About this Unit
USS Point Defiance (LSD-31) was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1955. Throughout her service, she played a vital role in amphibious operations, including significant participation during the Vietnam War, where she transported troops, vehicles, and equipment to support combat missions. The ship also contributed to various training exercises and humanitarian missions in the Pacific region. After decades of distinguished service, USS Point Defiance was decommissioned in 1983 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS Point Defiance (LSD-31) was named after Point Defiance, a prominent geographical feature in Puget Sound, Washington.
• Class & Type: She was a Thomaston-class dock landing ship, designed for amphibious assault operations, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy on March 31, 1955.
• Vietnam War Service: Point Defiance played a vital role in the Vietnam War, participating in multiple amphibious operations, including Operation Starlite (the first major American ground combat operation of the war in August 1965).
• Space Program Support: In 1966, USS Point Defiance served as a recovery ship for the Gemini 11 space mission, helping recover astronauts and their spacecraft upon splashdown.
• Humanitarian Aid: The ship provided humanitarian assistance following natural disasters, including relief operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Joan in the Philippines in 1970.
• Helicopter Operations: Point Defiance was among the first dock landing ships to operate helicopters extensively, enhancing the U.S. Navy’s amphibious flexibility.
• Evacuation of Saigon: In April 1975, during Operation Frequent Wind, she helped evacuate U.S. personnel and Vietnamese refugees from Saigon as South Vietnam fell.
• Decommissioning: After nearly three decades of service, USS Point Defiance was decommissioned on September 30, 1983, and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1990.
• Fate: The ship was eventually sunk as a target in 2001 during a training exercise off the coast of California, continuing to serve the Navy in her final role.
• Mascot & Crew Pride: The crew adopted a bulldog as their unofficial mascot, symbolizing the ship’s tenacity and the tight-knit spirit of her sailors throughout her career.
