Command Mission Statement:

Amphibious assault ship USS BOXER (LHD 4) is the fourth of eight ships in the Wasp-class of large deck multi-purpose amphibious assault ships built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The Wasp-class LHDs are the largest amphibious ships in the world. Modern U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit team. These amphibious assault ships are employed to land and support elements of the embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit on enemy territory by an amphibious assault. This design utilizes the MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and CH-53-E Super Stallion heavy-lift aircraft, supported by F-35B Lightning II vertical and/or short take-off and landing aircraft, and various attack helicopters. This design also supports a well deck, and can carry or support landing craft, such as a landing craft, air cushion, or landing craft, utility.

Boxer’s Namesake:

The first ship to bear the name HMS Boxer was a 12-gun bold-class gunbrig built and launched in July 1812. The ship had a short service history with the Royal Navy before the 16-gun USS Enterprise captured her near Portland, Maine in September 1813, and then went to have at least a decade-long commercial career. HMS Boxer served with Commodore William Bainbridge’s Mediterranean Squadron before returning to the United States in late 1815. In 1816, Boxer sailed for New Orleans and spent the remainder of its career in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies protecting American trade from pirates. The ship was lost at sea off Belize, British Honduras, on October 25th, 1817, but the crew was saved. The second Boxer, a 10-gun schooner, was launched in 1831 by the Boston Navy Yard. The ship’s years were spent sailing the Brazil, West Indies and Pacific Stations as well as with the Home Squadron. In 1846, the schooner was posted to the African Squadron, the primary mission of which was the suppression of the slave trade, until 1848 when it returned to the United States to be sold. The third ship to bear the name was originally named Tristram Shandy, a schooner-rigged, iron-hulled, side-wheel steamer caught on May  15th, 1864 trying to run the Union blockade off Wilmington, N.C., and was renamed Boxer on June 21st, 1865. In 1904, an unarmed, brigantine-rigged, training ship, was launched at the Portsmouth Navy Yard and became the fourth ship named Boxer. From commissioning to October 1912, Boxer was stationed at the Naval Training Station, Newport, Rhode Island, training boot bluejackets. In 1912, the ship reported to Annapolis, Maryland, as a training vessel for Naval Academy midshipmen. In 1914, Boxer headed back to Newport to resume duties with the Naval Training Station for the next six years. In 1920, the ship was transferred to the Bureau of Education in Alaska. The fifth Boxer (CV 21) was launched December 14th, 1944 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, Virginia, Boxer joined the Pacific Fleet and served several meritorious tours in the Korean conflict. Boxer was reclassified CVA 21 in October 1952, CVS 21 in November of 1955, and finally LPH 4 in January of 1959. Boxer was decommissioned on December 1st, 1969 after nearly 15 years of service. The sixth and current Boxer (LHD 4) was launched  August  13, 1993 by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, and commissioned on February 11th, 1995.

Crest information:

Boxer’s Crest

Shield: The United States is symbolized by the bald eagle, whose wings are out-spread beyond the shield to denote the scope beyond her own shores and of the U.S. influence for stability in affairs worldwide.  The border signifies unity and cooperation. The gold has been chosen for its universal symbol of excellence.

Swords: The Naval Officer’s Sword and Marine Mameluke are crossed diagonally to represent strength and cooperation.

Crest: The star of six points represents all ships to bear the name Boxer. The octagon charged with a gold star recalls the eight battle stars won by USS BOXER (CV 21) for action during the Korean war, here symbolized by the taeguk (symbol from the Republic of Korea’s flag) that bears the star. The wreath of Laurel stands for honor as well as the maintenance and pursuit of peace.

 

Fabrication work for USS BOXER (LHD 4) began at Ingalls shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi on July 9, 1990. The ship’s keel was authenticated April 8, 1991. The ship was launched on August 13, 1993. After post-launch outfitting and testing, Ingalls delivered the ship to the U.S. Navy on November 21, 1994, in preparation for commissioning U.S. Pacific Fleet Duty February 11, 1995.

BOXER was built using more than 21,000 tons of steel, 400 tons of aluminum, 400 miles of electronic cables, 80 miles of piping and tubing of various sizes, 10 miles of ventilation ducting, and more than 16,200 gallons of paint applied to the exterior hull.

Beam:   106 Feet

Speed:   20+ Knots

Length:   844 Feet

Displacement  40,500 Tons

Accommodations: 1,174 Crew, 2,070 Troops