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September 26, 1987 the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Leyte Gulf in Jacksonville Florida. CTO3 Chuck Dean was ships company and was fortunate enough to have his family present for the historic event. Mr. Dean is shown on the pier at commissioning with his son. |
| By the time this photo of OT division was taken Chuck had made CTO2. His shipmates below are Left to right: CTRC Mike Henson, CTO3 Connan Jackson, CTR1 Brian Ashpole, CTM2 Steve Snyder, CTI1 Frank Christianson (NSGA FM DirSup), CTO2 Chuck Dean, CTR2 Billy Martin, CTO2 Roger Weldon, CWO3 Paul Solis. |
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| Some of OT Division at the Lyete Gulf Reunion in Jacksonville, FL 2004.
Left to right CWO4/CTRC Brian Ashpole, CTO2(SW) Connan Jackson, CO Capt. "Jette" Browne, LT/CTRCS Paul Solis , CTOCS Chuck Dean. |
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"Steel Beach" Picnic onboard USS Lyete Gulf. Left foreground CTR3 Paul Holbrook, Center CTM2 Steve Snyder, Right foreground CTO2 Chuck Dean, Right in dungarees FC1 Cary Carver. Left rear in coveralls and in ball cap unidentified. |
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Left: GQ finds CTO3 Connan Jackson at his battle station. Apparently he is taking a break having already loaded chaff rockets to capacity.
Right: On a cool morning coming into South Carolina, CTM2 Steve Snyder offers CTO1 Roger Weldon his coffee cup. |
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Left: CTO1 Roger Weldon, center, is ecstatic upon his reenlistment. At right CTR3 Paul Holbrook seems satisfied about it while CTO2 Bill Halden at left seems a bit shocked by events.
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| Right: A Russian Bear Bomber takes a close look at the USS Lyete Gulf in the North Atlantic during "Teamwork 88." |  |
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Right: Spectacular blues frame Izmir, Turkey |
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| Right: CTO2 Doug Sharpless on board the USS Teddy Roosevelt took this photo of USS Leyte Gulf with USS South Carolina in background. |  |
For more information about this ship visit: Navy Vessel Register for USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) (Opens in a new window.)
Photos and names provided by CTOCS Chuck Dean.
Interpretation and editorial comment by CTOCS Ken Spranza who is responsible for any errors or misstatements.