Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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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-

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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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USS MOUNT VERNON SHIELD The shield, traditionally symbolic of defense, alludes to the MOUNT VERNON as an element of our National Defense System. The colors of blue and gold are traditional to the United States Navy. The shield is emblematic of an LSD discharging three combat - loaded assault craft. The large triangle represents MOUNT VERNON, oriented so as to discharge three LCU ' s which are denoted by the three small triangles. The areas between the jagged ■ ' Embattled Lines is known in heraldry as the Field of Combat. and is shown as a field of red. The LCUs as our main Element of Combat are shown crossing the Field of Combat laden with the spearhead of an Amphibious Assault, enroute to a hostile foreign shore. The figure in the upper right hand corner of the shield is the ancient and mythical Sea Dog , one of the original amphibians, and the standard of MOUNT VERNON. The four stars, on either side of the ship ' s name commemorate the exemplary service of the four previous U.S. Navy ships of the name MOUNT VERNON beginning with the Civil War and extending through World Wars I and II. The motto, Exitus Acta Probat comes from the George Washington family Coat of Arms, and was also the motto of his home. Mount Vernon, from whence comes the name of the ship. The motto means Action Produces Results.