USS DONNER LSD20

USS DONNER (LSD-20) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1945. Designed to support amphibious operations by carrying and launching landing craft and vehicles, she served primarily in the Atlantic and Caribbean, participating in training exercises and fleet maneuvers. USS DONNER was notable for her involvement in the recovery of America's first space traveler, Ham the chimpanzee, after his 1961 Mercury-Redstone 2 flight. The ship was decommissioned in 1970, concluding nearly 25 years of service to the U.S. Navy.