Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Cruise Books

CO's of USS La Moure County

About the Ship's Name

Accidents aboard the Ship

History

About the Sinking of USS La Moure County

Image Gallery

to end of page

USS La Moure County (LST 1194)

USS LA MOURE COUNTY was the 16^th ship in the NEWPORT - class of Tank Landing Ships and the second ship in the Navy to bear the name. LA MOURE COUNTY was homeported at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., and was assigned to Commander Amphibious Group Two and Commander Amphibious Squadron Ten.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

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

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USS LA MOURE COUNTY memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS LA MOURE COUNTY Cruise Books:

• Mediterranean Cruise Book 1980
• Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985
• Mediterranean Cruise Book 1987-88

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS LA MOURE COUNTY's Commanding Officers:

back to top

go to the end of the page

About the Ship's Name:

LA MOURE COUNTY was named for the City and County of La Moure, North Dakota. Judson La Moure, the city's namesake, was a noted pioneer, businessman and member of the territorial and state legislatures.

Located in the southeast portion of the state, settlers began arriving in 1872 with the western advancement of the Northern Pacific Railroad. By 1880 this site became the first organized town in La Moure County, and in 1881 it became the County Seat.

With its rich soil and highly mechanized farming, La Moure County is an extremely productive agricultural region. The county produces corn, wheat, oats, rye, flaxseed, cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry.

back to top

go to the end of the page

Accidents aboard USS LA MOURE COUNTY:

Date	Where	Events
April 29, 1987	300 miles off the Georgia coast	USS LA MOURE COUNTY collides with USS HERMITAGE (LSD 34) while the ships are practicing a resupply exercise. The HERMITAGE sustains a five-foot hole in its bow stem above the waterline while LA MOURE COUNTY sustains superficial damage to its left side. The CO of LA MOURE COUNTY is relieved pending an investigation of the accident.
September 12, 2000	Caleta Cifuncho Bay, Chile	LA MOURE COUNTY was preparing for an amphibious landing, part of the annual UNITAS exercise, and was operating with the Chilean LST VALDIVIA (the former USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189), a sister ship transferred to Chile several years ago). In the darkness and fog, LA MOURE COUNTY drove ashore on small rocky island just off the coast. VALDIVIA pulled her off the rocks and she anchored in Cifuncho Bay to evaluate the damage. Unofficial damage reports indicated massive damage to the hull and destruction of her propulsion systems. Following the grounding, LA MOURE COUNTY underwent emergency repairs in Cifuncho Bay, to make her seaworthy for the 700 mile tow to Talcahuano, Chile. After getting underway October 28, she arrived at Talcahuano on the 31st, under tow by the Chilean icebreaker OSCAR VIEL TORO. This was her final port, as repairs to her severely damaged hull and machinery were judged to be uneconomical. It was determined that it was more beneficial for the damaged ship to be used as a target for a live fire Sink Exercise (SINKEX) rather than making costly repairs. The photos below show LA MOURE COUNTY following the grounding on the rocky coast and at anchor in Cifuncho Bay, where she was situated from September 12 to October 28, 2000.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS LA MOURE COUNTY History:

The keel of USS LA MOURE COUNTY was laid at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company in San Diego, California, on May 22, 1970. She was launched on February 13, 1971, delivered to the Navy on December 1, 1971, and commissioned on December 18, 1971, with Commander Robert B. Rogers as her first commanding officer. After fitting out and initial trials on the Pacific coast, the new LST proceeded through the Panama Canal to the Atlantic and joined the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, became her home port and remained the center of her operations for most of her career.

During 1972 and the first part of 1973, USS LA MOURE COUNTY completed the training and readiness work required of a newly commissioned amphibious ship. Commander Frederick R. Sabine relieved Commander Rogers in July 1973. USS LA MOURE COUNTY subsequently made a Mediterranean deployment extending through portions of 1973 and 1974. Contemporary Navy photography documents her bow ramp in operation during this cruise. The deployment coincided with a period of increased tension in the Mediterranean following the Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 and the accompanying expansion of American and Soviet naval activity.

