About this Unit
USS Dubuque (LPD-8) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1967. Over her four decades of service, Dubuque participated in major operations including the Vietnam War, where she supported troop movements and amphibious assaults. She also played a vital role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, and later supported operations in the Persian Gulf and humanitarian missions. The ship was decommissioned in 2011, having earned numerous awards for her distinguished service.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Dubuque (LPD-8) was named after the city of Dubuque, Iowa, honoring the city's contributions to the nation and its location along the Mississippi River.
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Class and Type: She was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, designed to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked landing craft or helicopters.
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Commissioning: USS Dubuque was commissioned on 1 September 1967, at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.
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Vietnam War Service: Dubuque served in the Vietnam War, participating in troop deployments and amphibious operations, and received multiple awards for her service during the conflict.
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Evacuation of Saigon: Dubuque was part of Operation Frequent Wind in April 1975, the largest helicopter evacuation in history, helping evacuate Americans and South Vietnamese during the fall of Saigon.
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Humanitarian Missions: In 1975, Dubuque participated in the rescue of Vietnamese refugees during Operation New Life, transporting thousands to safety.
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Hollywood Appearance: The ship was featured in the 1978 TV miniseries "Pearl," which depicted the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Persian Gulf Operations: USS Dubuque took part in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, supporting coalition forces in the Gulf War.
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Somalia Deployment: In 1992-1993, Dubuque deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting U.S. and UN peacekeeping operations.
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Decommissioning: After over 43 years of service, USS Dubuque was officially decommissioned on 30 September 2011 at Naval Base San Diego, California, marking the end of a distinguished naval career.
