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USS Schenectady (LST 1185)

USS SCHENECTADY was the seventh ship in the NEWPORT - class of Tank Landing Ships. Homeported in San Diego, Ca., she was decommissioned on December 15, 1993, and transfered to the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Pearl Harbor, HI, where she spent the following 11 years. Stricken from the Navy list on July 13, 2001, the SCHENECTADY was sunk as a target by the US Air Force on November 23, 2004. The SINKEX took place north of Kauai, Hawaii, and was intended to demonstrate the use of "smart bombs" against moving targets.

The USS SCHENECTADY was once named at the suggestion of a Schenectady schoolgirl who wrote a letter to the secretary of the Navy, asking for the possibility of naming a ship after her hometown.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS SCHENECTADY. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS SCHENECTADY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS SCHENECTADY Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 1984

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Ship's Seal represents symbolically a number of themes pertinent to the ship. The composition combines symbols of both the sponsoring City and County and the Amphibious Force.

The shock of wheat is the seal of the City of Schenectady, recalling the "fair land" of the Mohawk Valley and symbolizing peace and plenty. The scales of justice beneath the crossed swords, the seal of the County of Schenectady, represents strength and justice. The Danforth Anchor has been symbolic of the LST since its origin, because of its significant use during Amphibious operations.

Above the shield is the torch of liberty and freedom. The entire emblem, through these symbols, represents liberty and freedom defended by strength through justice, peace and plenty.

This seal is based on a design originated by Petty Officer First Class Noel Talampas, USN, a member of the nucleus crew of the SCHENECTADY.

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USS SCHENECTADY History:

The contract for USS SCHENECTADY was awarded on July 15, 1966, and her keel was laid at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California, on August 2, 1968. She was launched on May 24, 1969, sponsored by Mrs. Charles E. Goodell, wife of Senator Charles E. Goodell of New York. The name honored the city and county of Schenectady, New York. The ship was commissioned at San Diego on June 13, 1970, with Commander David E. Sigsworth as her first commanding officer. She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, with San Diego remaining her home port throughout her commissioned career.

Following commissioning, SCHENECTADY spent the summer of 1970 completing trials, inspections and initial training. She arrived at her operating base at San Diego on July 13 and subsequently visited San Francisco before beginning approximately four weeks of refresher training on August 31. On September 18, while operating off the California coast, the ship assisted four people aboard a disabled pleasure craft approximately 35 miles offshore. From October 5 through October 10, she completed final contract trials. Immediately afterward, SCHENECTADY was assigned to accompany the patrol gunboats USS DEFIANCE (PG 95) and USS SURPRISE (PG 97) toward the Panama Canal, providing fuel during their southbound transit. The gunboats were detached near the Pacific entrance to the canal on October 19. SCHENECTADY then turned north, made a four-day liberty visit to Acapulco, Mexico, and returned to San Diego on October 29. The remainder of 1970 consisted primarily of upkeep and local operations in southern California waters, including a dependents' cruise on December 5.

Early 1971 was devoted largely to amphibious training off Camp Pendleton. SCHENECTADY practiced landing-craft control, beaching, operation of her bow ramp, mating with floating causeways and handling Marine Corps tracked landing vehicles. From March 5 through March 15, she was dry-docked at San Diego during a post-shakedown availability in which deficiencies identified during her initial operating period were corrected. On May 5, 1971, SCHENECTADY departed San Diego for her first operational voyage to Southeast Asia. The mission formed part of Operation Keystone Oriole, one of the movements associated with the continuing withdrawal of U.S. Marine Corps personnel and equipment from South Vietnam. During the westbound transit, she altered course toward Hawaii so that an injured sailor could be transferred for treatment at the Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor. After resuming the voyage, she changed course again to avoid Typhoon Carla. Her revised track subsequently took her through the Taiwan Strait before she reached Da Nang, South Vietnam, on May 24. There, she embarked Marines, vehicles and equipment for removal from the country. SCHENECTADY departed Vietnamese waters and reached Hong Kong on May 26 after another weather diversion caused by Typhoon Dinah. Following the Hong Kong visit she continued to Subic Bay in the Philippines for fuel and then began the eastbound Pacific crossing. She returned to San Diego on June 19, 1971.

SCHENECTADY spent the following months preparing for her first full Western Pacific deployment and took part in additional amphibious training off Camp Pendleton. On October 1, 1971, she departed San Diego with Amphibious Squadron 5. The force included USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS DULUTH (LPD 6), USS DENVER (LPD 9), USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36), USS MOBILE (LKA 115) and USS TUSCALOOSA (LST 1187). Following a stop at Pearl Harbor and an upkeep period at Yokosuka, Japan, SCHENECTADY proceeded to Okinawa for amphibious training that included operations with tracked landing vehicles and wet-net embarkation procedures. On November 4, she embarked a group of Marine officers and was detached for a voyage to Guam and Tinian, where the officers conducted a survey connected with possible future military use of Tinian. After returning to Okinawa, SCHENECTADY loaded four diesel-electric generating plants and associated equipment being supplied to the Philippines. She delivered the equipment at Manila, where Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos came aboard on November 23 in connection with its formal transfer for use in the country's rural electrification program. SCHENECTADY subsequently moved to Subic Bay and embarked approximately 176 Marines and their equipment before joining Amphibious Ready Group Alfa. During the remainder of 1971, she operated in the South China Sea and western Pacific, with calls that included Subic Bay, Sasebo and Hong Kong. She spent the New Year period at Hong Kong.

