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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

AKA / LKA-116 St Louis


Flag Hoist/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 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
  • 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
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    St. Louis 87k Invitation to the launching ceremony for St. Louis (LKA-116) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 149k The official party, dignitaries and guests gathered on the platform prior to launching St. Louis (LKA-116) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 112k The ship's sponsor breaking the traditional bottle of champagne over the ships bow during the launching ceremony of St. Louis (LKA-116) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 169k Launch of St. Louis (LKA-116) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA., 4 January 1969. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 100k 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
    St. Louis 107k St. Louis (LKA-116) underway, probably during sea trials, date and location unknown. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 132k Cover of the Commissioning Program Ceremony for the commissioning of St. Louis (LKA-116) Naval Station Norfolk, VA., 22 December 1969. S. Dale Hargrave
    St. Louis 99k St. Louis (LKA-116) underway, date and location unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    St. Louis 94k St. Louis (LKA-116) standing out of San Diego, date unknown. Photo by Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    St. Louis 22k St. Louis (LKA-116), starboard bow view early in her career. She mounts two twin 3"/50 guns at the bow. .
    St. Louis 70k 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
    St. Louis 78k St. Louis (LKA-116) and Tawakoni (ATF-114) moored pierside at Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1972. Photo by Patrick Doyle, 9th Motor Transport Bn, 4th Marines
    St. Louis 112k St. Louis (LKA-116) at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, January 1974, after accidentally bumping Mount Vernon (LSD-39) causing some light damage. No injuries were reported. Photo by M. J. "Doc" Sanchez HM2 (FMF) USN Ret.
    St. Louis 116k St. Louis (LKA-116) at anchor off White Beach, Okinawa, April 1979. Photo by Ken Moss EN3 CTF67 Staff.
    St Louis/Vancouver 62k St. Louis (LKA-116) and Vancouver (LPD-2) laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF, Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor HI., circa 2000. Photo by Jim Bedient
    St Louis/Vancouver 145k St. Louis (LKA-116) Welcome Aboard pamphlet. Robert M. Cieri
    View the St. Louis (LKA-116)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS St. Louis LKA-116
    LKA-113 Charleston Class Specifications
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Amphibious Cargo Ship (AKA-LKA) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 21 December 2007