USS CLEVELAND (LPD-7)

• Fourth Ship Named Cleveland: USS Cleveland (LPD-7) was the fourth U.S. Navy ship named after the city of Cleveland, Ohio, honoring the city's contributions to the nation. • Commissioned in 1967: USS Cleveland was commissioned on 21 April 1967, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, becoming part of the Austin-class amphibious transport docks. • Vietnam War Deployment: Shortly after commissioning, Cleveland participated in the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious operations and troop movements along the Vietnamese coast. • Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, Cleveland took part in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, rescuing American and South Vietnamese personnel as North Vietnamese forces advanced. • Disaster Relief Missions: USS Cleveland was involved in numerous humanitarian missions, including relief efforts after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991. • Homeport in San Diego: For much of her service life, Cleveland was homeported in San Diego, California, serving as a vital asset for Pacific Fleet operations. • Hollywood Cameo: The ship appeared in several TV shows and films, including the popular series JAG and the 1996 movie Executive Decision. • Longest-serving LPD: By the time of her decommissioning, Cleveland was the longest-serving amphibious transport dock in U.S. Navy history, with 44 years of active service. • Participation in RIMPAC Exercises: The ship took part in multiple Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, strengthening international maritime cooperation and amphibious warfare capabilities. • Decommissioned in 2011: USS Cleveland was decommissioned on 30 September 2011, concluding a distinguished career marked by combat, humanitarian missions, and international cooperation.