USS Sphinx

• USS Sphinx (ARL-24) was a landing craft repair ship: Originally built as LST-963 (Landing Ship, Tank), she was later converted to a landing craft repair ship (ARL) and commissioned as USS Sphinx. • World War II service: USS Sphinx was commissioned in February 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, providing repair services to landing craft. • Support during major operations: The ship played a critical support role during the Battle of Okinawa, repairing and maintaining landing craft used in the assault. • Decommissioned post-WWII: After the war, USS Sphinx was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve, reflecting the common postwar drawdown of naval forces. • Recommissioned for the Vietnam War: With the escalation of the Vietnam War, she was recommissioned in 1967 and sent to support operations in Southeast Asia. • “The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta”: During the Vietnam War, Sphinx earned the nickname "The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta" due to her vital and ever-present support to riverine forces. • Mobile repair base: USS Sphinx often anchored in the rivers and canals of Vietnam, providing rapid repair services to boats engaged in combat, sometimes under fire. • Participated in Operation Game Warden and Operation Market Time: These operations sought to interdict enemy supplies and support river patrols—USS Sphinx kept the patrol craft operational throughout. • Awarded for service: The ship and her crew received multiple awards, including campaign medals for Vietnam and Navy Unit Commendations. • Final fate: After her Vietnam service, Sphinx was decommissioned in 1971 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1993. She was eventually used as a target and sunk in 2001.