After returning to the Atlantic Fleet operating cycle, USS LA MOURE COUNTY resumed amphibious training along the East Coast and in the Caribbean. Commander Richard J. Hancock Jr. assumed command on June 20, 1975. On September 17, 1975, the ship supported Army-Navy amphibious training at Fort Story, Virginia. During the two-day training period, an Army landing craft mechanized carrying soldiers operated from USS LA MOURE COUNTY to the beach as the participating units practiced landing and assault procedures.

In September 1976, USS LA MOURE COUNTY deployed to northern European waters for the NATO exercise Teamwork 76. Elements of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines embarked at Morehead City, North Carolina, on September 1. The battalion headquarters and the largest part of the Marine contingent embarked in USS NASHVILLE (LPD 13), while additional elements were distributed among USS HERMITAGE (LSD 34), USS GUADALCANAL (LPH 7), USS SUMTER (LST 1181), USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS MANITOWOC (LST 1180). By September 15, the force had reached the British Isles, where representatives attended a presail conference at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. The exercise then moved into Norwegian waters, including the Namsos area, as NATO practiced the movement and reinforcement of forces on its northern flank.

Commander Edward L. Schneider assumed command on June 17, 1977. USS LA MOURE COUNTY continued Atlantic Fleet training and readiness operations through the remainder of that year. In September 1978, she participated in Northern Wedding 78, one of NATO's major Cold War exercises for the reinforcement and defense of northern Europe. The American amphibious force included USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC 20), USS FRANCIS MARION (LPA 249), USS RALEIGH (LPD 1), USS AUSTIN (LPD 4), USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), USS GUADALCANAL, USS PLYMOUTH ROCK (LSD 29), USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36), USS MANITOWOC, USS SUMTER, USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY (LST 1192), USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS HARLAN COUNTY (LST 1196). The exercise sequence included amphibious operations in the Shetland Islands from September 8 to September 12, followed by further activity associated with the broader NATO exercise program in Denmark, including operations around Oksbol from September 15 to September 17. USS LA MOURE COUNTY also received unit-award credit for a period extending from March 11 to April 28, 1978.

Commander James B. Gautier assumed command on June 21, 1979. During the following year, USS LA MOURE COUNTY prepared for another extended deployment. In April 1980, she worked up as part of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 2-80. On April 14, she operated with USS GUADALCANAL, USS NASHVILLE and USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST 1197) during training in the Bloodsworth Island area. The group subsequently conducted amphibious training at Onslow Beach from April 22 to April 24 and an amphibious rehearsal in the Camp Pendleton, Virginia, area on April 25. USS PENSACOLA (LSD 38) was also part of the completed five-ship amphibious group. The ships returned to Little Creek on May 2 after this phase of predeployment training.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY deployed in June 1980 with the amphibious group and an embarked Marine Amphibious Unit. What began as a Mediterranean deployment expanded into the Red Sea and Indian Ocean when the force was ordered through the Suez Canal. The group consisted of USS GUADALCANAL, USS NASHVILLE, USS PENSACOLA, USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY and carried approximately 1,800 Marines. The movement took place during the continuing Iranian hostage crisis and after the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, at a time when the United States was increasing its military presence around the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. USS LA MOURE COUNTY and the other amphibious ships provided a mobile Marine force in the region. Mombasa, Kenya, was among the documented ports visited during the Indian Ocean phase. USS LA MOURE COUNTY's service with the group in the Indian Ocean from June 17 to August 19, 1980, was subsequently recognized by a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The force later returned through the Suez Canal and completed the remainder of its deployment before USS LA MOURE COUNTY returned to the United States.

Commander Harry G. Henderson relieved Commander Gautier on December 18, 1981. USS LA MOURE COUNTY continued Atlantic Fleet amphibious operations and training during the first part of 1982. On May 4, 1982, she was photographed underway carrying a seaborne powered target boat on her aft deck, one example of the auxiliary training-support tasks performed between major deployments.

