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USS Nashville Celebrates 38th birthday

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080229-06
Release Date: 2/29/2008 9:45:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Coleman Thompson, Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Nashville (LPD 13) celebrated its birthday on Feb. 14, marking its 38th year in service since its commissioning in 1970.

"A true testament to American ingenuity and engineering, Nashville has remained in faithful service through three major conflicts, the Cold War, and now stands ready to conduct the nation's business and bring the fight to those who threaten peace around the world," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Peterson, executive officer, Nashville. "It is fitting then, that we recognize the accomplishments of this proud warrior, on this, the beginning of her 38th year of faithful service."

While it was a part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, Nashville was one of the first ships to help transfer U.S. evacuees out of Lebanon during the civil uprising in 2006. In that instance, some 900 Americans were evacuated from the country, many by Nashville and her crew. This marked the third time in the ship's career that she had been called into service off the coast of Lebanon.

"We got to help out the Lebanese Americans, that pretty much meant something, not just to me but to everybody on the Nashville," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Alex Reyes. "They were very appreciative, because when they were coming out of Lebanon, they were all disorganized and you know they all wanted to leave. When they got here they were happy with how we were treating them and how organized we were too."

The first United States Ship to bear the name Nashville was a gunboat (PG 7), commissioned on Aug. 19, 1897. The ship participated in operations in the Caribbean, off the coast of Africa, as well as in the Asiatic and Mediterranean seas. The ship was decommissioned Oct. 21, 1918.

The second ship to be named USS Nashville was a Brooklyn class cruiser (CL 43) commissioned on June 6, 1938. Early in World War II, Nashville was called upon to conduct escort operations for USS Hornet (CV 8) and USS Enterprise (CV 6), playing a major role in the famous bombing raid on Japan under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle. Following the attack on Japan, Nashville would continue to see combat in the Pacific, ultimately receiving 10 battle stars for her service in World War II. She was decommissioned on June 24, 1946.

"It's pretty neat to see that you're part of a unit that has that much history," said Capt. DeWolfe H. Miller III, commanding officer, Nashville. "What's really neat is reading some of the stories of the Sailors. The ship is the ship, but the Sailors and the things that they were able to accomplish with this ship are incredible. And to think here we are, getting ready to leave on our next deployment, and we are still writing history for the ship. That's why I wanted to make this birthday celebration a big deal."

A member of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, Nashville is deployed to the Navy's 6th Fleet area of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation efforts.

For more news from the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/esg8/.