Mars in Butler County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

USS Mars AFS-1 Ships Bell

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012

1. USS Mars AFS-1 Ships Bell Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Commissioned 21 December 1963

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. Marker is in Mars, Pennsylvania, in Butler County. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mars PA 16046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Venango Path (approx. 3½ miles away); 1806 Plains Presbyterian Church

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012

2. USS Mars AFS-1 Ships Bell Marker

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(approx. 3.9 miles away); Cranberry Township Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.3 miles away); Butler Short Line (approx. 4.6 miles away); Crider's Corners (approx. 4.8 miles away); Ogle (approx. 4.9 miles away); a different marker also named Butler Short Line (approx. 5.3 miles away); Borough of Bradford Woods (approx. 5½ miles away).

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.)

UH-46D "Sea Knight" helicopter image. Click for full size.

Photographed By PH2 William M. Hopkins, December 1968

3. 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.

The Famous Mars Flying Saucer image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, May 12, 2012

4. The Famous Mars Flying Saucer

USS Mars AFS-1 Ships Bell Marker is to the left of the UFO

Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 30, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.