This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Fred Toomoth, NCC
to remember
Jantzen, Ross, MRCS USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Last Address Orange Park
Date of Passing Jun 05, 2012
Location of Interment Jacksonville National Cemetery (VA) - Jacksonville, Florida
Ross Jantzen, left us to be with his heavenly father on June 5, 2012 and resided in Orange Park, Florida. Born March 5, 1938, San Diego, CA. Spent his early childhood growing up in San Francisco, California. Ross, was a USN Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer who proudly served his country from 1956-1980. A loving father, friend, husband and confidant who had nothing but great advice and love to give those that surround him. Ross, is preceded in death by his father LTJG John Hamilton, mother Helen Francis McQuillan, daughter of MSGT Philip Finley McQuillan, and Gladys Blanche Nichols. Ross, leaves behind his loving wife and partner in life Vivian Jantzen; 7 children: Shelly Espinoza, Dean Jantzen, Diane Jantzen Edinger, Angela Gigi Jantzen Pequeno, Ralph Jantzen and step-children Robert Ladanio, Hobart Rafael, Albert Norman Dalusag; Grandchildren: Seth and Heather Lynne Espinoza Breiman, Alena Marie Espinoza, Jack Lee Edinger III, Jeremiah Jantzen, Arren Ross Balila, Maricella Pote and Orlando Elias Pote. Great grandson: Asher Matthew Breiman. His extended families and friends: Half brother James Francis Aaron, Calif. and family. Jack, wife Dot Cloud and family. Klara, Kathie, Ken Everson, Arizona. Jim, Jan Rodenkrich, Utah. Fat Jack, Susan Woolsey, Calif.,Sheldon, Karol, Jennifer Sibley, Fl. Lucy Tan, Calif. Moe, Sandi, Savannah Vasquez,Fl. Almer Karda, Jemellee, Jayden, Erlinda, Victoria, Rina Dalusag, Malimban, Golfo, De Taza, families. McQuillan families, Minnesota. Ron, Rennie Haffner-Marsan,families Oregon. Greg, Johnna, Scott, Francie, Troy, Haffner, Oregon. Rebecca Jantzen Nevada, and all his River House, Cheers friends. Ross spent most of his life not only serving his country, but serving his family as well. Although only 3 of the children above are of his own blood he had so much love to give that he unselfishly adopted two more in the course of his life. As a father he has guided his children to the best of his ability and has always been The " Rock " and the constant in their lives regardless of what life has thrown at them. He never hesitated to help someone in need, whether family, friend or stranger. Ross touched the lives of everyone he met. He leaves behind a legacy that we proudly embrace and are blessed to have shared. Pop will be greatly missed but will always be with us in spirit as he continues to guide us through our challenges as well as smile upon us as we go through this journey called life. We will miss all the good stories, your love for Katdog , Max Von , Aunt Chez and all your cats. We love you so much! A giving, loving, caring person. Miss so much.
Hull number AD-15 Dixie Class Destroyer Tender:
Laid down, 7 December 1938, at New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.
Launched, 9 December 1939
Commissioned USS Prairie (AD-15), 5 August 1940, CAPT. John B. W. Waller in command
During World War II Prairie was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
During the Vietnam War Prairie participated in the following campaign:
Vietnam War Campaign
Campaign and Dates
Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign, 16 t o17 March 1973
Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 26 March 1993
Transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
Title transfer to MARAD, 1 April 1993
Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 2 April 2 1993 (some sources indicate 6 April 1993) to "Nishant Import & Export" of the United Arab Emirates for $960,000. Towed to India in April 1993 and scrapped
USS Prairie earned one campaign star for Vietnam War service
Specifications: Displacement 18,000 t. (lim) Length 530' 6" Beam 73' 4" Draft 24' 5" Speed 19.6 kts (trial) Complement
officer 123
enlisted 1,576 Armament
four single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts
four single 40mm AA gun mounts
two 3pdr gun mounts
Aft two 5"/38 mounts and all 40mm gun mounts later removed, and helicopter platform added Largest boom capacity 20 t. Ship's Service Generators four 750Kw 450V A.C. Fuel Capacity
NFSO 24,555 Bbls.
Diesel 2,705 Bbls. Propulsion
two New York Shipbuilding Parsons-design steam turbines
four Babcock & Wilcox "A" (three drum expansion type) boilers 485psi 720°.
double De Laval Main Reduction Gear two propellers, 11,000shp
Worst Moment Heart attack in the CPO quarters 13, August 1979 while in Yokosuka Japan. Transferred TAD to Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego, CA for open heart surgery. Transfered to the temporary disability list effective 1, January 1980. Completed 23 years, one month and 22 days active duty with credit for 24 years of service.
Chain of Command Capt. R.E. Helms JR. and CWO4 Henry Boyd, the best division officer in the navy.
Other Memories Assigned duties as R-2 Division LCPO, Ships Superintendent and Shop 31A (Machine Shop)LCPO. Enjoyed my tour. Prairie was a good ship and a had great crew
