Iwo Jima (LPH 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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a e A me sronv asmuo me NAME g-if . USS IWO JIMA is named for the epic struggle in February l945 in which three divisions of the United States Marines wrested control of the tiny island of the same name from a brave, desperate, and determined band of Japanese defenders. ' ' ln February l945,' the American forces in the Pacific were in a commanding position. The United States. by then, had recovered from the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor to the point where routine air attacks on Japanese cities could be made by heavy bombers launched from the Marianas. The successful outcome of the war seemed inevitable, but no one ever predicted that victory over the Japanese could be attained cheaply. Q ,The island of Iwo Jima was a thorn in the side of the U. S. heavy bomber crews. Japanese air attacks on the Mariana bases were launched from lwo. Also,,the island based fighters attacked U. S. bombers enroute to and from their raids on the Japanese homeland. An assault on Iwo Jima was therefore necessary to eliminate these attacks on the bombers and to provide a haven for damaged American aircraft returning from Japan. - Amphibious forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked the fortress of lwo Jima on l9 February I945 with a formidable force totaling 495 ships, including I7 aircraft carriers, l,I70 planes, and I l I,308 troops. Finally on 23 February, a 40 man detachment of the 28th Marines scaled Mount Suribachi at-the south- western tip of the island and raised the Stars and Stripes. A picture of the flag-raising on Mount Suribachi became the most famous photograph of the Pacific war and has served to inspire Americans ever since. The battle for Iwo Jima was fought desperately until I6 March when the island was finally secured by U. S. Forces. ln the struggle 6,82l Americans and more than 20,000 Japanese were killed. lt was the most savage and costly battle in the history of the Marine Corps, but the Marines could be proud. As Fleet Admiral Nimitz then observed on lwo Jima, Uncommon valor was a common virtue. With the end of the fighting, the American objective was achieved.

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A PRD D H RITAGE The Beginning . . . l.aUV1Cl1ed 02 September I7, V960 at Bfemefwfi. Washington. She was commissioned on August 26 I96l ln April. I9 2 participated in the Pacific nuclear tests. Was ordered on station in the Caribbean Noe vember l962 during the Cuban missile Crisis. Underwent an interim overhaul refresher and am hibious training in mid-l963. ' D The First Deployment . . . Arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines in late September l963. Assumed duty as flagship for the Commander Amphibious Forces, SEVENTH Fleet. Rendered aid to American civilians in Vietnam during the fall of the government in November l963. Participated in various operations, exercises and inspections. Received the Amphibious Assault Award and the Green E for operational readiness. Back in CONUS... Underwent a regular yard overhaul in -luly of I964. Received the Admiral Flatley Award for Aviation Saftey. Underwent refresher and amphibious training in October I964. The Second Deployment . . . Arrived in Vietnamese waters on May l2, I965. Became involved in the construction of the Chu Lai military complex. Conducted operations off Qui Nhon. Served as flagship for Rear Admiral J. W. Williams during the salvage operations of the grounded USS KNOX CDDR-7425. Participated in amphibious operations STARLIGHT and DAGGER THRUST. Then a year's stay in San Diego Cless a month in Pearl Harbori. The Third Deployment . . . Arrived off Vietnam in early August I966. Participated in twelve combat assault operations, among them: DECKHOUSE Ill thru DECKHOUSE Vl, TOLEDO, PRAlRlE, DESOTO, and PERSHING. During this cruise the IWO -jlMA steamed 46,000 miles and logged ll,O00 accident-free landings. The Fourth Deployment . . . On November l2, I967, she again arrived off the Vietnamese coast. During the months that followed she participated in operations BALLlSTlC ARCH, KENTUCKY, FORTRESS ATTACK, BALLlSTlC ARMOR, LANCASTER, SALINE ll, LANCASTER ll and FORTRESS ATTACK ll. For an outstanding iob she received the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Finally, a four month yard overhaul followed. The Fifth Deployment . . . Arrived off Vietnam on ,lune 6, I969. Participated in operations BOLD PURSUIT, MIGHTY PLAY, DEFIENT STAND, VICTORY DRAGON and KEYSTONE CARDINAL. A second Admiral FlatleyAward was received for aviation safety, a second Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Battle Efficiency E . She returned to San Diego on October 27, I969 carrying l800 returning Marines of the 3rd Marine Division. The Apollo I3 Recovery . . . After leaving San Diego on March 20, l97O, the IWO JIMA headed for the Southwest Pacific. She crossed the Equator heading south on April 7, l970. Splashdown! Apollo Astronauts Lovell, Seigert, and Haise were recovered on April I7, l97O. The Sixth Deployment . . . l , The IWO departed San Diego on November 2, l970. Conducted operations off Cambodia and North Vietnam in support of allied operations CUULONG 44 and LAMSON 7l9. Participated in joint SEATO EXERCISE SUBOK. Returned to San Diego in June l97l carrying retrograde in support of operation KEYSTONE OREALE, Lo ed 4000 accident-free landings. The IWO JIMA received many awards .and Honors for SS . . the outstanding job. Among them were: a National Defense Ribbon,'a Vietnamese Scgvice .Ribbog wijtnh three bronze stars, a Commendation Ribbon Ctwicel, a Battle EfficiencY -lfinu Pefauona fa ness Communications C , Air Operations E , and OUI' NHVY Magazmi' SMP of the Tear for l969g the Admiral Flatley Awar been successfully completed as of early l972. d for Aviation Saftey ftwicej. Nearly 60,000 accident-free landings have Home Port Change . . . . -, Due to a need for another LPH to Operate in the Altantic and MediteraneanMIhe l?S?9gVgO ilitgfatglislllzl C12 Changed homeports from San Diego. Callfefflla, t0 N0ff0ll4i Vlfglnla' 'F' av O Ct 'Panama andalso pendents accompanied the ship enjoying the POWS of Acapulco' Mexlco' and Panama I Y' having the opportunity to travel the Panama Canal- The Seventh Deployment . . . W h 28 1 l972, Transiting the Atlantic for the first time, the IWO deployed to thi1pll4-IegitegrizesgsOzlnihedinglglpiration While attached to the Sixth Fleet, she Participated in numerous ES Ons of can Visited by the Deep Furrow and National Week. The cruise was enhanced by the numero p ship and crew.