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USS Hermitage (LSD-34)
Encyclopedia
USS Hermitage (LSD-34) was a of the United States Navy
. She was named for The Hermitage
, President Andrew Jackson
's famed estate just outside of Nashville, Tennessee
.
Hermitage was laid down on 11 April 1955, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding
Corp., Pascagoula, Miss.; launched
on 12 June 1956; sponsored by Mrs. Alfred M. Pride, wife of Vice Admiral Alfred M. Pride
, and commissioned
on 14 December 1956, Captain Leonard A. Parker in command.
, Hermitage was informally inspected by Admiral
Arleigh Burke
, then Chief of Naval Operations
. After training operations out of Norfolk
, she sailed for the Mediterranean
in late August to join the 6th Fleet. Hermitage participated in exercises with NATO units and visited Sicily
, Crete
, Turkey
, Italy
, Greece
, and Spain
before returning to the States on 16 November 1957. Operations primarily with fast amphibious helicopter
assault equipment and tactics occupied her until November 1959. With a cargo of Presidential helicopters embarked, Hermitage sailed to Karachi
on 2 December via the Atlantic
, Mediterranean, Suez Canal
, and Red
and Arabian Sea
s to furnish quick and safe transportation for President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
on his Asia
n and Europe
an tour. Mission successfully completed, she returned home via Barcelona
on 17 January 1960.
Foreign waters called Hermitage by the end of the year as she sailed on 28 November as flagship
for Admiral A. L. Reed, COMSOLANT, for a good will cruise
to South America
and Africa. In the midst of this important cruise, Hermitage was diverted on 19 January 1961 to carry grain to the Congo
to help the United Nations
combat starvation in that revolution-torn country. Relieved as flagship on 3 May by , Hermitage returned to Virginia on 16 May and soon resumed her pattern of operations and exercises off the Virginia Capes
and in the Caribbean.
When the presence of Soviet
nuclear missiles in Cuba
threatened war in October 1962, Hermitage sailed to Guantanamo Bay
to transport Marines
to that threatened base and underline America's determination to maintain her position there. A second cruise to the Mediterranean from May to October 1963 took Hermitage to Naples
, Athens
, Genoa
, Cannes
, Sardinia
, Malta
, and Rota
as well as other ports in the 6th Fleet's continuing role of peace-keeping and protection of American interests in that crucial area.
After an assignment in February 1964 to the Caribbean Ready Squadron 12 based in Panama
, early in May Hermitage undertook a logistics lift to Bermuda
, and Sydney
and Halifax, Nova Scotia
, and in the fall took part until late November in the Navy-Marine Corps peacetime exercise "Operation Steel Pike
I", visiting ports of Málaga
and Gibraltar
. In June 1965 she participated in a three-month deployment to the Caribbean area during the later stages of the Dominican Republic crisis, making practice amphibious landings at Vieques Island. After completion of overhaul in February 1966 followed by refresher training and amphibious training, Hermitage transported a marine battalion to the Caribbean in May. Through 1967 she continued in her assignment to the Atlantic Fleet.
On 14 April 1967 Captain H. Spencer Matthews, Jr. relieved Captain J. E. McCauley as the eleventh Commanding Officer of HERMITAGE. On 25 April HERMITAGE departed Little Creek for a WESTPAC deployment. Enroute, HERMITAGE picked up 10 MSB's in Charleston
for deliver to Long Beach, California
.
On 30 April 1967, about 300 miles from Panama
, HERMITAGE received a message that a small pleasure craft was sinking. She was directed to proceed to the area and conduct a search and rescue operation. HERMITAGE arrived on the scene, took the eight (8) passengers aboard and towed "Billy H" to Panama
. HERMITAGE transited the Panama Canal and on 1 May and proceeded to Long Beach where the 10 MSB's were off-loaded. In San Diego, HERMITAGE embarked Marine Air Control Squadron FOUR and proceeded to Danang, Republic of Vietnam. We arrived there on 2 June and left the following day to relieve the USS POINT DEFIANCE LSD-29 at sea. On 4 June, HERMITAGE relieved USS POINT DEFIANCE at sea and became a member of Amphibious Ready Group ALFA (TG 76.4). "Operation Bear Claw" was in progress at the time and was the first of six combat operations in which HERMITAGE participated as Primary Control ship for the waterborne assaults and Area Defense Control Ship.
