Ryukyus on the same day. Arriving at Okinawa on 18 April, the LST's crew offloaded cargo and pressed on the next day for Subic Bay at full speed. Tuscaloosa arrived at Subic Bay on 21 April and embarked 280 sailors who had been unable to return to the aircraft carriers , and when the ships were hurriedly sent to participate in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon. Tuscaloosa was then assigned to Operation New Life, escorting 26 former Republic of Vietnam Navy ships to the Philippines. During the passage, the LST's efforts in resupply earned Tuscaloosa a Meritorious Unit Commendation. In addition, parties from the ship were sent to salvage and repair various Vietnamese ships. Two Vietnamese craft were evacuated and sunk by gunfire from Tuscaloosa to eliminate possible hazards to navigation. In addition, four Vietnamese craft were temporarily taken over by the United States Navy and placed under the command of four officers from Tuscaloosa. The LST earned four battle stars for service during the Vietnam War. From Subic Bay, Tuscaloosa proceeded to Okinawa and, upon arrival there, was ordered to make best possible speed for the Gulf of Thailand to take part in the evacuation in that area. However, four days later, the ship was ordered to turn around as the evacuation had been completed. Thereafter the LST continued routine operations before returning to the west coast of the United States on 17 November 1975. The ship conducted another deployment to Westpac during the period 29 March to 17 November 1977 and underwent an overhaul from 3 February to 10 December 1978 at San Diego. The vessel then returned to routine operations off the US West Coast in 1979. Later service In December 1989, Tuscaloosa sailed with marines to the Philippines from Alpha Company 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines in response to the Coup attempt in the Philippines. Decommissioning and fate Tuscaloosa was decommissioned on 18 February 1994. The ship was laid up and eventually struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 December 2008. Tuscaloosa was towed out to the Pacific past Hawaii and sunk as a target ship alongside during a sinking exercise during RIMPAC 2014 on 23 July 2014. Notes Citations References External links usstuscaloosa.com 1969 ships Newport-class tank landing ships Cold War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Vietnam War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Ships built in San Diego Maritime