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Shield: The United States is symbolized by the colors of the field and by the bald eagle, wings outspread beyond the shield to denote the scope, beyond the shield to denote the scope, beyond her own shore, of the U.S. influence for stability in affairs worldwide. The border signifies unity and cooperation. The gold has been chosen for its universal symbolism of excellence. Swords: The Naval Officer’s and Marine Mameluke are crossed diagonally, representing strength and cooperation. Crest: The star of six points represents all
the ships named Boxer; the octagon charged with a gold star
recalls the eight battle stars won by Boxer (CV 21) during the
conflict in Korea, symbolized by the taeguk that bears the star; and
the laurel wreath represents honor and the maintenance and pursuit of
peace.
Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose) Boxer (LHD 4) is the sixth ship to be named Boxer. The first, a 14-gun brig, was commissioned in 1815 and lost on 25 October 1817. The second, a 10-gun schooner, was commissioned in 1832 and sold on 7 August 1848. The third, a blockade runner captured during the Civil War, was taken into service as Tristram Shandy but renamed Boxer on 12 June 1865. The fourth, a training brigantine, was commissioned on 11 May 1905 and transferred to the Department of the Interior on 14 May 1920. The fifth, an aircraft carrier, CV-21, was commissioned 16 April 1945; redesignated CVA-21 on 1 October 1952, CVS-21 on 1 February 1956, and, ultimately, LPH-4 on 30 January 1959, she was decommissioned on 1 December 1969. Chronology and Significant Events: 9 Feb 1995: A CH-53 from HMH-461 makes the first landing on her flight deck. 11 Feb 1995: Commissioned; her mission is to load, transport, and land troops and equipment ashore. 20 Feb-15 Mar 1995: Transit from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to San Diego, California, her homeport, via the Panama Canal. 26 Mar-2 Jun 1995: Shipyard availability, San Diego. 19 Sep 1995: Conducts first AV-8B Harrier II day operations. 2 Jan-Feb 1996: Underwent restricted availability, San Diego. 12 Mar-9 May 1996: Post-shakedown availability, Long Beach Naval Shipyard. She received major systems and equipment upgrades as well as alterations to accommodate the “Women at Sea” program. Renovated areas included the mess decks, library, barber shop, personnel and ship’s office, medical spaces, magazines, and weapons sponsons for the 25-mm chain gun. 24 Mar-24 Sep 1997: Deployed to
the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean; she participated in Operation
Infinite Moonlight, and exercises Red Reef and Iron Magic. 19 Aug-8 Oct 1999: Planned maintenance availability, San Diego. 30 May-13 Jul 2000: Participated in RIMPAC 2000, a multi-national exercise held in Hawaiian waters involving armed forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. 25 Nov 2001-4 Apr 2002: Dry
dock availability at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San
Diego. 1 Apr 2003: U.S. Army Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch, 19, captured by the Iraqis when her convoy was ambushed on 23 March 2003, was rescued from Saddam Hospital, An Nasiriyah. The daring operation by Task Force 20, including CH-46E Sea Knights from HMM-165 embarked in Boxer, CH-53E Super Stallions and Navy SEALs, began at midnight, supported by Marines from Task Force Charlie, who staged a diversionary attack to draw away Iraqi irregulars. 20 Apr 2003: Along with Bataan (LHD 5), Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), Kearsarge (LHD 3), Saipan (LHA 2) and Tarawa (LHA 1), operated with 26 other ships of Task Force 51 in the northern Persian Gulf—comprising the largest concentration of amphibious power since the Korean War. 4-31 May 2003: Continued to provide support operations following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq in late April. 14 Jan-29 Apr 2004: With only six-week notice, she conducted a four-month surge deployment to the Indian Ocean, supporting Iraqi Freedom II. She delivered 16 USMC MH-53E helicopters and mission essential equipment to forward-deployed USMC units ashore in Iraq.
Changes in armament and major systems (Weapons and radar/sonar equipment): In 1996 the ship installed GAU-12, 20-mm and 25-mm Gun Pod Storage. Major Overseas Deployments (or deployments away from home port for more than 2 months)
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