Alamo (LSD 33) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS ACAm© (CSD-33) lDe deliver anything, anytime, anywhere USS ACAm© (CSD-33) u as built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Che keel was lain an 11 ©ctnber 1954, and she was launched on the 20th of January 1956. Che ship mas commissioned 24 August 1956 and placed under the command of Captain J. C. Semmes, u$n. After commissioning, the ship visited Galveston, Cexas and then sailed to Norfolk, Virginia to complete her initial loading and outfitting. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet, the ACAJll© passed westward through the Panama Canal, arrived in her home part, San Diego, California on 13 ©ctober 1956 and reported to Commander Amphibious Farce, u. $. Pacific Fleet for duty. In the fallowing months, ACAm© and her crew successfully completed shake down training and Amphibinus draining, milestones in the attainment of combat readiness. Finally after numerous inspections by various senior commanders, ACAm© was pronounced ready to take her place in the Fleet. USS ACAIH© (CSD-33) is 510 feet long and 84 feet wide at the beam with a cargo capacity of more than 2,400 tons. Iter well deck, 395 feet long and 48 feet wide, can be flooded ta a depth of 10 feet by an elaborate push button ballast system. £his large area, plus the expansive super deck and mezzanine deck, afford ACAm© the ability to carry 3 CCU ' s, the largest of the amphibious craft, or 20 CCm ' s or 40 CCVP ' s. As many as 200 2 ton trucks, for combat, can be transported at one time. In addition to the complement of 21 officers and 351 enlisted men, ACAm© is capable of cmbai ' king 272 troops plus 29 troap officers and 9 staff officers. Che ship ' s twin propulsion plant develops 24,000 horsepower, driving the ship at speeds in excess of 23 knots. For armament, the ship has 3 mounts of Cwin 3 50 caliber anti-aircraft guns. For the handling of supplies and equipment, the ship has 2 cranes, capable of lifting 50 tons each. Che USS ACAm© competently fulfills the qualifications of an amphibious assault ship by displaying flexibility of use, swift mahility, and demonstrated qualities of a powerful tactical weapon. Che USS ACAm© is ready to meet any challenge of the present or the future, in peace or in war. )l)e fulfill both missions as indicated by our motto: we deliver anything, anytime, anywhere .

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Che Alamo mission San Antonio De valero In 1718 hy the authority of Spain ' s Viceroy of Mexico, Father Antonio de (Dlivares established the mission San Antonio de Valero in San Antonio. Che cornerstone of the chapel known today as the Alamo was laid in 1744. Named in honor of St. Anthony de Padua and the marques de valero, Spanish viceroy, the mission was founded for the purpose of Christianizing and educating the Indians. Che four acre mission establishment included stone living and teaching quarters for the converted Indians, and a two-story building for the monks. (The various buildings were situated around a verdant, irrigated plaza and enclosed by the thick quadrangle well. Che mission ' s activities eventually ceased and it was abandoned in 1793 and the mission archives were removed to San Fernanda Parish Church in San Antonio. It was before fllexico ' s revolution from Spanish rule that a company of Spanish soldiers from Alamo del Parras in Mexico, used the mission buildings as barracks. Chus ioas probably derived the name Alamo . Che Alamo defenders held the garrison through 13 days of siege. Subsequently, the Alamo was used as a commissary by the United States Government, and as a Confederate quartermaster depot during the Civil War. Care of the sacred shrine finally was given by the State of Cexas to the Daughters of the Republic of Cexas, who are the present custodians.

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