USS New Orleans (LPH-11)

USS New Orleans (LPH-11) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Throughout her service, she played a significant role in the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious operations and serving as a command ship. Notably, USS New Orleans participated in the recovery missions for the Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 space missions, retrieving astronauts and spacecraft from the Pacific Ocean. After decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1997, leaving a distinguished legacy in both combat operations and space exploration support.