USS Suribachi (AE 21)

- decommissioned -

USS SURIBACHI was the lead ship of the SURIBACHI - class of Ammunition Ships. Commissioned in November 1956, she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, frequently deploying to the Mediterranean to provide ammunition and other supplies to ships operating there. In 1963, she was modernized with new "FAST" underway replenishment gear and a helicopter deck, both of which enabled her to supply cargo more rapidly and in a greater variety of conditions. SURIBACHI made one deployment to the Far East in 1972-73 to support Vietnam operations, and in the Summer of 1990 she steamed to the Persian Gulf area to participate in Operation Desert Shield. She decommissioned in December 1994 and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register two years later on December 12, 1996. At the present time she is berthed at the James River Reserve Fleet, Fort Eustis, VA, awaiting final disposal.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: June 4, 1954
	Keel laid: January 31, 1955
	Launched: November 2, 1955
	Commissioned: November 17, 1956
	Decommissioned: December 2, 1994
	Builder: Bethlehem Steel, Shipyard Inc., Sparrows Point, Md.
	Propulsion system: Two boilers, geared turbines, one shaft, 16,000 shaft horsepower
	Length: 511 feet (155.75 meters)
	Beam: 72 feet (22 meters)
	Draft: 29 feet (8.8 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 17,450 tons full load
	Speed: 20 knots
	Aircraft: helo platform only
	Armament: 4 3-inch/50-caliber guns
	Crew: 20 Officers and 324 Enlisted

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Crew List:

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