On August 23, 1982, USS LA MOURE COUNTY deployed with Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-82. Amphibious Squadron Six consisted of USS INCHON (LPH 12), USS SHREVEPORT, USS FORT SNELLING (LSD 30), USS SUMTER and USS LA MOURE COUNTY, with the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit embarked. The Marine force included Battalion Landing Team 3/8, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 and Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 24. Before entering the Mediterranean, the group operated in northern European waters during NATO exercises Northern Wedding 82 and Bold Guard East.

The force subsequently moved south as the political and military situation in Lebanon required another American amphibious presence. Israel had invaded Lebanon in June 1982, and an international force had supervised the evacuation of Palestine Liberation Organization personnel from Beirut during August and September. After Lebanese president-elect Bashir Gemayel was assassinated on September 14 and killings took place in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, the United States, France and Italy returned military contingents to Beirut as a multinational force. USS LA MOURE COUNTY's amphibious group arrived off Lebanon in late October. The turnover between the outgoing Marine force and the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit took place between October 29 and early November, and on November 3 the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit formally assumed its responsibilities ashore.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY remained among the amphibious ships supporting the Marines stationed around Beirut International Airport. Personnel, vehicles, equipment and supplies moved between the ships and the forces ashore while the amphibious group remained available offshore. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit continued its assignment until February 15, 1983, when it was relieved by the next Marine rotation. Amphibious Squadron Six then began the return transit to the United States, completing the deployment on March 9. USS LA MOURE COUNTY's Lebanon service qualified for the applicable Navy expeditionary recognition and unit awards associated with the operation. Her deployment ended before the subsequent deterioration of the security situation that culminated in the bombing of the Marine headquarters at Beirut International Airport on October 23, 1983.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY returned to sea later in 1983 for operations in Central America. On November 9, the 28th Marine Amphibious Unit departed the Norfolk area aboard ships of Amphibious Squadron Two for Exercise Ahuas Tara II in Honduras. The amphibious force included USS NASSAU (LHA 4), USS GUADALCANAL, USS RALEIGH, USS PENSACOLA, USS CHARLESTON (LKA 113) and USS LA MOURE COUNTY. On November 18, approximately 1,200 United States Marines and about 500 members of the Honduran Army carried out an amphibious landing near Puerto Castilla. The exercise took place against the background of continuing regional conflict involving Nicaragua, El Salvador and neighboring states and formed part of a broader series of American-Honduran military exercises.

Commander John R. Busch assumed command on January 25, 1984. The ship soon returned to northern European waters for NATO exercise Teamwork 84. In February, she was photographed closing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA GREY ROVER (A269) in the North Atlantic for replenishment. Teamwork 84 ran from February 28 to March 22 and tested NATO plans for reinforcing northern Norway. The American amphibious force included USS MOUNT WHITNEY, USS SAIPAN (LHA 2), USS NASSAU, USS INCHON, USS RALEIGH, USS AUSTIN, USS PONCE (LPD 15), USS SPIEGEL GROVE (LSD 32), USS PENSACOLA, USS CHARLESTON, USS EL PASO (LKA 117), USS SUMTER, USS SPARTANBURG COUNTY and USS LA MOURE COUNTY. The exercise involved cold-weather amphibious operations in Norwegian waters and formed part of NATO's continuing effort to train for reinforcement of its northern flank.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY left the United States on July 2, 1985, for another Mediterranean deployment. She sailed with Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 2-85, which included USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2), USS AUSTIN, USS PENSACOLA and USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY and carried the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit. The embarked Marine organization included Battalion Landing Team 3/8, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 and Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 26. After crossing the Atlantic, the force participated in the United States-Moroccan amphibious exercise Phiblex 9-85 from July 19 to July 24.

