USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) Plaque Presentation
USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) Plaque Presentation Pamphlet, Obverse. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives.
USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) Plaque Presentation Pamphlet, Interior. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Archives. Click on image for a closer look.
Placed in service in October 1962, the oceanographic research ship, USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) was operated by the Military Sea Transportation Service and was managed by the Naval Oceanographic Office. During her visit to Washington, D.C., she was the first official presentation made at the Naval Historical Display Center (now National Museum of the U.S. Navy), Bldg. 76, at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
At the presentation was the Naval Historical Display Center’s first director, Captain Slade D. Cutter. Vice Admiral Roy A. Gano, USN, Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service; Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USN, the Chief Oceanographer of the Naval Oceanographic Office; and Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Sea Transportation Service also attended the presentation, which was followed with a tour of the ship.
James M. Gilliss was the first Navy-operated ship to be built under the 1961 Tenoc plan, which called for an expanded 10 year oceanographic program. The ship’s commanding officer was Captain Torsten Johnson. During her career, she helped search for the submarine, USS Thresher (SSN-593) lost at sea in April 1963. She mainly operated in the Atlantic Ocean during her career. James M. Gilliss was placed out of service in 1980 and was transferred to Mexico where she served as ARM Altair (BI-04. She is still operational.
NMUSN-18: USNS James M. Gilliss presentation at Naval Historical Display Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. December 14, 1962. Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USNR, gives remarks during the presentation at the Naval Historical Display Center (now the National Museum of the U.S. Navy). This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla and Captain Slade D. Cutter are to the right. This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. The director at the time was World War II veteran, Captain Slade. D. Cutter, USN. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-19: USNS James M. Gilliss presentation at Naval Historical Display Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. December 14, 1962. Vice Admiral Roay A. Gano, USN, gives remarks during the presentation at the Naval Historical Display Center (now the National Museum of the U.S. Navy). Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla and Captain Slade D. Cutter are to the right. This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. The director at the time was World War II veteran, Captain Slade. D. Cutter, USN. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-20: USNS James M. Gilliss presentation at Naval Historical Display Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. December 14, 1962. Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USNR, gives remarks during the presentation at the Naval Historical Display Center (now the National Museum of the U.S. Navy). This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla and Captain Slade D. Cutter are to the right. This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. The director at the time was World War II veteran, Captain Slade. D. Cutter, USN. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-4563: USNS James M. Gilliss presentation at Naval Historical Display Center, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. December 14, 1962. Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USNR, gives remarks during the presentation at the Naval Historical Display Center (now the National Museum of the U.S. Navy). This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla and Captain Slade D. Cutter are to the right. This presentation was the first official ceremony held at the Display Center. The director at the time was World War II veteran, Captain Slade. D. Cutter, USN. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-21: USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) at Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., December 1962. The oceanographic research ship was at the yard from December 12-14. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-22: USNS James. M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4), December 1962. Naval Historical Display Center’s Director, Captain Slade D. Cutter, USN, discusses with Vice Admiral Roy A. Gano, USN, Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service and Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USN, the Chief Oceanographer of the Naval Oceanographic Office on board the oceanographic research ship. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-23: USNS James. M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4), December 1962. Naval Historical Display Center’s Director, Captain Slade D. Cutter, USN, discusses with Vice Admiral Roy A. Gano, USN, Commander, Military Sea Transportation Service, Rear Admiral Arthur R. Gralla, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Sea Transportation Service, and Rear Admiral Edward C. Stephan, USN, the Chief Oceanographer of the Naval Oceanographic Office on board the oceanographic research ship. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
NMUSN-24: USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) at Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., December 1962. The oceanographic research ship was at the yard from December 12-14. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Photograph Collection.