SCHENECTADY departed Hong Kong on January 5, 1972, and resumed Seventh Fleet operations. Commander Raymond J. Czar relieved Commander Sigsworth as commanding officer at Subic Bay on February 29. From March 10 through March 17, SCHENECTADY visited Kagoshima, Japan. Her deployment was then fundamentally altered by the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, the large conventional offensive that began at the end of March 1972 and placed South Vietnamese forces under heavy pressure in several sectors. SCHENECTADY had been scheduled to participate in a combined exercise with South Korean forces and departed Subic Bay on March 29. On March 30, while alongside USS CALIENTE (AO 53) for fueling, she received orders directing her toward the Gulf of Tonkin. At that time, SCHENECTADY was the only LST assigned to Amphibious Ready Group Alfa and carried the logistic support element of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. The planned Korean exercise was cancelled as U.S. amphibious forces were concentrated off Vietnam in response to the offensive.

SCHENECTADY subsequently spent extended periods supporting contingency and amphibious operations off the Vietnamese coast. One period kept her underway for approximately 40 days, of which 34 were spent in the Gulf of Tonkin combat area. After an eight-day upkeep period at Subic Bay, she returned for another operational period lasting approximately three and a half weeks. During this phase of the deployment, she participated in four amphibious operations connected with South Vietnamese efforts to recover territory in Quang Tri Province that had been lost during the North Vietnamese offensive.

On June 29, 1972, while operating off the Vietnamese coast in the vicinity of Hon Co Island, SCHENECTADY came under fire from North Vietnamese coastal artillery. Approximately 50 rounds were reported as passing over the ship or landing close aboard. SCHENECTADY returned fire with her 3-inch/50-caliber guns, firing 24 rounds. The engagement made her the first NEWPORT-class LST to return hostile fire in combat. The action also resulted in the ship qualifying for the Combat Action Ribbon. SCHENECTADY continued operating in the region until July 14, when she was detached and began her return voyage across the Pacific. She arrived at San Diego on August 6, 1972, after an absence of more than ten months.

From August 6 through October 14, SCHENECTADY underwent an extended upkeep period. Between October 14 and October 28, she carried the observer group for Amphibious Landing Exercise 5-72 off northern California. In December, she made a voyage to Acapulco, Mexico. During that voyage, the ashes of several former Navy personnel and the wife of a retired naval officer were committed to the sea in a ceremony conducted by the Amphibious Squadron 5 chaplain.

SCHENECTADY began 1973 by participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise 1-73, also known as Bell Hammer, at Camp Pendleton. She carried four causeway sections, 11 tracked landing vehicles and approximately 250 Marines. During the exercise, she mated with a causeway to discharge cargo and practiced moving simulated fuel ashore through a floating pipeline. In February, the ship visited San Francisco while members of her crew attended firefighting and damage-control instruction. She later conducted gunnery training near San Clemente Island. Interim refresher training was conducted from May 15 through May 25, followed by amphibious refresher training from June 5 through June 17. Supply inspections and a Board of Inspection and Survey examination followed during July. Commander Kelvin L. Matteson relieved Commander Czar on August 22.

On August 29, 1973, SCHENECTADY departed San Diego on her second full Western Pacific deployment. After a stop at Pearl Harbor for fuel and deployment conferences, she continued to Okinawa, where tracked landing vehicles were discharged and other equipment embarked. During September, she proceeded to the Philippines and rehearsed an amphibious assault at Green Beach in the Zambales training area. She then took part in the combined U.S.-Philippine amphibious exercise Pagasa II, although operations were curtailed because of Typhoon Nora. SCHENECTADY returned to Okinawa, discharged Marines and their vehicles and loaded another group of Marine vehicles for transportation to Numazu, Japan. At Numazu, she beached to discharge the vehicles and embarked others for the return movement.

On October 15, SCHENECTADY loaded tracked landing vehicles at Okinawa that had been purchased by the Republic of China. She delivered them at Tsoying Harbor, Taiwan, on October 17. Another shipment was delivered there on November 17. The deployment also included a visit to Hong Kong, repeated transportation of Marine personnel and vehicles between Okinawa and Numazu, transportation of Philippine Marines and combined amphibious training in both the Okinawa and Philippine operating areas. SCHENECTADY ended 1973 at Subic Bay.

