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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS St Louis (LKA-116)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - November - Tango
NHNT

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (24MAY72)
Second Row - Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (6) - Navy Expeditionary Medal (1-Iran Indian Ocean)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Charleston Class Amphibious Cargo Ship:

Laid down, 3 April 1968, as AKA-116, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Co., Newport News, VA.

Redesignated LKA-116, 1 January 1969

Launched, 4 January 1969

Commissioned USS St Louis (LKA-116), 22 November 1969, CAPT. John W. Klinefelter USN, in command

During the Vietnam War USS St. Louis (LKA-116) participated in the following campaigns:

**Vietnam War Campaigns**
Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II 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 8 to 12 March 1971	Vietnam Ceasefire 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 6 to 20 October 1972

Decommissioned, 2 November 1992

Laid up at the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) in Maintenance Category B, as of 30 March 2000

USS St. Louis earned two campaign stars for service during the Vietnam War

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

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
87k	Invitation to the launching ceremony for *USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
149k	The official party, dignitaries and guests gathered on the platform prior to launching *USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
112k	The ship's sponsor, the Honorable Leonor K. Sullivan, member of the House of Representatives from Missouri breaking the traditional bottle of champagne over the ships bow during the launching ceremony of *USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
169k	Launch of *USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
100k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** enters the water for the first time at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
107k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** underway, probably during sea trials, date and location unknown.	S. Dale Hargrave
132k	Cover of the Commissioning Program Ceremony for the commissioning of *USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** Naval Station Norfolk, VA., 22 December 1969.	S. Dale Hargrave
99k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** underway, date and location unknown.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
94k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** standing out of San Diego, date unknown.	Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
22k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)**, starboard bow view early in her career. She mounts two twin 3"/50 guns at the bow.	.
70k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** mount 33 twin 3"/50 gun mount, close-up view. circa 1972.	Photo by Patrick Doyle, 9th Motor Transport Bn, 4th Marines
78k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116) and USS Tawakoni (ATF-114)** moored pierside at Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1972.	Photo by Patrick Doyle, 9th Motor Transport Bn, 4th Marines
112k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116) at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, January 1974, after accidentally bumping USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39)** causing some light damage. No injuries were reported.	Photo by M. J. "Doc" Sanchez HM2 (FMF) USN Ret.
121k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** underway in San Diego Bay off NAS North Island, circa late-1978-early-1979.	Richard Stiles
129k
138k
148k
116k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** at anchor off White Beach, Okinawa, April 1979.	Photo by Ken Moss EN3 CTF67 Staff.
62k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116) and USS Vancouver (LPD-2)** laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF, Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor HI., circa 2000.	Photo by Jim Bedient
145k	*USS St. Louis* (LKA-116)** Welcome Aboard pamphlet.	Robert M. Cieri