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decommissioning ceremony - Joint Base Pearl
Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 18, 2013
decommissioning ceremony - Joint Base Pearl
Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii - July 18, 2013
Maura, Brunei - November 2012
Maura, Brunei - November 2012
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - October 2012
Pacific Ocean - April 2012
Pacific Ocean - March 2012
Pacific Ocean - June 2011
Pacific Ocean - June 2011
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - June
2011
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - June
2011
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - February 2011
Pacific Ocean - November 2010
Pacific Ocean - July 2010
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - June 2010
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - June 2010
Dili, Timor Leste - February 2010
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - January 2010
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 2008
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - September 2008
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - April 2008
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - February 2008
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - August 2007
Honolulu, Hawaii - June 2003
Honolulu, Hawaii - June 2003
Honolulu, Hawaii - June 2003
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - April 2003
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - April 2003
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - April 2003
ammunition magazine - Central Command AOR
- October 2002
September 2002
September 2002
 
 
 
 
 
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Boatswain's
Mate Reuben James (1775? – December 3, 1838):
Reuben James was
born in Delaware, Ohio about 1775-76. A veteran of the quasi-war with France (during
which he was captured), James saved the life of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur.
It was during the infamous Barbary Wars that the American frigate
PHILADELPHIA was captured by the Barbary pirates. Having run aground in
the pirate capital of Tripoli on the southern shores of the Mediterranean
Sea, the crew had to abandon ship and formulate a plan of attack. LT Decatur,
along with a group of volunteers which included Boatswain's Mate Reuben
James, entered Tripoli harbor under the cover of darkness in an attempt to
set the PHILADELPHIA on fire so the pirates could not make use of her.
The American volunteers boarded the PHILADELPHIA on February 16, 1804 and
were met by a group of the savage Barbary pirates who were guarding their
prize. A furious battle ensued, and during the the bloody chaos of
hand-to-hand combat, a villainous pirate made ready to end the life of LT
Decatur. Reuben James, with both of his hands already wounded, in an
act of selfless dedication and courage did throw his hand before the cleaving
blade! Willing to give his life in defense of his captain, Reuben James
took the blow from the scimitar. This courageous intervention allowed
Decatur to retrieve his pistol and slay his assailant.
Boatswain's Mate James continued to serve under Decatur onboard the frigates
CONSTITUTION and CONGRESS. During the War of 1812, he served in the frigates
UNITED STATES and PRESIDENT, the latter captured by four British ships on
January 15, 1815. Taken prisoner, James was released after peace was
declared and went on to serve in USS GUERRIERE, again under Captain Decatur.
With the cessation of war with Britain, the battles against the Barbary
States resumed and on June 17, 1815, GUERRIERE engaged and defeated the
Algerian flagship MASHOUDA, a victory that was instrumental in ending the
Barbary Wars.
Wounded three times during his wartime service, Boatswain's Mate James was
compelled to to retire in 1836 because of declining health and the loss of
one leg. He died on December 3, 1838 at the U.S. Naval Hospital in
Washington, DC.
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USS
Reuben James (FFG 57):
1980s -
Assigned to Mideast Force
on her maiden deployment, Reuben James participated in twenty-two Operation ERNEST
WILL convoy missions, serving as the convoy commander's flagship on ten of
those missions. As a unit of the Pacific Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare
Readiness Squadron, she was a key participant in the continuing research and
development of anti-submarine tactics and equipment, a fitting role in
tribute to the men of the first Reuben James.
1990s -
On September 10, 1990 Reuben James was reported to be in Vladivostok,
U.S.S.R.
In August 1991, Reuben James moved from Long Beach, California to Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii. On October 1, 1998, she joined the "Ke Koa O Ke Kai",
Destroyer Squadron Thirty-One.
2000s -
Reuben James participated in the CARAT 2000 exercises, including phases in