The amphibious group subsequently moved to Egypt for Bright Star '85, which ran from August 4 to August 10 and involved Egyptian, American and other participating forces. USS LA MOURE COUNTY directly supported the amphibious phase. On August 8, Marine Corps LVTP-7 tracked amphibious vehicles were launched from her stern during an assault evolution, and contemporary military photography also records their subsequent recovery. The exercise combined amphibious, air and ground training in Egypt.

In September 1985, the group participated in NATO exercise Display Determination 85 in the central Mediterranean. An amphibious landing phase began on Sardinia on September 15 and involved American and allied forces. USS LA MOURE COUNTY later made port calls in the western Mediterranean, including Marseille, France, and Malaga, Spain. The group assembled at Rota, Spain, on December 4 for turnover with its relief force. Following final briefings, equipment washdown and backloading, the ships departed Rota for the United States on December 7.

Commander Francis M. Swientek assumed command on February 7, 1986. During 1986, USS LA MOURE COUNTY remained part of the Atlantic Fleet amphibious force, conducting the training, maintenance and readiness work required between major deployments.

On April 29, 1987, USS LA MOURE COUNTY collided with USS HERMITAGE during a resupply exercise in the Atlantic approximately 300 miles off the Georgia coast. USS HERMITAGE sustained a hole in the bow stem above the waterline, while damage to USS LA MOURE COUNTY was comparatively limited. Commander Swientek was relieved following the accident. Commander Stephen H. Ries temporarily assumed command on May 20, before Commander Leo J. Faneuf III took command later in 1987. Commander Faneuf remained in command until June 7, 1989.

During the summer of 1987, USS LA MOURE COUNTY deployed with Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-87. The group included USS GUADALCANAL, USS AUSTIN, USS SPIEGEL GROVE and USS SAGINAW (LST 1188) and carried the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit. After operating in the Mediterranean, elements of the group passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. From August 2 to August 9, USS LA MOURE COUNTY, USS SPIEGEL GROVE and USS SAGINAW operated together as an amphibious task unit during Exercise Eastern Wind near Geesalay, Somalia. The exercise involved the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit and Somali forces and included amphibious and ground training. The group subsequently returned through the Suez Canal and resumed Mediterranean operations before USS LA MOURE COUNTY returned to the United States later in 1987. The associated 1987-88 cruise also included subsequent Caribbean operations and training after the overseas deployment.

Commander Raymond A. Duffy assumed command on June 7, 1989. USS LA MOURE COUNTY continued Atlantic Fleet operations as the political environment in Europe changed rapidly during the final years of the Cold War. In August 1990, however, the ship was assigned to a major deployment to Southwest Asia following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait on August 2.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY loaded elements of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and became part of the Atlantic Fleet amphibious force deploying for Operation Desert Shield. She departed Morehead City, North Carolina, on August 21, 1990, in company with USS IWO JIMA, USS GUAM (LPH 9) and USS MANITOWOC. The ships crossed the Atlantic and entered the Mediterranean. On September 8, USS IWO JIMA, USS GUAM, USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS MANITOWOC passed southbound through the Suez Canal carrying elements of the brigade. By September 16, the amphibious forces had assembled in the Gulf of Oman.

The larger amphibious concentration included USS IWO JIMA, USS GUAM, USS NASSAU, USS AUSTIN, USS RALEIGH, USS TRENTON (LPD 14), USS PORTLAND (LSD 37), USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44), USS PENSACOLA, USS MANITOWOC, USS SAGINAW and USS LA MOURE COUNTY. During Operation Desert Shield the ships trained for possible amphibious action and maintained a seaborne Marine force capable of threatening the Iraqi-held Kuwaiti coast while coalition land forces assembled in Saudi Arabia.

