Ajax (AR 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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, ,U , During this past deployment, our Commanderfin-Chief announced a ceasefire in, the Vietnam War, and an ending of American participation in the combat activity of Southeast Asia. As the history is written of the United States in the Far East during the past few years, no small mention will be made of the significant contribution of the officers and men of USS AJAX KAR-6j. ' To enumerate AJAX achievements contributing to the high state of readiness maintained by ships of the Pacific Fleet, would be difficult indeed. Suffice it to men- tion however, that during the past ten-year period, AJAX has spent more time on the line providing services in the Far East, than any other Navy ship. The ability of countless numbers of ships to carry out their assigned missions, can be directly at- tributed to AJAX's sustained superior performance. The outstanding record AJAX has built over the years and particularly during this past deployment, has been made possible by the superb quality of men who have served in her. It is not appropriate to reflect upon this past deployment's achievements however, without also mentioning in appreciation, the steadfast sup- port given by AJAX dependents while their men were deployed. To AJAX Men and their Families, Well Done! I congratulate you! , I -fi 'z1'L-4 W. i 'W' EL ass Alt name of the Ii Ajax. in G hieftanS in t c lrn0Wfl also as King of salamr great stature af in strength ang Combatand, wrt Achilles from th non. at the inst awarded to 055' that it caused hi delinite story. 8 drama, this dis out of his tent camp under thr on coming to hi which he had re his blood sprang the initial letter: lament. He war Salamis, where where a festival honor. The first Aj steamer built dur her country'S Ser, was built for tl Pittsburgh, Penn name MAN MANAYUNK rr Mould Cin, rrrrr name was Change . on I Januaf Llflrtenam Cl L th Atlan the N0 dune 1871, she w Coast-defense ma iliand' Pe and up fetur i ' tl ned to W if Saud . she w iron ulltrl 'l'lSYlva. .I l

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,ci 4X 1-11 TORY OF USS AJAX USS AJAX KAR-62 is the fourth vessel to bear the name of the famous Greek hero of Homer's Iliad. Ajax, in Greek legend, was the name of two Greek chieftans in the Trojan War. The more important, known also as Telamonius, was the son of Telamon, King of Salamis. In Homer's Iliad he is described as of great stature and colossal frame, second only to Achilles in strength and bravery. He engaged Hector in single combat and, with the aid of Athene, rescued the body of Achilles from the hands of the Trojans. In the Agamem- non, at the instigation of Athene, Achilles' armor was awarded to Odysseus fUlysseusJ. This so enraged Ajax that it caused his death. According to a later and more definite story, accepted by Sophocles as the basis of his drama, this disappointment drove him mad, he rushed out of his tent and fell upon the flocks of sheep in the camp under the impression that they were the Greeks: on coming to his senses, he slew himself with the sword which he had received as a present from Hector. From his blood spranga red flower which bore on itsileaves the initial letters of his name, AI, also an expression of lament. He was 1tl'ie tutelary hero of the island of Salamis, where he had a temple and an image, and where a festival called Aianteia was celebrated in his honor. The first AJAX was a MONITOR class Ironclad steamer built during the Civil War which remained in her country's service for 34 years. The Ironclad AJAX was built for the Navy by Snowden and Mason, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was launched under the name MANAYUNK on 18 December 1864. MANA YUNK was taken to the Naval Station at Mound City, Illinois, and laid up until 1869 when her name was changed to AJAX. On 1 January 1871, she was commissioned with Lieutenant C. L. Franklin in command and reported to the North Atlantic Squadron. Between January and June 1871, she was based at Key West, carrying out coast-defense maneuvers, then ordered to League Island, Pennsylvania, where she was decommissioned and laid up. Recommissioned 13 January 1874, she returned to Key West and served with the North Atlan- tic Squadron until 1876. Between july 1876 and 1878 she was moored at Port Royal, South Carolina. if E .L 4. From 1878 until 1891, AJAX served on the James River. based successively at Brandon, Trees Point and City Point. On 1 july 1898. brief preparations were made to fit her out for service with the Auxiliary Naval Force, but these plans were soon abandoned and AJAX was decomissioned on 1 September 1898. On 10 October 1899, she was sold at a public auction to H. A. I-Iitner's Sons. fi 1 A 5- 2- Y .1 - .1 E, gf- 14-,,-......4. -5 ,X ,- -QPF r' f-A-'r' -- . ,.,, Q ,N - ., ' 'ew ' W H .rJM..L-LLILLQLJM la Hliihllll