Mars in Butler County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
USS Mars AFS-1 Ship's Bell
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012
1. USS Mars AFS-1 Ship's Bell Marker
Decommissioned 1 February 1993
A combat stores ship manned by 430 officers and enlisted personnel
First ship to use UH-460 Sea Knight helicopter for faster record setting replenishments of the US Naval Seventh Fleet during the Vietnam War
This bell is dedicated to all those who served aboard her and presented to the citizens of Mars Pennsylvania for whom she was named 19 April 2006
Erected 2006.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Vietnam • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1993.
Location. 40° 41.766′ N, 80° 0.624′ W. Memorial is in Mars, Pennsylvania, in Butler County. It can be reached from the intersection of Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Mars PA 16046, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Northwestern Pennsylvania and in Greater Pittsburgh. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Samuel Kennedy Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); B & O Caboose #C2235 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aermotor Windmill (about 700 feet away); Mars (about 800 feet away); Welcome to Adams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); The "BALL" Oilfield Engine (approx.
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Official Site of the USS Mars AFS1. (Submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. U.S.S. Mars. Hullnumber.com (Submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012
2. USS Mars AFS-1 Ship's Bell Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 22, 2025
3. USS Mars AFS-1 Ship's Bell
Photographed by PH2 William M. Hopkins, December 1968
4. UH-46D "Sea Knight" helicopter
UH-46D "Sea Knight" helicopter lowers mail to the fantail of USS Decatur (DDG-31), during operations in the South China Sea, December 1968.
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012
5. The Famous Mars Flying Saucer
USS Mars AFS-1 Ship's Bell Marker is to the left of the UFO
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,097 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2024, by Sam Skeen of State College, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on June 23, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
