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US Navy - Amphibious Assault Ship LHA 3 - USS Belleau Wood |
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| 06/21 | ||
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Type,
class: Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) -
LHA; Tarawa - class Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA STATUS: Awarded: November 15, 1969 Laid down: March 5, 1973 Launched: April 11, 1977 Commissioned: September 23, 1978 Decommissioned: October 28, 2005 Fate: sunk as a target on July 13, 2006 (Pacific) during exercise RIMPAC 2006 Namesake: The Battle of Belleau Wood, France - June 1918 (WW I) Ships Motto: ? Technical Data: see: INFO > Tarawa class Amphibious Assault Ship - LHA |
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Deployments: January 1981 - August 1981 with 1st Martine Brigade and HMM-165(C) embarked - Pacific Ocean August 1982 - February 1983 with 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) and HMM-262(C) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean January 1984 - June 1984 with 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) and HMM-265(C) embarked - Pacific Ocean January 1987 - July 1987 with 11th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) and HMM-163(C) embarked - Pacific Ocean January 1989 - June 1989 with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-161(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean November 1990 - October 1991 - Complex Overhaul (COH) at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, California August 1992 - September 1992 - homeport change > San Diego, California to Sasebo, Japan October 1992 - August 2000 - permanently forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan various deployment periods in and around the region October 1992 - December 1992 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-261(REIN) assigned January 1993 - March 1993 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-361(REIN) assigned April 1993 - July 1995 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-262(REIN) assigned July 1995 - November 1996 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-265(REIN) assigned August 1996 - April 1997 - Extended Drydock Selective Restricted Availability (EDSRA) at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan April 1997 - October 1998 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-262(REIN) assigned October 1998 - January 2000 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-265(REIN) assigned January 2000 - July 2000 with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-262(REIN) assigned August 2000 - October 2000 - homeport change > Sasebo, Japan to San Diego, California June 2002 - December 2002 with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - Pacific Ocean, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea May 2004 - October 2004 with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - ESG 3 - Centcom AOR |
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 ex USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was towed to open waters for upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Exercise RIMPAC 2006 - July 2006  ex USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) was towed to open waters for upcoming sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Exercise RIMPAC 2006 - July 2006  decommissioning ceremony - San Diego, California - October 2005  final homecoming to San Diego, California - July 11, 2005  final homecoming to San Diego, California - July 11, 2005  Bahrain - July 2004  with 11th MEU(SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - off Kuwait - July 2004  North Arabian Gulf - July 2004  departing San Diego, California - May 2004  departing San Diego, California - May 2004  departing San Diego, California with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - May 2004  departing San Diego, California with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - May 2004  departing San Diego, California with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - SOC (MEU/SOC) and HMM-166(REIN) embarked - May 2004  during Operation Enduring Freedom - September 2002  in dry dock - March 2002  Apra Harbor, Guam - September 2000  departing Sasebo, Japan for her journey back to San Diego - August 2000  Okinawa, Japan - March 1999  with HMM-262(REIN) embarked - off South Korea - March 1993  with HMM-262(REIN) embarked - off South Korea - March 1993  Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines - 1993  off Hawaii - September 1992  off Hawaii - September 1992  Naval Base San Diego, California - June 1992  San Diego, California - October 1991  with HMM-262 and HMH-464 embarked - Exercise RIMPAC 90 - May 1990  September 1989  off California - 1989  off California - 1989  with HMM-161(REIN) embarked - January 1989  with HMM-161(REIN) embarked - January 1989  radar console - January 1989  radar console - January 1989  radar console - January 1989  radar console - January 