USS Peoria (LST-1183)

• Amphibious Ship: USS Peoria (LST-1183) was a Newport-class tank landing ship, designed to deliver tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto shore without docks. • Launched in 1968: The ship was launched on January 25, 1969, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California. • Vietnam War Service: Peoria participated in operations during the Vietnam War, transporting Marines and equipment to support combat operations. • Unique Bow Ramp Design: Unlike earlier LSTs, Peoria featured a 112-foot aluminum bow ramp supported by two derrick arms, enabling faster offloading. • Space Shuttle Recovery: In 1972, Peoria served as a recovery ship for an uncrewed test of the space shuttle's solid rocket boosters near the California coast. • Operation Frequent Wind: Peoria took part in the 1975 evacuation of Saigon, helping to rescue South Vietnamese refugees during the final days of the Vietnam War. • Westpac Deployments: The ship conducted numerous deployments to the Western Pacific (Westpac), participating in joint exercises and showing U.S. presence in the region. • Humanitarian Missions: Peoria provided disaster relief and humanitarian aid, including assistance after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. • Decommissioned in 1994: After 25 years of service, USS Peoria was decommissioned on January 28, 1994, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Sunk as a Target: In July 2004, the former Peoria was sunk as a target during a training exercise off the coast of Hawaii, ending her long career in the U.S. Navy.