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NavSource Online: Cruiser Photo Archive

USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55)

Image courtesy of Al Grazevich


       

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Lima - Echo - Golf

CLASS - TICONDEROGA (Flight II)
Displacement 9,589 (FL) Tons, Dimensions, 565' 10" (oa) x 55' x 31' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54RF, 2 VLS, (122 Missiles)
2 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 2 x 25mm Bushmaster mg. 6 x12.75" TT. 2 LAMPS Helos.
Machinery, 80,000 SHP; G.E. Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Crew 370.
Operational and Building Data
Keel laid on 18 MAR 1985 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS
Launched 20 JUN 1986
Commissioned 26 SEP 1987
Collided with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) 14 OCT 1996
Collided with USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) 5 FEB 2019
Home port: Norfolk, VA

Patch image contributed by Mike Smolinski

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation (2) - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (4)
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (7) - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Third Row - Southwest Asia Service Medal (2) - Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Service Medal - Sea Service Deployment Ribbon - Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
Fifth Row - NATO Medal - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudis Arabia) - Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Leyte Gulf
04015546
1.1m Leyte Gulf being christened by her sponsor, Mrs. Jane Hayes. wife of Adm. Ronald J. Hayes, Commander, U. S. Pacific Command. Dale Hargrave
Leyte Gulf
04015518
272k Commissioning booklet, 26 September 1987. Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf 29k Starboard Bow. USN
Leyte Gulf 27k Port Bow view while underway in the South Pacific. Bernard A. Cardali
Leyte Gulf
04015519
100k

Starboard bow view while conducting Builders Sea Trials in the Gulf of Mexico in September 1987.

Ingalls Shipbuilding Photo.

Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf 61k

Gulf of Mexico, 1 August 1988 - A port bow view of the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) underway.

U.S. Navy Photo.

Fred Weiss
Leyte Gulf 59k

Atlantic Ocean, 2 August 1990 - A port view of the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) underway en route to Naval Station, Norfolk, VA.

U.S. Navy Photo.

Fred Weiss
Leyte Gulf 74k

Atlantic Ocean, 2 August 1990 - A port bow view of the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) underway en route to Naval Station, Norfolk, VA.

U.S. Navy Photo.

Fred Weiss
Leyte Gulf
0602106809
71k

NavSta Mayport FL, 4 January 1992 - The guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), left, and USS Vreeland (DE 1068) lie tied up at the naval station.

US Navy photo, DVID #DNSC9204776, by OS2 John Bouvia

Defense Visual Information Center
Leyte Gulf
0602106810
75k

NavSta Mayport FL, 4 January 1992 - The guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), left, and USS Vreeland (DE 1068) lie tied up at the naval station.

US Navy photo, DVID #DNSC9204774, by OS2 John Bouvia

Defense Visual Information Center
Leyte Gulf
04015525
704k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015526
577k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015527
650k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015528
766k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015529
704k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Photo of the after missile deck. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015530
669k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Navsource contributor Wolfgang Hechler and guide with the forward 5"/54 Mk45 gun mount. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015531
594k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. COMCARGRU TWO insignia. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015532
816k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Quarterdeck Command board. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015533
1.1m Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Quarterdeck matt. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015534
614k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Bows on view. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015535
674k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Port bow view. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015536
599k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Starboard bow view. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015537
657k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Forward superstructure including the AN/SPY-1A radar arrays. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015538
741k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Midships superstructure showing the Phalanx CIWS Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015539
619k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Closeup of the forward superstructure including the signal bridge. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015540
749k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. The quarterdeck and after superstructure. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015541
816k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. The flight deck with an SH-60B helicopter. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015542
759k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. The after superstructure and flight deck with an SH-60B helicopter. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015543
745k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf
04015544
769k Moored, starboard side to while in Palma de Majorca, July 1994. The flight deck with an SH-60B helicopter. Wolfgang Hechler
Leyte Gulf 130k Starboard quarter view while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 149k Starboard view of the aft superstructure while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 152k Starboard midships view while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 149k Starboard midships view while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 126k Starboard view of forward superstructure while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 131k Starboard view of the forward mast and upper part of the superstructure while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 130k Starboard bow view while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 124k Starboard side looking aft from the bow while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 110k Starboard side view of the forward 5"/54 MK45 gun mount while moored in Naples Harbor, 04 January 1997. Lello Roccasalva
Leyte Gulf 62k 8 November 2001 - Starboard side view of the US Navy Ticonderoga Class: Guided Missile Cruiser (Aegis) USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as the crew holds morning quarters on deck while underway in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fred Weiss
Leyte Gulf 743k

Cobh, Cork, Ireland, 30 June 2003 - The U.S. Navy guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) are moored pier-side during a brief port visit.

Photo #030630-O-9999R-001 courtesy of Gerard Reynolds.

Bill Gonyo
Leyte Gulf
04015547
271k

USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), amphibious transport ship USS Shreveport (LPD 12), guided missile cruiser USS Yorktown (CG 48) and the guided missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) practice coming alongside for replenishments at sea while transiting the Atlantic Ocean as part of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) on 22 February 2004. Other elements of the Wasp ESG include the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), the fast attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22), and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU).

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class James E. Perkins. Photo ID 040222-N-8590P-066.