1989  LCU-1651 enters the well deck of LHA-3 - 1989  RIM-7 Sea Sparrow SAM missile exercise - off California - December 1988  RIM-7 Sea Sparrow SAM missile exercise - off California - December 1988  with HMM-163(C) embarked - June 1987  with HMM-163(C) embarked - June 1987  with HMM-163(C) embarked - June 1987  with HMM-163(C) embarked - June 1987  Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines - February 1987  circa 1986  during Exercise Team Spirit 84 - March 1984  air traffic control - March 1984  with 31st Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) and HMM-262(C) embarked - June 1982  cutout: note the aft Mk.45 gun and the Mk.25 Sea Sparrow box launcher / there are AV-8A Harrier and OV-10A Bronco aircraft on deck  with AV-8A Harrier aircraft on deck - May 1982  April 1982  September 1978  cutout: note the two Mk.45 guns on the bow  Gulf of Mexico - June 1978  circa 1978 |
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USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3): Homeported in NS San Diego, California in October 1978, Belleau Wood participated in her first full-scale operation in 1979 off the coast of Hawaii. In early 1979, she reported to Long Beach Naval Shipyard in Long Beach, California for a one-year engine overhaul. Belleau Wood began her first major deployment in January 1981. The ship rescued 150 Vietnamese refugees, earning the crew the Humanitarian Service Medal. The deployment included three major exercises and eight port visits. Belleau Wood returned to San Diego in August 1981. August 1982 marked the ship's second deployment where she participated in four major amphibious exercises in the Philippines, Thailand, Somalia, and Australia - including Valiant Usher; Team Spirit and Jade Tiger 83 and eleven port visits. Ports visited were Honolulu, Hawaii (2 times); Hong Kong; Subic Bay, Philippines (2 times); Singapore (2 times); Phuket, Thailand; Diego Garcia; Barbara, Somalia; and Perth, Australia. The ship returned to San Diego in February 1983. She went to an extensive yard period in Naval Station Long Beach for almost eight months from early March to late October 1983. Her third successful deployment ran from January 1984. Belleau Wood joined numerous major amphibious exercises in Hawaii, Korea and the Philippines. The ship visited twelve ports including Honolulu, Hawaii (2 times); Hong Kong (2 times); Subic Bay, Philippines (2 times); Yokosuka, Japan; Singapore; Pohang and Pusan, South Korea and Phuket, Thailand. She returned to home port in mid-July 1984. The ship then completed an 11-month complex overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington from March 1985 to February 1986. Belleau Wood then traveled to her home base at Naval Station San Diego. After completing numerous exercises 1986, the ship received the Battle-E, for Battle Readiness and was ready for deployment. In January 1987, Belleau Wood got underway for her fourth deployment. The crew participated in four major exercises, including the first winter amphibious exercises conducted off the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea since World War II, and introduced the ship to the AV-8B Harrier "jump jet". The ship also received the Admiral Flatley Memorial Award for Aviation Safety in 1987. Whilst in the Bering Sea, the ship and crew battled 90-foot (27 m) seas sailing through an area where two cyclones had merged. Belleau Wood received extensive damage from the storm which led to an extended stay in the naval shipyards at Subic Bay. Other ports of call during the deployment included Okinawa, Japan; Pohang and Pusan; Pattaya Beach, Thailand and Phuket. After the Crossing the Line Ceremony at the Equator, Belleau Wood lost power as both engines and one of two generators stopped, causing her to drift for five days at sea and have to be towed by USS Anchorage. Destined for Tasmania, she limped into Sydney Harbor for repairs to the boilers while Anchorage replaced her off Tasmania. Both the Belleau Wood and Midway Battle Groups sailed into Sydney Harbour. After which, the Battle Groups participated with the Australian Navy in exercises. Belleau Wood underwent repairs at the Long Beach Naval Ship Yards during 1987-1988. In January 1989, Belleau Wood departed for the Western Pacific. Over the next five months, the ship participated in Exercise Team Spirit 89 in Korea and Exercise Valiant Usher in the Philippines and Korea. On 4 October, the ship hosted the Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union during his historic visit to the United States. Belleau Wood entered her second complex overhaul at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in 1990. Major work included an upgrade to CIWS and installation of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system. On 31 August 1992, Belleau Wood sailed out of San Diego, bound for her new homeport in Sasebo, Japan. During this transit, the ship provided disaster relief to the people of Kauai, Hawaii after Hurricane Iniki ravaged the island. For this, the crew