JAMES D FAIRBANKS T-ATS 13

Ship Name and Designation History

This section lists the names and designations that the ship had during its lifetime. The list is in chronological order.

Navajo Class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship Naming Ceremony by SecNav Carlos Del Toro 21 February 2024 Construction started in Mobile AL 4 June 2024 Keel Laid - Launched USNS JAMES D FAIRBANKS T-ATS-13 Placed In Service TBD

Naval Covers

This section lists active links to the pages displaying covers associated with the ship. There should be a separate set of pages for each name of the ship (for example, Bushnell AG-32 / Sumner AGS-5 are different names for the same ship so there should be one set of pages for Bushnell and one set for Sumner). Covers should be presented in chronological order (or as best as can be determined).

Since a ship may have many covers, they may be split among many pages so it doesn't take forever for the pages to load. Each page link should be accompanied by a date range for covers on that page.

1. USNS James D. Fairbanks T-ATS-13 Covers Page 1     (DATE RANGE)

 

Postmarks

This section lists examples of the postmarks used by the ship. There should be a separate set of postmarks for each name and/or commissioning period. Within each set, the postmarks should be listed in order of their classification type. If more than one postmark has the same classification, then they should be further sorted by date of earliest known usage.

A postmark should not be included unless accompanied by a close-up image and/or an image of a cover showing that postmark. Date ranges MUST be based ONLY ON COVERS IN THE MUSEUM and are expected to change as more covers are added.
 
>>> If you have a better example for any of the postmarks, please feel free to replace the existing example.

 

Postmark Type --- Killer Bar Text	Postmark Date	Thumbnail Link To Postmark Image	Thumbnail Link To Cover Image

 

POSTMARK TYPE

POSTMARK DATE

Note:

 

Other Information

NAMESAKE - Master Chief Constructionman (SCW) James D. Fairbanks, USN (9 January 1952 - 25 May 2011)
        Force Master Chief Fairbanks is a Chippewa Indian. He was born and raised on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in November 1970. After completing basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA., he received orders to Second Battalion Eleventh Marines (2/11), Camp Pendleton, CA. Corporal Fairbanks was honorably discharged in September 1972. Fairbanks returned to active duty in the US Navy in January 1977, and was assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion Two, Little Creek, VA. After completing a two-year tour, he was honorably discharged January 1979. Fairbanks re-enlisted in the US Navy September 1986 and was promoted to 13th Force Master Chief Petty Officer in December 2005 to May 2008.
        Fairbanks next assignment was serving as Command Master Chief, Naval Construction Battalion in Gulfport, MS. He was serving in this capacity at the time of his passing in May 2011. James Fairbanks served during three war eras: Vietnam, Gulf War, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). He did two tours in Iraq where he was decorated with a Bronze Star. As Seabee Force Master Chief Petty Officer, he also made 13 trips to Iraq. James visited an estimated 30-40 countries and spent 7 ½ months in Bosnia.
        Fairbanks awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various service and unit awards.

The ships sponsors are Ms. Paulette Fairbanks Molin, Master Chief Fairbanks’ sister and Mrs. Susan Sharpe, wife of the current Force Master Chief of the Seabees, Force Master Chief (SCW) Lawrence W. Sharpe.

 

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If you have images or information to add to this page, then either contact the Curator or edit this page yourself and add it. See Editing Ship Pages for detailed information on editing this page.

 

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