The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) Story: From Trials to Recognition

The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) was commissioned in 1968, a significant milestone in its storied history.

The ship underwent several trials and shakedowns, testing its capabilities and performance.

The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) was eventually recognized for its service and achievements, earning a reputation as a reliable and versatile ship.

Its recognition came in the form of various awards and commendations, a testament to the hard work and dedication of its crew.

The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) had a crew of around 1,100 personnel. This included officers, enlisted men, and civilians who worked together to keep the ship running smoothly.

The ship's operations were divided into several departments, each with its own unique responsibilities. These departments worked together to ensure the ship was always ready for action.

The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) had a well-trained and experienced crew that was capable of handling a variety of tasks. This included amphibious landings, cargo operations, and humanitarian missions.

Following commissioning, the USS St. Louis was outfitted at Norfolk and commenced trials on 3 February 1970.

The ship was ready for sea just three days later, on 6 February, and sailed for Long Beach, California, her home port.

While en route, the crew conducted underway training to get familiar with the ship's operations and capabilities.

The USS St. Louis visited Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and transited the Panama Canal before arriving at Long Beach on 28 February.

In preparation for her first deployment with the fleet, the ship spent May and June in post-shakedown availability, and the greater part of July in provisioning.

The USS St. Louis conducted her first dependents' cruise in late July, which aimed to familiarize the families of her crew members with her operations and capabilities.

The ship got underway on 1 August with units of Amphibious Squadron 11 for Pearl Harbor.

The 1970s and 1980s were a pivotal time for the St. Louis, with a series of deployments that showcased her capabilities as a Cold War amphibious warfare vessel.

She participated in the defense of Quảng Trị Province during the Easter Offensive on May 24, 1972, offloading South Vietnamese Marines and US Navy SEAL squads.

The St. Louis earned a campaign star for her actions, and later received the Combat Action Ribbon. She spent the rest of 1972 and all of 1973 on the west coast, visiting Acapulco, Mexico, and participating in DSRV operations.

In January 1974, she sailed to the western Pacific, where she was in port at Subic Bay, Philippines, by May of that year.

The St. Louis sailed on a WESTPAC Cruise in 1980-1981, visiting several countries including the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Africa, Freemantle, Australia, Okinawa, and South Korea.

She had a notable stop at Diego Garcia and was in the Persian Gulf when the American Embassy hostages were released in 1981.

Here are some key dates for the St. Louis' 1970s and 1980s deployments:

The St. Louis returned to her home port of 32nd Street Naval Station San Diego, California, after her 1981 deployment.

The crew list is a crucial part of any successful operation. It includes the names and roles of all personnel involved, including the captain, engineers, and medical staff.

The captain is responsible for making key decisions and overseeing the entire operation. They are often the most experienced and skilled member of the crew.

Engineers play a vital role in maintaining the equipment and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They work closely with the captain to troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Medical staff are trained to handle emergencies and provide medical care to the crew and passengers. They are an essential part of the crew list.

The crew list also includes the names and roles of other personnel, such as cooks and cleaners. These individuals work behind the scenes to keep the operation running smoothly.

A well-maintained crew list helps to prevent accidents and ensures that everyone knows their role and responsibilities. It's an essential tool for any successful operation.

The USS St. Louis (LKA-116) received two battle stars for its service in the Vietnam War. The ship's crew was recognized for their bravery and dedication.

The USS St. Louis earned battle stars for the following campaigns: Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II and Vietnam Ceasefire. These campaigns took place over several months, with key dates including August and October 1970, April and May 1972, and June and August 1972.

Here are the specific dates for the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II campaign: 20 to 29 August 1970, 10 to 14 October 1970, 28 December 1970 to 3 January 1971, 30 January to 3 February 1971, 23 to 25 February 1971, and 8 to 12 March 1971.

The Vietnam Ceasefire campaign dates were: 27 April to 28 May 1972, 9 June to 2 July 1972, 10 July to 24 August 1972, 16 to 20 September 1972, 29 September to 1 October 1972, and 6 to 20 October 1972.