was awarded its second Humanitarian Service Medal. On arrival in Japan, Belleau Wood joined Amphibious Group 1 and Amphibious Squadron 11, and became the world's only forward deployed large deck amphibious ship. On the night of 27 October 1992, two members of the Belleau Wood crew murdered a fellow crew member in a public park just outside the Sasebo Naval Base in what was later described as one of the most horrific homophobic acts in US naval history. The murder and subsequent cover-up by the United States Navy became one of the strongest arguments forcing the US Department of Defense to implement the "Don't ask Don't tell" policy pertaining to openly gay men and women serving in the US military. The murder of the crew member and the subsequent collective punishment implemented by the replacement commanding officer lead to a diminished ability of Belleau Wood as a naval asset. Following the exposé published in Esquire Magazine relating to the murder and collective punishment by the new commanding officer, the ship was given the moniker of the "Prison Ship Belleau Wood" by many of the ship's crew. It was the first murder of this kind in the city of Sasebo for nearly 90 years. On 24 November 1992, Belleau Wood became the last ship to sail out of the Philippines while conducting the final withdrawal of U.S. forces from Subic Bay Naval Base and Naval Air Station Cubi Point. Following her move to Japan, Belleau Wood became a familiar sight at joint military exercises such as Valiant Usher in Australia, Team Spirit in Korea, Cobra Gold in Thailand, and Tandem Thrust near Guam (originally in Australia). Belleau Wood also became the first large-deck Navy ship to undergo pierside maintenance by COMLOGWESTPAC in Singapore. From January to April 1995, Belleau Wood served as the Command Platform for Operation United Shield. In 1996, the Belleau Wood was one of several naval movements involved in the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. Belleau Wood was deployed to East Timor as part of the Australian-led INTERFET peacekeeping task force from 5 to 28 October 1999. In July 2000, Belleau Wood took part in the largest crew swap to date when she was relieved as forward deployed amphibious assault ship. The procedure started when USS Essex arrived in Sasebo on 13 July 2000. The swap was part of a planned rotation of forward deployed naval forces in Japan, and was the third crew-swap exchange. The ships’ crews simply switched ships, minimizing the impact of moving families from homeport to homeport. Sailors in Sasebo assigned to Belleau Wood, moved on to Essex, while sailors from San Diego assigned to Essex moved aboard Belleau Wood. Belleau Wood and the San Diego-based crew then returned to San Diego in mid-August to begin overhaul and maintenance cycles. From 17 January to 16 June 2001 Belleau Wood conducted a five-month dry dock planned maintenance availability, during which time she had a fifth air conditioning system installed, upgraded collection holding and transfer systems, and revamped combat system and intelligence suites. On 15 June 2002 the ship deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, she participated in exercises Infinite Moonlight in Jordan and Eager Mace in Kuwait. She also provided humanitarian assistance off the east coast of Djibouti in October and off East Timor in November before returning to San Diego on 15 December. During 2002, Belleau Wood was the backdrop for the making of the movie Antwone Fisher. On 22 January 2003, Belleau Wood entered the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company Shipyard at San Diego for a complex overhaul that lasted till 8 October 2003. In November 2003, Belleau Wood was the site of another first when Brigadier General Joseph V. Medina took command of Expeditionary Strike Group Three, of which Belleau Wood was the flagship. This event marked the first time in history that a United States Marine Corps officer took command of a naval flotilla. In July 2004, Belleau Wood lead the amphibious ready group that transported the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit to Kuwait and disembarked the Marines. After months of sailing in the Persian Gulf, the ships returned to San Diego without the Marines who later flew back to CONUS. The ship was decommissioned on 28 October 2005. She was expended as a target and sunk off the coast of Hawaii as part of RIMPAC '06 exercises on 13 July 2006. source: wikipedia - - - - - another history: Chronology and significant events: 23 Sep 1978: Commissioned at Pascagoula, Miss., as a General Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHA), designed to embark, transport, and land elements of the landing force, with supplies and equipment, by means of helicopters, landing craft, and amphibian vehicles. 27 Sep 1978: A USMC CH-46 made the first helicopter landing on board. 