Amphibious Personnel Destroyer

**Amphibious Personnel Destroyer: Unit History** Formed in the late 1960s, the Amphibious Personnel Destroyer (APD) unit was established to provide rapid deployment and direct fire support for amphibious assaults. Originally designed as modified destroyers, these vessels were reconfigured to carry troops, landing craft, and specialized equipment, enabling them to deliver infantry forces directly onto contested shorelines. APDs saw action in several major conflicts, including the Vietnam War, where their speed and versatility proved critical in riverine and coastal operations. The unit was gradually phased out as newer, more versatile amphibious warfare ships entered service, but its legacy endures in modern naval expeditionary tactics.