USS ASHLAND (LSD-48)

COMMISSIONED

9 MAY 1992

16 YEARS OF NAVAL SERVICE

ASHLAND HistoryASHLAND History

• Ashland is the eighth and last ship of the Ashland is the eighth and last ship of the WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) Class Ships.WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41) Class Ships.

• Ashland is the second ship to bear the name.Ashland is the second ship to bear the name.

• The Keel was laid on 4 April 1988 at New Orleans, The Keel was laid on 4 April 1988 at New Orleans, LA.LA.

• Launching and Christening took place on 11 Launching and Christening took place on 11 November 1989.November 1989.

ASHLAND NAMESAKEASHLAND NAMESAKE

• ASHLAND takes its name from the Lexington, ASHLAND takes its name from the Lexington, Kentucky, estate of Henry Clay.Kentucky, estate of Henry Clay.

• Ashland was his home from 1809 until his death in Ashland was his home from 1809 until his death in 1852.1852.

The First ASHLANDThe First ASHLAND

ASHLAND (LSD 1) HISTORYASHLAND (LSD 1) HISTORY

• Commissioned Commissioned - 5 June 1943- 5 June 1943• Decommissioned Decommissioned - March 1946- March 1946• CommissionedCommissioned - 27 December 1950- 27 December 1950• Decommissioned Decommissioned - 14 September 1957- 14 September 1957• CommissionedCommissioned - 29 November 1961- 29 November 1961• DecommissionedDecommissioned - 22 November 1969- 22 November 1969• Struck and sold for scrap – May 1970Struck and sold for scrap – May 1970

• First Dock Landing Ship in the FleetFirst Dock Landing Ship in the Fleet• First Ship named after Henry Clay Estate, AshlandFirst Ship named after Henry Clay Estate, Ashland• Built in Oakland, California when keel was laid on 22 June Built in Oakland, California when keel was laid on 22 June

1942.1942.

More LSD 1 HistoryMore LSD 1 History• After commissioning on 5 June 1943 ASHLAND was sent out for After commissioning on 5 June 1943 ASHLAND was sent out for

sea trials. Following two months of sea trials, the dock landing sea trials. Following two months of sea trials, the dock landing ship loaded amphibious craft and personnel at San Diego, CA, ship loaded amphibious craft and personnel at San Diego, CA, and then headed out to sea. Over the course of the next two and then headed out to sea. Over the course of the next two and a half years, from 11 August 1943 until January 1946, USS and a half years, from 11 August 1943 until January 1946, USS ASHLAND (LSD 1) took part in several amphibious exercises ASHLAND (LSD 1) took part in several amphibious exercises and assaults throughout the Western Pacific serving as a troop and assaults throughout the Western Pacific serving as a troop transport and small boat repair ship. On 23 January 1944 she transport and small boat repair ship. On 23 January 1944 she sortied with Task Force 52 for the assault on the Marshall sortied with Task Force 52 for the assault on the Marshall Islands. ASHLAND was directly involved in the assaults on Islands. ASHLAND was directly involved in the assaults on Kwajalein Island and Eniwotok and several of the other small Kwajalein Island and Eniwotok and several of the other small islands which would soon become major supply and fuel depots islands which would soon become major supply and fuel depots for friendly forces.for friendly forces.

• In the fall of 1944, ASHLAND was assigned to Task Force 79 In the fall of 1944, ASHLAND was assigned to Task Force 79 and prepared for the invasion of the Philippines where she took and prepared for the invasion of the Philippines where she took part in the assaults against Leyte and Luzon. The following part in the assaults against Leyte and Luzon. The following year she launched her boats against Iwo Jima on 19 February year she launched her boats against Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945.1945.

• She went on to flex her power in many more exercises and She went on to flex her power in many more exercises and assaults until her final decommissioning on 22 November 1969. assaults until her final decommissioning on 22 November 1969.

HENRY CLAY AN AMERICAN PIONEERHENRY CLAY AN AMERICAN PIONEER((April 12April 12, , 17771777 – – June 29June 29, , 18521852) was a nineteenth-century ) was a nineteenth-century American statesman and American statesman and oratororator who represented who represented KentuckyKentucky in both the in both the House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives and and SenateSenate. He was . He was a dominant figure in both the a dominant figure in both the First Party SystemFirst Party System to to 18241824, , and the and the Second Party SystemSecond Party System after that. Known as "The after that. Known as "The Great Compromiser" and "The Great Pacifier" for his Great Compromiser" and "The Great Pacifier" for his ability to bring others to agreement, he was the founder ability to bring others to agreement, he was the founder and leader of the and leader of the Whig PartyWhig Party and a leading advocate of and a leading advocate of programs for modernizing the economy, especially tariffs programs for modernizing the economy, especially tariffs to protect industry, a national bank, and internal to protect industry, a national bank, and internal improvements to promote canals, ports and railroads. He improvements to promote canals, ports and railroads. He was a leading was a leading War HawkWar Hawk and, according to and, according to historianhistorian Clement EatonClement Eaton, was "more than any other individual" , was "more than any other individual" responsible for the responsible for the War of 1812War of 1812. Clay made an immediate . Clay made an immediate impact in his first congressional term, including becoming impact in his first congressional term, including becoming Speaker of the U.S. House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. . Clay was also called "Henry of the West" and "The Clay was also called "Henry of the West" and "The

