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Those who served on USS Anchorage (LSD 36) are getting together to commemorate this ‘most decorated’ ship. We are seeking your financial support to help defray the cost of our 2024 reunion. With airfare soaring, just attending the reunion can be a financial hurdle for many. Money raised will be used for local transportation, one of our biggest expenses, and if enough money is raised, we will be able to lower the cost for group events and meals. Your donation will ease the burden of reunion costs and bring our shipmates together. Help make the USS Anchorage reunion a reality for as many crewmates as possible! Please donate today and share this campaign with your family and friends.
All support is given our enthusiastic “Thank You” on a highly visible board at check-in, and our sincere gratitude for years to come.
Visit our website, LSD36.COM, to learn more. GO NAVY!
Best regards,
Michael P. McGrath
P.O. Box 191013
San Diego,
California 92159-1013
(619) 750-6390
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"Thoroughly enjoyed my first LSD-36 reunion in 2022. The Bay Club was an excellent choice for a host hotel for the reunion. Accommodations and location were perfect for such an event. Even ran into the reunion coordinator the night before the first official event and shared a couple at the hotel bar! The 'Welcome' social hour, 'Main Event' dinner and 'Group Breakfast' were great times to rekindle old relationships. A highlight for me was the tour of the same-named US Navy replacement ship. All-in-all, a great time!" Plank Owner LTJG G. Mellen (8/68-6/71)
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“My wife and I had a great time at the USS Anchorage 2022 reunion. Seeing shipmates that i have not seen in almost 50 years was definitely worth the trip. The venue and activities were excellently planned- what fun! I hope more of my friends will attend the 2024 reunion - they won’t regret it.” QM3 A. Bescan (5/73-12/76)
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Highlights
See all activity24About LSD 36
- Keel Laid: March 13, 1967
- Launched: May 5, 1968
- Commissioned: March 15, 1969
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- Length: 562' Beam: 84' Draft: 19'
- Well Deck: 430' x 50'
- Displacement: 15,786 tons full, 9,324 tons light Tonnage: 6,238 tons
- Speed: 20+ knots
- Crew: 369 enlisted and officers
- Landing Force: 337enlisted and officers
- Call Sign: NGRQ
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- Decommissioned: October 1, 2003
- Stricken: March 8, 2004
- Status: Disposed, Target July 17, 2010
Ship's crest: The Latin term “Sui Generis” is translated to mean “of a particular kind or first of a class.” Symbolized in the anchor and line are stability and security which the ship provided for the U.S. Navy on the high seas. The ship was unique in two respects; first, it was the largest Dock Landing Ship ever constructed and second, it was the first ship to be named after the historical city of Anchorage, Alaska. Finally, the star on the map depicts the largest city in the largest State of the Union --- ANCHORAGE.
USS Anchorage was lead ship of her class and was the last in class to be decommissioned. The Anchorage Class consisted of five ships; the others were USS Portland (LSD 37), USS Pensacola (LSD 38), USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39), and USS Fort Fisher (LSD 40).
Changes to armament, internal systems, and ship’s boats were made over the years. The four 3”/50 caliber rapid fire gun mounts were replaced with two MK-15 Block 1 CIWS (Close-in Weapon System), two 25mm chain guns, 1 MK 36 Mod 6 SRBOC (Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures), and six .50 caliber machine guns. The ship’s boats at commissioning were one LCM-8 (Landing Craft Mechanized, Mark 8), one LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), and two 36’ LCPLs (Landing Craft, Personnel, Large), one being designated as the Captain’s Gig. Introduction of the LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) in 1987 meant the LCM-8 and LCVP were no longer needed. When decommissioned in 2003, the ship had just two 36’ LCPLs. Two LCAC would be temporarily assigned to the ship when deployed.
The ship was equipped with movable ramps to move personnel and cargo between any of three levels: well deck, mezzanine deck, and flight deck. The ship was also equipped with machine shops and repair facilities, and along with two 50-ton Boat & Aircraft Cranes; one port, one starboard, could provide dry dock services for vessels up to harbor tug in size. This is when the flight deck could be removed.
This ship could embark 337 troops and had extensive storage facilities, including 1,400 cubic feet for cargo and ammunition stowage and 8,400 square feet for vehicle storage. Her flight deck had one helicopter spot and could carry two LCAC in the well deck. More landing craft could be carried if the Mezzanine Deck were removed.
USS Anchorage was the most decorated ship on San Diego's waterfront when decommissioned in 2003, having 17 medals. Besides the following medals, our ship was also awarded the 'Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy' in 1987 and earned a 'Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation' in 1995.
Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, U.S. Navy Unit Commendation (2), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (3), Battle "E" Ribbon (6), Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (3), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5), Vietnam Service Medal (24, 4 Campaigns), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 Campaigns), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (14 Deployments), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Liberation Medal - Kuwait.
LSD 36 Ribbons
