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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Inchon (MCS-12)
ex
 USS Inchon (LPH-12) (1970 - 1995)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Oscar - Uniform - Delta
NOUD
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3) - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (5) - Navy Expeditionary Medal (3)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Op. Restore Hope, Somalia) - Vietnam Service Medal (1)
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Service Medal - Sea Service Overseas Ribbon (3) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Iwo Jima Class Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter) / Inchon Class Mine Countermeasures Command and Support Ship:
  • Laid down, 8 April 1968, at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS.
  • Launched, 24 May 1969
  • Commissioned USS Inchon (LPH-12), 20 June 1970, CAPT. Arthur H. Cummings Jr. in command
  • During the Vietnam War USS Inchon participated in the following campaign:

    Vietnam War Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Vietnam Ceasefire
    18 to 19 November 1972
    20 December 1972 to 8 January 1973
    21 to 27 January 1973
    27 February to 28 March 1973

  • USS Inchon was designated Mine Countermeasures Command and Support Ship (MCS-12), 6 March 1995
  • Converted at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS. between March 1995 and 28 May 1996
  • Assigned to the Active Naval Reserve Force, 30 September 1996
  • Decommissioned, 20 June 2002, at Naval Station, Ingleside, TX.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • USS Inchon earned one campaign star for Vietnam War service
  • Final Disposition, sunk, 5 December 2004 at 36:42.30N° 71:40.00W°, in 2150 fathoms of water, 207 NM East of Virginia Beach, VA.
    LPH Specifications:
    Displacement 11,000 t.(lt), 18,474 t.(fl)
    Length 592'
    Beam 84'
    Flight Deck Beam 105'
    Draft 27'
    Speed 22 kts.
    Complement 667
    Troop Accommodations 2,157
    Aircraft 25 helicopters
    Armament
    (as built) 4 3"/50 AA guns, eight .50 cal Machine Guns
    (modifications) two 3"/50s removed and replaced with 8 cell Sea Sparrow BPDMS launchers, and two Phalanx CIWS
    Propulsion two 600 psi boilers, one geared steam turbine, one shaft, 22,000 shaft horsepower
    MCS Modifications:
    Facilities added for Mine Countermeasures Group Commander;
    Aircraft configuration changed to accommodate 11 Mine Sweeper and Utility Helicopters
    Troop spaces converted to standard berthing spaces to accommodate complement of 46 Officers and 634 Enlisted and additional 652 Officers/Enlisted attached to assigned detachments
    Armament reconfigured by removing Sea Sparrow missile launchers and remaining 3"/50 guns and adding four 25mm Bushmaster cannons
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Inchon (LPH-12)
    Inchon 227k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way early in her career and prior to the Sparrow missile launchers being installed (pre-Vietnam). Larry B. Lynn
    Inchon 376k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way, 11 May 1970, location unknown. At this time she did not yet have any carrier-controlled landing radars. She had not yet been fitted with defensive missiles, but she did have the lattice support for the ULQ-6 defensive jammer.
    Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation photo from "U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman.    		 Robert Hurst
    Inchon 64k Overhead view of USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way during Exercise Exotic Dancer in Atlantic Ocean. Photo: Time Life Pictures./Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images, May 01, 1971. Robert Hurst
    Inchon 78k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in June 1973 with RH-53A Sea Stallions on board equipped for mine clearing operations of North Vietnamese ports and waterways. Robert Hurst
    Inchon 1898k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way circa 1970s, location unknown. Wolfgang Hechler
    Inchon 1132k
    Inchon 1068k USS Inchon (LPH-12) being assisted into her berth in the Hampton Roads area, date unknown. The two tugs appear to be Palatka (YTB-801) at the bow and Wapakoneta (YTB-766) at her stern. David Buell
    Inchon 53k USS Inchon (LPH-12) starboard side view while at Naples, Italy in June 1974. Photo by Larry B. Lynn USS Inchon
    Inchon 152k USS Inchon (LPH-12) during Harrier flight operations in February of 1975. Inchon was the first American ship to deploy the US Marine Corps AV-8A Harrier aircraft. Inchon left Norfolk en-route to the New Orleans Mardi Gras with a squadron of Harriers on board. Note the newly refinished flight deck. Photo by Larry B. Lynn USS Inchon
    Inchon 77k USS Inchon (LPH-12) during AV-8A Harrier flight operations in February of 1975. Inchon was the first American ship to deploy the Harrier aircraft. Inchon left Norfolk en-route to the New Orleans Mardi Gras with a squadron of Harriers on board. Photo by Larry B. Lynn USS Inchon
    Inchon 84k USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored at NOB Norfolk, VA. in July 1975 with HM-12 Det 2 Helicopter Mine Counter-measures RH53D Sea Stallions embarked prior to sailing to Egypt for Operation Nimbus Stallion. © Richard Leonhardt
    Inchon 72k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the Mediterranean Sea, 7 November 1975.
