USS Shenandoah (AD-44)
Encyclopedia
USS Shenandoah (AD-44) was the fourth and final ship of the Yellowstone-class
destroyer tender
s. AD-44 was the fifth ship to bear the name, USS Shenandoah
as named for the Shenandoah Valley
. She was commissioned in 1983 only three years after the decommissioning of the previous USS Shenandoah (AD-26)
, also a destroyer tender.
In 1991, USS Shenandoah was diverted to the Persian Gulf
to tend ships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet's Battle Group. The Shenandoah and her crew members were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal
with one campaign star
and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
.
Following her decommissioning in 1996, at only 13 years old, the USS Shenandoah was re-located at the James River Reserve Fleet in Fort Eustis, Va., awaiting final disposal.
Yellowstone class destroyer tender
The Yellowstone-class is a class of four destroyer tenders built by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company between 1977 and 1982.-Ships:...
destroyer tender
Destroyer tender
A destroyer tender is a ship designed to provide maintenance support to a flotilla of destroyers or other small warships. The use of this class has faded from its peak in the first half of the 20th century as the roles of small combatants have evolved .Due to the increased size and automation of...
s. AD-44 was the fifth ship to bear the name, USS Shenandoah
USS Shenandoah
Four United States Navy ships, including one rigid airship, and one ship of the Confederate States of America, have been named Shenandoah, after the Shenandoah River of western Virginia and West Virginia....
as named for the Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
. She was commissioned in 1983 only three years after the decommissioning of the previous USS Shenandoah (AD-26)
USS Shenandoah (AD-26)
USS Shenandoah was one of ten planned destroyer tenders built at the tail end of World War II...
, also a destroyer tender.
In 1991, USS Shenandoah was diverted to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
to tend ships of the U.S. Seventh Fleet's Battle Group. The Shenandoah and her crew members were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
with one campaign star
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
The Wisam Al-Tahrir was issued by the government of Kuwait for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.-Description:The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Kuwait Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient...
.
Following her decommissioning in 1996, at only 13 years old, the USS Shenandoah was re-located at the James River Reserve Fleet in Fort Eustis, Va., awaiting final disposal.
Awards and decorations
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
- May 1987 to September 1988
- 12 June 1989 to 31 October 1989
- 15 April 1993 to 4 October 1993
- Navy Battle "E" AwardBattle Efficiency AwardThe Battle Effectiveness Award , commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of U.S...
- 1 April 1985 to 30 September 1986
- 1 October 1986 to 31 March 1988
- 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1995
- National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
- 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995; for service during the Gulf WarGulf WarThe Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
- 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995; for service during the Gulf War
- Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service MedalThe Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
- 10 July 1991 to 10 August 1991; campaign star: (Cease-Fire Campaign)
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
- Multiple deployments
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)The Wisam Al-Tahrir was issued by the government of Kuwait for service during the Liberation of Kuwait campaign.-Description:The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Kuwait Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient...
- 10 July 1991 to 10 August 1991
External links
- Unofficial Navy site
- US Navy Press Release: USS Shenandoah Changes Course, Steams to Persian Gulf