USS GUNSTON HALL LSD-5
    CAMPAIGNS - AWARDS - OPERATIONS

    The USS Gunston Hall LSD-5 was commissioned in November of 1943.
After 27 years of active service she was decommissioned the last time in May of  1970 at which time She was commissioned into the Argentine Navy where she served several years before final scrapping.

    The Gunston Hall is noted as one of the most active U.S. Navel vessels in history. She arrived in the Pacific in time to participate in every major operation from February 1944 through the end of the war. She was on hand in the Pacific in 1946 for support duties in "Operational Crossroads." The famous Bikini atom bomb tests. After a short decommissioned period, the ship was one of two LSDs to undergo a major overhaul and modification program at Puget Sound where she was converted to an Arctic LSD complete with reinforced hull and extended heating system. When the Korean War came along, she found herself one of the principals in the famous amphibious operations at Inchon. She helped in evacuation efforts in Vietnam as the French were pulling out in 1954. During the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, GUNSTON HALL was loaded with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Force and steaming full speed for Cuba when the Russians decided to pull out. During the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, LSD-5 made a number of cruises to the war zone carrying various cargoes. GUNSTON HALL was finally deactivated in 1970 after having earned nine battle stars for the Vietnam years.

    WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGNS

Marshall Island

Kwajalein Atoll

Guam

New Guinea

Palau Islands

Luzon Island

Lingayen Gulf

Iwo Jima

Okinawa

KOREAN WAR OPERATIONS

Inchon Invasion

Mine Sweeping Operations(Flagship for Mine Sq 3)

Prisoner Exchange

    Awarded United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal and
(8) battle stars with the Korean Service Medal.

    Reported in the Navy Times that the GUNSTON HALL was one of five ships to earn the Meritorious Unit Commendations (MUC) for operations support in Vietnam in 1996-70.

    Received a congratulatory message from Admiral Zumwalt "for taking part
in five major operations and never failed in responding promptly when called
upon for quick departures, arduous and hazardous duty, and round the clock
operations."

    Total Battle Stars by War Periods. 

WWII (9)    

KOREA (8)    

VIETNAM (9)

    These are the awards we are aware of, if you know of more please contact Bill Greene at the Gunston Hall Reunion Office.

Gunston Hall Reunion Association