Operation Desert Storm began with the coalition air campaign on January 17, 1991. The amphibious force continued exercises and preparations in the Gulf. No large-scale Marine landing from USS LA MOURE COUNTY or the other Atlantic Fleet amphibious ships was ultimately conducted against the Kuwaiti coast. The coalition ground offensive began on February 24 and major offensive combat operations were suspended on February 28. The Atlantic amphibious force subsequently began its return transit. USS LA MOURE COUNTY and other returning ships passed northbound through the Suez Canal on March 24 before continuing across the Mediterranean and Atlantic toward their home ports. Her service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm was included in the unit and campaign recognition awarded for the Southwest Asia deployment.

Commander Gary R. Hammond assumed command on June 4, 1991. Later that year, USS LA MOURE COUNTY entered a maintenance period. On August 31, she was documented at Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation in Norfolk, Virginia, while undergoing overhaul work. After returning to operational status, she prepared for another NATO deployment to northern Europe.

In March 1992, USS LA MOURE COUNTY sailed for Teamwork '92, a large multinational exercise in the North Atlantic and Norway. On March 19, she was photographed underway in Trondheim Fjord. The exercise practiced the movement and employment of allied forces in Norway in the first months after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. By late March, she had moved to Dundee, Scotland, and contemporary Marine Corps reporting listed her planned departure from Dundee for April 2.

Later in 1992, USS LA MOURE COUNTY prepared for another Mediterranean deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. The deployment lasted from October 22, 1992, to April 19, 1993. Amphibious Squadron Four consisted of USS GUAM, USS AUSTIN, USS GUNSTON HALL, USS SUMTER and USS LA MOURE COUNTY. The ships operated at a time of continuing instability in the Mediterranean region following the breakup of Yugoslavia and during ongoing security concerns in the Middle East.

During the deployment, USS LA MOURE COUNTY made a documented visit to Alicante, Spain, late in 1992. The amphibious group continued bilateral and multinational training during early 1993. In January, the force participated in Exercise Noble Shirley with Israeli forces. By February, USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS AUSTIN were at Trieste, Italy, while other ships of the group operated at separate Italian locations. During March, the force moved to southeastern Spain for Exercise Betacom '93. USS LA MOURE COUNTY, USS AUSTIN, USS GUNSTON HALL and USS SUMTER were at Almeria during the concluding phase, with a planned departure around March 29. The deployment ended on April 19, 1993. Commander Reubin B. Bookert had assumed command on March 15.

In 1994, USS LA MOURE COUNTY began an extended deployment connected with multinational training and the annual Unitas exercise series. On July 21, she entered Banjul, The Gambia, for a planned visit associated with training between embarked United States Marines and the Gambian National Army. The political situation changed abruptly on July 22 when junior Gambian military officers launched a coup against President Dawda Jawara. Jawara, members of his family and government officials sought refuge aboard USS LA MOURE COUNTY as the coup unfolded. The United States did not use the embarked Marines to intervene in the seizure of power. USS LA MOURE COUNTY remained off The Gambia during the immediate crisis and subsequently carried Jawara and other evacuees to Dakar, Senegal. The transfer to Dakar followed on July 24. USS LA MOURE COUNTY and her embarked Marines received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period from July 22 to July 24 in connection with the events.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY then continued the 1994 Unitas deployment around South America. During the Peruvian phase of Unitas XXXV in September and October, the United States force included USS STUMP (DD 978), USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58), USS McINERNEY (FFG 8), USS LA MOURE COUNTY, USCGC HARRIET LANE (WMEC 903) and USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669). The force also included aircraft, Marines and special-warfare personnel. The Peruvian phase included amphibious activity in the Salinas area as well as other maritime and riverine training. The deployment placed USS LA MOURE COUNTY in repeated combined exercises with Latin American naval and Marine forces as the task group progressed around the continent.

Earlier in 1995, USS LA MOURE COUNTY took part in Operation Sea Signal, the continuing response to the large Cuban and Haitian migration crises of 1994. Temporary migrant facilities had been established at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Marine security units were rotated through the base. On January 21, 1995, Marines of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines embarked in USS LA MOURE COUNTY at Morehead City with vehicles and equipment. The ship arrived at Guantanamo Bay on January 25 carrying the new security force. Contemporary imagery records Marine Corps helicopters operating from her flight deck during this assignment. Commander Thomas D. Holman assumed command on July 21, 1995.

