USS Inchon
_underway_at_sea_in_September_1997_(970900-N-0000X-001).jpg)
| |
| Career | 
|
|---|---|
| Awarded: | 16 June 1966 |
| Laid down: | 8 April 1968 |
| Launched: | 24 May 1969 |
| Commissioned: | 20 June 1970 |
| Decommissioned: | 20 June 2002 |
| Struck: | 24 May 2004 |
| Fate: | sunk, 5 December 2004 |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 11,000 tons |
| Length: | 592 ft (180 m) |
| Beam: | 84 ft (25.6 m) |
| Draft: | 27 ft (8.2 m) |
| Propulsion: | two 600 lbf/in² (4 MPa) boilers, one geared steam turbine, one shaft, 22,000 shaft horsepower (16 MW) |
| Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h) |
| Complement: | 667 |
| Armament: | 4 3 in (76 mm) 50 AA guns, (modifications) two Phalanx CIWS added |
| Aircraft: | 25 helicopters |
USS Inchon (LPH/MCS-12), an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the battle of Inchon, a turning point of the Korean War.
Inchon (LPH-12) was laid down on 8 April 1968 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS; launched on 24 May 1969; and commissioned on 20 June 1970.
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Lebanon, 1-Liberia-Op Sharp Edge)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Op. Restore Hope, Somalia)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Multinational Force - Beirut, Lebanon
In October 1982, the Inchon, flagship of Amphibious Squadron 6, relieved the 32d MAU on station in Beirut, Lebanon. For their service, the ships of MARG 3-82 were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and the Navy Expeditionary Medal.
The Citation for the Navy Unit Commendation reads:
"For exceptionally meritorious service from 29 October 1982 to 15 February 1983 in a mission of great national and international importance while serving as the United States Forces Ashore Lebanon and supporting forces of the Multinational Force peace initiatives in Lebanon. on 29 October 1982, Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-82 and Marine Amphibious Unit 24 conducted a combined surface and helo landing across Black Beach and the International Airport of Beirut, Lebanon and immediately commenced coordinated motorized and foot patrols with other Multinational Force contingents throughout the City of Beirut. Simultaneously with operations ashore, Amphibious Task Force helicopters provided special support to the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and special Presidential envoys, and provided major logistics lifts from Air Support Head at Larnaca, Cyprus, to Beirut. Their superior performance and tireless devotion contributed significantly to the national objectives of world peace and Middle East stability. By their resolute determination, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast dedication to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-82 and Marine Amphibious Unit 24 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
Detailed history of the MNF mission during this deployment: Hyperwar: Lebanon-1982-1984
Redesignation
Inchon was redesignated a Mine Countermeasures Command and Support Ship, MCS-12, 6 March 1995, and converted at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS. between March 1995 and 28 May 1996. She was assigned to the Active Naval Reserve Force, 30 September 1996. On October 30, 2001 she suffered a boiler room fire while tied up pierside and severe damage was done to her propulsion; the decision was made at that time to decommission her rather than repair her.
Inchon was decommissioned, 20 June 2002, at NS Ingleside, Texas.
She was laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, at Philadelphia, PA. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 24 May 2004 and sunk, on 5 December 2004 at 36° 42.30' N 71° 40.00' W, in 2,150 fathoms (3.9 km) of water, 207 NM (383 km) east of Virginia Beach, VA.