Robert Hurst
Leyte Gulf 690k

1 May 2004 - Members of the Vessel Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) team return to the guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) after searching several fishing dhows in the Gulf of Oman. VBSS teams are trained to look for any illegal items or activities while conducting searches. The multinational Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) was established to monitor, inspect, board, and stop suspect shipping to pursue the war on terrorism and includes operations currently taking place in the North Arabia Sea to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Countries contributing to CTF-150 currently include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

U.S. Navy photo#040501-N-7586B-122 by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Bart Bauer.

Bill Gonyo
Leyte Gulf
04015520
223k Starboard bow view while moored port side to, Norfolk, VA 20 April 2007. Wendell McLaughlin
Leyte Gulf
04015524
34k

ATLANTIC OCEAN, 27 March 2008 - An SH-60B Seahawk assigned to the "Vipers" of Helicopter Squadron Light (HSL) 48 prepares to launch from the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). Leyte Gulf is conducting group sail Operations.

U.S. Navy photo #080327-N-2838C-013 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael D. Cole.

Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf
04015522
94k

NEW YORK, NY, 21 May 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) steams under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge during the parade of ships on the opening day of Fleet Week New York 2008. More than 4,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen will participate in various community relations projects and make a port call to New York City.

U.S. Navy photo #080521-N-7571S-011 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.

Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf
04015523
77k

NEW YORK, NY, 21 May 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) travels up the Hudson River during the parade of ships on the opening day of Fleet Week New York 2008. More than 4,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen will participate in various community relations projects and make a port call to New York City.

U.S. Navy photo #080521-N-7571S-010 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.

Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf
04015521
158k

NEW YORK, NY, 21 May 2008 - The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) steams up the Hudson River during the parade of ships for the 21st Fleet Week New York 2008. More than 4,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen will participate in various community relations projects and make a port call to New York City.

U.S. Navy photo #080521-N-7571S-008 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.

Ron Reeves/Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf
04015548
158k

USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), upper right, pulls alongside the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while conducting flight operations in the Red Sea on 3 March 2011. Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 are in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on a routine deployment to conduct maritime security operations.

DoD photo 110303-N-OP638-001 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jesse L. Gonzalez, U.S. Navy.
Robert Hurst
Leyte Gulf
NS027757a
58k USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) leads USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) ; The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group conducts a simulated strait transit, 10 December 2013, in the Atlantic Ocean, as part of its final pre-deployment evaluation to achieve mission readiness and the ability to work alongside international allies in the execution of the Navy's maritime strategy.

U.S. Navy photo #131210-N-EI510-173 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Scott Barnes.

Robert M. Cieri
Leyte Gulf
04015545
1.4m Moored, Port side to, Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands, 24 September 2017. Carlos Manuel Estrela, Azores Islands
Leyte Gulf
04015549
81k Moored, Starboard side to, Palma de Mallorca, 31 December 2022. Jose Antonio Rodriguez Carreno
Leyte Gulf
04015550
98k Moored, Starboard side to, Palma de Mallorca, 31 December 2022. Jose Antonio Rodriguez Carreno

Commanding Officers
Name/Rank Class Final Rank Dates
Browne, Joseph Majette (Jette), CAPT 1965   09/26/1987 - 08/26/1989
Patton Jr., Bob Riley, CAPT 1967   08/26/1989 - 08/31/1991
Rogers, Mark Allen, CAPT 1970   08/31/1991 - 04/23/1993
Rinn, Paul Xavier, CAPT     04/23/1993 - 03/10/1995
Landers, Coleman A., CAPT     03/10/1995 - 11/14/1996
Vogan Jr., Charles Scott, CAPT 1972   11/14/1996 - 04/10/1998
Donahue Jr., Raymond Patrick, CAPT 1974   04/18/1998 - 12/17/1999
Dunn, William Howard, CAPT     12/17/1999 - 03/14/2001
Ingram, Richard Cameron, CAPT     03/14/2001 - 09/12/2002
McGuire, Thomas F., CAPT     09/12/2002 - 11/19/2004
Turner, Michael John, CAPT 1980   11/19/2004 - 09/18/2006
Phillpott, Scott Jon, CAPT 1983   09/18/2006 - 06/2008
Lester, Edward Jay, CAPT 1983   06/2008 - 01/29/2010
Black III, Eugene Henry, CAPT 1986 RADM 01/29/2010 - 11/04/2011
O'Donnell, Brian Patrick, CAPT 1988   11/04/2011 - 08/02/2013
Rawls, Dean Thomas, CAPT     08/02/2013 - 05/08/2015
Orozco, Juan Jimenez, CAPT 1991   05/08/2015 - 11/16/2016
Sunvold, Daniel Dean, CAPT 1992   11/16/2016 - 05/11/2018
Musser, William Graden (Grady), CAPT 1996   05/11/2018 - 03/15/2020
Bates, Andrew D. (Drew), CAPT     03/15/2020 - 02/10/2022
Weeldreyer, Michael L., CAPT     02/10/2022 -

(Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves - Photos courtesy of Bill Gonyo)


USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55) History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry on the U.S. Navy Historical Center website.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail: None

Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources
Official USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) website.
Hazegray & Underway Cruiser Pages By Andrew Toppan.

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