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USNS Pomeroy (T-AKR 316)

- Military Sealift Command -

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USNS POMEROY is the seventh WATSON - class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship (LMSR) and the first ship in the Navy named after Pfc. Pomeroy.

General Characteristics:Awarded: November 14, 1997
Keel laid: April 25, 2000
Launched: March 10, 2001
Delivered: August 14, 2001
Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding, San Diego, CA
Propulsion system: two GE Marine LM gas turbines
Propellers: two
Length: 951.4 feet (290 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters)
Draft: 34.1 feet (10.4 meters)
Displacement: approx. 62,970 tons full load
Speed: 24 knots
Aircraft: helicopter landing area only
Armament: none
Capacity: 393,000 sq. ft. (more than 900 vehicles including tanks and trucks)
Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty
Homeport: Diego Garcia


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USNS POMEROY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Name:

USNS POMEROY is named in honor of Pfc. Pomeroy who was born on March 26, 1930, in Quinwood, West Virginia. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions Oct. 15, 1952, near Kumbwa, Korea. While Pomeroy's platoon attempted to hold key ground, Pomeroy manned a machine gun at the end of a trench to protect the platoon's flank from a surprise attack. Enemy forces attacked through a ravine leading directly to Pomeroy. Pomeroy began firing on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties, so the attacking force concentrated their fire on Pomeroy's position. Despite intense enemy fire, Pomeroy continued to shoot until he was severely wounded and his gun mount was inoperable. At this point, he picked up the hot, heavy gun and charged the enemy, firing until he ran out of ammunition. He then used the gun as a club to engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until he was mortally wounded. Pomeroy's brave actions cost him his life but enabled his platoon to hold their position.

Citation:

Pfc. Pomeroy, a machine gunner with Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his comrades were consolidating on a key terrain feature, he manned a machinegun at the end of a communication trench on the forward slope to protect the platoon flank and prevent a surprise attack. When the enemy attacked through a ravine leading directly to his firing position, he immediately opened fire on the advancing troops inflicting a heavy toll in casualties and blunting the assault. At this juncture the enemy directed intense concentrations of artillery and mortar fire on his position in an attempt to neutralize his gun. Despite withering fire and bursting shells, he maintained his heroic stand and poured crippling fire into the ranks of the hostile force until a mortar burst severely wounded him and rendered the gun mount inoperable. Quickly removing the hot, heavy weapon, he cradled it in his arms and, moving forward with grim determination, raked the attacking forces with a hail of fire. Although wounded a second time he pursued his relentless course until his ammunition was expended within 10 feet of the foe and then, using the machinegun as a club, he courageously closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat until mortally wounded. Pfc. Pomeroy's consummate valor, inspirational actions and supreme sacrifice enabled the platoon to contain the attack and maintain the integrity of the perimeter, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service.


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The photo below was taken by Stefan Karpinski and shows the POMEROY being escorted through Bab El Mandeb by the German frigate MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN (F 218) during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003.



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