Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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(FIRST) DENVER 1904 The first USS DENVER, Cruiser No. 14. was commissioned on 17 May 1904 and was commanded by Commander J. B. Murdock, USN. The ship was reclassified as a gunboat (PG 28) in 1920 and then as a Light Cruiser (CL 16) in 1921. Between July 1904 and September 1906, DENVER was involved in several operations in the Caribbean. The ship also cruised the Atlantic coasts, helping to protect American interests from political distubances in the West Indies. 1906 also saw DENVER ' S participation in the burial of John Paul Jones at the naval Academy, and the September Fleet Review by President Theodore Roosevelt. The Cruiser Participated in several operations before switching coasts in 1912, patrolling the Pacific coast from San Francisco to the Canal Zone, again protecting American interests. Five years later, DENVER returned to duty on the east coast, out of her old Philadelphia homeport. DENVER participated in many more local and coastal operations with her last ceremonial function involving the commemoration of the sinking of USS MAINE on 14 February 1933. She was sold on 13 September of that year. The second DENVER (CL 58) was commissioned on 15 October 1942 (within 10 years of the decommissioning of the first DENVER) and was commanded by Captain R.B. Carney, USN. DENVER proved to be very effective within three months of commissioning. She sailed from Philadelphia on 23 January 1943 and arrived at New Hebrides in the South Pacific on 14 February. The new cruiser first saw action in the bombardment of Vila, Soloman Islands, on 6 March. During this same action. DENVER ' S force sank two Japanese destroyers and participated in the invasion landing of New Georgia. The same year, DENVER sortied from Port Purvis with task force M-39 to intercept an enemy force attempting to disrupt the landing at Capt Terekina. Bougainville, a move which proved successful. During those operations, DENVER received the Navy Unit Commendation. DENVER participated in several other operations throughout the remainder of 1943 and most of 1944. She returned to the Philippines in 1945, providing support for various operations. DENVER earned eleven battle stars during the war. They included awards for efforts in the Solomon Islands. New Georgia, Feasbury, Bougainville, Marianas Bay, Borneo Operations, The Consolidation of the Southern Philippines and the Third Fleet Operations against Japan. DENVER was placed out of commission on 7 February 1947 and sold on 29 February 1950. (SECOND) DENVER 1942

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USS DENVER LPD-9 a s ' 6 (NEW) DENVER 1996 USS DENVER (LPD-9) is the third ship to bear the name DENVER . The keel was laid in February 1964 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle, Washington. DENVER was commissioned in October 1968, 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, one year after arriving in Long Beach, DENVER deployed to the Western Pacific in early 1971 in support of the redeployment of forces in Southeast Asia. In July 1971, DENVER was administratively reassigned to Amphibious Squadron Five and shifted homeport to San Diego. Three months later, DENVER commenced a ten month deployment during which five downed pilots and one merchant seaman were rescued while supporting numerous combat operations in Vietnam. DENVER was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for accomplishments during this deployment. In April 1975, DENVER assumed a key role in the emergency evacuation of Vietnam, receiving more than 7,500 refugees transported by helicopter and surface craft of all types. DENVER carried more than 500 refugees, in addition to an overflowing complement of evacuated Marines, to the Republic of the Philippines. In early 1977, after completing a major overhaul, DENVER participated in the operational evaluation of USS TARAWA (LHA-1) and a midshipman training cruise to Alaska and Canada. Following the deployment in September 1979, DENVER participated in the filming of the motion picture, Raise the Titanic. In 1986 DENVER visited the Portland Rose Festival; Expo ' 86 in Vancouver, British Columbia; and Monterey, California for the Navy ' s Birthday on 13 October 1986. In January 1989, DENVER departed San Diego on deployment number twelve to the Western Pacific which included several port visits in the far east including Hong Kong, Yokosuka, Sasebo, Pusan, Pohang, Subic Bay, and Okinawa. During this deployment DENVER participated in the combined U.S. -Republic of Korea Forces Amphibious Exercise, TEAM SPIRIT ' 89. In May 1990. DENVER participated in RIMPAC ' 90 exercises with the Navies of Australia, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. In December 1990, DENVER departed San Diego as part of a 13 ship Amphibious Task Force in support of operation DESERT STORM, the largest Amphibious Force to depart the West coast since the Korean War. On 17 July 1991. DENVER departed the Arabian Gulf as part of the last group afloat navy crews who had participated in the Desert Shield Desert Storm war. DENVER had the distinction of being the last ship of the group to depart the Arabian Gulf. In October of 1993 DENVER departed on the 14th deployment to the Western Pacific and was diverted one month into the cruise to the coast of Somalia in support of operation RESTORE HOPE. DENVER mostly remained at anchor to conserve fuel during the 4 month stay. The Commander in Chief, President Bill Clinton, also made a phone call to wish the crew, Happy Holidays, and to say the American people were very supportive of their efforts. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Kelso, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Munday, also visited DENVER while deployed. On 13 November 1995 DENVER deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of operation SOUTHERN WATCH with the PELELIU (LHA-5) Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). DENVER participated in exercises IRON MAGIC IRON SIREN with the United Arab Emirates, PELMEUEX with Kuwait, and EASTERN MAVERICK with Qatar.

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LCDR TED GUILLORY EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Ted Guillory is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He received his B.S. from the University of Houston and was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School in 1981. He holds an M.A. Degree in National Security Affairs (Strategic Planning) from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College. He is also a graduate of the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College where he was awarded a second M.A. Degree. Lieutenant Commander Guillory ' s operational tours have included an assignment on USS JUNEAU (LPD-10) homeported in San Diego, California as Auxiliaries Officer and First Lieutenant. This was followed by his selection to serve in the Navy ' s Carrier Readiness Improvement Program (CVRIP) and assigned to USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) homeported in San Diego, California as Forward Propulsion Group Officer. After graduating from the Surface Warfare Officer School ' s Department Head Course, he was assinged to the USS BAGLEY (FF-1069) homeported in San Diego, California as Engineering Officer. His follow on Department head tour was aboard USS ROANOKE (AOR-7) homeport in Long Beach, California where he served in a second Engineering Officer tour. During his enlisted service he served in USS ALYWIN (FF-i081), USS COOK (FF- 1083), and USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG-32). Assignment ashore for Lieutenant Commander Guillory was as an Action Officer in The Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) at the United States Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska. As a result of this tour, he has earned the Joint Subspecialty Officer designator. Lieutenant Commander Guillory has earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards). Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards). Navy Good Conduct Medal (2 awards) and various campaign, expeditionary and service medals. He is married to the former Bobbie F. Crout of Houston, Texas.