About this Unit
USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39) was an Anchorage-class dock landing ship commissioned into the United States Navy in 1972. Throughout her service, she played a significant role in amphibious operations, supporting the deployment and landing of Marines, vehicles, and equipment via landing craft and helicopters. Mount Vernon participated in numerous exercises and operations, including deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, and provided vital logistical support during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned in 2003 and later sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2005.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Heritage: USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39) was the third U.S. Navy ship named after George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon, reflecting a longstanding naval tradition of honoring historical American sites.
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Anchorage-Class Ship: LSD-39 was an Anchorage-class dock landing ship, purpose-built to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, and Marines during amphibious operations.
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Commissioning and Service Era: The ship was commissioned on 17 May 1972 and served for nearly three decades before being decommissioned on 25 July 2003.
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Vietnam War Involvement: Although commissioned after the height of the Vietnam War, Mount Vernon supported post-war operations in Southeast Asia, including the evacuation of refugees from Saigon in 1975 during Operation Frequent Wind.
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Pacific Presence: The ship was primarily homeported in San Diego, California, and played a vital role in Pacific Fleet amphibious exercises and deployments throughout her career.
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Operation Desert Storm: USS Mount Vernon participated in Operation Desert Storm, transporting U.S. Marines and equipment to the Persian Gulf region during the 1990-1991 conflict.
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Humanitarian Missions: The ship took part in various humanitarian missions, including relief efforts in the Philippines after natural disasters and evacuations in crisis regions.
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Experimental Trials: LSD-39 was the test platform for the Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), a revolutionary hovercraft designed for amphibious assaults, making her a pioneer in naval technology integration.
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Crew Traditions: Sailors aboard Mount Vernon were known for their morale and camaraderie, often referring to their ship as the "Mount V" and developing a strong esprit de corps.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was sunk as a target during a live-fire exercise off the coast of Hawaii in 2005, serving her final role in training and weapons testing for the U.S. Navy.
