Inchon (LPH 12) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

Lieutenant Colonel Ralph B. Orey, USMC Commanding Officer HMM-162

Page 6 text:

Captain John K. Thomas, USN Commanding Officer USS Inchon IPH-12

Page 8 text:

USS INCHON (LPH 12) was named in honor of the joint Navy-Marine assault at Inchon, Korea, on September 15, 1950. Her motto, Never More Brightly , is derived from General Douglas MacArthur ' s message to the fleet on that occasion, The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly than this morning . INCHON is designed to deploy with United States Marines wherever their presence is required. The ship can carry two thousand Marines including a reinforced Marine Helicopter Squadron. Other missions include providing medical relief in the event of natural disaster and evacuation of United States citizens from troubled areas. Commissioned June 20. 1970 at the U.S. Naval Shipyard. Portsmouth, Virginia. INCHON is the seventh and last of the IWO JIMA (LPH 2) class of amphibious assault ship. She was initiated to United States fleet operations in the spring of 1971 when she participated in Operation Exotic Dancer IV. From September 1971 to March 1972. INCHON visited the Mediterranean and served under the operational control of Commander, Sixth Fleet and as a unit of Task Force 61 and Amphibious Squadron Ten. INCHON participated in Exotic Dancer V in the spring of 1972. In July 1972, INCHON was present for Exercise High Boot, an amphibious exercise off the North Carolina coast. In August 1972. INCHON was presented with the Admiral Flatley Award for aviation safety, the Battle Efficiency Award for operational readiness, the Amphibious Assault Award, and five departmental awards for excellence.