Monticello (LSD 35) - Naval Cruise Book

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.1 From the keel .... HISTORY OF USS MONTICELLO LSD-35) The USS MONTICELLO LSD-35) bears THE NAME OF THE FAMOUS HISTORIC SITE, MON- TICELLO, THE HOME OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND THIRD PRESIDENT OF TH E UNITED STATES . THE CLASSICAL REVIVAL HOUSE NEAR CHAR- LOTTESVILLE, Virginia, has lent its name to TWO other ships of the United States Navy. The first of these ships was a steamer which SERVED with the UNION FLEET DURING THE CiVIL War from 1861 until 1865. During World FOUR YEARS BEFORE THE MAST mmiBBmte r mv . -m,i--

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GO ' S PASS IN REVIEW Capt. F. D. Kellogg O) relieving Capt. Hodgson 5 OCT. 1957 - 28 Nov. 1958 Capt. J. T. Hodgson 29 MARCH 1957 - 5 Oct. 1957 Capt. W. A. Overton 28 Nov. 1958 - 22 Jan. 1960 Capt. 1. M. King (standing ) 22 Jan , 1 960 - 9 Nov . 1 960

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CROSSING THE Shellbacks scour ship for pollywogs ' Now ALL pollywogs REPORT TO THE WELL- DFCK NEVER LOST A CASEj NEVER HAD ONE That impartial group of King Neptunes Court War II, THE former Italian Liner, SS CONTE GRANDE, became the USS MONTICELLO, AP-61, serving as a troop transport through many European campaigns The third MONTICELLO is the eighth and most recent of the USS THOMASTON LSD-28 Class of the Landing Ships Dock. The salient characteristics of the LSD-35 are to transport combat loaded boats, craft, vehicles, and tanks to be landed early in assault waves on enemy beaches. In addition to troop space for 350 men, this ship possesses facilities for accommodating several troop carrying assault helicopters. She has a capacity for emergency hull damage repairs to landing craft including LCU ' s, as well as large patrol sea planes. Its armament, electronics AND speed make IT THE TOP PERFORMER IN THE AMPHIBIOUS FORCES . EMBRACING A MULTITUDE OF AMPHI- BIOUS tasks, its versatility AND EFFICIENCY CAUSE THIS TYPE OF SHIP TO BE VERY MUCH IN DEMAND BY THE Fleet, Army, Marine Corps, and the Sea Transportation Service. The history of the LSD— 35 actually begins with the laying of her keel 6 June 1955. Like her eight sister ships , SHE WAS BUILT BY INGALLS SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION OF PASCAGOULA , MISSISSIPPI. On AUGUST 10, 195 6 she was launched and christened by Mrs . Harry R . Sheppard, wife of the con- gressmen from California , WHO AT THE TIME WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS SUB- COMMITTEE. On 29 March 1957, Captain H . M. Heiser, USN, Supervisor of Shipbuilding , accepted THE MONTICELLO as a vessel of the Navy in behalf of the Commandant, Sixth Naval District. Immediately thereafter. Captain J.T. Hodgson Jr., USN, her first commanding officer, assumed command .