Hull number - LSD-40 Awarded - May 2, 1967 Keel Laid - July 15, 1970 Launched - April 22, 1972 Commissioned - December 9, 1972 Decommissioned - February 27, 1998 Builder - General Dynamics, Quincy, Mass. Propulsion System - Two 600 psi boilers Propellers - Two Length - 553 feet (168.6 meters) Beam - 85 feet (25.9 meters) Draft - 18 feet 5.5 meters) Displacement - Approx. 14,000 toons full load Speed - 22 knots Well Deck Capacity - Three LCAC Aircraft - None, but helicopter platform Crew - 18 Officers and 340 Enlisted Marine Detachment - 330 Marines Armament - Two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, Two Mk-38 Machine Guns, Four .50 Machine Guns
Commanding Officers:
Dec 9, 1972 - Sept 17, 1974 - CAPT Gene F. Gauthier, USN
Sept 17, 1974 - Dec 3, 1976 - CDR Glynn M. Thompson, USN
Dec 3, 1976 - Dec 22, 1978 - CDR John F. Gamboa, USN
Dec 22, 1978 - Mar 27, 1981 - CDR Kenneth R. Barry, USN
Mar 27, 1981 - Mar 24, 1983 - CDR Nigel E. Parkhurst, USN
Mar 24, 1983 - Jun 15, 1985 - CDR Richard C. Williams III, USN
Jun 15, 1985 - Oct 24, 1987 - CDR Arthur J. Gilbert, USN
Oct 24, 1987 - Dec 8, 1989 - CDR Edward P. Anglim, USN
Dec 8, 1989 - Jan 17, 1992 - CDR Thomas F. Radich, USN
Jan 17, 1992 - Oct 22, 1993 - CDR John T. Nawrocki, USN
Oct 22, 1993 - Jan 11, 1996 - CDR William E. Jezierski, USN
Jan 11, 1996 - Aug 31, 1997 - CDR Stuart B Markey, USN
Aug 31, 1997 - Feb 27, 1998 - CDR Thomas R. Williams, USN
Best Friends GMG1 "Dusty" Hoffman - Counted as one of my best friends, he did intoduce me to my wife.
Best Moment October 6, 1979 - Married Barbara M Foote
Worst Moment September 1977 - Robin filed for divorce
Other Memories Promoted to SH1 Operated Ship's Store Operated the Ship's Store Storeroom Ship's Store Records Keeper Leading Petty Officer - S-3 Division Ship's Master-at-Arms Qualified as Inport OOD as PO2