On January 9, 1974, SCHENECTADY embarked Marines and equipment at Subic Bay and departed the following day for Hong Kong, where the crew received five days of liberty. She subsequently visited Keelung, Taiwan, and Okinawa. On January 27, she departed Okinawa in company with USS DENVER. SCHENECTADY left Buckner Bay on February 10 for the United States. The eastbound transit included a stop at Pearl Harbor from February 23 through February 27, and the ship returned to San Diego on March 6.

On August 3 and August 4, 1974, SCHENECTADY was opened to visitors at Broadway Pier in San Diego. On September 3, she began her first regular overhaul under a contract with Triple A South Company valued at approximately $3.7 million. She remained in dry dock from October 5 through November 27, and the overhaul continued into February 1975. Following completion of the overhaul, SCHENECTADY progressively returned to operational status. Refresher training, a supply inspection and amphibious refresher training occupied much of the period from April 1 through May 19, 1975. From May 20 through June 16, she served as flagship for Commander, Amphibious Group Eastern Pacific while also completing maintenance-management and command inspections. On June 30, she embarked civic representatives from Redwood City, California, and a group of Boy Scouts from Salt Lake City for transportation to Redwood City. During a subsequent three-day open-house period, more than 5,000 visitors toured the ship. Commander Michael H. V. Nolan assumed command on July 19.

SCHENECTADY departed San Diego on October 4, 1975, for her third Western Pacific deployment with elements of Amphibious Squadron 7. Ships associated with the deployment included USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), USS ST. LOUIS (LKA 116), USS BRISTOL COUNTY (LST 1198), USS ALAMO (LSD 33) and USS CAYUGA (LST 1186). After the deployment stop at Pearl Harbor, SCHENECTADY continued to Kwajalein, where she loaded four house trailers as an opportune lift. During the subsequent transit toward Subic Bay, she conducted underway replenishment with USS MARS (AFS 1) and the oiler USNS PASSUMPSIC (T-AO 107). After delivering the trailers at Subic Bay, she embarked Marines and vehicles for transportation to Okinawa. Her remaining movements during 1975 included Yokosuka, Numazu and Subic Bay. SCHENECTADY began a four-day visit to Beppu, Japan, on December 18 and subsequently proceeded to Sasebo, where she spent Christmas and New Year.

During January 1976, SCHENECTADY carried a series of opportune lifts between Iwakuni, Okinawa, Keelung and Subic Bay. On January 28, she proceeded to Numazu to embark a Marine battalion element that she subsequently transported to Guam and Tinian. There, she supported an underwater demolition team survey of landing beaches in preparation for Exercise Quick Jab IV and an associated raid exercise. The deployment also included civic-action activities on Tinian. After an upkeep period at Guam, SCHENECTADY resumed transportation duties between Kaohsiung and Subic Bay. In March, she joined USS ALAMO, USS JUNEAU, USS CAYUGA and Philippine Navy units for amphibious and gunnery training before visiting Hong Kong. Further movements involved transporting Marine personnel, vehicles and other cargo among Okinawa, Numazu, Iwakuni, Sasebo and Inchon, South Korea. SCHENECTADY began her homeward transit on May 7 and returned to San Diego on May 25, 1976.

The months following the deployment were devoted to maintenance, inspections and local training. During early 1977, SCHENECTADY completed engineering and amphibious-readiness work, including operations with Marine tracked vehicles off Camp Pendleton. On March 29, 1977, she departed San Diego for her fourth Western Pacific deployment with Amphibious Squadron 7. Other ships operating with the squadron included USS TUSCALOOSA, USS CAYUGA, USS ST. LOUIS, USS JUNEAU, USS ALAMO and USS ANCHORAGE. After stopping at Pearl Harbor, SCHENECTADY continued to Eniwetok Atoll with USS ST. LOUIS, USS ANCHORAGE and USS ALAMO, arriving on April 14. The ships discharged causeway equipment supporting U.S. Army cleanup activities at the atoll. SCHENECTADY subsequently sailed for Guam and arrived there on April 20.

Commander Nolan temporarily left the ship on emergency leave during May 1977, with Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander David R. Pauling assuming command between May 8 and May 11. Commander Dennis E. Neumann formally became commanding officer on June 29 while SCHENECTADY was proceeding from Numazu toward Sasebo.

From July 8 through July 13, 1977, SCHENECTADY participated in the combined U.S.-South Korean amphibious Exercise Ssang Yong VI off Pohang. On July 10, a Marine from Battalion Landing Team 3/9 was fatally wounded during a violent incident aboard the ship; the Marine responsible was taken into custody and removed from SCHENECTADY. Following the exercise, the ship proceeded to Sasebo and then began the voyage toward Guam, diverting through Okinawa so an injured Marine could be medically evacuated. On July 25, SCHENECTADY departed for Tinian for a single-ship amphibious raid exercise, followed by public visits and civic-action work on July 27 and July 28. A three-day visit to Saipan preceded an upkeep period at Guam.

