USNS Red
Cloud
The photograph below is of Mitchell Red Cloud.
Mitchell, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle during
the Korean War. Mitchell Red Cloud is a posthumous recipient of the U.S. Army Medal of
Honor for his heroic actions in Korea in 1950.
Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud
1925-1950
Mitchell was
married to Nellie Winneshiek, my grandfather's sister. Mitchell and Nellie have three
children: Mitchell Jr., Merlin, and Randall Red Cloud. Our land in Black River Falls,
Wisconsin is shared with the Red Cloud's.
On August 7, 1999 the USNS RED CLOUD was launched, the fourth Sealift New Construction
ship built by NASSCO under the Strategic Sealift Program.
At a length of 950 feet, the USNS RED CLOUD is the longest ship ever launched down a
sliding ways in the United States. Thousands of onlookers, including approximately 300
members participated in the event.
Christening the ship with ceremonial bottles of champagne were two sponsors, Annita Red
Cloud, daughter of U.S. Army Corporal Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr., for whom the ship is
named; and Marilyn Paddick Clemins, wife of Admiral Archie R. Clemins,
Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Their respective Matrons of Honor were Tris YellowCloud, daughter of Annita Red Cloud,
and Rebecca Clemins Lewis, the Clemins' daughter.
USNS RED CLOUD (T-AKR 313) is the fourth of seven Sealift New Construction ships built.
All seven ships are being named for U.S. Army Medal of Honor recipients. The first
three ships - USNS WATSON, USNS SISLER, and USNS DAHL - have been completed and
delivered to the Navy ahead of schedule.
The Sealift New Construction ships are large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO)
ships (LMSRs) with 390,000 square feet of cargo carrying space. The ships are assigned
to the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, carrying prepositioned U.S. Army
equipment, vehicles, and supplies near potential areas of conflict around the
world.
The cargo of the Sealift ships includes armored personnel carriers, tanks,
tractor-trailers, helicopters, and high-mobility military vehicles. The multi-use
capabilities make these cargo ships among the most flexible ever built.
USNS Red Cloud -
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