USS BOULDER LST- 1190

• Commissioning and Class: USS Boulder (LST-1190) was commissioned on 4 June 1971 as the twelfth ship of the Newport-class tank landing ships, designed to replace the aging LSTs from World War II. • Named After a City: She was named after the city of Boulder, Colorado, reflecting the Navy’s tradition of naming LSTs after American cities and counties. • Newport-Class Innovation: Unlike earlier LSTs, the Newport-class featured a distinctive bow ramp supported by two derrick arms, enabling faster loading and unloading of vehicles and cargo. • Vietnam War Service: USS Boulder was deployed to the Mediterranean and also participated in the final years of the Vietnam War, supporting logistics and amphibious operations. • Lebanon Peacekeeping: In 1982, Boulder took part in the multinational peacekeeping force off the coast of Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War, supporting U.S. Marines on the ground. • Humanitarian Missions: Boulder was involved in several humanitarian operations, including disaster relief and evacuation missions, demonstrating the versatility of LSTs beyond combat roles. • Unique Propulsion: The ship was powered by six diesel engines, driving two shafts, and could reach speeds up to 20 knots—unusually fast for an LST. • Training and Exercises: Boulder participated in numerous NATO and joint amphibious exercises, strengthening alliances and interoperability with allied forces. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Boulder was decommissioned on 28 February 1994 after 23 years of service, and was eventually sold for scrapping in 2000. • Crew Legacy: The ship's motto was "Ready, Reliable, Responsive," and many of her crew members have formed veteran associations to keep the memory and camaraderie of their service alive.