USNS Bob Hope honors namesake

Dick Benoit

Thursday, July 31, 2003 | 8:52 a.m.

The Military Sealift Command's USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR 300) honored its late namesake by doing what Bob Hope would have wanted -- supporting the troops. USNS Bob Hope has been deployed for the past 81 days in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the ship's three main missions within the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, USNS Bob Hope transported nearly 38,912 tons of combat gear.

"The officers and crew of USNS Bob Hope have been proud to carry almost 40,000 tons of equipment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," said the ship's master, Capt. Joseph "David" Henderson Jr.

"Some of the equipment was used to support units like the 101st Airborne, a unit Mr. Hope entertained 33 years ago in Hue City, Vietnam. Some of it was water purifiers and construction equipment to help in the rebuilding of Iraq," said Henderson, who hails from Sterling, Ill.

When former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton made the announcement that a new class of ships would be named for Hope, he called the entertainer a "military hero" and said, "We can never repay him for his contributions to the men and women in uniform, but we can show our appreciation with a class of ships named in his honor. This is our way of saying, 'Thanks for the Memories.'

"It is an honor to serve aboard USNS Bob Hope, a vessel named for a man that has done so much for our men and women in uniform," Henderson said. "During times of conflict and separation from friends and family, he brought them a moment of happiness and laughter. I like to think he sails with us in spirit and approves of our small contribution. Bob Hope, I wish you fair winds and following seas as you travel to that distant shore."

USNS Bob Hope is the first ship to have been built in the Military Sealift Command's Large, Medium-Speed Roll-on/Roll-off (LMSR) T-AKR 300 class of ships. It is 950 feet long and displaces more than 62,000 long tons when fully loaded.

Officer of the Year

Air Force Capt. Scott Vaughan, the son of Dana Hammantree of Las Vegas, was recently named the Company Grade Officer of the Year as well as Junior Supply Manager of the Year at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

Vaughan, an operations officer assigned to the 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was recognized for his "exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, and other specific achievements and notable accomplishments."

In brief

Navy Airman Samuel Conrad, Las Vegas High School class of 2000, recently received a Letter of Commendation superior performance of duty while assigned with Strike Fighter Squardon 25, home based at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, Calif.

Marine Corps Cpl. Darius Stewart, son of Cheryl Corley of Henderson, recently reported for duty with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas G. Zurfluh, Cheyenne High School class of 2000, recently reported for duty at Fleet Home Town News Center, Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.

Marine Corps Pvt. Crystal Bridges, Cheyenne High School class of 2002 and daughter of JoAnn Bridges-Starks of Las Vegas, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Concetta Leggio, daughter of retired Air Force Master Sgt. John Leggio of Las Vegas, also completed Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island.

Marine Corps Pvt. Corey Nix, Faith Lutheran Senior High class of 2000 and son of Judith Ann Banks-Stuart of Las Vegas, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.

Navy Seaman Recruit Michael Laymon, Foothill High School class of 2001 and son of Stacey and Mark Laymon of Henderson, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.