On September 30, 1995, USS LA MOURE COUNTY was transferred to the Active Reserve Force. She remained a commissioned United States Navy ship but operated with an organization incorporating a substantial Naval Reserve component. The change came as the Navy reduced its amphibious fleet after the Cold War and retired most of the NEWPORT-class LSTs. USS LA MOURE COUNTY nevertheless remained operational and continued overseas deployments.

On July 4, 1996, USS LA MOURE COUNTY made a documented port visit to Eastport, Maine. Later that month, she prepared at Little Creek for Unitas 37-96 and was underway for the deployment on July 25. The United States task group included USS MOOSBRUGGER (DD 980), USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG 32), USS LA MOURE COUNTY and USS NARWHAL (SSN 671). The force conducted successive phases of combined training with South American navies while progressing around the continent.

In September 1996, USS LA MOURE COUNTY operated with Argentine and Brazilian forces during the southern Atlantic phases of the deployment. Participating ships included the Brazilian frigate DEFENSORA (F41), the Brazilian replenishment ship ALMIRANTE GASTAO MOTTA (G23), the Argentine destroyers ALMIRANTE BROWN (D10), LA ARGENTINA (D11) and SARANDI (D13), USS MOOSBRUGGER and USS JOHN L. HALL. The task group operated in the Rio de la Plata region and visited Ushuaia at the southern end of Argentina. On September 18, USS LA MOURE COUNTY operated with USS JOHN L. HALL and USS NARWHAL while transiting the English Narrows in the Chilean inland waterways on the passage from the Atlantic side of South America toward the Pacific. The Chilean phase included amphibious training in the Vina del Mar area.

The Unitas deployment continued northward along the Pacific side of South America. In October, Marines associated with the task group trained with Paraguayan Marines during another phase of Unitas 37-96, including weapons familiarization, amphibious-assault insertion and small-unit training. USS LA MOURE COUNTY completed the deployment after several months of combined operations around South America.

Commander John J. Muldoon assumed command on January 17, 1997. USS LA MOURE COUNTY remained based at Little Creek in the Active Reserve Force and continued amphibious readiness and reserve-component training.

In 1998, USS LA MOURE COUNTY again deployed to South America, this time for Unitas 39-98. The American task force included USS MOOSBRUGGER, USS DOYLE (FFG 39), USS LA MOURE COUNTY, USS BOSTON (SSN 703) and USCGC MOHAWK (WMEC 913) for portions of the deployment. More than 200 Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force embarked in USS LA MOURE COUNTY as the landing force. The exercise series involved combined operations with the armed forces of Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

The task group deployed in July and conducted preliminary training in the Caribbean before proceeding south. USS LA MOURE COUNTY reached Fortaleza, Brazil, by July 31. The force subsequently continued through the Brazilian phase and operated toward Rio de Janeiro before taking part in the Uruguayan phase from August 19 to August 24. The deployment then continued around the southern end of South America and north along the Pacific coast.

Commander Ann C. O'Connor assumed command on September 21, 1998, while the Unitas deployment was in progress. By the end of September, USS LA MOURE COUNTY and her embarked Marines were preparing for the Peruvian phase, which ran from September 30 to October 15. The force subsequently proceeded to Ecuador, where the ship and embarked Marines operated in the Salinas area in October before continuing toward Colombia. After completing the remaining phases of the South American circumnavigation, the task group returned toward the Caribbean in November. USS LA MOURE COUNTY later returned to Little Creek.

The ship remained in the Active Reserve Force during 1999 and early 2000. By this stage, USS LA MOURE COUNTY was one of the last NEWPORT-class tank landing ships still serving in the United States Navy. Commander Randall L. Johnson assumed command on May 5, 2000.

