Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS DENVER LPD-9 USS DENVER (LPD-9) Is the third ship to bear her name. Her keel was laid In February 1964 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company In Seattle, Washington. DENVER was commissioned on 26 October 1968, being christened by Mrs. John Love, wife of the governor of Colorado. DENVER was originally homeported In Long Beach, California, and assigned to Amphibious Squadron Seven. In January 1970, DENVER made her first deployment to the Western Pacific. In July 1971, DENVER was administratively reassigned to Amphibious Squadron Five and changed homeport to San EMego. Three months later DENVER commenced a ten-month deployment during which she was dlstingulsed by her rescue of five downed pilots and one merchant seaman In four separate events while supporting numerous combat operations In Vietnam. DENVER was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her accomplishments during this deployment. DENVER commenced her first overhaul in Long Beach. She returned to the Western Pacific In August 1973 for her fifth deployment, returning home seven months later. April 1975 found DENVER cnroute to the Western Pacific for what proved to be her busiest deployment ever. DENVER assumed a key role in the emergency evacuation of Vietnam, receiving more than 7,500 refugees transported by helicopters and surface craft of all types of subsequent eastward transportation. DENVER herself carried more than 500 refugees. In addition to an overflowing complement of evacuated Marines, to the Republic of the Philippines. In mid-1976 DENVER began her second overhaul, again In Long Beach. In early 1977, after completing overhaul, DENVER participated in the operational evaluation of USS TARAWA (LHA-1) and a midshipman training cruise to Alaska and Canada. DENVER began her seventh deployment in mid-September, participating In several multi-national exercises. She followed that up with her eighth deployment in early 1978. Since her return In September 1979, DENVER has remained very active. In early December she participated In the filming of the major motion picture Raise the Titanic. The new year brought training exercises for the Battle Efficiency Awards (the Engineering Departmental Excellence Award, the Air Departmental Excellence Award, Operations Excellence Award, and the Assault Boat Operations Award were accorded the respective departments for their achievements during the 18-month competitive cycle commencing 1 January 1979). On 7 March 1980, DENVER began her third overhaul In her homeport, San Diego. Upon completion of the overhaul eight months later, she conducted successful sea trials and two very successful underway training periods to Seattle and San Francisco. Upon retumlg from San Francisco, [ enver conducted her dependent ' s cruise. 7 he ship completed Operational Propulsion Plant Examination, Refresher Training and Amphibious Refresher Training prior to deployment to the Far East In June 1981. DENVER returned from her ninth deployment on 23 December 1981. Since the beginning of 1982 DENVER partldpted In various underway training exercises. She transltted to the Portland Ros« Festival In Portland, Oregon and to the Second Annual Fleet Week festivities In San Francisco, On 30 January 1983, the ship was underway for her tenth deployment. In addition to successfully completing three amphibious exercises underway, DENVER crewmembers got Involved with community relations In Pusan, Korea; In the Republic of the Philippines; and In Hong Kong. British Crown Colony. The deployment ended five and half months later on 14 July 1983. The crulsebook from this deployment was selected as first place winner in the 1984 Chief of Information Merit Awards In the small command category. Since the deployment the ship conducted a mini-overhaul and a drydocking, and successfully completed a long list of pre-deployment Inspection and training exercises. DENVER commenced her eleventh deployment 30 May 1984. HISTORY 19

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1 The first DENVER, cruiser No. 14, was commissioned on 17 May 1904 and was commanded by Navy Commander J.B. Murdock. DENVER participated in the burial of John Paul Jones at the Naval Academy, and the September Fleet Review by President Theodore Roosevelt. The ship was reclassified as a gunboat (CL-16) in 1921. - z r ; . -: : .,-SecoTid DENVER The second DENVER (CL-58) was commis- sioned on 15 October 1942 and was commanded by Navy Captain R.B. Carney. The new cruiser first saw action in the bombardment of Vila, Solomon Islands, on 6 March 1943. During this same action, DENVER ' S force sank two Japanese destroyers and participated in the invasion landing of New Georgia. DENVER participated in several operations throughout the remainder of 1943 and throughout most of 1944. She returned to the Philippines in 1945, providing support for various operations. DENVER received eleven battle stars during the war. 18 HISTORY

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Commanding Officer 20 CAPTAIN GREENHOE