Durham (LKA 114) - Naval Cruise Book

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LKA-114

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USS DURHAM The USS DURHAM is the second ship to bear that name in the US Navy. The first USS DURHAM began life as a merchant ship built in Belfast in 1893. She sailed for many years as the SENATOR and then later as the GOVERN A- DOR BORIES. In 1918 she was chartered by the Navy for use in WWI. In November of that year she was commissioned as the USS SHERMAN. That name did not last long and she was recommissioned USS DURHAM. She made three trips to Europe carrying war material and then was returned to civilian control where she faded from naval history. The present USS DURHAM is a modern, fully capable attack cargo ship. She was built by the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock company. Her keep was laid on 10 July 1967. On 29 March 1968 she was launched and she was commissioned on 24 May 1969. She joined the Pacific Fleet on 19 August 1969. She was originally designated as an ' AKA ' , but was redesignated ' LKA ' on 1 January 1969. length. . . beam . . . displacement. . . draft... shaft horsepower. speed . . . complement. . . troops. . . crane capacity. . . boats SHIP ' S CHARACTERISTICS ...575 ft 6 in ...82 ft ...18,600 tons ...25 ft 5 in (max) ...22,000 . . .21 knots (max) . . .334 (war time) ...226 ...78.4 tons ...4 LCM-8 ' s ...5 LCM-6 ' s ...2 LCPL ' s DURHAM ' S primary mission is to carry material and equipment to support a waterborne assault upon defended enemy shores. She also may be called upon to act as an advance base to support boats and helocopters in remote, inaccessable This cruise was DURHAM ' S sixth. During the deployment she participated in an amphibious exercise off South Korea and a fleet exercise near Okinawa. The majority of the time found the ship transporting marines and their gear from one port to another. Inchon, Numazu, and Okinawa are places that will long remain in the hearts of the crew of the DURHAM.

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COMMANDING OFFICER Captain John A. Miller was born in Wilmington, Dela- ware on December 28, 1934. He attended the University of Delaware from 1952-1954 and entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in November 1954. Upon com- pletion of flight training in May 1956, he received his commission and wings. From June 1956 to April 1958 Captain Miller was at- tached to Attack Squadron VA-26. Three years of in- slructer duty followed in VA-125 at Naval Air Station Moffett Field. In July of 1961, Captain Miller reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Cali- fornia, for two years to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree. Captain Miller joined VA-1 12 in December 1963 and in March 1966 reported to the Staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as the Force Scheduling Officer. Captain Miller then reported to VA-1 22 at Na- val Air Station, Lemoore in September 1967, and transi- tioned to the A-7 aircraft. He subsequently joined VA- 146 and in July 1969 detached and reported to the U.S. Naval War College, for the Command and Staff Course where he graduated with distinction. Upon completion he was ordered back to VA-1 46. He joined them in January 1971 as Executive Officer, and assumed com- mand in December 1971. A tour aboard USS HAN- COCK followed from March 1973 to February 1975 where he served as the Navigator and Overhaul Coordin- ator. He reported in March 1975 to Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet where he served as the assistant Force Readiness Officer and the Air Training Officer until June 1977. Captain Miller ' s personal awards include four Distin- guished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Medal, four individual and nine- teen strike flight Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Cita- tion, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal. Captain Miller holds a Master of Science degree in Management from the University of Southern Califor- nia. Captain Miller is married to the former Mary R. Sigel. He and his wife reside in Chula Vista, California, with their two daughters, Kristen and Tina. CAPTAIN JOHN A. MILLER