USS ST LOUIS LKA 116

• Commissioned in 1969: USS St. Louis (LKA-116) was commissioned on 22 November 1969, serving as an amphibious cargo ship in the United States Navy. • Named After the City: The ship was the sixth U.S. Navy vessel named after St. Louis, Missouri, honoring the city’s historical significance. • Vietnam War Service: Shortly after commissioning, St. Louis participated in the Vietnam War, supporting amphibious operations and logistics for U.S. forces. • Part of the Charleston Class: LKA-116 was the lead ship of the Charleston-class amphibious cargo ships, designed to carry troops, landing craft, vehicles, and supplies. • Humanitarian Missions: In 1975, St. Louis was involved in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, helping to rescue South Vietnamese refugees. • Extensive Deployments: Over her service life, she deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and participated in exercises and real-world operations throughout Asia and the Middle East. • Cold War Era Duties: During the Cold War, St. Louis served as a forward-deployed asset, ready to respond to crises and support U.S. interests worldwide. • Innovative Cargo Handling: The ship boasted advanced cargo handling systems for its time, including elevators and conveyors, to efficiently move supplies and vehicles during amphibious assaults. • Decommissioned in 1992: After more than two decades of service, USS St. Louis was decommissioned on 2 November 1992. • Final Fate: The ship was transferred to the Maritime Administration and subsequently sunk as a target during a training exercise in 2018.