BELLEAU WOOD LHA 3

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) Keel Laid March 5 1973 - Launched April 11 1977 Christened June 11 1977 USS BELLEAU WOOD LHA-3 Commissioned September 23 1978 - Decommissioned October 28 2005 Sunk as target July 10 2006

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

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1. USS Belleau Wood LHA-3 Covers Page 1    (1973-2005)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each incarnation of the ship (ie, for each entry in the "Ship Name and Designation History" section). Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Date From to Date To	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

Locy Type FDC 2-1(n+)(USS)

1978-09-23

Cachet Category Commissioning Day. Cachet by Rich Hoffner and sponsored by the Stephen Decatur Chapter No.4, USCS

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) (USS) 1978

1978-10-27

Navy Day, cachet by the USS San Diego Chapter No. 27, USCS

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) (D1,USS)

1986-01-02

Note:

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) (USS) 1988

1997-09-19

Official Ship's Cachet

 

Locy Type 2-1(n+) (USS)

1988-12-06

Note:

 

Locy Type 7-2t (FPO 96623)

1990-07-19

Note:

 

Locy Type 9-1(n+u) (USS)

1997-09-19

Official Ship's Cachet

 

Locy Type 9-1(n+) (USS)

1990-07-19

Note:

 

Locy Type Meter OFR2 (#520239) (ZIP 96623)

1990-07-19

Note:

 

Locy Type Meter OFR2 (#520328) (ZIP 96623)

1992-09-14

N/A

On Piece

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USPS Pictorial Postmarks

 

USPS Pictorial Postmark "Decommissioning Station" San Diego, CA

2005-10-28

Decommissioning, Cachet by the Stephen Decatur Chapter No.4, USCS

 

Other Information

USS BELLEAU WOOD earned an Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon w/ 1 bronze star, the Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (13 awards), the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 bronze star and the Humanitarian Service Medal during her Naval career.

NAMESAKE - Named for Belleau Wood, near Chateau Thierry, France, the scene of a battle between the 4th Marine Brigade and elements of three German divisions June 1918. This was part of the larger Battle of the Aisne, launched on May 27 by Germany in the hopes of defeating French forces near Paris before significant American forces could arrive at the front. Although the operation had cost 4th Marine Brigade 4,719 casualties, and over 1,000 killed, the Marines had proved their courage to both the French and the AEF. Heartened by the American performance, the French awarded the division's infantry brigades, including 4th Marine Brigade, unit citations for "gallant action" and officially renamed the wood "Bois de la Brigade Marine".

There has been two ships of the US Navy that have borne the name BELLEAU WOOD - USS Belleau Wood CVL-24 and USS Belleau Wood LHA-3.

The ships sponsor was Mrs. James L. Holloway III, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral James L. Holloway III.

 

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