Damage Controlman 2nd Class Jeffrey Garvin, a Grand Rapids, Michigan native serving aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), was recognized by the commander of the Navy’s Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three on July 16 for his efforts while fighting a fire aboard the ship.
Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck was speaking to the press when he noted Garvin’s role as the first firefighter at the scene of the blaze following reports of black smoke aboard the ship. For the next four days, Garvin repeatedly led fire teams on missions to combat the fire, control damage and investigate the extent of the damage to the ship.
“It feels good to be recognized for doing what I have been trained to do over the years,” said Garvin. “However, I could not have done it alone. The recognition might be here with me, but my teammates and my shipmates really need the recognition.”
Garvin has served in the Navy for four years.
On the morning of July 12, a fire was called away aboard the ship while it was moored pierside at Naval Base San Diego. Fire teams consisting of four federal entities as well as more than 400 Sailors from 12 San Diego-based ships fought the fire for four days. Three helicopter squadrons conducted more than 1,500 water bucket drops, fighting the fire and cooling the super structure and flight deck enabling fire crews to get aboard to fight the fire. Tugboats were also used to provide firefighting support from the waterline, cooling the ships’ hull.
USS Bonhomme Richard is the third ship in the United States Navy to bear this name. She was commissioned on Aug. 15, 1998, at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and then headed to her new homeport in San Diego. On Jan. 17, 2003, Bonhomme Richard deployed with Amphibious Task Force – West, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. On Feb. 14, 2012, Bonhomme Richard departed Naval Base San Diego for a two-month western Pacific deployment and a homeport shift to Sasebo, Japan. On May 8, 2018, Bonhomme Richard returned to Naval Base San Diego after being forward deployed to Japan for the previous six years. Bonhomme Richard is currently going through a maintenance availability, which began in 2018.
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