HERMITAGE completed her first period of operations on 12 June and sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines for 12 days of upkeep and rest. The first tow days in port were spent participating in various sporting events with the men from the other ships of the Amphibious Ready Group: USS OKINAWA, USS DULUTH and USS SEMINOLE.
HERMITAGE departed Subic Bay, Philippines on 26 June 1967 for South Vietnam for more combat operations.
HERMITAGE arrived at Chu Lai, Vietnam just two days later and backloaded marines. On 3 July, the ship proceeded to the DMZ and landed the Marines beginning "Operation Bear Bite". This operation lasted until 18 July when Marines were re-embarked. Just three days later, "Operation Beacon Guide" began with the landings of the landing force some twenty miles north of Danang. On 26 July 1967, HERMITAGE hosted the village chief, officials, school teachers and 45 school children of the village of Thon Dong Am. A demonstration of well deck operations was provided, followed by the showing of cartoons and refreshments for the children. The adults were given rides over their village in helicopters. Upon returning to the ship, all were given gifts and the school children were given paper and pens.
A few days later, Robert Stack, the movie and TV star visited HERMITAGE.
The first week in August found the ship in Danang preparing for another landing which took place on 7 August, thirty miles to the north. Operation "Beacon Gate" lasted a week and on 15 August the ship sailed for Subic Bay, arriving two days later, having been at sea almost two months. While in Subic, necessary maintenance and repairs were conducted. HERMITAGE remained in Subic until 27 August and on 1 September landed the Marines near the DMZ in Operation "Beacon Point". Rear Admiral Vannoy, Commander Amphibious Forces, Seventh Fleet and Rear Admiral Lacey, Commander Naval Support Activity, Danang were aboard HERITAGE to observe the landing.
On 3 September HERMITAGE suffered a material casualty which caused the complete flooding of the after engine room. In an all hands effort, the engine room was dewatered then cleaned to save as much machinery as possible. Upon arrival in Subic bay on 10 September, all hands assisted the ship repair facility personnel to return HERMITAGE to the Amphibious READY Group as quickly as possible. On 6 October, HERMITAGE, fully repaired and ready for sea, departed Subic Bay enroute Vietnam as a member of Amphibious Ready Group BRAVO (TG 76.5). HERMITAGE then began her last combat operation, "Formation Leader". On 8 November she was relieved by a Pacific Fleet LSD and proceeded to Hong Kong for liberty. After five days in Hong Kong, HERMITAGE sailed for Yokosuka, Japan, but was diverted two days for typhoon evasion. HERMITAGE arrived in Yokosuka on 21 November for a restricted availability. HERMITAGE departed Yokosuka enroute Peal harbor, arriving 3 December. The ship stayed long enough for refueling and sailed for Panama. After transiting the canal, HERMITAGE set course for Little Creek, Virginia, arriving on 19 December.
as NDD Ceará (G30) the same day. The ship was sold outright to Brazil and struck from the US Naval Vessel Register
on 24 January 2001.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. She was named for The Hermitage
The Hermitage (Nashville, Tennessee)
The Hermitage is a historical plantation and museum located in Davidson County, Tennessee, USA, east of downtown Nashville. The plantation was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, from 1804 until his death at the Hermitage in 1845. Jackson only lived at the property...
, President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
's famed estate just outside of Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Hermitage was laid down on 11 April 1955, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding
Ingalls Shipbuilding
Ingalls Shipbuilding is a shipyard located in Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA, originally established in 1938, and is now part of Huntington Ingalls Industries...
