USS Acadia (AD-42)

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About USS Acadia (AD-42)

USS Acadia (AD-42) was a Yellowstone-class destroyer tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1981. Designed to provide maintenance and logistical support to destroyers and other surface ships, Acadia played a crucial role during the Gulf War, deploying to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The ship became notable as the first U.S. Navy combat vessel to deploy with a mixed-gender crew during wartime. After over a decade of service, USS Acadia was decommissioned in 1994 and later sold for scrap.

Unit Members

Jon Hillerich

U.S. Navy (1988-1992)

USS Acadia (AD-42)View Profile

Donald Millmann

U.S. Navy (1991-1993)

USS Acadia (AD-42)View Profile

Photos

U.S. Army • 1986

U.S. Army • 1972

U.S. Marine Corps • 1969

About USS Acadia (AD-42)

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Namesake: USS Acadia (AD-42) was named after Acadia National Park in Maine, reflecting a tradition of naming tenders after national parks. • Class and Construction: Acadia was the third ship of the Yellowstone-class destroyer tenders, constructed at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on 6 June 1981, joining the U.S. Pacific Fleet and providing mobile repair and support services to naval vessels. • First Major Deployment: In 1983, USS Acadia deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, supporting 7th Fleet operations and earning the Navy Expeditionary Medal. • Operation Desert Shield/Storm: Acadia played a crucial support role during the Gulf War (1990-1991), providing repair and logistics support to U.S. and coalition ships in the Arabian Gulf. • First Mixed-Gender U.S. Combat Ship: During Operation Desert Storm, Acadia became the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy with a mixed-gender crew, marking a significant milestone in naval history. • Nickname: Due to a well-publicized number of pregnancies among female sailors during the Gulf War deployment, the ship earned the unofficial nickname "The Love Boat." • Humanitarian Mission: In 1992, Acadia participated in Operation Restore Hope, providing support for humanitarian relief operations in Somalia. • Decommissioning: USS Acadia was decommissioned on 16 December 1994 after 13 years of service, as part of post-Cold War force reductions. • Final Fate: The ship was later scrapped in 2004, but her legacy lives on in naval history as a pioneering vessel in both operational support and crew integration.