Mount Vernon (LSD 39) - Naval Cruise Book

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The ship was designed to transport and operate heavy landing craft from a large well deck. USS Mount Vernon was the first West Coast ship to he modified for operations with the new Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). Wet-well evolutions are facilitated through the use of a complex, electro-hydraulically controlled ballasting and deballasting system. The ship ' s habiability features provide for the berthing, messing and cargo transport of approximately 330 fully-equipped combat troops of the landing force. Since reporting for duty with the Pacific Fleet, Mount Vernon has completed several operational deployments with the Seventh Fleet in the Far East. The Ship completed a deployment with Middle Fast Force for operations in the Persian Gulf in March 1988. Mount Vernon has been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, The National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. OPPOSITE PAGE: The Mount Vernon on Persian Gulf Deployment. the white decks are to reduce heat absorption. UPPER LEFT: WW I Mount Vernon. LEFT: WWII Mount Vernon. BELOW: LCAC entering Mount Vernon ' s well deck.

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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.

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CAPTAIN BRIAN F. BOYCE COMMANDING OFFICER Oct. 5, 1985-Dec. 19, 1987 ■ mi Brian K Boyi ■ «,i- born In Nan N • r k i Ity, Ni» Sort, tad Pennsylvania He ettended tht ' nivereit) ol V.tr. Dam on mi NROTC icholarahip and fradualad in i •■ dmini l ' v 1 1 • r it . .1 ' . in, in i ommi to the USS HORNET (CVS 12) as thi Navigation Divmion Officei I to the i SS NOXI BEE ■ | . ' I where In- Mrvad Executive Officer and ' iyor School in Newport, Rhodf laland, Captain Boyca wai aaaignad ea tin- Weapona OfTicai aboard I SS M ' M l ESS |F1 1084) In I 178, ha reported for dul Pint Lieutenant on the I SS INDEPENDENI B ( 82) Pol lowing thai tour, he earved I Officer and Navigator on i SS OWENS (DD pon decommiaaioniiia, i tin- OWENS in I 18 h reported t r dut) ■ and Navigator ol the I SS Ft IRT1 m I 1 1 SI I 37) Captain Boyce aaaumed command of the I 3S MOl NT VERNON (LSD 8) ..n October •- His ihor assignments have included duties as Scientifii Liaison Officer nl the Naval Raoaexch Labi Waahington, D.C in 1970 and .i- j »r.i! Director for the rnnm ' n--.il,- svstems with the Operational Test and tion Force Norfolk, Virginia when in- waa i project officer for the Arrow mid Hi h energ) laaei project! While iii Norfolk, he Commended studs for In- Muster ol Business Administration degree ;it Old Dominion University He completed in- Maatera in June 1980. Kn m June pril 1966, Captain Boyca was an instructor in the Prospective Commanding Officer Course, Surface Warfare School Staff. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal, Viw , ihievemenl Medal (two awards, one with combat V), Meritorioua Unil Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defence Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with seven (tan, Vietnam Service Ribbon. Sea Service Ribbon and Expert Piatol Ribbon. Captain Boyce is married to the former Pamela A. Stofko. Thev have three children: Suzanne. John and Thomas. LEFT: CAPT Boyce observing transfer from USS OKINAWA. ABOVE: Checking out FC3 Jacquin during command inspection. CENTER: Captain s Call.