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USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) is named for the daring raid carried out by Marine Raider Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion (Carlson’s Raiders) on Japanese held Makin Island on August 17-18, 1942 and for the USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE 93), a Casablanca class escort aircraft carrier which served during World War II from 1944 – 1946. COLORS: Dark blue alludes to the sea, the theater of Naval operations and gold is for excellence. Scarlet refers to the U.S. Marine Corps. MOTTO: “GUNG HO” was the Battle Cry of the Second Raider Battalion and the Motto of USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE 93). “Gung Ho” translated means “Work Together”. SHIELD: The shield border shape and thickness symbolize Makin Island, the atoll in the Gilbert Islands and honors the 30 Marine Raiders who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country there. The five stars commemorate the five battle stars awarded to CVE-93 during World War II. The USMC Raider Crest, a blue shield with skull and five stars in the shape of the Southern Cross commemorates Marine Raider Companies A and B, Second Raider Battalion. The trident, symbol of sea prowess, with its three tines represents the future contributions of USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8), its associated Expeditionary Strike Group, and USMC main battery in the air, across the surface, and under the sea. The trident also symbolizes the contributions that were made in these areas of Sea Power by the Second Raider Battalion and USS MAKIN ISLAND (CVE 93). CREST: The inverted blue star honors SSGT Thomason, who distinguished himself during the Makin Island Raid and was the first enlisted U.S. Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II. The embedded stylized cross alludes to the Navy Cross and commemorates the 23 awarded to Carlson’s Raiders after Makin Island. The Phoenix is the symbol of transformation and new beginnings. It has two heads, one looking to the past and the other to the future representing MAKIN ISLAND’s role as the transformational bridge between the LHD class and the next generation of amphibious capital ships. The flames and lightning bolts below the Phoenix symbolize the rebirth of amphibious capital ships with Gas Turbines, Electric Drive and all-electric auxiliaries. In the wreath below the flames, Blue represents the US Navy and the United States. White represents integrity and loyalty. The two colors interwoven in the wreath represent how these two responsibilities are forever intertwined. SUPPORTERS: A USN Officer’s Sword, 1917 Naval NCO Cutlass, USMC Officer’s Mameluke and a 1840 USMC NCO Sword were chosen to represent the teamwork required of Officer and Enlisted, Navy and Marine Corps for USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) to accomplish her mission. |
August 19, 2006 The newest and last ship in the Wasp-class of amphibious assault ships, Makin Island, was christened during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss. PCU Makin Island (LHD 8) is the Navy’s first amphibious assault ship equipped with an all electric auxiliary systems and a hybrid gas turbine - electric propulsion system. Navy Capt. Robert G. Kopas, born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Phoenix, and a graduate of Purdue University, is the ship’s commanding officer. Makin Island will be homeported in San Diego. Makin Island is named for the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps Companies Alpha and Bravo, Second Raider Battalion, on Japanese-held Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, Aug. 17-18, 1942. The raid was launched from the submarines USS Nautilus (SS 168) and USS Argonaut (SS 166) and succeeded in routing the enemy forces based there, gaining valuable intelligence. Twenty-three Navy Crosses were awarded for actions during the raid, including to the raid’s leader, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Evans Carlson, and executive officer, Marine Corps Maj. James Roosevelt (son of President Franklin Roosevelt). Marine Corps Sgt. Clyde Thomason was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism during the raid and was the first enlisted Marine to be so honored during World War II. March 7, 2008 PCU Makin Island reached milestone Feb. 26 when became the first Navy vessel with a 35,000 horsepower LM2500+ gas turbine engine to successfully complete forward main engine light off (MELO). LHD 8 is also the first amphibious assault ship equipped with a hybrid electric-drive propulsion system, a 4,160 volt electrical distribution system and an advanced machinery control system (MCS). This successful light-off paves the way for an aft MELO scheduled for March that will allow all necessary tests to the ship's propulsion system prior to builder's trials in June and acceptance trials in August. Following delivery to the Navy in November, Makin Island will transit to San Diego where she will be commissioned in April 2009. |