Subsequent calls during the 1977 deployment included Subic Bay, Hong Kong and Keelung. During the voyage from Keelung to Yokosuka, SCHENECTADY encountered severe weather that damaged part of the port bow bulwark. Repairs were made at Yokosuka. She subsequently operated through Numazu, Okinawa and Subic Bay, at one point altering course with USS JUNEAU to avoid Super Typhoon Babe.

Later in the deployment, SCHENECTADY transported an opposing-force contingent to Mindoro for Exercise Fortress Lightning. She subsequently returned to Okinawa and joined a large amphibious force assembled from Amphibious Squadrons 5 and 7. During operations at Mindoro, she participated in rehearsal landings and the principal amphibious phase, delivered fuel to the landing force, acted as a secondary control ship for landing craft, handled Marines and causeway equipment and transported additional cargo to Subic Bay. After completing the exercise, she returned to Okinawa, embarked Marines and departed for the United States on October 29 in company with USS TUSCALOOSA, USS ST. LOUIS and USS CAYUGA. Following a stop in Hawaii, SCHENECTADY arrived at San Diego on November 17, 1977.

SCHENECTADY operated mainly in the eastern Pacific during 1978. Her schedule combined upkeep, inspections and local operations. Among her aviation assignments were helicopter deck-landing qualifications in which 64 helicopter landings and takeoffs were conducted. On March 4 and March 5, the ship visited San Francisco and was opened to visitors at Fisherman's Wharf. Between March 13 and March 21, she underwent concentrated maintenance involving an air compressor, one of her main engines, reduction-gear lubrication equipment, a ship-service diesel generator, a turbocharger, weather decks and the helicopter deck. On June 17 and June 18, SCHENECTADY conducted an open house at Monterey, where more than 2,000 visitors were ferried between shore and the anchored ship using her amphibious boats. From July 10 through July 19, she participated in a major amphibious exercise at Camp Pendleton. On July 20, SCHENECTADY and USS RACINE (LST 1191) departed for Mazatlan, Mexico. Amphibious refresher training followed from August 14 through September 1 and interim refresher training from October 23 through November 3.

On March 1, 1979, SCHENECTADY departed San Diego on her fifth Western Pacific deployment with Amphibious Squadron 7. The force included USS TARAWA (LHA 1), USS DENVER, USS ST. LOUIS, USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40) and USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1195). The group reached Pearl Harbor on March 9 and departed on March 12 for amphibious training near Kahoolawe. On March 17, the squadron sailed for Eniwetok, but two days later, SCHENECTADY suffered a reduction-gear casualty that disabled her port shaft. USS ST. LOUIS escorted her back to Pearl Harbor, with SCHENECTADY making the transit on one shaft at approximately ten knots. Following approximately six and a half days of repairs, she departed again on March 27. On March 29, another casualty, this time involving the controllable-pitch mechanism of the starboard propeller, forced a second return to Pearl Harbor. After further repairs SCHENECTADY finally resumed her westbound deployment on April 6 and reached Okinawa on April 19.

SCHENECTADY resumed Marine transportation and amphibious duties with the Seventh Fleet. During one phase, she exchanged vehicles with USS BARBOUR COUNTY and joined Amphibious Ready Group Alfa. She subsequently visited Pusan with USS TARAWA before returning through Okinawa to Subic Bay. Commander Frank A. Giorgio Jr. assumed command at Subic Bay on July 31. Twelve days later, SCHENECTADY departed for sea trials and causeway operations before participating in Exercise Maflex 2-79, also known as Fortress Gale, which included amphibious landings, helicopter operations and simulated assault activity. SCHENECTADY completed the deployment and returned to San Diego on September 21, 1979. During late November and early December, she made six short sorties in support of production work for the motion picture Raise the Titanic.

SCHENECTADY entered Long Beach on January 3, 1980, for her second major overhaul. Her six main engines and three ship-service generators were removed for factory refurbishment at the ALCO facility in Auburn, New York. Communications equipment was modernized and new navigation radar installed. SCHENECTADY entered dry dock on March 17. Work included cleaning and preservation of the underwater hull, servicing hull valves and fittings, inspection and repair of the bow thruster and removal of the propeller shafts and screws. A lengthy labor strike disrupted the overhaul schedule. Dock and sea trials occupied November, and the overhaul was formally completed on November 25. During the closing weeks of 1980, SCHENECTADY returned to local training and was used in an opposing-force role in connection with missile exercises, launching aerial targets for other units.

Post-overhaul inspections continued during January and February 1981. Refresher training began on February 11, followed by amphibious refresher training from March 28 through May 4. From May 4 through May 15, SCHENECTADY participated with other Amphibious Squadron 3 ships in Exercise Kernel Usher, culminating in amphibious operations at Camp Pendleton.

