Captain William J. Luti, USN
Commanding Officer
USS Guam (LPH 9)
FPO AE 09563-1640
Dear Captain Luti:
I would like to extend my personal appreciation to the officers and crew who have serverd aboard USS GUAM (LPH 9) throughout her thirty-three years of service to out Country.
As a proud representative of the Navy's efficient and versatile class of amphibious assault ships, GUAM has earned repeated honors. Her list of awards for every form of excellence is a visible sign of the spirit that has aclimated her Sailors. No matter what the deman, GUAM was there to perform with spirit and skill. In every endeavor, GUAM and her crews have distinguished themselves with extraordinary accomplishments and versatility.
Now, as she leaves active service, crewmembers have an opportunity to reminisce and be proud that the GUAM will be leaving a magnificent legacy for our Nation's fighting forces. This legacy, which many will attempt to emulate, will be difficult to excees.
Sincerely,
Bill Cohen (signed)
Captain William J. Luti, USN
Commanding Officer
USS Guam (LPH 9)
FPO AE 09563-1640
Dear Captain Luti:
As USS Guam (LPH 9) hauls down her colors after more than thirty-three years of patriotic service, I would like to express my appreciation to all currently assigned officers and crew.
Through more than three decades, GUAM has returned out Nation's investment well beyond all expectations. The ability to project power from the sea has always been one of our Navy and Marine Corps' strengths. In the years since World War II, our Navy-Marine Corps amphibious team has proven itself a potent weapon in conflict and a significant force for preserving our peace and freedom. From the Gemini XI recover mission to peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and from Grenada, Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM EASTERN EXIST and ASSURED RESPONSE, GUAM has demonstrated versatility and skill. Thanks to the professionalism of her crew, GUAM has carried out her demanding mission with honor and has shown herself an essential part of our first-line strength.
Now that GUAM's tour of active duty is over, those who served with her can take pride in her many contributions to America's defense and in the proud tradition of duty well done that she has created. In each of you, GUAM's spirit will sail on. Thank you for a job "well done!"
Sincerely,
John E. Dalton (signed)
As you prepare to decommission USS GUAM, I congratulate current and former crewmembers on your historic contributions to our nation's security. While it is always difficult to bid farewell to an old friend, each of you should take great pride in GUAM's accomplishments through an extremely distinguished career.
For more than three decades, GUAM and her crew served our country superbly. Always prepared to enhance our nation's interests, GUAM played important roles during the Gemini XI recover mission, and humanitarian operations in Peru, Lebanon and Somalis. She also excelled during contingency operations such as URGENT FURY (Grenada) and DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM (Kuwait). She exemplified forward presence and naval professionalism during a turbulent era in our history, and served as a powerful deterrent to any state that might have considered testing out nation's resolve. Her well-earned reputation is one of superior performance and operational excellence.
Ranging around the globe, GUAM epitomized forward presence and naval professionalism. Her sterling operational performance earned GUAM numerous honors, including the Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle Efficiency Awards, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Kuwait Liveration Medal and many more.
Today's ceremony does not end the legacy of USS GUAM. Your ship will live on in the memories of all those who served aboard her and in the hearts of freedom-loving people around the world. Well done!
Jay L. Johnson (signed)
Admiral, U.S. Navy
On the occasion of the decommissioning of the USS GUAM (LPH 9), I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the Nacy-Marine Corps team that manned her decks throughout her illustrious career. For over 33 yars, USS GUAM has been a key instrument of our Nation's resolve. She has been a weapon in our arsenal, a symbol of our strength, and the conveyance for the outstretched hand of our compassionate and generous citizenry.
Named to honor the historic World War II battle for the island of Guam, this great ship has well and faithfully contributed to the legacy of valor established by the Marines and sailors who fought to gain that critical foothold necessary for victory in the Pacific theater. From providing assistance to impoverished Peruvians in the ake of a disastrous 1970 earthquake to her support in Operations Desert Storm, and more recently Desert Thunder, USS GUAM has met each call to arms and executed every mission with meritorious distinction.
As she passes the torch to a new generation of amphibious vessels, we cannot help but feel a sense of loss for this valued old friend. It is both right and fitting that we remember all those fine sailors and Marines who served aboard her. Whether serving as the recovery ship for Gemini space missions, rescuing reguees or constituting a show of force, the USS GUAM can be proud of her distinguished service to our country. As the ensign and commissioning pennant are hauled down, and the last deck log entry is made, the legacy of this great ship will live on through the memory of her gallant service.
Sempre Fi,
C.C. Krulak
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps