USS Iwo Jima Shipmates

02/21/2024

Congratulations on your reenlistment Master Chief.

01/19/2024

10/13/2019

USS Iwo Jima Shipmates reunion in Norfolk

09/05/2019

03/28/2019

Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group
Release: 19-XX
Date: March 21st, 2019

USS Iwo Jima Takes Part in Career Day at Local Middle School

Story by: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jessica Kibena

MAYPORT, Fla—Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) visited students at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School for career day in Jacksonville, Fla., March 20, 2019.

Sailors were able to speak on the opportunities and career paths that the Navy has to offer.

“A lot of our students don’t know the many benefits that the Navy has, such as college and career preparedness,” said Heather Wakefield, a counselor at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School. “A lot of our students don’t know that there is so much more to the military. That’s why I like them to see a variety of personnel, so that they can experience everybody from the entry mode to somebody who is very high up and has a variety of skill sets.”

Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School is approximately a mile away from Naval Station Mayport; therefore, there are many students there that are from military families. Even they got to learn something about the Navy.

“I liked being able to learn about the different jobs in the Navy,” said Jake Nagy, a student at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School. “Being a military child, I only got to see a couple of jobs, so today I was able to widen my perspective of the different jobs and what they do in the Navy.”

At the career day, Sailors displayed the different types of gear and equipment that is used on the ship. Students were able to try some of the gear on and ask questions regarding how and when they are used.

“I enjoyed walking around and looking at all the tables set up,” said Nagy. “I thought the equipment that was brought in by the Navy was really cool because it gave a physical perspective of what the Navy does and uses.”

Attending Career Days are just one of the things the USS Iwo Jima does as a part of community outreach, which is important to help spread the Navy’s message and to help out around us.

“A lot of folks think they know what the Navy does based on unrealistic things they see on television or in movies,” said Captain Darrell S. Canady, commanding officer of the USS Iwo Jima. “It’s always great to put a face with a name and talk to the community, answer their questions about exactly what it is that we do both when we’re here in port and overseas on a mission.”

Iwo Jima is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida with a mission to provide the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter in addition to movement by landing craft. The ship is capable of vertical/short take-off and landing, short take-off vertical landing, vertical take-off and landing tilt-rotor and rotary wing aircraft operations and contains a well deck to support use of landing craft air cushion and other watercraft.

02/24/2019

Start making plans fr our 2019 runion.

01/15/2019

I met one of the Chaplin's last Friday that would be conducting Admiral Toole's funeral here in Jacksonville And was able to give to him some of the memories I had of Capt. Toole aboard the Uss Iwo Jima during the 1970 -71 cruise where he took command from Capt. Kirkimo. He said he would pass them on to Mrs. Toole.

Here is Admiral tools Obituary:

Rear Admiral Wycliffe David Toole, Jr, USN (Retired), 91, passed away peacefully among family, on Saturday, November 24. Born in Augusta, Georgia March 14, 1927.

RADM Toole lived a fast-paced and exciting life. Enlisted with US Navy V-12 unit active duty on July 1, 1944. Graduated Naval War College, MS in International Affairs, U.S. Naval Intelligence School, Naval Flight Training Program receiving his wings in 1951. He flew patrol squadrons all around the world including the Middle East, finally joining the Airborne Early Warning Squadron, the Navy's "Hurricane Hunters."

Subsequent commands included Iceland and Southeast Asia. As Commanding Officer of the USS Iwo Jima, RADM Toole was presented the Bronze Star Medal, and as a Flag Officer in command of the 7th Fleet Amphibious Forces the Legion of Merit for directing combat operations off the coast of North Vietnam.

RADM Toole held three commands simultaneously in the United States--Commander of the Philadelphia Naval Base, Commandant of the Naval Districts in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. RADM Toole had two legions of Merit and the Order of the Cloud and Banner from the Republic of China.

Wycliffe was author of a mystery novel, several published articles on military affairs, and as short story master suspense-builder of Alfred Hitchcock and Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazines.

Wyc is survived by Patricia D. Toole, his loving wife; children Debra Fromang (David), Davi Toole, Dana Franks (Roy), and Patrick W. Toole; grandchildren, Richard, Victoria, Sean David, Raymond Wycliffe, Davis; great-grandson, Owen; sister, Betty Clavier. Predeceased by sons Wycliffe McGregor Toole, David Robert Louis III, and grandson Wycliffe Hines Wolters.

Military Funeral Honors will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Published in the TC Palm on Jan. 13, 2019

Billy R. Walker IC2 E-Div USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 Jan 1970 - June 1971

I received this message from Bob Mcanally today about Rear Admiral Toole

12/13/2018