On June 24, 1981, SCHENECTADY departed on her sixth Western Pacific deployment. Marines and vehicles were embarked in Hawaii, after which the ship participated in Exercise Bell Volcano 81-2, including two landings on Kahoolawe. She then continued to Okinawa and took part in Exercise Valiant Usher 81-6. Commander John W. Athanson relieved Commander Giorgio on August 12. On August 21, SCHENECTADY and other units of the amphibious ready group began a long passage through the Strait of Malacca toward East Africa. At Mombasa, Kenya, the ship made a port visit and subsequently participated in Exercise Valiant Usher 81-9, during which troops and equipment were landed on the Kenyan coast. SCHENECTADY then visited Diego Garcia for supplies and spare parts and departed on September 21 for Australia.

The Australian phase of the deployment included visits to Exmouth Bay, Northwest Cape, Albany and Sydney, together with participation in Exercise Kangaroo 81, a major combined exercise involving U.S., Australian and New Zealand forces near Shoalwater Bay, Queensland. SCHENECTADY subsequently navigated waters associated with the Great Barrier Reef en route to Subic Bay with a pilot embarked and an extended special navigation detail maintained. Typhoon Irma forced the ship to leave Subic Bay earlier than planned on November 23. She subsequently visited Hong Kong and departed there on November 30 for the eastbound Pacific crossing. Heavy weather was encountered during the voyage. SCHENECTADY reached Pearl Harbor on December 15, disembarked Marines and their equipment and continued to San Diego, arriving on December 23, 1981.

Only weeks after returning, SCHENECTADY was required to demonstrate short-notice readiness. Following notification on January 9, 1982, personnel on leave were recalled, and on January 12 she sailed with approximately three-quarters of her crew as Amphibious Squadron 3 dispersed from San Diego. SCHENECTADY participated in Exercise Kernel Usher/Egress 82-1, intended to test rapid amphibious response, landing operations and a simulated evacuation. She embarked Battalion Landing Team 1/3 at Camp Pendleton on January 13 and remained involved until the exercise ended on January 22. From February 5 through March 30, she underwent a restricted availability alongside USS AJAX (AR 6).

Later 1982 activities consisted primarily of training, inspections and West Coast fleet events. On October 12, SCHENECTADY departed with other ships for San Francisco Fleet Week and participated in the naval parade beneath the Golden Gate Bridge on October 15. She returned to San Diego on October 21.

On November 13, 1982, SCHENECTADY sailed for Hawaii for Exercise Kernel Usher 83-1. The force included USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11), USS VANCOUVER (LPD 2), USS DURHAM (LKA 114), USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39), USS BROOKE (FFG 1), USS RAMSEY (FFG 2) and USS WORDEN (CG 18). Shortly after the force reached Pearl Harbor, SCHENECTADY, USS NEW ORLEANS and USS VANCOUVER were ordered to sea as Hurricane Iwa approached Hawaii. They sought relative shelter north of Molokai but nevertheless encountered severe seas, with SCHENECTADY experiencing heavy rolling. She returned to Pearl Harbor on November 24. On November 26, she embarked approximately 110 Marines for a raid exercise planned at Bellows Beach, but high seas caused that phase to be cancelled. SCHENECTADY instead joined a larger amphibious assault exercise at Kahoolawe, during which she also supported experimental deployment of sonobuoys for antisubmarine screening of the amphibious objective area. She subsequently returned to San Diego.

SCHENECTADY began her seventh Western Pacific deployment on January 30, 1983. The deploying force included USS NEW ORLEANS, USS DURHAM, USS BARBOUR COUNTY, USS DENVER, USS VANCOUVER and USS RAMSEY. After Pearl Harbor, SCHENECTADY rendezvoused in the Pacific with USS TUSCALOOSA for the transfer of responsibilities associated with the Seventh Fleet's Amphibious Special Operations Group. Severe weather was encountered during the voyage toward Japan, including winds of approximately 50 knots on February 17. The deployment included participation in Exercise Team Spirit in South Korea, additional amphibious training in the western Pacific and port calls in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines. SCHENECTADY later participated in Exercise Tangent Flash 83 at Dingalan Bay in the Philippines and subsequently operated through Hong Kong, Okinawa and Subic Bay. Her final movements included calls at Tinian and Guam. She departed the Marianas on June 26 and returned to the United States during July 1983. Commander David L. Ihlenfeld assumed command on October 16.

Following amphibious refresher training early in 1984, SCHENECTADY visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in February with other ships of Amphibious Squadron 3. On May 30, she departed San Diego for her eighth Western Pacific deployment with USS NEW ORLEANS, USS DENVER, USS VANCOUVER, USS ALAMO and USS MOBILE. Initial exercises off southern California included U.S. Marines and Canadian Army personnel. The force subsequently joined naval units from Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand for Rim of the Pacific 84. During the exercise, SCHENECTADY suffered a broken crankshaft in one main engine but was able to continue operations using five of her six propulsion engines.

