Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS MOUNT VERNON LSD - 39 USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD • 39) is the fifth ship commissioned in the United States Navy to bear the proud name. Built by the Quincy Shipbuilding Division, General Dynamics Corporation, at Quincy, Massachu- setts, its keel was laid on 29 January 1970, Sixteen months later, on 17 April 1971, MOUNT VERNON was launched, designated homcport of San Diego, California. The fourth in a series of five USS ANCHORAGE class dock landing ships, USS MOUNT VERNON is 562 feet in length. Its beam width is 84 feet at the widest point. Fully loaded, the ship displaces 13,700 with a mean draft of 19 feet as measured from keel to waterline. The ship ' s main armament consists of three 3 50 single purpose twin gun mounts. Installed electronic equipment includes air and surface surveillance radars, a navigational radar and sufficient communications equipment to support the ship ' s amphibious mission. MOUNT VERNON ' s helicopter landing platform can be used in support of helicopted assault and logistics operations. Refueling, limited repairs and minor maintenance of aircraft can also be provided. The ship is designed to transport, and operate, heavy landing craft from her well deck. Wet - well evolutions are facilitated through the use of a complex, electro - hydraulically controlled ballasting and deballisting system. The ship ' s habitability features amply provide for the messing and berthing of 18 officers and 335 enlisted personnel normally assigned. They further provide for the berthing, feeding and cargo transport of approxi- mately 300 fully equipped combat troops of the landing force- Since reporting for duty with the Pacific Fleet, MOUNT VERNON has completed six operational deploy- ments with the Seventh Fleet in the Far East. In each of the six periods of deployed service, the ship acquitted itself with distinction. Symbolic of that dedicated performance of duty, MOUNT VERNON has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendations, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditonary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

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number one guncrew spotted the periscope of a German submarine 500 yards off her starboard bow. She opened fire on the submarine and it submerged as a torpedo wake streaked toward the ship The torpedo struck amidships, blowing out all four engines on the starboard side, which formed half her total power plant. The transport reversed course for Brest, where she was placed in drydock for temporary repairs. The torpedo explosion had taken the lives of 36 men and injured 3 others. MOUNT VERNON returned to Boston for permanent repairs, which were still underway when the war ended in November 1918. She had transported 33.660 men to France during her combat career. She rejoined the transport service in February 1919. and returned 42.500 veterans home from France before decommis- sioning in September 1919. The fourth MOUNT VERNON was built in 1933 as the spacious liner SS WASHINGTON and operated by the United States Lines. Upon being acquired by the Navy on 16 June 1941 she was placed in the Philadelphia Navy yard where her 100 dollar a day suites were stripped and replaced with many steel bunks. In August 1941 she put to sea and during World War II served gallantly both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. On 18 January 1946 after transporting thousands of troops throughout the world MOUNT VERNON was decommissioned and delivered to the U.S. Maritime Commission The latest MOUNT VERNON bears a proud name, one famous not only in American Naval Annals but also one of a legendary estate, rich in American Heritage. This legacy represents a challenge to the fifth United States ship MOUNT VERNON embarking on her life with the Fleet today.

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ducted numerous amphibious operations. While on Deployment, the ship received notice it had won battle efficiency E ' s in Gunnery. Supply, Assault Boat Coxswains, Combat Information Center, and Deck Seamanship On 23 October 1983, MOUNT VERNON returned to it ' s home- port of San Diego, having successfully steamed over 26,568 nautical miles. As in each of the past periods of deployed service, the ship acquitted itself with distinction. Symbolic of that dedicated performance of duty, MOUNT VERNON has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, the Nation Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. On 4 May 1983, MOUNT VERNON sailed from San Diego, California in the company of USS TARAWA (LHA-1), USS JUNEAU (LPD-10), USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10), USS DULUTH (LPD-6), USS FRESNO (LST-1182), and USS FREDRICK (LST- 1184). As a member of Amphibious Squadron One, MOUNT VERNON was beginning her sixth overseas operational deployment with the Sev- enth Fleet to the Far East. On 22 May 1983, CDR William L. MaVks, USN relieved CDR. James H. Goodwin, USN in a change of command ceremony off the coast of Hawaii. Over the course of this deployment the ship visited Hawaii, Hong Kong, Subic Bay, Okinawa, Yokosuka, Murawan, Sasebo, and Guam, and con-