USS Vancouver

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About USS Vancouver

USS Vancouver (LPD-2) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock commissioned by the United States Navy in 1963. During the Vietnam War, she played a vital role in amphibious operations, troop transport, and support missions, participating in multiple campaigns and earning several battle stars. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, USS Vancouver continued to serve in the Pacific, taking part in exercises, humanitarian missions, and deployments that reinforced U.S. presence in the region. She was decommissioned in 1992, having served nearly three decades as a key asset in the Navy's amphibious fleet.

Unit Members

Algin Bradford

U.S. Navy (1961-1986)

USS VancouverView Profile

Gilbert Boggs

U.S. Navy

USS VancouverView Profile

Photos

night fire

U.S. Marine Corps • 2002

Okushiri Shima Japan

U.S. Air Force • 1953

About USS Vancouver

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Namesake: USS Vancouver (LPD-2) was named after the cities of Vancouver, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as British explorer Captain George Vancouver. • Class and Type: USS Vancouver was a Raleigh-class amphibious transport dock, the second ship in her class and the first to bear the name. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on 11 May 1963 and served in the United States Navy for nearly three decades. • Vietnam War Service: USS Vancouver saw extensive action during the Vietnam War, participating in several amphibious operations and earning seven battle stars for her service. • Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, Vancouver played a key role in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, rescuing refugees and U.S. personnel as the city fell. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship was involved in numerous humanitarian missions, including the evacuation of South Vietnamese refugees and rescue operations for "boat people" fleeing Vietnam. • Gulf War Participation: Vancouver served during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, providing support for amphibious assaults and logistics for coalition forces in the Persian Gulf. • WestPac Deployments: She regularly deployed to the Western Pacific (WestPac), taking part in joint exercises and showing U.S. presence in the Asia-Pacific region. • Unique Nickname: The crew affectionately nicknamed the ship "The Van Can," a play on her name and capabilities. • Decommissioning and Fate: USS Vancouver was decommissioned on 27 March 1992 and later scrapped, ending her distinguished career but leaving a lasting legacy in naval history.