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USS Tripoli (LHA 7)

USS TRIPOLI is the second ship in the AMERICA - class of amphibious assault ships and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. Unlike the other amphibious assault ships in the Navy, the USS TRIPOLI is not equipped with a well deck to provide more space for aviation facilities.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: May 31, 2012
	Keel laid: June 20, 2014
	Launched: May 1, 2017
	Commissioned: July 15, 2020
	Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Miss.
	Propulsion system: two marine gas turbines
	Propellers: two
	Aircraft elevators: two
	Length: 844 feet (257.3 meters)
	Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters)
	Draft: 26 feet (7.9 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 44,971 tons full load
	Speed: 22+ knots
	Aircraft: 30+ (including V-22 Osprey, AH-1Z Viper and AH-1W Super Cobra, F-35B, CH-53K Sea Stallion, MH-60S Naval Hawk)
	Crew: Ship: 65 officers, 994 enlisted Marine Detachment: 1871
	Armament: two Rolling Airframe Missile Systems (RAM), two Phalanx CIWS, two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers, seven twin .50 BMG machine guns
	Homeport: San Diego, Calif.

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Crew List:

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

Click here to view the list.

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Click here to see which USS TRIPOLI memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The colors of the shield - dark blue, red and gold - are associated with the US Navy and US Marine Corps. These specific colors represent both the current crew as well as the Marines and Sailors who fought in the Battle of Derne at Tripoli. The inverted pall partitions the shield into thirds, signifying LHA 7 as the third ship to bear the name USS TRIPOLI. The sun in glory above sand dunes depicts the 600-mile desert journey from Alexandria, Egypt to Derne, Tripoli led by General William Eaton, USA, and First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, USMC.

The trident, featuring a lightning bolt, depicts the three prongs of USS TRIPOLI's capabilities - air, land and sea. The lightning bolt also represents the F-35B Lightning II which USS TRIPOLI can fully support. The three bars wavy represent USS TRIPOLI's ability to navigate across the oceans in defense of national interests.

The magnolia flower pays homage to the State of Mississippi, where USS TRIPOLI was built. All three venues - land, air and sea - are referenced in the shield to reflect and reinforce the ship's motto. The three anchors represent the USS ARGUS, USS HORNET and USS NAUTILUS that provided necessary support, supplies and money to Eaton and O'Bannon along the trek to Tripoli. Additionally, the ships aided Eaton and O'Bannon during the battle with cannon fire upon the enemy's strongholds.

The two Kentucky long rifles are in honor of O'Bannon serving in the Kentucky State Legislature and Senate after his military career as well as denoting his final resting place. Further, the rifles are angled to signify O'Bannon as the first person to raise the American flag in victory on foreign soil.

The ten musket balls pay homage to the eight Marines and two Sailors who were engaged in the Battle of Derna. The eagle, bearing the arms of the United States, is emblematic of Eaton's appointed position as a Consul of Tunis. The fasces, symbolic of leadership and authority, emphasizes Eaton's diplomatic role.

The arrow within the fasces conveys direction, as well as serves to imply a backing of military force. The olive wreath is associated with peace and compliments the conciliatory efforts made by Eaton prior to the Battle of Derna.

IN ÆRE TERRAM MARIQUE translates to IN THE AIR, ON LAND, AND SEA. This personifies the capabilities of USS TRIPOLI as an amphibious warfare vessel and echoes a verse in the Marine Corps Hymn. The Navy Officer sword and Marine Corps Mameluke sword signify leadership and teamwork. The Marine Corps adoption of the Mameluke stems from O'Bannon being awarded the sword by Hamet Karamanli for his leadership and bravery in the decisive victory at Derne. This honor is further commemorated in the Marine Corps Hymn with "To the shores of Tripoli".

The Navy cutlass and Marine Corps NCO sword pay tribute to the enlisted team on the ship.

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USS TRIPOLI Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the TRIPOLI under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., on October 17, 2019.

The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the TRIPOLI at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on November 29, 2021.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS TRIPOLI before and during the Parade of Ships during Fleet Week San Francisco in San Francisco Bay, Calif., on October 11, 2024.

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