USS BOXER (LPH-4) upon arrival at US Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Photo courtesy Joe Madagan

USS BOXER (LPH-4) as Amphibious Force Command Vessel in 1959 controlling amphibious landing from her deck as well as boats from USS Rankin off the Virginia Capes for landings at Fort Story, Virginia. This was the first aircraft carrier to be employed as a Amphibious Force Command ship.

Photo courtesy Joe Madagan

The photos were taken at Norfolk Naval Shipyard while the vessel was in dry dock for overhaul in July 1959.

The USS BOXER (CVS-21) was converted to USS BOXER (LPH-4) during two overhauling and refitting periods during 1959 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. The BOXER was scheduled to be striken from the Naval Registry upon completion of Atomic Bomb testing in the Pacific in 1958. The Marine Corps was determined to test the Vertical Envelopment Concept by launching troop laden helicopters from the deck of an aircraft carrier. One of the compromises reached during the negotiations between the Marine Corps and the Navy Department was to save the USS BOXER from the scrap pile, and convert her to an Amphibious Command Vessel. Another compromise was to have Marines fill traditional duties of the Navy crewmembers, due to manpower shortages and increased demands. So, 382 Marines were assigned as ship's company and served in various Divisions. This was a first in the Marine Corps history as well as Naval history.
The photos of the Gunnery and Deck Division, Fox Division, and Ordnance Division will attest to the number of Marines who were assigned to traditional seaman duties to serve this vessel.
The successes of the testing and trials of the Vertical Envelopment Concept resulted in what is known today as the Vertical Assault Doctrine.

Photo courtesy Joe Madagan