USS Denver Arrives in Inchon for Anniversary of Historical Landing

From USS Denver (LPD 9) Public Affairs

INCHON, Korea (NNS) -- USS Denver (LPD 9) will anchor near Inchon, Korea, Sept. 12 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historical amphibious landing at the city and honor the long-standing alliance between the two nations.

A reenactment of the landing and a parade will be held Sept. 15 to honor U.S., Korean, and other United Nations countries' service members who gave their lives during the Korean War.

The reenactment will include landings by amphibious assault vehicles and a landing craft air cushion, as well as demonstrations by the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and its CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters.

"The importance of the Inchon landing lies not just during the Korean War, but also validates our amphibious doctrine for the next 60 years," said Master Gunnery Sgt. Don W. Oliveira, operations chief, Beach Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. "There were many people at that time who said that it couldn't be done, and that amphibious landings were a thing of the past. Inchon changed all that."

The Korean War veterans that fought side by side with U.S. and South Korean forces laid the groundwork for an important military alliance that remains strong today.

"Since the conclusion of the Korean War there has been a strong alliance between the U.S. and South Korea," said Capt. Mario Mifsud, USS Denver commanding officer. "This relationship is very important to maintaining regional stability, and along with our relationships with Japan and other partners, is one of the factors that keeps peace in the region."

USS Denver will be accompanied in Inchon by the mine-countermeasure ship USS Guardian (MCM 5) and Marines from the 31st MEU to honor the hundreds of U.S. veterans who will be in attendance.

"There aren't too many survivors of the Inchon campaign, so this will be one of the few times remaining to honor those who are still with us, and it's very important that Denver will be there," said Mifsud. "I consider it an extreme honor to be a part of this celebration."
After the Inchon landing commemoration, USS Denver will continue on its scheduled patrol in the Western Pacific as a part of the permanently forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group.