Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 5 text:

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. Buih by the Quincy Shipbuilding Division, General Dynamics Corporation, at Quincy, Massachusetts, its keel was laid on 29 January 1970. Sixteen months later, on April 1971, MOUNT VERNON was launched, designated homeport 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 seven operation- al deployments with the Seventh Fl eet in the Far East. In each of the seven 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 Award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.