Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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ass DENVER HISTORY (JSS DENVER (LPD-9) is the third ship to bear the name. Her kee was laid in February 1964 by Lockhead Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle, Washington and was commissioned on October 1968. DENVER was originally assigned to Amphibious Squadron SEVEN and homeported in Long Beach, CA. In January 1970, one year after her arrival in Long Beach, DENVER made her first deployment to the Western Pacific, after which she made several short overseas deployments in early 1971 in support of redeployment of forces in Southeast Asia. In July 1971, DENVER was administratively reassigned to Amphibious Squadron FIVE and changed homeport to San Diego. Three months later, DENVER commenced a ten month deployment during which she was distinguished by her rescue of five downed pilots and one merchant seaman in four separate events while supporting combat operations in Vietnam for which she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. Upon returning to the United States, DENVER commenced her first overhaul in Long Beach. She returned to the Western Pacific in August 1973 for her fifth deployment which lasted seven months. The next twelve months were spent close to home conducting extensive training both for standard shipboard evolutions and for large numbers of embarked midshipmen. April 1975 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. DENVER herself carried more than 500 refugees, in addition to an overflowing compliment of evacuated Marines, to the Republic of the Phillipines. 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). DENVER began her seventh deployment in mid-September, and her eighth in early 1978. Following her return DENVER participated in the filming of the major motion picture, Raise the Titanic in early December. The new year brought training exercises for the Battle Efficiency Awards (The engineering departmental excellence award, the air departmental award, the assault boat operations award and the operations departmental excellence award) which were all received for achievements during the 18-month competitive cycle commencing 1 January 1979. On March 7, 1980, DENVER began her third overhaul in her homeport of San Diego. Upon completion eight months later, DENVER began her ninth deployment, returning home in December 1981. June 1982, found DENVER at the Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon. Later that year, DENVER completed refresher training and amphibious refresher training prior to deploying again in 1983. Following her return to San Diego in July 1983, DENVER completed her fourth overhaul in San Diego. After which she qualified as a platform ship for Helicopter Mine Counter-measures Operations and supported HM-16 Sea Knights from April to August 1986. She was then involved in several local operations such as Kernal Usher and Kernal Blitz in addition to visiting the 1986 Portland Rose Festival and Expo ' 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as Monterey, California for the Navy Birthday of 13 October. On January 1987 DENVER departed San Diego on her twelfth deployment to the western Pacific, visiting several ports of the far east including Hong Kong, Yokosuka, Japan and Naha Okinawa. She participated in Project Handclasp by delivering goods to orphanages and hospitals in Pusan, Korea and Subic Bay, Republic of the Phillipines. During the deployment DENVER participated in the combined US-Republic of Korea Forces Amphibious excercise Team Spirit ' 87. mSince her last deployment DENVER has successfully completed every major inspection a ship of her class can encounter, in addition to a four month shipyard period. In July of 1988, DENVER participated in RIMPAC with the navies of Japan, Australia and Canada.

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Master Chief Of The Command BMCM L C Hatch (SW) Boatswain Mate Master Chief L.C. Hatch began his naval career upon completion of basic training in 1955. His first duty station was in Komekeysa, Japan where he was as- signed to the security force for the CT base. In May, 1958, Master Chief reported to the CJSS MANATEE (AO-58) and was assigned to Deck Department. He left in 1961 as a Third Class Petty Officer and was assigned to augment the Mas- ter-at-Arms force at the naval facility on Midway Island. His next sea duty assignments came in 1962 when he reported to the CISS GGNSTON HALL (LSD-55) and then 6 months later to the (JSS HENRICOE (APA-45) where he was advanced to Second Class Petty Officer. In November 1965 Master Chief Hatch was transferred to the Anti-Submarine Warfare School in San Diego and was assigned as LPO of the Boat Pool. He was advanced to Petty Officer First Class prior to being assigned in 1967 to the (JSS BEXAR (APA- 237) where he served as hatch captain. From Bexar, he reported to the Commander U.S. Naval Forces Pacific for duty on the PHIBPAC staff. He was ad- vanced to Chief Petty Officer and was assigned as the Leading Chief in charge of drug education. In 1974 he re- ceived orders to the (JSS ALAMO (LSD-33) where he was assigned to Deck Department and was advanced to Senior Chief. In 1978 BMCM Hatch served as Craftmaster of a 100- ton crane for Amphibious Construction Battalion One. A year later he reported to the (JSS DENVER (LPD-9) where he was originally assigned to Deck Department. He was ad- vanced to Master Chief and now serves as Master Chief of Command. He has served onboard Amphibious vessels for 27 years.

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