    US Navy photo.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Inchon 32k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the Mediterranean Sea, 1979. The helicopter squadron is supposed to be MAG-32 composed of HMH-362 and HML(A)-167. Markings on the two AH-1Js show this photo was taken during the transition from high-viz Vietnam-era markings to the later dark USMC green and black subdued schemes. Pete Harlem
    Inchon 111k USS Inchon (LPH-12) launching a Sea Sparrow missile, circa 1970s. Tim Collins FTM2, USS Inchon, 1980-84
    Inchon 36k Stern view of USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, VA., 2 September 1979. Ed Zajkowski
    Inchon 71k USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored pierside at Palermo, Sicily, 1980. Photo by Alan Voils USS Inchon 1979-84
    Inchon 1188k USS Inchon (LPH-12) arriving at Genoa, Italy, 28 April 1980, for a routine port visit. Photo by Carlo Martinelli
    Inchon 964k USS Inchon (LPH-12) at anchor in the harbor at Genoa, Italy, 4 May 1980, during a port visit. Photo by Carlo Martinelli
    Inchon 62k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the Mediterranean Sea, 1982. Pete Harlem, Courtesy Mario Mederos, USMC
    Inchon 25k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the Mediterranean Sea, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM-263) embarked, 1982. Pete Harlem, Courtesy Mario Mederos, USMC
    Inchon 64k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way probably in the Persian Gulf, 1982. Pete Harlem, Courtesy Mario Mederos, USMC
    Inchon 28k USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored pierside at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 1982. Pete Harlem, Courtesy Mario Mederos, USMC
    Inchon 71k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the North Atlantic, view of ships island structure, 1983 Photo by Alan Voils USS Inchon 1979-84
    Inchon 61k USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way in the North Atlantic, view of BDMS, 1983 Photo by Alan Voils USS Inchon 1979-84
    Inchon 45k USS Inchon (LPH-12) flight deck while underway in the North Atlantic for minesweeping exercises, The ship's helicopter is on the right, 1983. Photo by Alan Voils USS Inchon 1979-84
    Inchon 94k USS Inchon (LPH-12) launching a Sea Sparrow missile, circa 1980-84. Tim Collins FTM2, USS Inchon, 1980-84
    Inchon 206k USS Inchon (LPH-12) in drydock at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, circa 1981. Tim Collins FTM2, USS Inchon, 1980-84
    Inchon 60k USS Inchon (LPH-12) pierside at Rota, Spain, 1987. Good views of the island, CIWS, Sea Sparrow launchers, and 3"/50 gun mounts. Tom LaLumiere, former Sgt, USMC
    Inchon 108k USS Inchon (LPH-12) maneuvering in a harbor, date and location unknown. Carlos Manuel Estrela
    Inchon 62k USS Inchon (LPH-12) moored pierside at Palma de Mallorca, Christmas 1991. Note USS Shreveport(LPD-12), left background. Pedro Vidal Terresa
    Inchon 114kk USS Inchon (LPH-12) under way, circa September 1991 to February 1993, signed by CAPT. Robert C. Chaplin. Tommy Trampp
    USS Inchon (MCS-12)
    Inchon 69k USS Inchon (MCS-12) under way, September 1997.
    US Navy photo # 970900-N-0000X-001    		 .
    Inchon 380k USS Inchon (MCS-12) under way for a scheduled five-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea.