Western Star."Western Star."

The Lafayette class submarine USS Henry Clay (SSBN-625) remains the only The Lafayette class submarine USS Henry Clay (SSBN-625) remains the only

ship of the United States Navy named in his honor.ship of the United States Navy named in his honor.

DID YOU KNOW?DID YOU KNOW?

• Clay's Lexington home for many years was his farm and Clay's Lexington home for many years was his farm and mansion, mansion, AshlandAshland, named for the many ash trees on the , named for the many ash trees on the property. property.

• Rebuilt and remodeled by his heirs, Ashland is now a Rebuilt and remodeled by his heirs, Ashland is now a museum. museum.

• Ashland Ave. in Chicago, Illinois was named after his estate.Ashland Ave. in Chicago, Illinois was named after his estate. • The town of Ashland, Virginia located in the county of Clay's The town of Ashland, Virginia located in the county of Clay's

birth, Ashland County, Ohio and Ashland County, Wisconsin birth, Ashland County, Ohio and Ashland County, Wisconsin were named for his estate, as were the cities of Ashland, were named for his estate, as were the cities of Ashland,

Kentucky, Ashland, Alabama, and Ashland, Pennsylvania.Kentucky, Ashland, Alabama, and Ashland, Pennsylvania.

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM• SHIELD: Red, White, & Blue are our National colors. Dark Blue and gold symbolize SHIELD: Red, White, & Blue are our National colors. Dark Blue and gold symbolize

the sea of excellence. The stars commemorate the SEVEN battle stars awarded for the sea of excellence. The stars commemorate the SEVEN battle stars awarded for WWII service of the previous ASHLAND. The wavy division of the shield highlights WWII service of the previous ASHLAND. The wavy division of the shield highlights the shoreline while the chevron simulates the prow of a ship, alluding to the LSD’s the shoreline while the chevron simulates the prow of a ship, alluding to the LSD’s theater of operations and amphibious mission of delivering forces ashore. The pale theater of operations and amphibious mission of delivering forces ashore. The pale vertical bar suggests the numeral “I,” honoring the previous ASHLAND’s historic role vertical bar suggests the numeral “I,” honoring the previous ASHLAND’s historic role as the first ship in the LSD class. The Mameluke, together with the gold palm on the red as the first ship in the LSD class. The Mameluke, together with the gold palm on the red background suggest the Marine force and underscores cooperation and military background suggest the Marine force and underscores cooperation and military preparedness.preparedness.

• CREST: The bald eagle symbolizes the distinguished American Statesman Henry Clay CREST: The bald eagle symbolizes the distinguished American Statesman Henry Clay and his vital magisterial role in both the United States Congress and the development of and his vital magisterial role in both the United States Congress and the development of our country. LSD 48 is named in honor of Ashland, the Kentucky estate of Henry Clay. our country. LSD 48 is named in honor of Ashland, the Kentucky estate of Henry Clay. Our national bird embodies the tenets of liberty and freedom with majesty and strength. Our national bird embodies the tenets of liberty and freedom with majesty and strength. The wreath of laurel conveys honor and achievement.The wreath of laurel conveys honor and achievement.

• MOTTO: “Deliver Liberty, Defend Freedom” exemplifies the spirit and the strength of MOTTO: “Deliver Liberty, Defend Freedom” exemplifies the spirit and the strength of character of the Honorable Henry Clay. It clearly illustrates the mission and capabilities character of the Honorable Henry Clay. It clearly illustrates the mission and capabilities of the combined Navy/Marine Corps team for which the ship was designed. It of the combined Navy/Marine Corps team for which the ship was designed. It epitomizes the strength, drive, and courage that has made our country the proud nation it epitomizes the strength, drive, and courage that has made our country the proud nation it is today.is today.

DELIVER LIBERTYDELIVER LIBERTY

DEFENDDEFEND FREEDOMFREEDOM