The US Navy decommissioned Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on September 24, ending more than 40 years of naval service.
Germantown was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding in Seattle, Washington, and christened on June 29, 1984. The ship was commissioned on February 8, 1986, becoming the second US Navy vessel to bear the name.
Named after the Battle of Germantown, fought on October 4, 1777, during the American Revolutionary War, the ship initially operated from San Diego before becoming forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.
During its service, Germantown supported amphibious operations with the US Navy and Marine Corps and was the first dock landing ship to conduct amphibious operations using Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles.
The ship deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Germantown also participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. Its crew supported relief efforts following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan during Operation Tomodachi.
The ship took part in multinational exercises including Cobra Gold, Blue Chromite, Talisman Sabre and Rim of the Pacific, supporting interoperability with US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Throughout its career, Germantown received two Navy Unit Commendations, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations and six Battle "E" awards.
The ship operated with a crew of 22 officers and 391 enlisted Sailors and had capacity to embark a Marine detachment of 402 personnel, with space for an additional 102 personnel during surge operations.
During the decommissioning ceremony, Brig. Gen. Samuel L. Meyer, director of expeditionary warfare, and Cmdr. Benjamin C. Pearlswig, Germantown's final commanding officer, highlighted the contributions of current and former crew members.
The decommissioning marks the end of Germantown's service as the Navy continues to modernize its amphibious and warfighting capabilities.