[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 109 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DECOMMISSIONING THE USS GUAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 5, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the USS Guam is slated for 
decommissioning this coming August 25. The soon to be decommissioned 
ship is the third to bear the name of my home island. The original USS 
Guam was a 159-foot river gunboat launched in 1928. She carried five 
officers and a crew of forty-four with a mission of protecting American 
interests on the inland and coastal waters of China in the period 
preceding World War II. Renamed the USS Wake, the gunboat was captured 
by the Japanese in Shanghai on December 7, 1941.
  The second USS Guam was authorized by Congress on November 21, 1943. 
The second largest cruiser in the American fleet, the ship was manned 
by over 2,000 men. She entered the war in January, 1945 and earned two 
Battle Stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal, the Navy Occupation 
Service Medal, and the China Service Medal.
  The current Guam was commissioned on January 1965. An amphibious 
assault ship designated LPH-9, she is designed to transform more than 
2,000 Marine assault troops to combat areas and land them by helicopter 
at designated inland points. During the ship's distinguished service, 
she was assigned as prime recovery vessel for the Gemini XI mission. 
Among others, she also recovered a rocket designed to study atmospheric 
conditions during a solar eclipse, transported marines during several 
Caribbean deployments, performed humanitarian services in Peru, became 
part of the Multi-National Peacekeeping Force in the Middle East, and 
assisted in the rescue of 200 American citizens in Grenada. The third 
ship to be designated USS Guam received the Meritorious Unit 
Commendation, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Armed Forces 
Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and two Humanitarian 
Service Medals.
  After being decommissioned, we can only speculate whether this vessel 
would ever again be called to be of service to our nation or as they 
say, ``just fadeaway.'' Although we on Guam somehow feel sadness about 
the decommissioning of our island's namesake, we look forward to the 
return of several articles.
  Back when the gunboat Guam was still sailing the Yangtze River in 
1927, the people of Guam learned that the ship had no bell. Although 
ship's bells are considered obsolete nowadays, prior to the advent of 
our modern communication systems, bells used to sound when the ship is 
anchored in a fog, mist, falling snow, or heavy rainstorm. Further, the 
ship's bell was rung to indicate the time. In light of the situation, 
the chamber of commerce raised money by urging Guam's school children 
to contribute a penny a piece. By December, 1928 over $700 had been 
raised and a bell and a plague was presented to LtComdr R.K. Autry, who 
was then the ship's commanding officer.
  Details as to what happened to these items after the first ship's 
capture but they somehow ended up at the Marine Corps Barracks on Guam. 
In 1954, the bell and plaque was presented to the governor of Guam who 
decided to have it displayed at the Nieves Flores Memorial Library 
where the people of the island could see it. In 1985, Mr. Bill Banning, 
a retired marine, was able to arrange for the bell and plaque to be 
loaned to the current USS Guam.
  On August 25, I will be joining a number of Guam residents in 
witnessing a solemn ceremony wherein the United States flag and the 
commissioning pennant will be lowered. As the crew marches off, the 
United States Ship will be transformed into a mere hull of steel. This 
is the passing of an era, a truly emotional moment for those who had 
the privilege to serve and to the people who hail from the island the 
vessel was named after. On behalf of the people of Guam, the Guam 
Society of America, and the Guam community of Norfolk, Virginia, I 
would like to commend the officers and sailors who have made great 
contributions and focused attention to the good name of our home island 
by serving on the USS Guam. I also thank the ship's commanding officer, 
Capital Bill Luti, USN, and his crew for allowing us the honor to 
attend the ceremony. Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

                          ____________________