USS TARAWA  LHA 1 Details     Their:HOMEPAGE .. A General Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship deployed May 29, 1976 .. The 1st USS Tarawa, CV-40 was deployed  May 12, 1945

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The Tarawa as viewed by Vern in Subic Bay in 1983  Vern and his family toured this ship a couple years earlier when it was in Seattle. It was confusing to see submarine ratings when they first went aboard.  Then the landing compartment was shown to them.  This ships fantail area (WELL DECK) actually sinks to let landing craft leave and enter the ship.

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The Tarawa entering San Francisco

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The Tarawa when the WELL DECK is lowered for action. Notice craft in the water, inside the ship.