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Namesake
Saipan - The Battle of Saipan took place 15 June-13 July 1944. Landings of 2nd and 4th Marine divisions on 8 beaches, abreast, met instant resistance from LG
Saito’s garrison and Admiral Nagumo’s 6,000 sailors ashore. By nightfall, a beachhead had been established, but continued heavy resistance necessitated
commitment of the U.S. 27th Division to reinforce the assault. Departure of 59 Mitscher’s carriers (17 June) and - later- of all warships (for the battle of the
Philippine Sea) deprived the attackers of much needed naval air and gunfire support. The ground troops made small but continued progress at heavy cost over terrain
skillfully organized and defended by first class troops. The island’s airfield had fallen into U.S. hands by June 18, but not until July 9, following a last-ditch
fanatical counter-attack by the 3,000 Japanese still surviving, did organized resistance end. American casualties on Saipan were 3,126 killed - including
hundreds of Japanese civilians who committed suicide by jumping off the cliffs. Only about 2,000 were made prisoner.
Photo - Marines followed tanks against the last Japanese defenders with machine gunners providing cover. Three men alongside the photographer were hit just before he took the
picture. Photo by W. Eugene Smith LIFE magazine
Map - Saipan Island, 15 June-9 July 1944, U.S. Department of Defense.
| Tommy Trampp |
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Saipan (LHA-2) fitting out at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS., 7 July 1976.
US National Archives, Photo # USN 1168130, a US Navy photo, by PH3 D.A. Fort, now in the collections of the US National Archives. |
Mike Green |
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Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS., June 1977. |
Photo by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN (Ret) |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway circa late 1970s.
US Navy photo. |
Tommy Trampp |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway in October 1977. The image shows to good effect the floodable docking well for the four LCUs; above on deck, are two LCM-6s, handled via the adjacent crane. The large dome abaft the island conceals the CCA radar.
US Navy photo. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway in the harbor at New York City, July 1978. |
Photo by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN Ret. |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) crew members man the rails as the ship enters or leaves port, date unknown. Note the "Salt and Pepper" uniform.
US Navy photo. |
Tommy Trampp |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway , date and location unknown.
US Navy photo. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway , September 1980, location unknown. Note the single CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter forward and the AV-8A Harrier jump jets and OV-10D Bronco light attack aircraft.
US Navy photo. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) (background) towing USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) through the waters off the Virginia Capes during a towing exercise, circa 1981.
U.S. Navy photo by PH3 Dan Buckson from "All Hands" magazine, December 1981, p. 30. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at Barcelona, Spain, 2 January 1982. |
Photo by Fabio Peña |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at Barcelona, Spain, 2 January 1982, during her second Med deployment. Note 5" gun on port bow and BPDMS launcher, forward of the island structure and beyond the Sea Stallion's tail rotor. Both were part of the ships original configuration and were later removed. |
Photo by Fabio Peña |
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Aerial view of ships moored pierside, 13 February 1982, probably at NavSta Rota Spain. The ships are, from front to back;
the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R-01),
USS Raleigh (LPD-1) and the amphibious assault ship
USS Saipan (LHA-2).
Source: DefenseImagery.mil, Photo VIRIN : DN-SC-82-08574. |
Yu Chu |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at anchor off the coast of Turkey, 1982 |
Pete Harlem, Courtesy Mario Mederos USMC HMM-263 |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway, date and location unknown.
©Nobe Smith |
Nicholas Tiberio |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at NOB Norfolk, VA., August 1985. |
Rick Rowan |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at NOB Norfolk, VA., August 1985. |
Rick Rowan |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at Naval Shipyard Philadelphia, June 1988. |
Photo by Gary Schurr |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway off Italy during NATO Exercise
"Dragon Hammer", in May 1990. Photos taken from the Spanish carrier Príncipe de Asturias (R-11) |
Photo by Omar Rubido, Armada Española |
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A U.S. Navy Bell UH-1N Iroquois (BuNo 158256) "Twin Huey" helicopter assigned to USS Saipan (LHA-2) in flight during the NATO Southern Region
exercise "Dragon Hammer '90". 3 May 1990.
U.S. DefenseImagery photo VIRIN: DN-SC-90-08857, a US Navy photo by PH1 (AW) Raymond H. Turner, USN. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) with stern gate down and ballasted, NOB Norfolk, VA., summer 1992. |
Photo by Adam Robison |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at NOB Norfolk, VA., in the spring of summer 1994. Also included in the photo are USS El Paso (LKA-117) across the pier from Saipan and USS Kittiwake (ASR-13) moored forward of Saipan. |
Photo by Cody Shaffer |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside during a routine port visit to Genoa, Italy, 31 July 1996. |
Photos by Carlo Martinelli |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) exiting the port of Genoa, Italy, 2 August 1996 after completion of a routine port visit. |
Photo by Carlo Martinelli |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 2 December 1996. Amphibious Readiness Group (COMPHIBRON 6) pulled into Rota to do the necessary washdown and inspection of equipment. The visit lasted 5 days, during which time all land vehicles aboard the USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), and USS Austin (LPD-4) were moved to the piers and beaches in Rota's harbor area and washed thoroughly to remove agricultural debris. This process is a safeguard against introducing foreign
insect and plant species to the United States. Some 130 vehicles, including M-1 Abrams tanks, were cleaned during the port visit. In this photo Saipan (LHA-2) gets a tow from Rota's tugs for help in docking at pier one.