USS LA MOURE COUNTY deployed to Latin America again in 2000 for Unitas XLI. The American force included USS HAYLER (DD 997), USS KLAKRING (FFG 42), USS LA MOURE COUNTY, USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) and USCGC TAMPA (WMEC 902), together with aircraft, helicopters and an embarked Marine contingent. During the Colombian phase in early August, Marines embarked in USS LA MOURE COUNTY trained with Colombian Marines near Covenas. Activities from August 3 to August 6 included amphibious landings, troop exchanges and small-unit training, and Colombian Marines also embarked in USS LA MOURE COUNTY during the exchange program.

The task group continued south along the Pacific coast. On September 12, 2000, USS LA MOURE COUNTY was operating off Chile during the Chilean phase of the deployment and was preparing for an amphibious-assault exercise in Cifuncho Bay. She was operating with the Chilean tank landing ship VALDIVIA, the former USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189), when she struck a rocky outcropping in darkness and fog and ran hard aground near Caleta Cifuncho. The grounding caused severe structural and machinery damage. The hull was opened and distorted over a large area, flooding 29 tanks and spaces. Both propeller hubs lost blades, both rudders were damaged and one rudder became unusable. A major structural opening approximately 40 feet long affected the hull amidships and extended through shell plating and important structural members, while associated piping systems were also damaged. The ship developed a serious hogging condition that raised concern about longitudinal strength. Diesel fuel escaped into Cifuncho Bay through the damaged hull. Despite the extent of the casualty, no member of the crew or embarked Marine force was killed or injured.

VALDIVIA assisted in pulling USS LA MOURE COUNTY clear of the rocks and the damaged ship was moved into safer water in Cifuncho Bay. During the following weeks, the ship's crew, United States Navy salvage specialists, Naval Sea Systems Command personnel, contractors and the Chilean Navy carried out damage-control and salvage work. The immediate objectives were to control flooding, reduce pollution, strengthen the damaged hull and make the ship sufficiently stable for towing. Temporary repairs were not intended to restore USS LA MOURE COUNTY to operational service but to permit her safe movement to a naval facility where the damage could be assessed more fully.

Commander Randall L. Johnson was relieved on September 22, 2000, and Captain Michael M. Moore assumed command. USS LA MOURE COUNTY remained in the Cifuncho area while stabilization work continued. On October 28, after the ship had been made sufficiently secure for movement, the approximately 700-mile tow south to Talcahuano began. The Chilean icebreaker ALMIRANTE OSCAR VIEL carried out the tow, and USS LA MOURE COUNTY arrived at Talcahuano on October 31. Inspection confirmed extensive damage to the hull, propulsion system and steering equipment. Restoring the nearly 29-year-old ship to operational condition was not considered economically justified. USS LA MOURE COUNTY therefore did not return to the United States. She was formally decommissioned at Talcahuano on November 17, 2000, and her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same date.

The damaged hull remained in Chile after useful equipment was removed. On July 10, 2001, the former USS LA MOURE COUNTY was used as a live-fire target during Teamwork South 2001 off the Chilean coast. Participating ships included USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47), USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60) and HMS EDINBURGH (D97), together with Chilean naval units. The unmanned hulk was subjected to naval gunfire and missile attacks and sank during the exercise.

back to top

go to the end of the page

About the Sinking of USS LA MOURE COUNTY:

The LA MOURE COUNTY was decommissioned after an accident off the coast of Chile in September 2000. It was determined that it was more beneficial for the damaged ship to be used as a target for a live fire Sink Exercise (SINKEX) rather than making costly repairs.
The SINKEX took place as part of Exercise Tamwork South 2001.

