JftisnSj the ship served as Flagship for Commander Am- = --18 Force, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet. -1-on her fourth V ESTPAC in July 1972, erations off North J ietnam, In ear ber, CLEVELAND sailed to Okinawar ' disembarked, „Je Cobra detachment and embarked element? Jf ' Mdl IIIB ' ■ Sattalion Landing Team 1 9. During this period, CLEVE- LAND also served as Flagship for SEVENTH Fleet Am- phibious Ready Group Commander. Upon the Vietnam cease-fire in J nuary 1973, CLEVE- LAND joined Task Force 78 in the mine-clearing effort of Haiphong Harbor, Operation END SWEEP, followed by the long awaited return to San Diego on 28 April 1973. CLEVELAND ' S next four Western Pacific Deployments were from April to November of 1974, April to November 1976, March to October 1978 and January to July 1980. From April to October 1982, CLEVELAND again de- ployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans for her ninth overseas deployment. During this deployment, CLEVELAND participated in RIMPAC ' 82 with units of