USNS Lawrence H. Gianella

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USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125) is a United States Military Sealift Command product tanker which typically carries diesel, gasoline, and JP5 (jet fuel).

USNS Lawrence Gianella
History
United States
NameUSNS Lawrence H. Gianella
BuilderAmerican Ship Building Company, Tampa, Florida
Launched1985
In service22 April 1986
Out of service23 May 2019
Identification
StatusLaid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
General characteristics
Displacement39,624 long tons (40,260 t) full
Length615 ft (187 m)
Beam90 ft (27 m)
Draft24 ft 8 in (7.52 m)
Propulsion1 × 5-cylinder Sulzer 5RTA 76 diesel engine, 18,400 hp (13.7 MW), 1 shaft
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Capacity237,766 bbl (37,801.8 m3)
Complement24 contract mariners
ArmamentNone

Name origin

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The vessel is named for Radio Operator Lawrence H. Gianella who was posthumously awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal in 1943 for the heroic action he undertook when his ship was torpedoed on 19 December 1941 in mid-Pacific. Orders had been given to abandon the rapidly sinking ship but Gianella - realizing that his shipmates chances of rescue were slim and dependent on him getting out an SOS message - stayed on board and rigged an emergency radio set, thus sacrificing himself for his shipmates.[1][2]

Service

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Lawrence Gianella headed south towards McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Among Lawrence H. Gianella’s multiple tasks, her reinforced steel bow enables her to battle through pack ice in southern seas and deliver fuel to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. On 1 July 2009, she shifted from the MSC's Sealift Program and began serving the Command's Prepositioning Program. The ships assigned to the program preposition U.S. Marine Corps vehicles, equipment, and ammunition throughout the world. Lawrence H. Gianella served the program by delivering petroleum products to Department of Defense storage and distribution facilities worldwide.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125) 1986–". Naval History & Heritage Command. United States Navy. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  2. ^ Rose Adelle Gianella, Sister
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