28 Sep - 28 Oct 1978: In transit, via the Panama Canal, to her new home port. Dec 1978: Conducted AV-8 Harrier compatability evaluations to determine how Harriers could most effectively be operated from an LHA. 8 Jul 1979 - 9 May 1980: Underwent a Post Shakedown Availability at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Mar 1981: Belleau Wood and her embarked Marine elements participated in Team Spirit 81, a joint amphibious exercise involving over 53 U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROKN) ships and over 170,00 men. Apr 1981: Involved in two rescues of Vietnamese “boat people” whose craft were in distress. The two rescues involved more than 135 refugees. The ship received the Humanitarian Service Medal for these efforts. Jun 1981: Spearheaded the Valiant Usher 81-4, a joint U.S.-Australian amphibious assault designed to improve combat readiness and promote cooperation between military elements of the participating nations. Nov - Dec 1982: Participated in Valiant Usher 83-3 and Jade Tiger 83, the latter a combined military exercise that encompassed a full range of military training including amphibious operations. 22 Apr - 5 Oct 1983: Conducted Selected Restricted Availability period at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The primary reason for the yard period was the installation of a prototype Collective Protection System, designed to provide a toxic-free environment in the ship’s island structure following chemical, biological, or radiological attack. Jan - Jul 1984: During her deployment to the Western Pacific she participated in seven exercises including Kernel Blitz 84-1, LANDEX at Zambales, Team Spirit, Valiant Usher 84-7 and various phases of Battle Week 84-3. 13 Mar 1985 - 28 Jan 1986: Entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a complex overhaul; in drydock from 13 March to 4 September. 22 - 30 Jan 1987: Participated in Kernel Potlatch 87-1, an integrated amphibious and carrier battle group exercise, the first winter amphibious exercise in the Aleutian Island chain since World War II. The operation also experienced a real world scenario when Belleau Wood air controllers directed the first AV-8B Harrier intercept of a Soviet Bear and Badger aircraft. During the exercise high seas, 18-24 foot waves, damaged the ship’s bow. Jan - Jul 1987: During Belleau Wood’s Western Pacific deployment she participated in numerous exercises, including Kernel Potlatch 87-1, Valiant Usher 87-1, Team Spirit 87, and Pitch Black. Belleau Wood claimed numerous achievements and firsts during the deployment. Besides the items listed in the chronology entry for 22-30 Jan 1987 (above) they include: first to deploy with both AV-8B Harrier IIs and CH-53E helos, first LHA to accept an LCAC into her well deck, first LHA to deploy with 29 aircraft (the largest deck multiple ever for an LHA), and the first LHA to test the concept of Emergency Defense of the Amphibious Task Force by combining USMC Stinger Teams, AV-8B Harrier IIs and AH-1 Cobra helicopters. 8 Jan - 7 Jun 1988: Entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a Selected Restricted Availability period. Jan - Jun 1989: While deployed to the Western Pacific she participated in Valiant Usher 89-4 and 89-8, Team Spirit 89, and Valiant Mark. Of special note during this deployment was the outstanding performance of the ship’s hospital, that handled three major medical emergencies in which numerous military personnel were brought on board for treatment following mishaps during various exercises. 17 Mar 1989: While deployed to the Western Pacific, a CH-46 from the embarked HMM-161 crashed ashore, killing all four crewmen. 4 Oct 1989: The ship hosted the Soviet Minister of Defense and the Soviet Ambassador to the U.S., along with the Vice Chairman of the JCS and other U.S. military dignitaries. The visitors were given a tour of the ship, an AV-8B Harrier II demonstration, and lunch. 12 - 22 Oct 1989: While operating in northern California waters she participated in the Pacific Command Joint Anti-Drug Task Force and was under the operational control of Coast Guard District 13 in Seattle. A five-man USCG Law Enforcement Detachment was embarked during this operation. May 1990: While participating in exercise RIMPAC 90 Belleau Wood’s embarked elements included the U.S. Army’s 1/27 Infantry Battalion as well as elements of the Ninth Marines. 13 Nov 1990 - 11 Oct 1991: Entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a Complex Overhaul. On 6 December she entered dry dock and remained there until 30 April 1991. The overhaul involved improvements to the ship’s weapon systems, engineering plant, and habitability spaces, as well as upgrades to several electronic systems to increase the ship’s combat capabilities, one of which was the installation of a “flag-configured” communications suite. Sep 1992: Provided disaster relief to the island of Kauai following Hurricane Iniki. Nov 1992: While deployed to the Philippine operating area the ship assumed all administrative and operational responsibilities of NAS Cubi Point in support of its final closure. 