    US Navy photo # 990301-N-0000J-001 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (1 March 1999) by PH1 Sean P. Jordon.    		 Robert M. Cieri
    Inchon 142k USS Inchon (MCS-12) under way in the Gulf of Mexico, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Tommy Trampp
    Inchon 104k USS Inchon (MCS-12), decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Ingleside, TX. 20 June 2002.
    US Navy photo # 020620-N-5745B-001 by Lt. Marc Boyd.     		Submitted by Fabio Peņa, a US Navy Public Affairs photo
    Inchon 54k USS Inchon (MCS-12) in reserve at the Philadelphia Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility (formerly Philadelphia Naval Shipyard), 31 August 2002 Photo by Roy J. Brooks IS1 (SW) USNR
    Inchon 55k USS Inchon (MCS-12) in reserve at the Philadelphia Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility, 31 August 2002. The fantail on the left side of the photo is that of USS Mahan (DDG-42), and the bow of a ship on the right side of the photo is that of USS Des Moines (CA-134). Also note that the top portion of Inchon's mainmast has been removed to allow the ship to pass under the draw bridge (entrance to the basin) and is sitting on the flight deck forward of the bridge. Photo by Roy J. Brooks IS1 (SW) USNR
    Inchon 57k USS Inchon (MCS-12) moored pierside in the reserve basin at the Philadelphia Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility, starboard side view, 15 July 2004. Photo by Brian S. Bell AO3, USNR
    Inchon 54k USS Inchon (MCS-12) moored pierside in the reserve basin at the Philadelphia Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility, starboard side view, 15 July 2004. Photo by Brian S. Bell AO3, USNR
    USS Inchon (LPH-12) Memorabilia
    Inchon
    Chromatic postcard (Front)
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri
         		Inchon
    Chromatic postcard commemorative postmarks (Reverse)
    Contributed by Robert M. Cieri    		 Inchon
    Commissioning Program Cover
    Contributed by
    Robert M. Cieri

    For more photos and information about USS Inchon, see;
  • Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
  • USS Inchon Photo Collections
  • Association of Minemen
  • Minewarfare Association
    • LPH-12 Commanding Officers
    01CAPT. Cummings Jr., Arthur Howard, USN (USNA 1946)20 June 1970 - 22 October 1971
    02CAPT. Brown, Francis Taylor, USN :RADM22 October 1971 - 9 November 1972
    03CAPT. Thomas, John Keith (Jake), USN (USNA 1951)9 November 1972 - 13 December 1974
    04CAPT. McNally Jr., John Joseph13 December 1974 - 11 June 1976
    05CAPT. Kennedy, Ronald Walter11 June 1976 - 13 January 1978
    06CAPT. Greiwe, William H.13 January 1978 - 7 September 1979
    07CAPT. Higginson, John J. :RADM7 September 1979 - 5 April 1981
    08CAPT. Westerman, William R. (Westy)25 April 1981 - 14 September 1982
    09CAPT. Ruppert, Noel L.14 September 1982 - 3 March 1984
    10CAPT. Lovell, Jack Wendell3 March 1984 - 3 October 1985
    11CAPT. Granuzzo, Andrew A.3 October 1985 - 2 August 1987
    12CAPT. Oden, Leonard Nelson2 August 1987 - 22 November 1988
    13CAPT. Cross II, William V. :RADM22 November 1988 - 31 May 1990
    14CAPT. Tickle, Harold J.31 May 1990 - 13 September 1991
    15CAPT. Chaplin, Robert Charles :RADM13 September 1991 - 25 February 1993
    16CAPT. Young, William D.25 February 1993 - November 1994
    17CAPT. Crocker, David Mark :RADMNovember 1994 - 6 March 1995
    MCS-12 Commanding Officers
    18CAPT. Crocker, David Mark :RADM6 March 1995 - 23 July 1996
    19CAPT. Tuohy, Matthew W.23 July 1996 - 17 January 1998
    20CAPT. Gallagher, Richard Keith :VADM17 January 1998 - 12 June 1999
    21CAPT. Hartwell, Daniel Newman,12 June 1999 - 5 January 2001
    22CAPT. Smith, Charles Edward (Grunt) :RADM5 January 2001 - 20 June 2002
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    USS Inchon Association
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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    Last Updated 26 January 2018