Duluth (LPD 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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, .n ARG A The experiences of the Second World War and the Korean conflict proved conclusively the value of amphibious operations in modern warfare. Therefore amphibious techniques had to be devised to deal with the brush fire conflicts that characterize the warfare of the nuclear age. One of the most important of these advances in amphibious warfare was the creation of the Amphibious Ready Group, known as the ARG. The ARG is normally composed of two new amphibious types, an LPH (amphibious as- sault) and an LPD (amphibious transport dock), plus two older types, an LKA (attack cargo ship) and an LSD (landing ship dock). The combined capabilities of these four ships allows the Amphibious Ready Group Commander to speed to troubled areas and, if necessary, assault and contain the crisis area with a highly mobile landing force of men and equipment carried by both helicopters and conventional landing craft. The Amphibious Ready Group ships can then remain nearby providing constant and rapid logistic support. While in Vietnam during the 1968-1969 deployment, DULUTH was a member of ARG A commanded by Captain George W. Stroud, USN, Commander Amphibious Squadron 5. The other ships attached to ARG A were the USS OKINAWA (LPH-3), USS FORT MARION (LSD- 22) and the USS WINSTON (LKA-94).

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USS DULUTH LPD 6 USS DULUTH LPD 6 is a relatively new member of the U. S, amphibious forces. She was the last fighting ship to be built by the New York Naval Shipyard. She was placed in commis- sion on 18 December 1965, and was completed at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 2 June 1966, DULUTH is the sixth Amphibious Transport Dock to be built. In design, she combines many of the characteristics and capabilities of the LKA, LPA, LSD, and LPH. From her flight deck, she can operate all of the helicopters now in use by the U. S. Marine Corps. She can also launch from her well deck many types of landing craft. Accommodations for over 900 ' combat equipped Marines are provided, as well as cargo space for their supplies. The ship is over 569 feet in length, with an 84 foot beam, and displaces approximately 16,700 tons. She can cruise at over 20 knots, and due to her design, can be maneuvered almost as easily as a Destroyer. She carries a normal complement of 450 enlisted men and officers. DULUTH began her first deployment to the Far East in March of 1967, and performed with enough distinction in eight months of operations off the coast of Viet Nam to be awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation. Returning to the United States in December of 1967, DULUTH then settled down to eleven months of rest and upkeep in and around San Diego. A high point of this period was a visit to Seattle, Washington to represent the Navy at the annual Sea Fair cele- bration. In October of 1968, DULUTH began preparing for her second deployment, and on 2 No- vember she was again underway for WESTPAC. On 15 November, she joined Amphibious Ready Group Alfa and began operations off the coast of the Republic of Viet Nam. This cruise also included visits to the ports of Subic Bay, Philippines; Hong Kong; Keelung, Taiwan; Hon- olulu, Hawaii; and Yokosuka, Japan. Finally, on 26 June 1969, after the completion of her second cruise, DULUTH tied up to pier 8 at the San Diego Naval Station.

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CAPT. MARCELLUS T. PITZ, USN COMMANDING OFFICER Captain Marcellus T. Pitz was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1946 in June 1945. He served in the Gunnery Department in USS BATAAN and USS LEYTE prior to entering flight training. He received his wings in July 1948 and was assigned to Heavy Patrol Squadron TWENTY-FOUR, U.S. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland. Captain Pitz ' s subsequent tours of duty have included Aviation Electronics School in Memphis, Tennessee; instructor in the Department of Aviation at the Naval Academy; flight officer in VR-31; and Communications and Operations Officer in USS CURRITUCK. Captain Pitz graduated from the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College in June 1959. Following graduation, he remained as a member of the Instructor Staff at the Naval War Col- lege for a period of two years. He received a Masters Degree in Political Science from Bos- ton University in June 1960 while attached to the Naval War College. Captain Pitz subsequently served as Executive Officer in Air Anti-Submarine Squadron TWENTY- EIGHT and in Air Anti-Submarine Squadron TWENTY-TWO. He was assigned as Commanding Officer of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron TWENTY-TWO from June 1963 to May 1964 and as Commander Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group SIXTY from June 1964 to June 1965. Captain Pitz recently completed a tour in the Officer Distribution Division of the Bureau of Naval Personnel where he served as Placement Officer for Fleet Staffs and Carriers and thereafter as Aviation Captain Assignment Officer.