La Moure County (LST 1194) - Naval Cruise Book

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Q USS LA MOURE COUNTY CLST-11945 was built for the U.S. Navy by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California and commissioned at Long Beach Na- val Shipyard. Long Beach, California on December 18, 1971. USS LA MOURE COUNTY be- longs to the NEWPORT LST Class of ships. The NEWPORT Class LST is a radical departure from the traditional LST design. The most distinctive feature of the class is the two derrick arms on the bow, which support a thirty-ton, 112 foot bow ramp. The bow ramp is used for the loading! unloading of tanks and other vehicles onto a beach or causeway. A second ramp, just forward of the superstructure, provides access to the parking area amidships. The tank deck is 426 feet long and is capable of storing twenty AAVs 4fAmphibious Assault Vehiclesj. A stern gate in the aft end of the tankdeck can be lowered to launch AAVs at speeds of up to 15 knots. The stern gate can also be utilized to loadlunload other vehicles into an LCU CUtility Landing Craftl or onto a pier. The ship's flight deck can accommodate almost all types of Navy helicopters. The sleek hull design makes the NEWPORT Class LSTs capable of twenty plus knots, thus allowing them to operate with todayis high-speed amphibious forces. USS LA MOURE COUNTY CLST-11945 is a self-contained unit. She' is equipped with a laundry, library, sickbay, barber shop, post office, weightroom, bakery, shipboard radio system, close circuit television system and a walk in ship's store. The crew's dining area, all berthing spaces and most working spaces are all air conditioned. The superbly equipped crew's galley serves over 1,500 hot, nutritious meals daily. The USS LA MOURE COUNTY's finest feature is the men who serve in her. LA MOURE COUNTY sailors are well-trained and skilledin all aspects of shipboard technology and am- phibious warfare. They represent the best of modern United States Navy personnel. The LA MOURE COUNTY is homeported at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Vir- ginia. USS LA MOURE COUNTY is proud to be assigned to Commander. Amphibious Group TWO. She has seen duty in all major oceans and has participated in numerous multi-national operations and readiness exercises in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. USS LA MOURE COUNTY supported amphibious operations during Opera- tions Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Arabian Gulf and North Arabian Sea. On August 1, 1995, LA MOURE COUNTY transitioned to the U.S. Naval Reserve Force. Her mission to deliver USMC personnel and equipment to selected locations has not changed. She is ready to operate anywhere, anytime, or anyplace. 4 The Ships lnsignia The insignia of USS LA MOURE COUNTY is composed of symbols connotating our heritage of a rich and fertile land and a proud Naval tradition. The Danforth Anchor, since the origin of LST, has been the symbol of this type of ship because of its use as a stern anchor during beaching operations. Despite the marked changes in design from their predecessors, even the 1179 Class LST's retain this anchor. In our insignia, thC anchor signifies the LST mission and also the sailorls traditional symbol of hope. 2 'lt USS La Moure County , E I i - I . I L-.. ..... . r r - - ......,.. L ,..., ........ . - ,-

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USS LA MOUDE COUNTY cLsT-11945 The men of USS LA MOURE COUNTY CLST-1 1941 take pleasure in welcoming you aboard. The USS LA MOURE COUNTYis the sixteenth of twenty LSTs built for the U.S. Navy. She proudly displays from her bridge wings two NAVY UNIT COMMENDA- TIONS, the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION, the NAVY EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE WITH STAR, SEA SERVICE RIB- BON WITH SILVER STAR, two COAST GUARD SPECIAL OPERATIONS RIBBONS, the SOUTHWEST ASIA CAMPAIGN MEDAL, and the Retention Award. The present day USS LA MOURE COUNTY is the second ship to bear the name. The first USS LA MOURE COUNTY CLST-8835 was launched 30 December 1944 and served 27 years until her decommissioning in 1971. She had a length of 328 feet, a beam of 50 feet and displayed 4050 tons fully loaded. She saw action in both WORLD WAR TWO and the KOREAN WAR, including participation in the daring INCHON Landing of September 15, 1954, which halted the North Korean advance into the South. Although her mission was the same as the present day USS LA MOURE COUNTY, she had less than half the speed and load capability. she and her sister ships comprised the largest class of U.S. Navy ships ever built. D USS La Moure County ' 1

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The Bison or Buffalo, a uniquely American animal, and the shafts of wheat are both charges from the official seal of LA MOURE COUNTY North Dakota. As symbols of strength and fruitful land respectively, they are used hereon to honor the people and to characterize the region of the city and County of La Moure. Our Motto STRENGTH FROM THE SEA is a complementary form of the motto appearing on the North Dakota's state flag - STRENGTH FROM THE SOIL. It is both on land and at sea that our countryis greatness will be preserved. The Namesake A USS LA MOURE COUNTY was named for the City and County of La Moure, North Da- kota. The city and .county is named for Judson La Moure, noted pioneer, businessman, and member of the territorial and state legislators. The county is located in the southeast portion of the state. I La Moure County prompted by the Northern est in thearea and hope- this site became the first and 1881 it became the county was linked closely roads. Settlers did spread by 1910 most of the With its rich soil, tive agricultural region mechanized. The County ties in the State in the pro- and flaxseed. The county cattle, sheep, hogs and J COUN Q. 46, 5 ro 9 to D 4: 03 v 1 N r 'Pe 4' I .: ' gs ,Y - , fax fm, I Q, I . ' z 4 4 R ' , . --'fill I ,I I 0 ' ' f- 1 . Q., 1 5 : WGTH FROM We A xx NXxs was formed in 1872, a move Pacific Railroad to create an inter- fully, promote settlement. In 1880 organized town in La Moure County County Seat. Early settlement of the to the western advancement of rail- quickly across the entire County and present towns were established. La Moure County is a very produc- and farming in the area is highly has ranked among the top ten coun- duction or corn, wheat, oats, rye, also ranks high in the production of poultry. The officers and crew are dedicated to making USS LA MOURE COUNTY as fine an ex- ample of 4'Strength from the SEAM the shipis motto as the people of La Moure County, North Da- kota are making of their land a fine example of 4'Strength from the Soil the State's motto. USS La Moure County it 3