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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Whiskey - Delta
NBWD

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (14) - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2) - National Defense Service Medal
Third Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2) - Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (2) -Humanitarian Service Medal (2, Boat People, 28 April 1981, Hurricane Iniki HI, 1992)

Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose):

Laid down, 5 March 1973, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS.

Launched, 11 April 1977

Commissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), 23 September 1978, CAPT. Ted C. Steele USN, in command

Deactivated at Naval Station San Diego, 13 October 2005

Towed to Naval Station Pearl for lay up in the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility Pearl Harbor

Decommissioned, 28 October 2005

Final Disposition, sunk as a target, 10 July 2006, during SINKEX 2006

Specifications:
Displacement 38,900 tons (fl)
Length 820'
Beam 106'
Draft 26'
Speed 24 kts.
Complement 82 Officer, 882 Enlisted
Troop Accommodations 1900 plus

Armament

two RAM launchers

two single 5"/54 gun mounts

two 20 mm Phalanx (CIWS)

six 25mm chain guns

Aircraft 28 amphibious transport helicopters
Power Plant two 600 psi boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
10070360	178k	*Namesake* Belleau Wood - The Battle of Belleau Wood - (1–26 June 1918), Allied victory, and the first major engagement of the U.S. Army in World War I, that greatly boosted morale amid the German’s Spring Offensive. The struggle for Belleau Wood announced to the Germans that the U.S. armed forces had arrived on the Western Front in strength and were eager to fight. It was a tough baptism of fire for the Americans but persistence and resolution secured them their first important victory in France. The bravery of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Division, comprising the 4th Marine Brigade (the "Fighting Fifth" and 6th Marine Regiments) was especially noteworthy. In recognition of their service and sacrifice, the French renamed Belleau Wood the "Bois de la Brigade de Marine"—Wood of the Marine Brigade—and awarded the 4th Marine Brigade the coveted Croix de Guerre. (Britannica.com) Photo - Georges Scott (1873-1943) illustration "American Marines in Belleau Wood (1918)" - originally published in the French Magazine "Illustrations"	Tommy Trampp
	111	Belleau Wood (LHA-3) and John Young (DD-973) run side-by-side in the Gulf of Mexico, 22 May 1978. Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. photo.	Robert M. Cieri
10070371	3880k	View of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** stern gate while moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego, November 1978	Photos by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN (Ret)
	79k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway in 1978 in the Pacific. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
10070361	574k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
	96k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	133k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway with Marine Corps Helicopter detachment on deck, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Belleau Wood web site
	64k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway with Marine Corps Helicopter detachment on deck, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert Hurst
10070357	132k	Marine AV-8B Harriers land aboard *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** in 1979 during the first deck qualifications for the Harrier on a US Navy ship. Photo by Mark Bowen, USN Ret.	Yu Chu
	107k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway in 1980, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
10070372	1273k	A Marine CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165) hovers over a jeep in preparation for an external airlift from *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** to a landing zone. US National Archives and Records Administration Identifier NAID: 6348428, Local ID: 330-CFD-DM-SN-82-03288	John Spivey
10070367	4717k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway at San Diego, CA., September 1981.	Photos by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN Ret.
10070368	4491k		Photos by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN Ret.
	93k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Belleau Wood web site
	71k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway off Point Loma, date unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	69k	View from NAS North Island of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** entering San Diego from sea, circa early to mid 1980.	Richard Stiles
	109k		Richard Stiles
	96k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored pierside NAS North Island, Navy Day 1980.	Photo by Richard Stiles
10070369	4101k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored pierside at Naval Station Point Loma,	Photos by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN (Ret)
10070370	4280k		Photos by CAPT. Mark Heilenday, USN (Ret)
	57k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored pierside during Fleet Week, at San Francisco, CA., 10 October 1987. Note, crew has spelled out "Just Say No !" on the flight deck. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
	48k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** at sea, June 1987. US Navy photo	Edward Cleary
	89k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway off San Diego, CA., date unknown.	Dustie Meads and Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
	359k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3), top, and USS Reasoner (DE-1063) sail alongside one another during the multinational Exercise RimPac '90*, 1 May 1990. The Pacific Rim nations of Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. are participating in the annual naval and amphibious exercise. US National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 6467690*.	Robert Hurst
	1138k	Sailors man the rails of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) as she ship steams in San Diego Bay with the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43)*, 11 October 1991. The vessels are two of six U.S. Navy ships taking part in the Parade of Ships, part of San Diego's Accolades '91 celebration honoring local military units and installations. DOD photo # DN-ST-92-01247 SAN DIEGO (11 October 1991)* a US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil	Robert M. Cieri
	1319k	A commercial harbor tug comes alongside *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** as she steams in San Diego Bay. USS Belleau Wood is one of six US Navy ships taking part in the Parade of Ships, part of San Diego's Accolades '91 celebration honoring local military units and installations. DOD photo # DN-ST-92-01248 SAN DIEGO (11 October 1991) a US Navy photo by PH1 R.J. Oriez, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil	Robert M. Cieri
	83k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway in 1991 in the Pacific. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
	61k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)**, moored at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, date unknown. US Navy Photo by PH3 Sean C. Ryan	Scot at LBS Products
	1635k	Aerial view of the 32nd Street Naval Station Pier 2, 1 June 1992, showing various ships berthed there. The Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) (left), the Spruance-class destroyer USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986) (across the pier) an unidentified Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser (rear left) and the Virginia-class nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser USS Arkansas (CGN-41)** outboard of her. DOD photo # DN-SC-04-15494 NAVAL STATION SAN DIEGO (1 June 1992), a US Navy photo by PH2 M. Correa, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.	Robert M. Cieri
