units searched for the sailor, but to no avail. 2020s On 1 June 2020, the Navy reported that two weeks prior, several crew members assigned to Carter Hall had tested positive for COVID-19. The exact number of sailors infected was not disclosed due to Defense Department policy, but those infected were "being checked on each day by their leadership [and] receiving deliveries of food and essential items". At the time, the ship was docked at her home base. Most of the roughly 400 crew members were brought ashore while the ship was being sanitized. In December 2020 the US Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2023. The ship was one of several US Navy vessels present in the Atlantic near a suspected Chinese espionage balloon that was downed by the United States on 4 February 2023. The ship has the ability to recover the remnants of the balloon from the ocean. Ship's coat of arms The colors of the field red, white, and blue, stand for the United States. The saltire recalls the heritage of the South in the history of Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia. The anchor represents the Navy. The times are in the form of pheons, symbolizing the mission of support to assault operations. The loose rope intertwined with the anchor signifies freedom. The border denotes unity. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditional associated with the Navy; red for courage, white for integrity. The griffin denotes courage and vigilance. The crown refers to the heritage of Carter Hall, recalling the Great grandfather of its builder, known as "King" Carter. The battle stars of the first are commemorated by the arc of battle stars, five gold for her service in Vietnam. The motto is underscored by the olive branch for peace and the oak for war. Gold is for excellence and red for courage. The arms are emblazoned on a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edge on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS Carter Hall" at the top and "LSD-50" at the bottom in gold. References External links Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships Amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Ships built in Bridge City, Louisiana 1993 ships 2010 Haiti earthquake relief