About this Unit
USS Epping Forest (LSD-4) was an Ashland-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1943. During World War II, she played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, participating in major amphibious operations including the assaults on Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, and Okinawa. After the war, Epping Forest supported occupation duties in the Far East and later served during the Korean War, supporting United Nations forces with logistics and amphibious capabilities. The ship continued to serve until decommissioning in 1968, earning multiple battle stars for her distinguished service.
Historical Facts
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World War II Origin: USS Epping Forest (LSD-4) was a dock landing ship commissioned on 11 March 1943, playing a vital role in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
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Namesake: The ship was named after the Epping Forest, a historic woodland area in Essex, England, continuing the US Navy tradition of naming dock landing ships after geographic features.
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Amphibious Operations: Epping Forest supported numerous amphibious landings, including the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa, acting as a floating dry dock for landing craft and small vessels.
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First-of-Class Conversion: Originally built as an Ashland-class dock landing ship, she was the first LSD converted to support minesweeping helicopters, highlighting her adaptability during the Korean War.
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Korean War Service: The ship earned seven battle stars for her service during the Korean conflict, providing critical support for minesweeping and amphibious operations.
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Operation Crossroads: Epping Forest participated in the 1946 atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supporting the logistics of this historic nuclear testing operation.
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Cold War Role: She was instrumental during the early Cold War years, serving as a flagship for Mine Squadron 3 and supporting the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Pacific.
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Vietnam War Activity: Epping Forest was deployed multiple times to the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious assaults, logistics, and mine countermeasure operations.
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Humanitarian Missions: The ship participated in several humanitarian operations, including typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines, showcasing the Navy’s peacetime contributions.
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Decommissioning and Legacy: USS Epping Forest was decommissioned on 15 September 1967 with a decorated record, earning 8 battle stars for WWII, 7 for Korea, and 5 for Vietnam, symbolizing decades of versatile naval service.
