About this Unit
USS Ashland (LSD-48) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1992. Named after the historic estate of Henry Clay, the ship has played a vital role in amphibious operations, transporting Marines, vehicles, and landing craft around the globe. Notably, USS Ashland participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing critical support for expeditionary missions. Over its service life, the ship has also been involved in humanitarian assistance and anti-piracy operations, reflecting its versatility and commitment to global maritime security.
Historical Facts
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Commissioning and Namesake: USS Ashland (LSD-1) was the lead ship of the Ashland-class dock landing ships, commissioned on 5 June 1943. She is named after the historic estate of Henry Clay in Lexington, Kentucky.
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First of Her Kind: Ashland was the very first dock landing ship (LSD) ever built for the U.S. Navy, pioneering a new class of amphibious warfare vessels.
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World War II Service: Ashland participated in numerous Pacific Theater operations, including the invasions of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Leyte, and Iwo Jima.
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Innovative Design: The ship was designed with a well deck that could be flooded, allowing her to transport, launch, and recover landing craft and vehicles directly onto hostile shores.
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Secret Mission: In 1944, Ashland was involved in the secret transport and deployment of the first LVT(A)-1 amphibious tanks for the Battle of Saipan.
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Kamikaze Attack: During the Iwo Jima campaign in 1945, Ashland survived multiple kamikaze attacks, sustaining only minor damage and saving many crew lives through quick action.
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Post-WWII Service: After World War II, Ashland participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting returning U.S. servicemen from the Pacific back to the United States.
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Korean War Recommission: The ship was recommissioned in 1950 for service during the Korean War, supporting amphibious operations and logistics for U.N. forces.
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Antarctic Operations: Ashland took part in Operation Deep Freeze in the late 1950s, supplying the U.S. scientific stations in Antarctica.
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Final Fate: The USS Ashland was decommissioned for the last time in 1969 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1973, but her legacy endures as a trailblazer in amphibious warfare ship design.