the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. The first
phase of CARAT began in the Philippines on June 14 and the final phase,
conducted in Singapore, ended September 22. CARAT 2000 demonstrated U.S.
commitment to security and stability in Southeast Asia while increasing the
operational readiness and capabilities of U.S. forces. The exercise also
promoted interoperability and cooperation with U.S. regional friends and
allies by offering a broad spectrum of mutually beneficial training
opportunities.
In Malaysia, CARAT 2000 encompassed two weeks of extensive training to
promote interoperability between U.S. naval forces and the Royal Malaysian
Navy and Army. The Strait of Malacca was the setting for several exercises.
These included anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare and gunnery
exercises. One of the exercises was a final battle problem, or night
encounter exercise. The two navies’ task groups steamed together in formation
for more than 25 hours. The Malaysian-U.S. naval task group was divided into
two opposing forces. The Blue Forces consisted of USS Reuben James (FFG 57),
USS Germantown (LSD-42), USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39), and the Malaysian ships,
KD Sri Indera Sakti and KD Lekir. The Blue Forces were supported by U.S.
helicopters from Helicopter Squadron Light 37, Detachment Four, from Hawaii.
The Orange Forces consisted of the frigate USS Sides (FFG-14), the Malaysian
ships, KD Perkasa, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, and a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion
aircraft. USS Columbus (SSN-762), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and USS
Helena (SSN-725), homeported in San Diego, also joined the task group in
individual phases.
For nine months from July 2002 to April 2003, Reuben James deployed to the
Persian Gulf and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom as part of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group. After serving
approximately six months in theater, Reuben James started to make its way
back to Pearl Harbor. At a stop in Brisbane, Australia the ship was turned
around to go back to the Persian Gulf and the deployment was extended
indefiniately. Finally, after an extended deployment of almost nine months,
the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group was relieved by USS Nimitz (CVN-68). This
deployment was extremely long, breaking a number of records, including the
longest deployment ever for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
In July 2003, Reuben James hosted the Japanese destroyer JDS Shimakaze (DDG
172) for exercises in Pearl Harbor. On October 23, 2003 the crew of the
Reuben James dressed ship and manned the rails to render honors to President
George W. Bush as he toured Pearl Harbor and visited the USS Arizona
Memorial.
From February to April 2004, she deployed to the Eastern Pacific in support
of counter-drug operations.
Between July and December 2004, Reuben James went through an extensive modernization
and maintenance program, ensuring that she will always be ready to respond
when the mission bell tolls. In October 2004, Reuben James participated in
PASSEX exercises with the French frigate FS Prarial (F 371).
As part of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Reuben James deployed on February
15, 2006 on a WESTPAC mission to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The strike group, also known as
ESG 3, also consisted of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 3, the 11th Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), USS Peleliu (LHA-5), the
guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73), the guided-missile destroyer
USS Gonzales (DDG-66), the amphibious transport dock USS Ogden (LPD-5), the
dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42), Tactical Air Control
Squadron(TACRON) 11, and the "Black Jacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat
Squadron (HSC) 21.
En route to the Persian Gulf, Reuben James stopped in New Caledonia. The
strike group relieved USS Tarawa (LHA-1) on station in early April 2006 and
began its mission of conducting maritime security operations. During
operations, Reuben James performed services such as providing medical
assistance to Sri Lankan fishermen and rescuing Kenyan sailors. Expeditionary
Strike Group 3 was relieved on July 9, 2006 and Reuben James returned to
Pearl Harbor in August, 2006.
USS REUBEN JAMES appeared in the movie The Hunt For Red October, and was the
first ship to find Soviet Submarine Captain Marko Ramius and his crew of
defectors. Of course, the Soviet Sailors who stood on her foc'sle were
not really Soviets - they were actually REUBEN JAMES crew members.
Actor Peter Jason played the role of REUBEN JAMES' Commanding Officer.
REUBEN JAMES also had a prominent role in the book Red Storm Rising.
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