List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships

There have been four generations of amphibious warfare ships, with each generation having more capability than the previous: • The first generation simply landed troops and equipment ashore with standard (i.e., non-specialized) boats and barges. These ships are not listed in this article since they were indistinguishable from the troopships and other surface combatants of their day, and as such were not assigned specialized hull classification symbols. • The second generation was designed during World War II to land personnel and vehicles ashore, either directly or via carried specialized landing craft. • The third generation was designed beginning in the 1950s to use helicopters for amphibious operations, with the result that such operations were no longer limited to beaches. • The fourth generation was designed beginning in the 1980s to use hovercraft (Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) specifically), with the result that the numbers and types of beaches which could be accessed dramatically increased. World War II During the naval build-up for World War II, almost 200 Maritime Commission (MARCOM) standard designs were converted to US Navy amphibious warfare ships. In the Cold War these and newer standard designs were built under MARCOM's successor agency, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD): • 1 Type C1 ship: 1 AKA • 101 Type C2 ships: 15 AGC, 79 AKA, 7 APA • 16 Type C3 ships: 15 APA, 1 AKA • 3 Type C4 ships: 1 AKA, 2 APA • 64 Type S4 ships: 32 AKA, 32 APA • 117 Type VC2 Victory ships: all AKA In the following lists MARCOM types are abbreviated as 'MC type' and MARAD as 'MA type'; 'MC types' became 'MA types' in 1950. Postwar The first amphibious warfare ships had a top speed of 12 to 17 knots. With the appearance of higher speed submarines at the end of World War II, the US Navy decided that all new amphibious warfare ships would have to have a minimum speed of to increase their chances of survival. The High Speed Transport destroyer conversions (APD/LPR), the Landing Platform Docks (LPD), and all new ships with a full flight deck (LPH, LHA, LHD) would meet this criterion. The other major types would see relatively small numbers of new ships constructed with this 20 knot requirement, with the last appearing in 1969. Classifications Amphibious warfare ships were considered by the US Navy to be auxiliaries and were classed with hull classification symbols beginning with 'A' until 1942. Many ships were reclassed at that time as landing ships and received new hull symbols beginning with 'L'; others would retain 'A' hull symbols until 1969 and then receive 'L' symbols. This article pairs the two lists of what are the same ships, with each 'L' list preceding the respective 'A' list. Littoral Combat Ships also use 'L' hull symbols but are not solely intended for amphibious warfare. In 2015 the US Navy created new hull classification symbols that began with an 'E' to designate 'expeditionary' vessels. Expeditionary vessels are designed to support low-intensity missions, allowing more expensive, high-value amphibious warfare ships to be re-tasked for more demanding missions. Most of these ships are not commissioned warships, but rather are operated by the Military Sealift Command. ==Amphibious assault ship (General Purpose) (LHA)==

:The Tarawa-class LHA was the first to combine the features of the well deck of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) or Landing Platform Dock (LPD) and the full flight deck of the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) into one ship. Though not designed to carry Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)s, they could accommodate one in their well decks. • • • • • USS Peleliu (LHA-5) [I] :The America-class LHA would be a follow-on to the Wasp-class LHD. The first two ships, America and Tripoli, would not have a well deck, so as to dedicate more space to the support of air operations. This was criticized as a repeat of the mistakes of the LPH concept, and so it was decided that Bougainville and all future ships of this class would have a well deck. • [A] • [A] • [P] • [P] • [P] ==Amphibious assault ship (multi-purpose) (LHD)==

:The well deck of the Tarawa-class LHA was not designed to accommodate the LCAC, which came into service just six years after the last of that class was completed. The Wasp-class LHD and the later units of the America-class LHA were designed to be LCAC compatible; the Wasp-class could carry 3 LCACs. • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • , scrapped after a 12 July 2020 pierside fire • [A] • [A] ==Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH)==

The Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) would be the first ships to operate helicopters for large scale air assault behind beaches. One major defect of the LPH concept was that these ships did not carry landing craft to disembark Marines when weather or hostile anti-aircraft systems grounded helicopters; only Inchon would be modified to carry two landing craft. In such situations the LPH would be reliant on landing craft supplied by other ships, which proved awkward in practice. This defect would drive the design of the Tarawa-class LHA, in effect a LPH with a well deck. : MC type T3 • , ex-CVE-106, conversion under project SCB 159 canceled :As the 'definitive' LPH design under project SCB 157, the Iwo Jima class would be the only class to be built as such, with sufficient 'hotel' accommodations for the embarked Marines. All other LPH ships would be conversions of aircraft carriers, and so had accommodation deficiencies (for example, some Marine units could not bunk together, and water evaporation was insufficient to allow all personnel showers within a 24 hour period). :After their retirement as amphibious warfare ships, one (Inchon) would be converted to carry minesweeping helicopters as a mine countermeasures support ship (MCS). All of these ships would be scrapped or sunk as targets by 2018. • , Operation Dominic nuclear test participant • • • • • • , later MCS-12 :The following LPH ships were converted Essex class aircraft carriers, due to budget constraints with the construction of the Iwo Jima class ships. • , ex-CV-21 • , ex-CV-37, Operation Dominic participant • ex-CV-45 : MC type S4-S2-BB3 :Thetis Bay was a converted Casablanca class escort carrier. Under the hull designation CVHA-1, she was the prototype for the LPH concept. • , ex-CVE-90, CVHA-1 ==Landing Platform Dock (LPD)==

