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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

AKA / LKA-113 Charleston

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - November - Hotel - Uniform
 NNHU
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3) - National Defense Service Medal
Bottom Row - Vietnam Service Medal (1) - Humanitarian Service Medal (1-Beirut Lebanon Evacuation) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Charleston Class Amphibious Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down (date unknown) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA.
  • Launched, 2 December 1967
  • Commissioned USS Charleston (AKA-113), 14 December 1968
  • Redesignated (LKA-113), 1 January 1969
  • During the Vietnam War Charleston (LKA-113) participated in the:
  • Decommissioned, 27 April 1992
  • Laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Portsmouth, VA. in maintenance category "B" reserve status
  • Towed (date unknown) to the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, PA.
  • Charleston was the lead ship of a five vessel class of cargo ships, all equipped with a helicopter landing area on the stern
    Specifications:
    Displacement 8,368 t.(lt) 18,600 t.(fl)
    Length 575' 6"
    Beam 82'
    Draft 25' 5"
    Speed 20 kts.
    Armament four twin 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts
    Complement 50 Officers, 592 Enlisted
    Boats 18 landing craft
    Propulsion single shaft with geared turbine machinery, shp 22,000
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Charleston 92k Invitation to the launching ceremony of Charleston (AKA-113) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. on 2 December 1967. S. Dale Hargrave
    Charleston 120k The official party, dignitaries and guests gather at the platform prior to the launching Charleston (AKA-113) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. on 2 December 1967. S. Dale Hargrave
    Charleston 87k The ship's sponsor breaking the traditional bottle of champagne over the ships bow during the launching ceremony of Charleston (AKA-113) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. on 2 December 1967. S. Dale Hargrave
    Charleston 212k Launching of Charleston (AKA-113) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. on 2 December 1967. S. Dale Hargrave
    Charleston 213k Launching of Charleston (AKA-113) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA. on 2 December 1967. S. Dale Hargrave
    Charleston 15k Charleston (AKA-113) underway, date and location unknown. .
    Charleston 12k Charleston (AKA-113) at anchor in the Mediterranean Sea, March 1976. © Richard Leonhardt
    Charleston 54k Charleston (AKA-113) underway in the Caribbean Sea, February 1977. © Richard Leonhardt
    Charleston 77k Charleston (AKA-113) arriving/departing, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, July1981.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Charleston 77k Charleston (LKA-113) moored pierside at Fort Lauderdale, FL. in September, 1984. Bill Fessenden
    Charleston 101k "Charlene" the Charleston (LKA-113) mascot, 1984. Charlene was a mutt the crew rescued from the pound's death row. She was "assigned" to the ship's Navigation Department. Photo by Bill Fessenden
    Charleston 170k "Charlene" the Charleston (LKA-113) mascot, 1984. Photo by Bill Fessenden
    Butte 78k Charleston (LKA-113) and Butte (AE-27) laid up at the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia, PA., September 2004 Photo by Jon White STG-3, USS Luce, 1985-87
    Mobile 209k Mobile (LKA-115) (outboard), El Paso (LKA-117) (center) and Charleston (LKA-113) (inboard closest to the pier) laid up at the Philadelphia Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), 29 October 29, 2007. Photo by ©Marc Piché Vercheres, Quebec, Canada. TJ Tropea, Courtesy Marc Piché
    There is no DANFS history available for Charleston (AKA / LKA-113) at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    LKA-113 Charleston Class Specifications
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 24 January 2007