About this Unit
USS San Marcos (LSD-25) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship commissioned by the United States Navy in April 1945. She served in the final months of World War II, transporting landing craft and equipment in the Pacific theater. After the war, San Marcos supported occupation duties in Asia and later took part in Cold War amphibious training and operations, including deployments to the Mediterranean with the Sixth Fleet. Decommissioned in 1971, the ship was transferred to the Spanish Navy, where she served as Galicia (TA-01) until 1989.
Historical Facts
• Namesake: USS San Marcos (LSD-25) was named after Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, located in St. Augustine, Florida.
• Class and Type: She was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship, designed to support amphibious operations by carrying and launching landing craft and vehicles.
• World War II Service: Commissioned in April 1945, USS San Marcos entered service just before the end of World War II and trained for Pacific operations, but the war ended before she saw combat.
• Operation Crossroads: In 1946, she participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supporting the tests and transporting equipment and personnel.
• Korean War Service: Although she did not serve directly in Korea, San Marcos played a crucial role in the Atlantic Fleet, training Marines and supporting amphibious readiness during the conflict.
• Cold War Deployments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she participated in numerous NATO and Mediterranean exercises, reflecting the growing importance of amphibious warfare in the Cold War era.
• Cuban Missile Crisis: The ship was part of the U.S. naval forces during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, supporting the blockade and prepared for potential amphibious operations.
• Disaster Relief: In 1962, USS San Marcos assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Flora in Haiti, delivering supplies and providing aid, demonstrating the versatility of amphibious ships.
• Transfer to Spain: In 1971, after over 25 years of U.S. Navy service, the ship was transferred to the Spanish Navy, where she served as Galicia (TA-01) until 1989.
• Legacy: USS San Marcos earned a reputation as a reliable and versatile vessel, supporting amphibious operations, nuclear tests, disaster relief, and alliance training throughout her long and varied career.
