Denver (LPD 9) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 8 text:

CAPT Charles E Webher Commanding Ojfficer USS Denver (LPD-9) Captain Webber was bom in 1952 in Port Townsend, Washington. He is a graduate of Shorecrest High School ai the University of Washington — both located in Seattle, Washington. He received his commission as an Ensign, Unit States Naval Reserve, in February 1975 after completing Aviation Officer Candidate School, and augmented to tl United States Navy in 1983. Captain Webber assumed command of USS. Denver (LPD-9) in September of 1998. He previously commanded UJ Fort McHenry (LSD-43) from June 1993 to July 1995. During this time Fort McHenry earned her second and thi consecutive Battle Efficiency Awards, as well as, the Federal Energy Conservation Awards for 1993 and 1994, and t) Secretary of the Navy Environmental Quality Award for 1994. He deployed Fort McHenry to the Western Pacific, Indii Ocean and Arabian Gulf as part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group from June to December 1994. Captain Webber began his surface career with a variety of division officer and department head billets in USS. Mou Hood (AE-29). Subsequently, he was the plank-owner Engineer Officer in USS Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23), ai Executive Officer in USS Juneau (LPD-10). Most recently. Captain Webber completed a tour on the Joint Staff as the Weapons Technology Control Division Chi and the Non Proliferation Branch Chief within the Deputy Directorate for International Negotiations, Directorate Strategy and Policy (J-5). Previous assignments ashore were the Navy Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corp the Amphibious Resource Sponsor in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and the Commanding Officer Hi Allowance and Flag Secretary to Commander, THIRD Fleet. Captain Webber is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC where he receive the Commandant ' s Award for Excellence in Research and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy. H personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Joi Service Conmiendation Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy- Marii Corps Achievement Medal.

Page 7 text:

Denver History The names of Amphibious Transport Docks are taken from U.S. cities which have been named for famous American explores. Denver, Colorado is named for James W. Denver. James Denver was an early founder of the state of California, serving as State Senator, Secretary if State, and as an U.S. Senator. He went on to become Governor of Kansas and a Brigadier General during the Civil War. The DENVER lotto of A Mile High, A Mile Ahead alludes to our strong abiding ties to the city of Denver, Colorado. tit USS DENVER (LPD 9) is the third ship of the fleet to bear this name. Its keel was laid on 7 July 1964 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and ;:onstruction Company in Seattle, Washington. DENVER was launched on 23 January 1965, and commissioned on 26 October 1968, christened la) lyMrs.JohnLove.wifeofthegovemorofColorado. The first DENVER, Cruiser No. 14,servedfrom 1904- 193 3 in both the Pacific and Atlantic ? leets. It ' s primary action was as convoy escort from 1917-1918 during World War 1 . ol The second DENVER (CL-58), a light cruiser, saw action from 1 942-1960. CL-58 participated in the bombardment and consolidation of V tie Solomon Islands, the landing and group operation at New Georgia, and the Treasury-Bougainvillea Operation in 1 943. Additionally, CL- 8 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its role in the Battle of Empress in Augusta Bay. In 1944, CL-58 was part of the Marianas )peration, the Western Caroline Islands Operations, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In 1945, CL-58 took part in the Luzon Operation, the Manila ffl Jay - Bicol Operations, the Consolidation of Southern Philippines, the Borneo Operations, and Third Fleet operations against Japan. 10 During her 32 years, DENVER has made numerous deployments, including five to Vietnam. In April 1 975, an expedient embarkation of ilarine Battalion 3 9 ADENVER to dash to Vung Tau, Vietnam. While remaining off Vung Tau awaiting decisions stabilizing our role in erica ' s final pullout of Vietnam, DENVER assumed a key role in the emergency evacuation of Vietnam. In one ensuing effort, DENVER escued 1 ,400 victims of the collapse of the South Vietnamese government. In 1 99 1 , DENVER acted as the primary control ship for all amphibious ships in support of Operation Desert Storm. On 24 February, embarked Marine and Navy units were tactically off-loaded off the coast of Al Mishab, Saudi Arabiajust 20 nautical miles south of the Kuwait border. Tie units performed various combat roles in support of the successful ground assault phase of Operation Desert Storm. DENVER was awarded [le Navy Unit Commendation for operations during the war. Denver ' s most recent deployment was the 17th, and took her to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. Deployed as part of tie Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group ( ARG), DENVER departed its homeport on 24 January, 2000. DENVER was involved in lany vital operations and exercises. DENVER ' s first mission was to support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations of the international brces in East Timor. While in the Arabian Gulf DENVER joined other forces of the fifth fleet supporting operation Southern Watch. DENVER uid the 15 MEU also participated in multinational exercises Eager Mace in Kuwait, Eastern Maverick in Qatar, and Sea Soldier in Oman. DENVER had the honor of being one of the first amphibious ships to support Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) in the Arabian Gulf. mission previously only conducted by destroyers and cruisers. DENVER ' S Visit Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams boarded five hips in support of United Nations sanctions against Iraq. Port visits included Darwin, Australia; Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Kuwait Hity, Kuwait; Doha, Qatar; Jebel AU, UAE; Muscat, Oman; Penang, Malays ia; and Hong Kong. First USS Denver (C-14) (1904) Second USS Denver (CL-58) (1942)

Page 9 text:

CAPT Stephen G. Squires Commanding Officer USS Denver (LPD-9) Captain Stephen G. Squires is the son of Daryl and Connie Jo Squires, currently of Spokane, Washington. Captain Squires matriculated from Bellevue High School, Bellevue, Washington in 1975, to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography. Then Ensign Squires reported for his first tour of duty as DCA aboard USS McKean (DD-784). Upon McKean ' s decommissioning. Lieutenant Junior Grade Squires reported to Pensacola, Florida for flight training, earning his wings in April of 1983. Flying tours in VRC-30, VAW-1 10, and VAW-1 14 included billets as line division officer, LSO, Student Pilot, Assistant Operations officer. Safety officer and Administrative officer. Following duty as maintenance officer, and instructor pilot in his second stop at VAW-1 10 Lieutenant Commander Squires returned to fleet in January of 1991 with the Sun Kings of VAW-1 16. Lieutenant Commander Squires held department head billets as Administrative officer. Maintenance officer and Operations officer. Commander Squires earned a masters degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in the spring of 1994, before returning to fleet operations as the Executive officer of VAW-1 13. Commander Squires assumed command ' f of the Black Eagles in December of 1995. Captain Squires then served on the staff Commander Carrier Group Seven as Air Defense Officer. Cutting short his staff tour he reported as Executive Officer USS Constellation (CV-64) in the summer of 1998. Captain Squires assumed command of DENVER in July 2000, after a short tour as Assistant Chief of Staff for Command and Control, Computers, Communications, and Intelligence (C4I), Commander Naval Air Forces U.S. Pacific Reet. Captain Squires has accumulated over 4800 flight hours, 89 combat sorties, and 510 arrested landings. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (3), Air Medal (Strike Flight), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V (4), laii Navy Achievement Medal (2), Navy Unit Commendation, (4) Battle Efficiency awards and various campaign and service ribbons. Captain Squires, wife Mary, son Robert and daughter Sydney reside in Coronado, California. 5