US Navy photo # 961204-N-7590D-003 by PH2 Keith W. Devinney. Photo from Navy Newsstand. |
Bill Gonyo |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at Naval Station Rota, 2 December 1996. Amphibious Readiness Group (COMPHIBRON 6) pulled into Rota to do the necessary washdown and inspection of equipment. During the visit all land vehicles aboard the USS Saipan (LHA-2), USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), and USS Austin (LPD-4) were moved to the piers and beaches in Rota's harbor area and washed thoroughly to remove agricultural debris. This process is a safeguard against introducing foreign insect and plant species to the United States.
US Navy photo # 961204-N-7590D-005 by PH2 Keith W. Devinney. |
Bill Gonyo |
990116-N-4004O-503 ABOARD USS SAIPAN (January 17, 1999) |
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An MV-22B "Osprey" makes its landing approach to the flight deck of USS Saipan (LHA-2) during deck landing qualifications, 17 January 1999. The Osprey is conducting aircraft shipboard developmental tests on board Saipan and represents their first launchings and recoveries aboard an LHA.
US Navy photo # 990116-N-4004O-503 ABOARD USS SAIPAN (January 17, 1999) by PH1 Benjamin D. Olvey. |
Tommy Trampp |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway off the coast of South Carolina during the MV-22B Osprey aircraft's shipboard developmental testing. Photo by PH1 Benjamin D. Olvey.
US Navy photo # 990117-N-4004O-503, January. 17, 1999. |
Navy Newsstand |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) at anchor at La Spezia, Italy, 11 August 2000. |
Photo by Carlo Martinelli |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway, date and location unknown. |
Nicholas Tiberio |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) left, and USS Ponce (LPD
15) flank the underway replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO-201) during a simultaneous underway replenishment (UNREP), 21 September 2002. Saipan was conducting underway training in preparation for an upcoming regularly scheduled deployment.
US Navy photo # 020921-N-6920A-001 by PHAN Latrice N. Ames, photo from Navy Newsstand web site. |
Bill Gonyo |
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USNS Spica (T-AFS-9) prepares to conduct a simultaneous Refueling at Sea (RAS) with Amphibious Assault Ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) (top) and Amphibious Transport Dock USS Ponce (LPD 15) (bottom). Saipan and Ponce are part of Amphibious Task Force East (AFT-E), underway on an un-scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
US Navy photo # 030131-N-2972R-056 by PH3 Angel Roman-Otero. |
Bernard A. Cardali USS LST-308 |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 2003. |
Photo by Laurent LaMarche |
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The amphibious assault ships of Commander, Task Force Fifty One (CTF-51) come together in an unprecedented formation during operations in the North Arabian Gulf. This marked the first time that six large deck amphibious ships from the East and West coasts have deployed together in one area of operation. Led by the flag ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1), the ships are (from left to right):
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6),
USS Kearsarge (LHD-3),
USS Bataan (LHD-5),
USS Saipan (LHA-2), and
USS Boxer (LHD-4).
CTF-51 led Navy amphibious forces in the Arabian Gulf region during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 32 ships of CTF-51 composed the largest amphibious force assembled since the Inchon landing, during the Korean War. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.
US Navy photo # 030420-N-2515C-091 North Arabian Gulf (Apr. 20, 2003) by PH2 Larry S. Carlson.
US Navy photo # 030420-N-7128D-011 North Arabian Gulf (Apr. 20, 2003) by PHC Tom Daily. |
Robert M. Cieri |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) underway , date and location unknown. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) prepares to launch a CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53
Super Stallion from it's flight deck during Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) integration training in preparation for the ship's upcoming scheduled deployment.
US Navy photo # 040405-N-8606T-008 by PH1 Courtney Torgrude. |
Bill Gonyo |
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AOC Scott Kuczynski, fires a twin .50-caliber machine gun aboard USS Saipan (LHA-2) at the decommissioned
ex-research ship R/VGosport (IX-517) during a Sink Exercise conducted 300 miles off the
East Coast of the United States, on 12 November 2004. Ships from the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group, several units of NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic
(STANAVFORLANT), and a variety of aircraft successfully completed a live-fire exercise, sinking the decommissioned destroyer
ex-USS Hayler (DD-997) and research vessel R/V Gosport November 12-14. All
decommissioned ships receive a thorough inspection by the EPA before sinking, and will now act as an artificial reef for deep-sea marine life. The sinking of these ships
provides unique weapons training opportunities.