Corp., Pascagoula, Miss.; launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 12 June 1956; sponsored by Mrs. Alfred M. Pride, wife of Vice Admiral Alfred M. Pride
Alfred M. Pride
Alfred Melville Pride was a United States Navy admiral and pioneer Naval aviator, who distinguished himself during World War II as an aircraft-carrier commander....
, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 14 December 1956, Captain Leonard A. Parker in command.
Service history
While on shakedown in the CaribbeanCaribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
, Hermitage was informally inspected by Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Arleigh Burke
Arleigh Burke
Admiral Arleigh Albert '31-knot' Burke was an admiral of the United States Navy who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War, and who served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations.-Early life and naval career:Burke was born in Boulder,...
, then Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
. After training operations out of Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, she sailed for the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
in late August to join the 6th Fleet. Hermitage participated in exercises with NATO units and visited Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
before returning to the States on 16 November 1957. Operations primarily with fast amphibious helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
assault equipment and tactics occupied her until November 1959. With a cargo of Presidential helicopters embarked, Hermitage sailed to Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
on 2 December via the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, Mediterranean, Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
, and Red
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
and Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
s to furnish quick and safe transportation for President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
on his Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
n and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour. Mission successfully completed, she returned home via Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
on 17 January 1960.
Foreign waters called Hermitage by the end of the year as she sailed on 28 November as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for Admiral A. L. Reed, COMSOLANT, for a good will cruise
Goodwill tour
A goodwill tour is a term used to indicate a tour by someone or something famous to a series of places, with the purpose of expressing benevolent interest or concern for a group of people or a region, improving or maintaining a relationship between parties, and exhibiting the item or person to...
to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Africa. In the midst of this important cruise, Hermitage was diverted on 19 January 1961 to carry grain to the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
to help the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
combat starvation in that revolution-torn country. Relieved as flagship on 3 May by , Hermitage returned to Virginia on 16 May and soon resumed her pattern of operations and exercises off the Virginia Capes
Virginia Capes
The Virginia Capes are the two capes, Cape Charles to the north and Cape Henry to the south, that define the entrance to Chesapeake Bay on the eastern coast of North America....
and in the Caribbean.
When the presence of Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
nuclear missiles in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
threatened war in October 1962, Hermitage sailed to Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
to transport Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
to that threatened base and underline America's determination to maintain her position there. A second cruise to the Mediterranean from May to October 1963 took Hermitage to Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
, Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, and Rota
Rota, Spain
-External references:*, official website * On-line since 1999! News, premiere information, pictures, weather, etc. Into Spanish, English... ****- External links :...
as well as other ports in the 6th Fleet's continuing role of peace-keeping and protection of American interests in that crucial area.
After an assignment in February 1964 to the Caribbean Ready Squadron 12 based in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, early in May Hermitage undertook a logistics lift to Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, and Sydney
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
and Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, and in the fall took part until late November in the Navy-Marine Corps peacetime exercise "Operation Steel Pike
Operation Steel Pike
Operation Steel Pike was the largest peacetime amphibious landing exercise in history, conducted by the United States Navy and Marine Corps and taking place on the coast of Spain in October to November 1964....
I", visiting ports of Málaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
and Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. In June 1965 she participated in a three-month deployment to the Caribbean area during the later stages of the Dominican Republic crisis, making practice amphibious landings at Vieques Island. After completion of overhaul in February 1966 followed by refresher training and amphibious training, Hermitage transported a marine battalion to the Caribbean in May. Through 1967 she continued in her assignment to the Atlantic Fleet.
On 14 April 1967 Captain H. Spencer Matthews, Jr. relieved Captain J. E. McCauley as the eleventh Commanding Officer of HERMITAGE. On 25 April HERMITAGE departed Little Creek for a WESTPAC deployment. Enroute, HERMITAGE picked up 10 MSB's in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
for deliver to Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
.