6 Oct 1993 - 28 Jan 1994: Underwent a Selected Restricted Availability yard period, receiving improvements to communications equipment, rehabilitation of all USMC and crew berthing spaces, and the installation of the Rolling Airframe Missile System. 29 May 1994: Lieutenant Mary Sobray, the first woman assigned to Belleau Wood’s crew, arrived, reporting for duty as the ship’s intelligence officer. 26 Nov - 23 Dec 1994: During her operations in the waters off Singapore and exercise Tandem Thrust, she was alerted to possible duty off the coast of Somalia due to tensions in that country. The ship remained in Singapore for four days before receiving word that she could return to her home port in Sasebo. However, once she returned to Sasebo she remained on a 96-hour tether for possible duty in Somalia for the remainder of the month. 8 Feb 1995: Arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia, and participated in Operation United Shield, the landing of Marines ashore in Mogadishu for the evacuation of U.N. forces from the country. The withdrawal marked the end of two years of U.N. support for Somalia. 1 - 3 Mar 1995: Participated in the evacuation of U.N. forces and non-combatants from Mogadishu. She transported over 150 non-combatants to Mombasa, Kenya, on 4 March. 5 Aug - 14 Nov 1995: Began Selected Restricted Availability at Sasebo. On 14 November the ship’s SRA came to an end and two days later she was underway for sea trials. 12 - 17 Aug 1996: Anchored at Vladivostok, Russia, for a historic port visit. The visit, Cooperation from the Sea ’96, involved a wreath-laying ceremony to honor American and Russian Navy veterans, sporting events, combined amphibious maneuvers with Russian counterparts, a tree-planting ceremony, and finally Russian helicopters performed numerous take-offs and deck landings on the ship. 31 Aug 1996 - 8 Apr 1997: Yard period; on 3 December entered a floating dry dock for Extended Drydock Selective Restricted Availability. On 4 March 1997, undocked from the Sagami Floating Drydock, and during the following two days, her 5-inch gun mounts were removed. Conducted sea trials during 6 to 8 April. 5 Aug-7 Oct 1998: In port Sasebo for Ship Repair Availability. 20 Oct 1998 - 18 Mar 1999: During a routine deployment for an annual exercise in Korean waters, Foal Eagle, Belleau Wood was heading south for a port visit to Hong Kong when she was ordered to return to Okinawa and off-load MAGTF 4 and load the 31st MEU Marines and then transit to the Persian Gulf. Belleau Wood’s new orders were to provide support for Operations Desert Thunder and Southern Watch—the monitoring of the U.N. imposed no-fly zone over southern Iraq. 16 Dec 1998: Participation in Operation Desert Fox began. The ship acted as the staging platform for Combat Search and Rescue Operations in case an American or Coalition plane was shot down during the four-day operation intended to neutralize Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction programs. She also provided support for Marines ashore in Kuwait. 14 Sep - 8 Nov 1999: Operated off Indonesia in response to a crisis in East Timor, providing heavy-lift logistical support for the Australian-led U.N. Peace Keeping mission. By 1 October HMM-265, the ship’s assigned helicopter squadron, provided support for the International Forces on East Timor as part of Operation Stabilise. On 7 October, she relieved Mobile Bay (CG 53) and assumed responsibility of U.S. naval support for the operations in East Timor. The ship and her assigned units also provided humanitarian support for the International Peacekeeping forces in East Timor by ferrying cargo and people ashore. 15 Apr - 30 Jun 2000: Commenced Restricted Availability period in Sasebo. 1 Jul 2000: Began “hull swap” with Essex (LHD 2), the largest hull swap and exchange of command in the U.S. Navy wherein Essex replaced Belleau Wood as the forward deployed Amphibious Assault ship. Belleau Wood’s crew, however, remained in Japan and transferred to Essex. The Essex crew transferred to Belleau Wood and sailed her back to San Diego, Calif., her new home port. 11 Aug - 13 Oct 2000: Belleau Wood departed Sasebo, Japan, in route to her new home port of San Diego via operations in Korean waters, maintenance availability in Guam, stops at Saipan and Pearl Harbor. 17 Jan - 16 Jun 2001: Belleau Wood conducted a five-month dry dock planned maintenance availability, during which time the ship had a fifth air conditioning system installed, upgraded collection holding and transfer systems, and revamped combat system and intelligence suites. 15 Jun - 15 Dec 2002: Deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While deployed, she participated in exercises Infinite Moonlight in Jordan and Eager Mace in Kuwait. She also provided humanitarian assistance off the east coast of Djibouti in October and off East Timor in November. 