Commanding Officer Roger E Ekman
USS Tioga County Commander 1965-67
Lieutenant JG Roger Ekman
USS Whitehurst Photo 1953
Commanding Officer Roger Ekman
USS Tioga County 1965-67 Photo 1971
The officers and men of the USS TIOGA COUNTY join in extending to you our most cordial welcome. We sincerely hope that your visit to our ship will be both pleasant and interesting.
As you may know, the Tank Landing Ship was born with the development of Amphibious Warfare in the United States Navy, and was tested on the invasion beaches of World War II. It is the largest ship type designed to beach and discharge troops and cargo. Since the inception of amphibious warfare, the Tank Landing Ship has actively participated in every Amphibious Assault during armed conflict in which the United States has been called upon to take part. It has been employed for peaceful evacuation of United States nationals and foreign refugees from areas of international tension. Because of it's versatility the Tank Landing Ship has been required to perform various functions in our flexible and changing Navy.
We of TIOGA COUNTY are justly proud of our ship and our heritage. We welcome this opportunity to show our ship and to establish bonds of friendship wherever we may visit.
Commander Ekman ordered a 20"x24" painting of the USS Tioga County while serving onboard the Tiger. The painting, a photo of the shipmates from New York, and a Ship's plaque were presented to the Tioga County Historical Society, Owego NY on 6 November 1966.
- Click photo to enlarge -
Crew members from New York and Commander Ekman (right)
Presentation of the plaque to the Tioga County Museum
Painting displayed in the Tioga County Museum
Photos courtesy of Retired USN Captain 'Roger Ekman' USS Tioga County Commanding Officer 1965-67
- Author's Message -
Commander Ekman was the CO of the Tioga from 1965-1967, and spent 18 months on her in Westpac. He made his career in the Navy, and had several commands, retiring as a 4-stripe Captain in the early 70's. Although I did not serve under then Commander Ekman, through the power of the Internet our paths crossed. I would like to take this time to thank him for all his assistance in helping me document the history of the 'Tiger.' Since my discharge in 1958, I've lost touch with shipmates and it is my hope that creating this site will reunite the Tiger's crew. Thank you Captain Ekman.
Darvin Hensley SFM3
USS Tioga County 1955-58
12 September 2002
Commanding Officer Roger E Ekman