Following a period at Pearl Harbor, she participated in Exercise Bell Volcano near Kahoolawe and subsequently accompanied the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) battle group toward Guam. From July 2 through July 26, SCHENECTADY participated in exercises around the Mariana Islands, including events connected with the 40th anniversary of the 1944 liberation of Guam. She then proceeded to Subic Bay for upkeep before continuing to Singapore.

SCHENECTADY departed Singapore on August 22 with USS NEW ORLEANS, USS MOBILE and USS DENVER for Mombasa, Kenya, with an intermediate stop at Diego Garcia. Following a five-day visit at Mombasa, the amphibious force conducted another Valiant Usher exercise. SCHENECTADY later returned toward East Asian waters, visited Hong Kong and participated in amphibious training in the Zambales area of the Philippines. On October 20, she participated in ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of the Allied landings at Leyte. Her final major exercise was Valiant Blitz 85-1 with South Korean forces. Approximately 200 South Korean troops were embarked and subsequently landed at Tok Sok Ri, after which the ship made a two-day visit to Pohang. Typhoon Bill caused the amphibious squadron to divert temporarily to Sasebo during the homeward phase. SCHENECTADY ultimately returned to San Diego on December 6, 1984.

SCHENECTADY entered a regular overhaul on February 4, 1985, with ARCWEL Corporation serving as principal contractor. The crew moved aboard living barge YRBM 32 on February 18, and the ship entered dry dock on February 22 for work on her hull, shafts, propellers, rudders, sea valves, fuel tanks and water tanks. She left dry dock on March 11, and the crew moved back aboard on May 29. Modernization included installation of the Ship's Non-Tactical Automated Processing system, which computerized parts of the ship's administrative, maintenance, supply and configuration records. Sea trials were conducted on October 3 and October 4, and the overhaul formally ended on October 24 after a full-power test involving all six main propulsion engines. Training-readiness evaluations and amphibious-readiness work occupied the remainder of the year. Commander Leon F. Mahoney assumed command on January 3, 1986.

SCHENECTADY underwent amphibious refresher training during February and March 1986 and loaded ammunition at Seal Beach on February 7. Weather delayed part of the training program until April, after which the ship participated in Exercise Kernel Usher 86-1. She departed on May 5 for Exercise Kernel Blitz 86-2, but during the night of May 6, a fire broke out in No. 1 engine room and spread into No. 2 engine room. Electrical power and propulsion were lost for a period while the ship rolled in heavy seas. The fire was brought under control during the early hours of May 7, and SCHENECTADY subsequently returned to San Diego under her own power. Repairs required a restricted availability extending from May 7 through July 28. USS FRESNO (LST 1182) took over the Western Pacific deployment for which SCHENECTADY had originally been scheduled. SCHENECTADY conducted sea trials on July 29 and July 30.

On August 23, 1986, SCHENECTADY nevertheless departed on what was counted as her ninth Western Pacific deployment. Her initial mission included transportation of vehicles and construction equipment to destinations across the Pacific. From September 2 through September 5, she conducted amphibious training in Hawaiian waters with the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade and provided helicopter deck-landing qualification services. She came under Seventh Fleet operational control on September 13 and proceeded to Apia, Western Samoa, where she disembarked a civic-action team from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 that had embarked at San Diego.

SCHENECTADY then continued to Subic Bay and embarked elements of Battalion Landing Team 2/9. Further calls included Okinawa, Yokohama and Yokosuka. From October 20 through November 2, she participated in Exercise Traex 87-1 in the Subic Bay area and conducted a beaching and retraction at Zambales. She subsequently visited Okinawa and Inchon before transporting a Marine embarkation element from Okinawa to Honiara in the Solomon Islands between November 26 and December 5. After returning north, SCHENECTADY spent Christmas at Hong Kong and New Year at Subic Bay. During January 1987, the ship visited South Korea and several Japanese ports, including Yokohama, Yokosuka and Sasebo. On January 25, while approaching Pusan, she conducted flight-deck operations with U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters. SCHENECTADY left the western Pacific on February 4 and returned to San Diego on February 25, 1987.

Following post-deployment leave and upkeep, SCHENECTADY resumed southern California operations during 1987, including periods in which Coast Guard law-enforcement detachments were embarked. Later that year, she entered a phased maintenance availability at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego. Work continued into 1988, and sea trials were completed on January 27. Refresher training began on March 14. On April 12 and April 13, the engineering department completed an Operational Propulsion Plant Examination, followed by a voyage to San Francisco for firefighting instruction and liberty. Coast Guard personnel embarked during part of the return voyage in connection with narcotics-interdiction training. Commander Joseph A. Meyertholen Jr. assumed command on May 26. Amphibious refresher training followed from June 13 through June 24 and included repeated beachings, landing-craft operations, mating with LCUs and helicopter operations.