	84k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway, 23 December 1992 in the Pacific. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
	89k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway in the Pacific, date unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert M. Cieri
	1929k	A stern view of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** pierside at Naval Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay, Philippines, 1 March 1993. DOD photo # DN-SC-93-04378 NAVAL STATION SUBIC BAY (1 January 1993), a US Navy photo by LTjg. Jeff Hilton.	Robert M. Cieri
	449k	A starboard quarter view of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway during Exercise Team Spirit '93, off the coast of the Republic of Korea, 1 March 1993. DOD photo # DN-SN-95-02152 REPUBLIC OF KOREA (1 March 1993),a US Navy photo by PH2 (NAC) Sanner, now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.	Robert M. Cieri
	414k	A port quarter view of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway during Exercise Team Spirit '93, off the coast of the Republic of Korea, 1 March 1993. DOD photo # DN-SN-95-02153 REPUBLIC OF KOREA (1 March 1993), a US Navy photo by LTjg. Jeff Hilton now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.	Robert M. Cieri
	48k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)**, at anchor in Hong Kong harbor, BCC, 28 July 1995.	William Chiu
	796k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3).refuels the guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG-49) during an underway replenishment (UNREP) off the coast of Australia, 6 March 1998. Belleau Wood and Vincennes*were participating in Exercise VALIANT USHER '98, a training exercise with Australian military forces. US Navy photo # 980306-N-5702K-004 AUSTRALIA (6 March 1998)* by: PH3 Justin A. Kahkosko.	Robert M. Cieri
	935k	Airman Arruda Keolani, clears an AV-8B Harrier for take off from *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)*. The Harrier is from Marine Attack Squadron Three One One* (VMA-311) "Tomcats", assigned to Marine Aircraft Group Thirteen (MAG 13) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona. USS Belleau Wood is deployed off the coast of the Republic of Korea in support of Exercise Foal Eagle '98. Foal Eagle is an annual field training exercise that involves the majority of U.S. and Republic of Korea military forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula. US Air Force photo # 981030-F-5789F-501 REPUBLIC OF KOREA (30 October 1998), by SSGT Steve Faulisi now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.	Robert M. Cieri
	86k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) departs India Basin in Sasebo, Japan, for the last time, 11 August 2000. Belleau Wood recently completed the largest hull swap with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). The crew that was in Essex transferred to Belleau Wood, and is bringing the ship back to her new homeport of San Diego. The crew that was in Belleau Wood has shifted to Essex** which remains in Sasebo. US Navy photo # 000811-N-1303B-025 by LT. Lisa Brackenbury, photo from US Navy Newsstand web site.	Bill Gonyo
	1157k	A port beam view of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** under way during a routine port call to Apra, Guam, 19 September 2000. US Navy photo # 000919-N-9885M-001 APRA HARBOR, Guam (19 September 2000) , by PH2 Alan D. Monyelle now in the collections of Defense Imagery.mil.	Robert M. Cieri
	150k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) underway, circa 2002. This says it all!** US Navy photo	Harvey Britt
	238k	View of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** island structure, date unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	313k	A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) returns to the well deck of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** during a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) offload, on 7 July 2004. The landing craft is transporting Marines, vehicles and their gear to the shores of Kuwait. Note the AV-8B Harrier 11 aircraft and the helicopters ranged on deck. US Navy photo # 040707-N-7586B-095 by PH1 Bart A. Bauer.	Robert Hurst
	568k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored pierside, Naval Station San Diego, CA., 20 November 2004.	Photo by Walter F Loetell Jr. ETR 2, USS Sumner County - 1966 to 1968
	257k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) and USS Pinckney (DDG-91)** moored pierside, Naval Station San Diego, CA., 20 November 2004.	Photo by Walter F Loetell Jr. ETR 2, USS Sumner County - 1966 to 1968
	59k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** with her well deck flood in preparation for receiving landing craft, date and location unknown. US Navy photo	Robert Hurst
	126k	View of *USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)**'s island and flight deck, date and location unknown.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	90k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** under way with crew manning the rails, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR (Ret)
	73k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3) sailors “man the rails” for the final time as the ship sails through San Diego Harbor completing her final voyage after 27 years of service as a U.S. Navy ship. Belleau Wood will be the first Tarawa Class amphibious assault ship to be decommissioned to make way for the LHA(R) amphibious class ship, expected in 2013. Note the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41)** in the background. US Navy photo # 050711-N-7286M-083 by PH2 Daniel R. Mennuto.	Chet Morris
10070362	304k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway passing under the Bridge of the America's at Panama, date unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
10070363	270k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
10070364	412k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
10070365	498k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** moored, date and location unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
10070366	249k	*USS Belleau Wood* (LHA-3)** underway, date and location unknown. © Nobe SMith	Nicholas Tiberio
	67k	*USNS Navajo* (T-ATF-169) tows the decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) out of Pearl Harbor to open waters off Hawaii for an upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. Belleau Wood** will become an artificial reef near Hawaii. Eight nations are participating in RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the waters off Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. US Navy photo # 060710-N-9288T-041 by MC2 Brandon A. Teeples.	Tony Cowart
10070358	35k	*USNS Navajo* (T-ATF-169) tows the decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)** out of Pearl Harbor to open waters off Hawaii for an upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006.	Tommy Trampp
10070359	38k		Tommy Trampp
	62k	*USNS Navajo* (T-ATF-169) tows the decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) out of Pearl Harbor to open waters off Hawaii for an upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. Belleau Wood** will become an artificial reef near Hawaii. US Navy photo # 060710-N-9288T-053 by MC2 Brandon A. Teeples.	Lee Wahler
	444k	*USNS Navajo* (T-ATF-169) tows the decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) from pier side in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 10 July 2006, out to open waters for an upcoming sink exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific 2006. Belleau Wood** will become an artificial reef near Hawaii. US Navy photo # 060710-N-9288T-048 by MC2 Brandon A. Teeples.	Robert M. Cieri
	75k	*USNS Navajo* (T-ATF-169) tows the decommissioned USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)** out of Pearl Harbor to open waters off Hawaii for an upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. US Navy photo # 060710-N-8629M-005 by MC2 Rebecca J. Moat.	Tony Cowart

