Search the Site with 
General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia About the Ship's Coat of Arms About the Ship's Name Image Gallery to end of page

USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29)

USS RICHARD M. McCOOL JR. is the 13th SAN ANTONIO - class amphibious transport dock and the first ship in the Navy named after US Navy Captain Richard M. McCool, Jr., who received the Medal of Honor for his action during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

While still a Flight I member of her class, USS RICHARD M. McCOOL JR. features a number of modifications compared to previous ships of the class. Most striking are the steel masts instead of the composite masts and that the stern gate is open at the top.

General Characteristics:Awarded: February 23, 2018
Keel laid: April 12, 2019
Launched: January 5, 2022
Commissioned: September 7, 2024
Builder: Northrop Grumman Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
Propulsion system: four sequentially turbocharged marine Colt-Pielstick Diesels
Propellers: two
Length: 684 feet (208.5 meters)
Beam: 105 feet (31.9 meters)
Draft: 23 feet (7 meters)
Displacement: approx. 24,900 tons
Speed: 22 knots
Well deck capacity: two LCAC or one LCU and 14 Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles
Aircraft: landing platform for all helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey; maintenance facilities for one CH-53E or one MV-22 or three UH/AH-1s
Crew: Ship: 28 officers, 332 enlisted
Marine Detachment: 66 officers, 633 enlisted (can be expanded to 800)
Homeport: Norfolk, Va.
Armament: two Bushmaster II 30 mm Close in Guns; two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers


Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

Crew List:

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


back to top  go to the end of the page



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The Shield:

Dark red symbolizes self-sacrifice in the face of extreme peril and light blue alludes to loyalty and the sea. The piles suggest the sharp bow of Richard McCool's amphibious ship, Landing Craft Support 122, cutting through the waters of the Ryukyu Chain on 10 and 11 June 1945 during operations against enemy Japanese forces. The enflamed grenades indicate separate kamikaze attacks on both days. On 10 June, McCool aided in evacuating all survivors from a sinking destroyer, the USS PORTER (DD 579). On 11 June, McCool's landing craft was attacked and his indomitable determination in the face of crisis saved many lives. The white wavy portion of the shield recognizes McCool for saving his landing craft for further combat service. The griffin is a symbol of courage and vigilance and embodies Richard McCool's warrior spirit. The battle-axe represents the proper execution of military duties. The shamrocks denote McCool's Irish heritage and recognizes the sacrifice of military families. The larger shamrock honors Richard McCool's wife, and the three smaller shamrocks are for his three children.

The Crest:

The wreath adopts the first-named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The spear symbolizes an honorable warrior and illustrates Richard McCool's actions on 11 June 1945 when he hurled the full power of his gun batteries at enemy suicide aircraft. The Medal of Honor star symbolizes conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, beyond the call of duty. The dark red color on the star indicates Richard McCool's incredible strength to lead his crew while suffering with shrapnel wounds and painful burns. The Medal of Honor rosette denotes McCool's humbleness, as most of his friends never learned that McCool had received the military's highest honor.

The Motto:

The ship's Latin motto, "CERTA UT UNITAS NON UT SINGULI", evolved from remarks made by Richard McCool and translates to "FIGHT AS A UNIT, NOT AS INDIVIDUALS".



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page

About the Ship's Name:

Richard Miles McCool Jr. was born on 4 January 1922 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Appointed from Oklahoma to the US Naval Academy, he graduated as ensign in June 1944, and was assigned to Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. In December, following training at the US Naval Amphibious Training Station, Solomons, Maryland, he assumed command of USS LCS(L) 122 and was promoted to lieutenant in January 1945. On 10 June, while operating off the Ryukyu Chain, Japan, he led his vessel to rescue survivors of USS WILLIAM D. PORTER (DD 579) after a Japanese kamikaze bomb exploded underneath the destroyer. The next evening, 11 June, two Japanese suicide squadron attacked McCool's ship. Organizing a counterattack, McCool's crew downed one of the kamikaze planes and damaged the second before it crashed into LCS(L) 122's conning tower, engulfing it in flames. Wounded and suffering severe burns, McCool led his men until aid arrived from other ships and he was evacuated due to his injuries. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" on this occasion, McCool was awarded the Medal of Honor.

In January 1946, McCool was reverted back to lieutenant junior grade. In July, he assumed command of USS LCS(L) 44, then transferred to the destroyer USS McKEAN (DD 784). In July 1947, he became the aide to commandant, Eighth Naval District, at New Orleans, Louisiana. After instructor duty at the University of Oklahoma with the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in June 1949, he received orders to USS FRANK KNOX (DD 742), later transferring to USS LEYTE (CV 32).

In January 1951, McCool was promoted to lieutenant. Completing Armed Forces Information School at Fort Slocum, New York, in June, he received orders to Commander Naval Base, Long Beach, California, and served as the public information officer. A year later, he returned for duty at the Eighth Naval District. In July 1954, he attended Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned a master's degree. In June 1955, McCool was promoted to lieutenant commander and assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. The following year, he reported overseas as a staff member of Commander, South Eastern Asia Treaty Organization, Bangkok, Thailand.

In December 1958, he was assigned staff duty with commandant of the Ninth Naval District at Great Lakes, Illinois, where he was promoted to commander in July 1960. In April 1961, he served on the staff of Commander, First Fleet and transferred three years later for duty with Commander, US Naval Forces, Japan. When he returned to the US, he continued staff duty with Commander, Seventh Fleet. In July 1965, McCool was promoted to captain. In April 1966, he became deputy commander of the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana. Following his service in various public affairs posts, he retired from active duty in 1974 and became active in local politics in the Bremerton, Washington, area.

Richard M. McCool died on 5 March 2008 and is buried at Naval Academy Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland.



Back to topback to top  go to endgo to the end of the page



The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS RICHARD M. McCOOL JR. at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on October 4, 2024.



Back to topback to top



Back to Amphibious Transport Dock site. Back to ships list. Back to selection page. Back to 1st page.