On August 15, 1988, SCHENECTADY departed on her tenth Western Pacific deployment and initially operated with USS CAYUGA. The ships reached Yokosuka on September 6. SCHENECTADY embarked Marines and participated in Exercise Valiant Usher 88-7 at Iwo Jima from September 18 through September 20. Subsequent operations took her to Okinawa, South Korea and Japanese ports, and she later participated in Exercise Valiant Blitz 89-1. From November 17 through November 28 she was at Sasebo. The deployment continued into early 1989, and SCHENECTADY returned to San Diego on February 15, 1989.

Following post-deployment upkeep, SCHENECTADY entered a phased maintenance availability at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company from April 17 through July 13, 1989. Amphibious refresher training began on August 7 and, following an intervening engineering-readiness evaluation, was completed on September 9.

On September 18, 1989, SCHENECTADY departed to participate in Pacex 89, a major Pacific Fleet exercise involving three carrier battle groups and an amphibious ready group. The amphibious force moved north toward the Aleutian Islands. SCHENECTADY entered Constantine Harbor at Amchitka and launched amphibious assault vehicles during exercise operations. She subsequently visited Seattle while returning south. Shortly after leaving Seattle, she was ordered to proceed to San Francisco following the Loma Prieta earthquake of October 17. SCHENECTADY diverted to the Bay Area and provided support during the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The closing months of 1989 were devoted largely to engineering and training evaluations.

Refresher training opened 1990, beginning on January 3 and concluding on January 12. SCHENECTADY subsequently underwent a Board of Inspection and Survey examination and a supply-management assessment. From March 23 through March 25, she visited Newport, Oregon. Between April 9 and April 22, she participated in Rim of the Pacific 90, conducting amphibious-vehicle launches, underway replenishments and multi-ship maneuvering. Commander Wallace L. Gavett Jr. assumed command on May 8.

SCHENECTADY departed San Diego on June 1, 1990, for her eleventh Western Pacific deployment. She stopped at Pearl Harbor from June 8 through June 12, discharged cargo carried from San Diego, embarked Project Handclasp humanitarian material and took aboard a small detachment from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7. She then conducted a South Pacific goodwill and civic-action cruise that included Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Apia in Western Samoa, Nuku'alofa in Tonga, Funafuti in Tuvalu and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Seabees and ship's personnel carried out construction and repair projects ashore while humanitarian material was distributed.

After continuing through Subic Bay and Sasebo, SCHENECTADY's deployment schedule was changed by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Her upkeep at Sasebo was terminated early, and on August 21, she sailed to Okinawa to embark a Marine regimental landing-team element. She subsequently proceeded to Subic Bay to load causeway sections. On August 27, SCHENECTADY departed with USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) and USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189) for the North Arabian Sea. Approximately 390 Marines were embarked aboard SCHENECTADY.

On September 8, SCHENECTADY came under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. By September 11, the three amphibious ships and their embarked Marine force were operating in the Gulf of Oman. On September 13, SCHENECTADY, USS DUBUQUE and USS SAN BERNARDINO entered Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, where their embarked Marines and equipment were landed in support of Operation Desert Shield, the U.S.-led deployment undertaken after the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait. SCHENECTADY subsequently remained available for amphibious and logistic tasks in the Persian Gulf and made two brief visits to Bahrain. She was released from the assignment on October 4.

The homeward voyage included liberty calls at Phuket, Thailand, and Singapore as well as stops at Subic Bay and Pearl Harbor. SCHENECTADY returned to San Diego on November 30, 1990.

Early 1991 was dominated by a six-month docking phased maintenance availability. After ammunition and fuel had been removed, SCHENECTADY entered the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company dry dock on January 15. Work included installation of a Halon fire-suppression system, overhaul of main-engine governors and modernization of radar and communications equipment. Following engineering certification, the ship left the yard on June 7 and began sea trials on June 8. She later proceeded to Concord, California, to load ammunition and made a three-day visit to San Francisco before returning to San Diego on August 9. Training-readiness evaluations followed on August 15 and August 16, and a two-week refresher-training period began on September 23. The remainder of 1991 and the opening months of 1992 were devoted largely to local operations and preparation for another overseas deployment.

Commander William D. Kelley assumed command on March 13, 1992. On April 12, SCHENECTADY embarked 214 Marines and participated in Fleet Exercise 92 in the Camp Pendleton and San Clemente Island operating areas. Commander Joseph B. Wilkinson Jr. assumed command on May 20.

On May 28, 1992, SCHENECTADY departed San Diego on her twelfth and final Western Pacific deployment. She proceeded initially to Camp Pendleton to embark 14 amphibious assault vehicles and then joined USS TARAWA, USS FORT FISHER and USS OGDEN (LPD 5) for the Pacific crossing. Following a stop at Pearl Harbor, she continued to Okinawa for Exercise Valiant Usher 92-7. On June 20 SCHENECTADY launched her amphibious assault vehicles during a simulated noncombatant evacuation operation in which personnel from Kadena Air Base and the White Beach facility portrayed evacuees.

