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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

AKA / LKA-61 Muliphen


Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Bottom Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3 Lebanon, 1Jul53-1Nov58)


Andromeda Class Attack Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 13 May 1944, as a Maritime Commission type (C2-S-B1) hull, under a Maritime Commission contract at Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Kearny, N.J.
  • Launched, 26 August 1944
  • Acquired by the Navy, 21 October 1944
  • Commissioned USS Muliphen (AKA-61), 23 October 1944, LCDR. Walter W. Williamson in command
  • During World War II Muliphen (AKA-61) participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima
    19 February to 4 March 1945
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto
    1 to 10 April 1945

  • Decommissioned (date unknown)
  • Redesignated (LKA-61), 1 January 1969
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 January 1977
  • Returned to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Final Disposition, sunk as an artificial reef 16.5 miles off Port St Lucie FL., January 1989. Sitting upright, at a depth of 168 feet
  • Muliphen received two battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 6,458 t.(lt) 14,200 t.(fl.);
    Length 459' 2"
    Beam 63'
    Draft 26' 4"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement 429
    Cargo Capacity 4,450 dwt
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 DP gun mount
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    twelve single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Boats
    14 LCVPs
    1 LCP(L)
    8 LCMs
    Propulsion geared turbine, single screw, 6,000shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Muliphen 72k Muliphen (AKA-61) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 77k Muliphen (AKA-61) underway, prior to 1964, place unknown.
    US Navy photo
    Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 148k Painting Muliphen (AKA-61)'s hull, date and place unknown.
    US Navy Photo from "All Hands" magazine August 1953.
    Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Muliphen 58k Muliphen (AKA-61) conducting amphibious exercises off NAB Little Creek, VA., August 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 54k Muliphen (AKA-61) underway in Hampton Roads, VA., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 103k Muliphen (AKA-61) conducting amphibious exercises off NAB Little Creek, VA., August 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 50k Muliphen (AKA-61) conducting amphibious exercises off NAB, Little Creek, VA., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 123k Muliphen (AKA-61) moored pierside, NOB Norfolk, VA., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 88k Muliphen (AKA-61) anchored in Hampton Roads, VA., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 47k Muliphen (AKA-61) conducting amphibious exercises off NAB Little Creek, Va., July 1964 © Richard Leonhardt
    Muliphen 70k Muliphen (AKA-61) underway, circa 1954 to 1957, place unknown. Ronald L Wiant
    Muliphen 73k Muliphen (AKA-61) underway, date and place unknown. Russ Padden
    Additional Ships Patches
    Muliphen
    Contributed by Mike Smolinski
    Muliphen
    Contributed by Mike Smolinski

    View the Muliphen (AKA/LKA-61)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center web site
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Muliphen AKA-61 "The Mighty Mule"
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 23 June 2006