Additional Ships Patches
Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Contributed by Clinton Henderson	Contributed by Clinton Henderson	Contributed by Tommy Trampp

USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) Memorabilia
Welcome Aboard pamphlet Contributed by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.	1985 Welcome Aboard pamphlet Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Welcome Aboard pamphlet Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1995 Welcome Aboard pamphlet Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
1992 Plan of the Day, 1 January 1986, Cover page Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Plan of the Day, 1 January 1986, Page-1 Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Plan of the Day, 1 January 1986, Page-2 Contributed by Robert M. Cieri	1992 Decommissioning Program Contributed by Robert M. Cieri

For more photos and information about USS Belleau Wood, see;
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
SINKEX photos, 10 July 2006

Commanding Officers
01	CAPT. Steele Jr., Ted Charles	23 September 1978 - 8 July 1980
02	CAPT. Hayes, James Clero	8 July 1980 - 24 April 1982
03	CAPT. Chase III, Henry Bertram (Bert) :RADM	24 April 1982 - 1 August 1983
04	CAPT. Donovan, Francis Raymond :VADM	1 August 1983 - 31 July 1984
05	CAPT. Barker, Charles M.	31 July 1984 - 10 July 1986
06	CAPT. Schriefer, Luther Frederick, USN (USNA 1960) :RADM	10 July 1986 - 11 December 1987
07	CAPT. Tahaney Jr., Hubert F.	11 December 1987 - 19 January 1990
08	CAPT. Love III, George Paul, USN (USNA 1963)	19 January 1990 - 2 July 1991
09	CAPT. Bradt, Douglas J.	2 July 1991 - 6 July 1993
10	CAPT. Highfill, Harry M.	6 July 1993 - 27 January 1995
11	CAPT. Townes III, John Willie, USN (USNA 1972) :RADM	27 January 1995 - 4 June 1996
12	CAPT. Ruehe, Frederic Richard :RADM	4 June 1996 - 9 January 1998
13	CAPT. Harris Jr., Ward Lee, USN (USNA 1974)	9 January 1998 - 2 April 1999
14	CAPT. Parker, Thomas Anthony	2 April 1999 - 26 July 2000 - hull swap with LHD-2
15	CAPT. Gilman, Robert John	26 July 2000 - 19 November 2001
16	CAPT. Solem, Craig Robert, USN (USNA 1975)	19 November 2001 - 30 May 2003
17	CAPT. Gay, Earl Lenell, USN (USNA 1980) :RADM	30 May 2003 - 28 October 2004
18	CAPT. Ford, Robert Lee	28 October 2004 - 28 October 2005


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

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

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Last Updated 22 November 2024