The ship departed Okinawa and reached Hong Kong on June 23. A typhoon warning required preparations for an emergency sortie, although the storm subsequently changed course and the port visit was completed. SCHENECTADY continued through Singapore toward the Arabian Sea. She arrived in the Arabian Sea on July 22 and conducted underway fueling and vertical replenishment operations near Bahrain before visiting Muscat, Oman. Commander Lou Bernstein assumed command on July 30.

SCHENECTADY arrived off Kuwait on August 3 in preparation for Exercise Eager Mace, a combined U.S.-Kuwaiti exercise that began the following day. She entered Kuwait harbor and launched all 14 embarked amphibious assault vehicles approximately 400 yards offshore. SCHENECTADY then remained anchored off Kuwait for roughly two weeks while Marines and Kuwaiti forces exercised in the region near the Iraq-Kuwait border. On August 15, she departed for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates for maintenance and upkeep.

On August 26, SCHENECTADY proceeded to Saudi Arabia, where approximately 100 Saudi Marines were embarked for an amphibious movement. She returned to Jebel Ali on September 5. When the amphibious ready group departed the Persian Gulf on September 10, its planned movement toward Australia was altered by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia. SCHENECTADY and other elements of the group were directed toward East Africa as the United States expanded its support for the international relief effort associated with Operation Provide Relief.

SCHENECTADY entered Mombasa, Kenya, where cargo was taken aboard and redistributed among the amphibious ships. She departed Mombasa on September 20 for waters off Somalia. The amphibious force supported efforts associated with the movement and protection of humanitarian relief supplies and the deployment of Pakistani security forces intended to assist United Nations operations in Somalia. These activities occurred before the December 1992 beginning of Operation Restore Hope.

On October 1, the other amphibious ships continued toward Australia while SCHENECTADY was detached for maintenance at Lumut, Malaysia. From there, she continued through Singapore to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, arriving on November 4 for ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur's establishment of his wartime headquarters there. SCHENECTADY departed Port Moresby on November 7, reached Pearl Harbor on November 15 and reunited with the other ships of the amphibious ready group. She returned to San Diego on November 25, 1992, completing her final overseas deployment.

Because SCHENECTADY was approaching retirement, a planned 1993 maintenance period was reduced to a shorter self-help availability. Engineering, aviation and material inspections nevertheless continued. In February, she underwent aviation-readiness work covering helicopter recovery, refueling and flight-deck firefighting. The Board of Inspection and Survey examined the ship in May. During June, SCHENECTADY substituted for another vessel in providing Marine Corps training support at Camp Pendleton and was recertified for towing operations.

SCHENECTADY began her final operational commitment on July 16, 1993. She accompanied the rescue and salvage ships USS BOLSTER (ARS 38) and USS SALVOR (ARS 52), which had been assigned to tow the defueled and unmanned former nuclear-powered submarines ex-USS TRITON (SSN 586) and ex-USS RAY (SSN 653) from Rodman, Panama, to the United States. During the southbound voyage, SCHENECTADY spent four days at Mazatlan, Mexico, where Project Handclasp supplies were delivered and members of the crew participated in community activities. She reached Rodman on July 31 and departed with the towing group on August 4. Tropical Storm Gregg, which subsequently became a hurricane, required evasive routing during the northbound transit. After returning to San Diego, SCHENECTADY began final preparations for inactivation.

USS SCHENECTADY was decommissioned at San Diego on December 15, 1993, ending more than 23 years of commissioned service. She was subsequently placed in inactive status and eventually berthed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor. Her name was removed from the Naval Vessel Register on July 13, 2001. The former SCHENECTADY remained in Hawaii until 2004, when she was selected for use as a target in Exercise Resultant Fury. Before the exercise, equipment and environmentally hazardous material were removed in preparation for the sinking exercise. Resultant Fury was intended to test the ability of aircraft, sensors and command-and-control systems to detect, track and engage a moving maritime target using precision-guided weapons. The former landing ship was towed into waters north of Kauai for the demonstration.

On November 23, 2004, the former USS SCHENECTADY was attacked by U.S. Air Force aircraft as part of Resultant Fury. Among the weapons employed were 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions. The ship was struck repeatedly and sank later that day in deep Pacific waters north of Kauai.

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USS SCHENECTADY Video Gallery:

The video below is an official US Navy video showing ex-USS SCHENECTADY being sunk as a target off Kauai, Hi, on November 23, 2004, using JDAM bombs launched from B-52s and guided by Joint STARS E8-C aircraft from over 100km away.

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USS SCHENECTADY Image Gallery:

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