Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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CONTENTS 1. THE SHIP 2. THE LEADERS Commanding Officers 6 Executive Officers 9 Officers 11 Chiefs 15 3. THE MEN Deck Department 19 Engineering Department 25 Operations Department 37 Supply Department 47 4. THE DEPARTURE 55 5. THE MISSION 59 6. RECREATION 77 7. LIBERTY CALL 85 8. HOMECOMING 93

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IN MEMORY OF MSI BAYANI ALIX DIED JANUARY 7, 1988 WHILE IN SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY

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USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39) 1 MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39) is the fifth ship commissioned in the United States Navy to hear the proud name of MOUNT VERNON. Four predecessors served with distinction in times of conflict dating back to the Civil War. The first Mount Vernon was a wooden screw merchant steamer purchased by the Navy and converted to a gunboat in 1861. Among her memorable exploits was participation in the attack on Fort Fisher which severed the last Confederate supply line and helped to bring about the end of the war. The second Mount Vernon was a sidewheel river steamer fitted as a gunboat for the defense of Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. The name of the ship was later changed to Mount Washington to avoid any confusion with the first Mount Vernon. The third Mount Vernon was originally named Crown Princess Cecille and was built by North German Lloyd Lines as a first-class luxury liner in 1907. The ship was interned in Boston Harbor prior to the entry of the United States into World War I. The German crew destroyed the engines when the U.S. entered the war. After extensive repairs, the ship was transferred to the Navy for use as a troop transport. During the war. Mount Vernon transported 33,600 men to France, survived a submarine attack, and returned 42,500 veterans home. The fourth Mount Vernon was built in 1933 as the spacious liner SS Washington. During World War II. the liner was refitted as a troop transport by the Navy. Mount Vernon transported thousands of troops across both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39) was built by Quincy Shipbuilding Division, General Dynamics Corporation at Quincy. Massachusetts. The keel was laid in January 1970 and construction was completed in April 1971. Following commissioning ceremonies on May 13. 1972 at Boston Naval Shipyard, the ship sailed for its designated homeport of San Diego. Mount Vernon ' s homeport was changed to Long Beach, California on July 22, 1985. USS Mount Vernon is 562 feet in length and has a beam of 84 feet at the widest point. Fully loaded, the ship displaces 13,7 tons with a mean draft of 19 feet measured from the keel to the waterline. The ship ' s main armaments con ist of 3 50 twin gun mounts and a Vulcan Phalanx anti-ship missle defense system. Installed electronic equipi -nt includes air and surface search radars, a navigational radar, a complete communications suite and an Electronic Emitter Detection System to support the ship ' s amphibious mission. Mount Vernon ' s helicopter landing platform ca be used in support of helicopter assault and logistics operations. Refueling, limited repairs and minor maintenance o; aircraft can also be provided.