US Navy photo # 041112-N-6920A-001 by PH3 Latrice Ames. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Pascagoula, MS., 25 January 2005. Eight 400 gallon water tanks are lined up in preparation to be loaded aboard the ship. Saipan is/was on a scheduled two-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command (NAVSO) area of responsibility in support of New Horizons, the humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti.
US Navy photo # 050125-N-0050M-003 by PH1 Kimberly E. McDonald, from the US Navy NewsStand web site. |
Jack Treutle |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) returns to her homeport at Norfolk, VA., 25 August 2005.
Navy photo # 050825-N-3541A-004. |
Jack Treutle |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) conducts an underway replenishment with USS Simpson (FFG-56) in the Mediterranean Sea, 4 June 2006, during exercise Phoenix Express 2006. Phoenix Express is a multi-national combined exercise with North African and European forces. The exercise provides U.S. and allied forces an opportunity to participate in diverse maritime training scenarios helping to increase maritime domain awareness and strengthen emerging and enduring partnerships
Navy photo # 060604-N-2651J-468 by MC3 Gary L. Johnson III. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2), guided-missile frigate
USS Simpson (FFG-56), Armada Espanola
Infanta Elena (P-76), Royal Moroccan Navy Frigate
Mohammed V (F-611), and Algerian Naval Forces El Kirch (353) sail in
formation in the Mediterranean Sea. Exercise Phoenix Express will provide U.S. and allied forces an opportunity to participate in diverse maritime training scenarios
helping to increase maritime domain awareness and strengthen emerging and enduring partnerships.
US Navy photo #s 060604-N-2651J-257 Mediterranean Sea (4 June 2006) and 060604-N-2651J-262 Mediterranean Sea (4 June 2006) by PH3 Gary L. Johnson III. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) underway in the Persian Gulf, 17 September 2006. MK-105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping Systems are towed behind two MH-53E Sea Dragons assigned to Helicopter Mine Counter Measure Squadron One Five (HM-15) during operations with Saipan. The MK-105 Magnetic Influence Minesweeping System is a high-speed catamaran hydrofoil platform also known as a "sled." Saipan and HM-15 conducted a Mine Countermeasure exercise in the Persian Gulf.
US Navy photo # 060917-N-8547M-198 by MCSN Patrick W. Mullen III. |
Lee Wahler |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) and mine countermeasure ship USS Ardent (MCM-12) conduct mine sweeping operations in the Persian gulf. Saipan was deployed conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in support of the global war on terrorism.
US Navy photo # 060919-N-2651J-022 Persian Gulf (Sept. 19, 2006) by MC3 Gary L. Johnson III. |
Robert M. Cieri |
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USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits in the Arabian Sea, 20 November 2006, in formation with USS Anzio (CG 68), top, and USS Saipan (LHA-2) bottom, during a photographic exercise (PHOTOEX). The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and embarked Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) were on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations.
US Navy photo #061120-N-8547M-335 MCSN Patrick W. Mullen III. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) conducting operations in the Arabian Sea while deployed in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in support of the global war on terrorism, 21 November 2006.
US Navy photo # 061121-N-8547M-051 Arabian Sea (Nov 21, 2006) by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick W. Mullen III. |
Lee Wahler |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) moored pierside, date and location unknown |
Frederick J. Moisson, Collection Manager & Volunteer Coordinator, Museum of Military History |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) moored at pier 10 Naval Station Norfolk, VA., 20 April 2007, awaiting her decommissioned that morning. |
Photo by Wendell McLaughlin |
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USS Saipan (LHA 2) moored at pier 10 Naval Station Norfolk, VA., 20 April 2007. Saipan was decommissioned that morning. |
Photo by Wendell McLaughlin |
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Rear Admiral. Michael P. Nowakowski and Captain Richard D. Fitzpatrick pose for a photo with the rest of the former commanding officers of USS Saipan (LHA-2) at the ship’s decommissioning ceremony. Saipan was decommissioned after nearly 30 years of service.
US Navy photo # 070420-N-6616W-048 NORFOLK, Va. (April 20, 2007) by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Steven J. Weber. |
Lee Wahler |
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Decommissioned USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Moorehead City, North Carolina, 16 June 2007. |
Photo by Owen R. Smith CWO-4, USMCR Ret. |
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Decommissioned USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Moorehead City, North Carolina, 16 June 2007. |
Photo by Owen R. Smith CWO-4, USMCR Ret. |
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Decommissioned USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Moorehead City, North Carolina, 16 June 2007. |
Photo by Owen R. Smith CWO-4, USMCR Ret. |
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Decommissioned USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Philadelphia Naval SHipyard, 19 January 2008. |
Robert M. Cieri |
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Decommissioned USS Saipan (LHA-2) moored pierside at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, 2 October 2009, prior to her leaving for Brownsville TX. for scrapping. |
Photo by Daniel J. Lawler |
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Ex-USS Saipan (LHA-2) under tow from Philadelphia to Brownsville TX. for scrapping, 28 October 2009. |
Ron Reeves |
