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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive


Contributed by Wolfgang Hechler

USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5)


Lewis B. Puller Class Expeditionary Sea Base:
  • Laid down, 30 January 2018, at General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, CA.
  • Delivered, 15 November 2019
  • Commissioned, USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), Saturday, 8 May 2021, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA, Capt. Troy A. Fendrick, USN in command
    Specifications:
    Displacement 35,087 t.(lt) 106,692 t.(fl)
    Length 785'
    Beam 164'
    Draft 36 ft
    Speed 15 kts
    Complement
    CivMar 34
    Armament none
    Cargo Capacities unknown
    Propulsion
    Diesel-electric
    two propellers

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Source
    Miguel Keith 31k
    Namesake

    Lance Corporal Miguel Keith USMC posthumously Medal of Honor recipient.
    Citation

    for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a machine gunner with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-2, III Marine Amphibious Force, operating in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning of 8 May 1970, Lance Corporal Keith was seriously wounded when his platoon was subjected to a heavy ground attack by a greatly outnumbering enemy force. Despite his painful wounds, he ran across the fire-swept terrain to check the security of vital defensive positions, and then, while completely exposed to view, proceeded to deliver a hail of devastating machine gun fire against the enemy. Determined to stop five of the enemy approaching the command post, he rushed forward, firing as he advanced. He succeeded in disposing of three of the attackers and in dispersing the remaining two. At this point, a grenade detonated near Lance Corporal Keith, knocking him to the ground and inflicting further severe wounds. Fighting pain and weakness from loss of blood, he again braved the concentrated hostile fire to charge an estimated twenty-five enemy soldiers who were massing to attack. The vigor of his assault and his well-placed fire eliminated four of the enemy while the remainder fled for cover. During this valiant effort, he was mortally wounded by an enemy soldier. By his courageous and inspiring performance in the face of almost overwhelming odds, Lance Corporal Keith contributed in large measure to the success of his platoon in routing a numerically superior enemy force, and upheld the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. /S/ Richard M. Nixon
    Tommy Trampp
    Miguel Keith 185k The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) departs General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in San Diego, CA., 4 October 2019. During the weeklong acceptance trials, the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey conducted comprehensive tests to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of all of the ship’s major systems.
    US Navy Photo # 191016-N-JC336-001, courtesy NASSCO.
    Lee Wahler
    Miguel Keith 245k The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), returns 11 October 2019, to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. shipyard in San Diego, CA. after completing acceptance trials, 11 October 2019.
    US Navy Photo
    Lee Wahler
    Miguel Keith 112k The future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) ties up at Naval Station Norfolk, VA., date unknown.
    US Navy photo by MC1 David Kolmel.
    Lee Wahler
    Miguel Keith
    09880506
    212k Commissioning ceremony for USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), 8 May 2021, at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA,
    U.S. Navy Photo
    Dale Hargrave
    Miguel Keith
    09880507
    211006-N-PQ586-1239
    225k USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) anchors off Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa White Beach Naval Facility, 6 October 2021. Miguel Keith, assigned to Amphibious Squadron Eleven, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo #'s 211006-N-PQ586-1239 and 211006-N-PQ586-1004 Lee Wahler
    Miguel Keith
    09880508
    211006-N-PQ586-1004
    287k

    There is no history available for USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) at NavSource
    Commanding Officer
     CAPT. Mershon, Brian K. (Master) MSC15 November 2019 - 2021
    Commanding Officer
    USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) Blue
    01CAPT. Fendrick, Troy Ardell, USN8 May 2021 - June 2022
    02CAPT. Droll, Joseph M., USNJune 2022 -  
    Commanding Officers
    USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) Gold
    01CAPT. Keller, Patrick Andrew, USNSeptember 2021-  
    Wolfgang Hechler

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) Fact Sheet
    Navy Fact File - Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB)
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Expeditionary Sea Base Photo Index
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    Last Updated 5 January 2024