USS TICONDEROGA (CG 47) and USS RODNEY M. DAVIS (FFG 60) began the SINKEX on the morning of July 10, 2001, with Chilean Destroyers CAPITAN PRAT (DHL 11), ALMIRANTE COCHRANE (DHL 12) and BLANCO ENCALADA (DHL 15) and the British Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH (D 97). The exercise began with a live fire gun pass at 5,000 yards. The ships moved into a firing line position with the target ship to the starboard. TICONDEROGA was the first to send 20 five-inch rounds downrange. When the smoke cleared from the decks of the target ship, LA MOURE COUNTY, the other ships in the task group commenced fire. After the ships completed the first round, the ships changed course while remaining in a gun line firing formation and brought the target ship to the port side at 9,000 yards away. The ships again open fired on the amphibious ship hurling another 60 explosive rounds into the now severely damaged target ship.

The final gun approach positioned the U.S., Chilean and British ships at over 6 miles away from the target ship before they were cleared to open fire. Few of the ships in the firing line had difficulty with the increased distance. High on the starboard bridge-wing of TICONDEROGA, the ship’s executive officer, monitoring the accuracy of the guns targeting system, watched the single spotting round strike just below the bridge of the target ship with a brilliant orange glow and thick plume of black smoke. He yelled into the telephone to the Tactical Action Officer, "Round on target, batteries released!" Seconds after his command, the forward five-inch gun quickly thundered out 19 more HE-PD rounds demolishing the bridge and deck house of the target ship. Lt. Cmdr William F. Hesse, Executive Officer onboard TICONDEROGA said, "We do not have the opportunity to this sort of thing often but it is apparent that our training has paid off because the crew performed superbly sending rounds downrange accurately and getting good hits with each engagement."

With the gun exercises over and the LA MOURE COUNTY badly damaged, but still afloat, the exercise continued. The British Destroyer HMS EDINBURGH launched a Sea Dart surface missile at the LA MOURE COUNTY impacting to the rear of the bridge. With a Standard Missile (SM-2) ready on the forward missile launcher aboard USS TICONDEROGA, the cruiser's powerful SPY-1A radar locked onto the target over ten miles away, ready to fire. The command was given and the missile leaped into the air leaving behind a thick cloud of white smoke on the cruiser’s foc’sle. The powerful missile exploded at the target causing extensive damage, but the crippled ship still remained on top of the water.

TICONDEROGA's Commanding Officer, Cmdr Glen Sears said, "The LA MOURE COUNTY is a testament to U.S. shipbuilding technology. The ship has taken an absolute beating from the six ships out here today and refuses to go down."

The SINKEX continued with two air-launched surface missiles fired from the British Lynx helicopter assigned to the HMS EDINBURGH. The helicopter lifted off the flight deck of the British Destroyer carrying a Sea Skua anti-ship missile flying low and fast towards the target. The Lynx fired the missiles from more than four miles away striking the ship amidships leaving a gaping hole in the hull above the water-line.

The LA MOURE COUNTY, smoking and listing to port quickly fell prey the U.S. Navy's Harpoon Cruise Missile. The first Harpoon missile jumped from the Mk 13 launcher of USS RODNEY M. DAVIS, followed closely by TICONDEROGA's own Harpoon erupting towards the sky with a brilliant blast of fire and smoke. Once the small turbo-fan jet engine engaged, the rocket boosters fell to sea and the cruise missile closed the 25 miles to the target ship. With a shuddering explosion, the cruise missile ripped huge holes in the hulk peeling back huge sections of the shops exterior. Still afloat, the Chilean submarine O’BRIEN finished off the LA MOURE COUNTY with six Mark-8 torpedoes, finally sending the ship to bottom of the Pacific where the ship will become an artificial reef.

The hulk was prepared in accordance with environmental agreements between the Chilean Navy and Naval Sea Systems Command ensuring all precautions were made not to harm the environment. The sunken hulk of LA MOURE COUNTY will serve as a sea life habitat for hundreds of years of come.

The four photos below were taken from the Chilean navy frigate ALMIRANTE CONDELL and from her helicopter during the sinking of LA MOURE COUNTY.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS LA MOURE COUNTY Image Gallery:

back to top

Back to Tank Landing Ships page.

Back to ships list.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.