On 30 April 1967, about 300 miles from Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, HERMITAGE received a message that a small pleasure craft was sinking. She was directed to proceed to the area and conduct a search and rescue operation. HERMITAGE arrived on the scene, took the eight (8) passengers aboard and towed "Billy H" to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. HERMITAGE transited the Panama Canal and on 1 May and proceeded to Long Beach where the 10 MSB's were off-loaded. In San Diego, HERMITAGE embarked Marine Air Control Squadron FOUR and proceeded to Danang, Republic of Vietnam. We arrived there on 2 June and left the following day to relieve the USS POINT DEFIANCE LSD-29 at sea. On 4 June, HERMITAGE relieved USS POINT DEFIANCE at sea and became a member of Amphibious Ready Group ALFA (TG 76.4). "Operation Bear Claw" was in progress at the time and was the first of six combat operations in which HERMITAGE participated as Primary Control ship for the waterborne assaults and Area Defense Control Ship.
HERMITAGE completed her first period of operations on 12 June and sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines for 12 days of upkeep and rest. The first tow days in port were spent participating in various sporting events with the men from the other ships of the Amphibious Ready Group: USS OKINAWA, USS DULUTH and USS SEMINOLE.
HERMITAGE departed Subic Bay, Philippines on 26 June 1967 for South Vietnam for more combat operations.
HERMITAGE arrived at Chu Lai, Vietnam just two days later and backloaded marines. On 3 July, the ship proceeded to the DMZ and landed the Marines beginning "Operation Bear Bite". This operation lasted until 18 July when Marines were re-embarked. Just three days later, "Operation Beacon Guide" began with the landings of the landing force some twenty miles north of Danang. On 26 July 1967, HERMITAGE hosted the village chief, officials, school teachers and 45 school children of the village of Thon Dong Am. A demonstration of well deck operations was provided, followed by the showing of cartoons and refreshments for the children. The adults were given rides over their village in helicopters. Upon returning to the ship, all were given gifts and the school children were given paper and pens.
A few days later, Robert Stack, the movie and TV star visited HERMITAGE.
The first week in August found the ship in Danang preparing for another landing which took place on 7 August, thirty miles to the north. Operation "Beacon Gate" lasted a week and on 15 August the ship sailed for Subic Bay, arriving two days later, having been at sea almost two months. While in Subic, necessary maintenance and repairs were conducted. HERMITAGE remained in Subic until 27 August and on 1 September landed the Marines near the DMZ in Operation "Beacon Point". Rear Admiral Vannoy, Commander Amphibious Forces, Seventh Fleet and Rear Admiral Lacey, Commander Naval Support Activity, Danang were aboard HERITAGE to observe the landing.
On 3 September HERMITAGE suffered a material casualty which caused the complete flooding of the after engine room. In an all hands effort, the engine room was dewatered then cleaned to save as much machinery as possible. Upon arrival in Subic bay on 10 September, all hands assisted the ship repair facility personnel to return HERMITAGE to the Amphibious READY Group as quickly as possible. On 6 October, HERMITAGE, fully repaired and ready for sea, departed Subic Bay enroute Vietnam as a member of Amphibious Ready Group BRAVO (TG 76.5). HERMITAGE then began her last combat operation, "Formation Leader". On 8 November she was relieved by a Pacific Fleet LSD and proceeded to Hong Kong for liberty. After five days in Hong Kong, HERMITAGE sailed for Yokosuka, Japan, but was diverted two days for typhoon evasion. HERMITAGE arrived in Yokosuka on 21 November for a restricted availability. HERMITAGE departed Yokosuka enroute Peal harbor, arriving 3 December. The ship stayed long enough for refueling and sailed for Panama. After transiting the canal, HERMITAGE set course for Little Creek, Virginia, arriving on 19 December.
NDD Ceará (G-30)
Hermitage was decommissioned on 2 October 1989. She was transferred to the Brazilian NavyBrazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
as NDD Ceará (G30) the same day. The ship was sold outright to Brazil and struck from the US Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 24 January 2001.