USS GUAM

• Unique Class: USS Guam (LPH-9) was the lead ship of the Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ships, designed primarily to embark, transport, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious assault by helicopters. • Commissioning: USS Guam was commissioned on 16 January 1965 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. • Vietnam War Service: The ship participated in operations during the Vietnam War, providing helicopter assault support and serving as a floating base. • Space Recovery Missions: USS Guam served as a recovery ship for NASA’s Apollo missions, including serving as a secondary recovery ship for Apollo 8. • Lebanon Peacekeeping: Guam was involved in the 1983 multinational peacekeeping operations in Beirut, Lebanon, supporting U.S. Marines during a period of intense conflict. • Operation Urgent Fury: In 1983, USS Guam was the flagship for the U.S. invasion of Grenada, known as Operation Urgent Fury, providing both air and sea support for the operation. • Anti-Aircraft Cruiser Conversion: In 1996, USS Guam was temporarily converted into a Sea Control Ship (SCS) to evaluate the concept of a small aircraft carrier, operating AV-8A Harrier jump jets and anti-submarine helicopters. • Humanitarian Missions: USS Guam participated in several humanitarian and evacuation missions throughout its career, including the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Cyprus in 1974. • Decommissioning: After over 33 years of service, USS Guam was decommissioned on 25 August 1998. • Final Fate: The ship was sunk as a target during a fleet training exercise off the coast of North Carolina on 16 October 2001, marking the end of its distinguished career.