USS Fresno (LST 1182)

- decommissioned -
- sunk as target -

USS FRESNO was the 4^th ship in the NEWPORT - class of Tank Landing Ships and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. Transfered to the Naval Reserve Force in October 1990, the FRESNO was decommissioned on April 8, 1993. The ship spent the following years laid-up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Pearl Harbor, HI. On September 19, 2014, the FRESNO was sunk as a target during Exercise Valiant Shield approx. 215 nautical miles northeast of Guam.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: July 15, 1966
	Keel laid: December 16, 1967
	Launched: September 28, 1968
	Commissioned: November 22, 1969
	Decommissioned: April 8, 1993
	Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif.
	Propulsion system: 6 diesels; 16,000 horsepower; bow thruster
	Propellers: two and one bow thruster screw
	Length: 522 feet (159 meters)
	Length over derrick arms: 561 feet (171 meters)
	Beam: 70 feet (21.2 meters)
	Draft: 17,4 feet (5.3 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 8500 tons
	Speed: 20 knots
	Aircraft: helicopter platform only
	Armament: one 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 4 3-inch/.50-caliber guns
	Crew: 14 officers, 210 enlisted and approx. 350 embarked troops

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS FRESNO. 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 FRESNO memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS FRESNO Cruise Books and Pamphlets:

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The seal of USS FRESNO represents a number of themes pertinent to the ship. The central figure is a branch of the ash tree, which is native to the San Joaquin Valley in which the City and County of Fresno are located. The ash, the official symbol of Fresno County, is flanked on both sides by a cluster of grapes, the insignia of the City of Fresno, where a major industry surrounds the growing and processing of the grape.

The motto "Paratus" displayed on the seal is Latin for "read"; the condition which the USS FRESNO strives to maintain at all times. Appearing slightly above this motto is the Danforth anchor, which symbolizes the stern anchor, a key item used during beaching operations of the LST.

Prominently displayed above and at the side of the seal is the decorative border of antique gold in the Spanish heritage, both of the City and County of San Diego where the ship was built.

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Ship's History:

Click here for USS FRESNO's History.

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USS FRESNO's Commanding Officers:

Period	Name
July 3, 1969 - April 15, 1970	Commander Stanislau J. Sowinski
April 15, 1970 - September 3, 1971	Commander Alfred J. Dillon
September 3, 1971 - August 27, 1973	Commander Paul C. Matthews, Jr.
July 14, 1975 - June 29, 1977	Commander Robert Brandquist
June 29, 1977 - September 2, 1978	Commander Anthony W. Depaul, Jr.
September 2, 1978 - October 8, 1978	Commander Robert Lucas
October 8, 1978 - July 25, 1980	Commander Richard F. Schuerger
July 25, 1980 - June 18, 1982	Commander Donald F. Santamaria
June 18, 1982 - September 29, 1984	Commander Michael D. Barker
September 29, 1984 - December 11, 1986	Commander John C. McKinley
December 11, 1986 - September 21, 1989	Commander Wilbur F. Shepherd
September 21, 1989 - September 14, 1991	Commander James M. Morrell
September 14, 1991 - February 19, 1993	Commander Kendall J. King
February 19, 1993 - April 8, 1993	LCDR Adolf Ramirez

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USS FRESNO SINKEX:

Ex-USS FRESNO was sunk as a target during exercise Valiant Shield 2014 on September 15, 2014 in waters 18,000 feet deep, approx. 215 nautical miles northeast of Guam. Official US Navy video.

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USS FRESNO Image Gallery:

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