USNS RED CLOUD LAUNCHING 

Anita Red Cloud and MARILYN PADDICK CLEMINS, wife of Admiral Archie
Clemins,Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet,  were co-sponsors for
launching USNS RED CLOUD  T-AKR 313.

Admiral Clemins' and Marilyn Paddick CLEMINS daughter REBECCA CLEMINS
LEWIS and TRISH Yellow Cloud WERE MATRONS OF HONOR.

Updated 5 June 2002
James T. Cooper Email address wrote:

The Red cloud is 6th or 7th of  the 8 or 9 such ships scheduled for
construction at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO)
(nasso.com). My wife, Christa Lee Cooper (Chris), also attended. 

We stayed at a very clean and nice NAVY LODGE.  Its location, two blocks
from the USNS RED CLOUD, provided the best view of the ship. There were
some power lines, etc. Yet, no better view, short of above or from the
bay, was available.

At 1400, 6 August 99, family and official guests received a NASSCO
briefing and guided tour of the ship. This was my first indication as to
who was there and would attend the next day launching. An estimated
30-40 members of the HO-CHUNK NATION (Red Cloud's Tribe in Wisconsin)
were present. A couple men, one from Wisconsin, had read about ship
launching and showed up uninvited. During the tour I met 2 HO-CHUNK
employee (not-Native American) bus driver's. They told Chris and I that
they drove 2 busses of HO-CHUNK members from Wisconsin. Jim Hill, 24th
Infantry Division Association, attended as did Darrell Miller and
Kenneth Bradshaw (?). Bradshaw and wife said he served in the same
platoon, maybe squad, with Red Cloud. Each guest was given a very well
done hand out. Its cover included a photo of "Marine" Cpl Red Cloud - no
army photos were available- a copy of the Medal of Honor with Red
Cloud's Citation and background information. Also included bios on
Anita, her children, the Admiral, his wife and daughter.

The Tribal Dancers invited Bradshaw to join them in their ceremony 
opening-dance, around the 8' x2' drum, to the beat of several 
TOM TOMS(?). The dance lasted about 15 - 20 minutes and preceded formal
launch ceremonies. Since, this was not on my program and there were
attempts to speak to the crowd (very rough estimate 800-1000 - - since
Chris and I were seated 40-50' in front of ships' bow, I could not view
the entire crowd) over the p.a. system, I am not sure if it was an
official part of the program. After a 3-4  minutes of unsuccessfully
trying to talk over the dancers and the drum, the HO-CHUNK dancers
performed without interruption. 

This, I think, was the proper choice for several reasons. That ship
launching was for them much like Cpl Red Cloud's funeral. The Army told
members of the Army Escort Detachments that the soldiers' remains 
belonged to the family. What they chose to do with the remains was their
choice. Additionally, it is doubtful that a Navy Ship launched has been
launched with like ceremony. I enjoyed it and I believe many other
spectators also found it to their liking. 

The Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral  (four stars) Clemins attended both
functions. Other dignitaries attending one or both functions included
Congressman Jesse A. Atkins, RADM Bepko and  LTG Link, Army Material
Command. Mrs. Clemins and An(n?)ita Red Cloud (co-sponsors) and other
dignitaries were elevated into position on a scissor lift. The champagne
bottle refused to break. The ladies received verbal support and
instructions (hit it harder, etc.) from onlookers and broke the bottle
on the 2d or 3d try. Trish Yellow Cloud (Anita's daughter) and 
Ms. Clemins' daughter, Marilyn Paddick Clemins, served as their mother's
Co-Matrons of Honor.  At , high tide, 1902 hours, 7 August 99, ahead of
schedule, under budget and 91% completed, per NASSCO, it went

swiftly/rapidly into the water. A setting sun in my face hampered my
vision and probably denied my video and still photographing of the
event.

The USNS Red Cloud can haul 1000 army vehicles. It and others like it
will be positioned in potential "hot spots" around the world. Troops can
be flown in to man vehicles/equipment on th ships. The USNS Red Cloud
obviously can haul huge quantities of other cargos. Fans in its cargo
area circulates the air at 2 million CFM, evacuating fumes from vehicles
or other cargo.

Crew: 25, Operating expense: $15,000.00 per hour. Very  sophisticated
dual (at least) navigation system. Length 925". Largest US Navy Ship
capable of passage thru Panama Canal.

Since these ships will haul army materiel/equipment including, tanks,
helicopter, etc. they are named in honor of US Army Medal of Honor
Receipients.

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