22 Jan - 8 Oct 2003: Complex Overhaul, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company. She lay in dry dock from 11 March to 10 July. 27 May - 24 Oct 2004: Deployed with an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Her deployment occurred a few weeks earlier than planned and demonstrated the flexibility of naval assets and the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), a plan whereby naval forces have been trained to immediately respond to a crisis or contingency with the required combat power and on short notice. The ESG was commanded by a Marine Corps General - the first time a Marine had been in command of an ESG and USN warships. 5 Jul 2004: Aviation elements in Belleau Wood conducted their first missions in support of the GWOT when they flew close-air support into Iraq. The missions were in support of the coalition forces who were continuing to perform security and stability operations in Iraq. The two AV-8B Harrier IIs flying the mission were from VMA-214 Det B, part of HMM-166 (Reinforced).   * On 30 September 1992 Belleau Wood’s home port was changed from San Diego, Calif., to Sasebo, Japan. Belleau Wood became the only forward deployed Amphibious Assault Ship. The time frame reflects her permanent forward deployment and operations in Western Pacific waters. ** On 11 August 2002 Belleau Wood departed Sasebo, Japan, in route to her new home port of San Diego, Calif. This change of home port involved the largest hull swap and exchange of command in the U.S. Navy. USS Essex (LHD 2) replaced Belleau Wood as the forward deployed Amphibious Assault ship. However, the crew that has served aboard Belleau Wood remained in Japan and transferred to Essex. The Essex crew that had sailed the ship to Japan transferred their seabags and personal items to Belleau Wood and sailed the ship back to the States and its new home port. |
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The Battle of Belleau Wood,
France (June 1 - June 26, 1918): Belleau Wood, near Chateau Thierry, France, was the scene of a battle between the 4th Marine Brigade and elements of three German divisions in June 1918. This was part of the larger Battle of the Aisne, launched on 27th May by Germany in the hopes of defeating French forces near Paris before significant American forces could arrive at the front. The German Southern Army Group broke through the British and French divisions defending Chemin des Dames ridge on the first day of the attack, forcing the defenders across the Aisne and Vesle Rivers. German forces continued their advance, reaching the Marne River on 1 June before the offensive slowed. Meanwhile, the American Army's 2d Division, with the 4th Marine Brigade attached, was ordered from its training areas north of Paris to a position northwest of Chateau Thierry. Attached to the French XXI Corps, the American troops took up positions astride the Paris-Metz highway on 1st June. The following day, a limited German attack rolled back the French outposts and occupied the towns of Tourcy and Bouresches, including the woods called Bois de Belleau between them, in front of the marine positions. As the French fell back through the marines, an officer advised Marine Corps Capt. Lloyd Williams to withdraw his men. Williams replied: "Retreat, hell! We just got here." On 3rd June, the German infantry advanced toward the 4th Brigade but were driven back by heavy artillery and long-range rifle fire. By the 5th, when it became clear that the Germans had shifted to the tactical defensive, the French corps commander ordered the 4th Brigade to attack Bois de Belleau. The month-long action remembered as the Battle of Belleau Wood began on 6th June with a battalion-level attack on a hill near Torcy. Although the assault companies suffered devastating enfilade fire, Hill 142 was taken after bloody hand-to-hand combat. The following day, three battalions attacked the woods and Boureches from the southwest. Short on artillery support and hobbled by poor maneuver tactics, the marines again suffered heavy losses as they tried to clear the woods of machinegun nests. By evening, they held the edge of Belleau Wood and had cleared Boureches after desperate street fighting. Reinforced and resupplied, they held the town all night against repeated counterattacks. The day's fighting had cost the marines over 1,000 casualties, more than the Corps had lost in its entire history. The 4th Brigade continued assaults into Belleau Wood for the next twelve days, fighting an attrition-style battle of platoons and squads in the confined wooded terrain. The advance slowed to a crawl as units were decimated in close combat and the entire brigade was forced to pull out of the fighting to regroup on 18 June. Returning to Belleau Wood on 25 June, the marines launched the final two-battalion assault that drove the last German battalion from its trenches. Early in the morning on the 26th, the tired marines reported "Belleau Wood now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." Although the operation had cost the 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. The second ship to be assigned the name Belleau Wood. The first ship named Belleau Wood was designated CVL-24, commissioned 31 March 1943 and decommissioned on 13 January 1947. |
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