The Landing Platform Dock (LPD) concept began as a compromise design, an attempt to build a ship with much more capability than a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) - the LPD superficially resembles an LSD with an enlarged flight deck - but without the expense of a LPH. The well deck is smaller than that of an LSD. The Raleigh and Austin classes could be fitted with a temporary telescoping helicopter hangar. Several of these ships were built with space dedicated for command capabilities. Two of these, La Salle and Coronado, would be redesignated as auxiliary command ships (AGF). The Raleigh class would be designed under project SBC 187 (La Salle under SBC 187A) and the Austin class under SBC 187B. • • • , later AGF-3 • • • Austin class (Cleveland subclass) • • • • [I] • , later AGF-11 • • Austin class (Trenton subclass) • , later INS Jalashwa • , later AFSB-15 • (LPD-16), not built :The San Antonio-class were the first LPDs designed to accommodate Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC); two could be carried. They were also the first LPDs to be built with a permanent helicopter hangar. • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [P] • [P] • [P] • [P] • (LPD-34) [P] • (LPD-35) [P] ==Landing Ship Dock (LSD)==

The LSD came as a result of a British requirement during World War II for a vessel that could carry large landing craft across the seas at speed. The design was developed and built in the US for the Royal Navy and the US Navy, with the US Navy originally classifying these ships as Mechanized artillery transports (APM), then changing them to LSDs. The first LSDs could carry 36 Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) at in a flooding well deck, the first ships with this capability. Late in the war they were modified with the addition of a temporary superdeck over the well deck; this could carry vehicles, support helicopter operations, or be removed for outsized cargo. In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that it was planned that all LSDs would be placed Out of Commission in Reserve by 2027. • • , Operation Castle nuclear test participant • • , later MCS-7 • , Operation Crossroads nuclear test participant, later ARA Cándido de Lasala • • , nuclear tests participant • • , Project SHAD chemical/biological test participant • , Operation Dominic participant • • , later Brazilian Rio de Janeiro • , later Brazilian Ceará • , Operation Dominic participant :The Anchorage class, designed under project SCB 404, was basically the Thomaston class with the well deck enlarged (49 feet longer and 2 feet wider) to accommodate the new larger LCU-1610 class. They would later be modified to carry up to 3 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). • • • , later ROCS Hsu Hai • • :The Whidbey Island-class were the first LSDs designed to accommodate LCACs - up to 5 could be carried - and the first in which the helicopter deck would not be removable. • [I] • [A] • [I] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] :The Harpers Ferry-class is basically the Whidbey Island-class with more cargo capacity at the expense of a shorter well deck which could carry 2 LCACs. • [A] • [A] • [A] • [A] ==Mechanized artillery transports (APM)==

The APM hull classification was short-lived; it was changed to Landing Ship Dock (LSD). • USS Ashland (APM-1) • USS Belle Grove (APM-2) • USS Carter Hall (APM-3) • USS Epping Forest (APM-4) • USS Gunston Hall (APM-5) • USS Lindenwald (APM-6) • USS Oak Hill (APM-7) • USS White Marsh (APM-8) • USS Lakehurst (APM-9) ==Amphibious command ship (LCC)==

All Amphibious force flagships (AGC) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Command Ships (LCC), which should not be confused with the World War II era Landing craft, control (LCC). : MC type C2-S-AJ1 • USS Mount McKinley (LCC-7) • USS Eldorado (LCC-11) • USS Estes (LCC-12) • USS Pocono (LCC-16) • USS Taconic (LCC-17) :The Blue Ridge-class would be the only amphibious command ships purposely built as such by the US Navy, and the first and only class capable of exceeding 20 knots. Their hulls were based on the Iwo Jima-class Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) design due to the need for flat deck space for multiple antennas. After the retirement of the fleet flagships [cruisers] (see also ) these ships would be pressed into that role despite their lack of speed relative to carrier strike groups. • [A] • [A] ==Amphibious force flagship (AGC)==

All Amphibious Force Flagships (AGC) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious command ships (LCC). : MC type C2-S-B1 • USS Appalachian (AGC-1), Operation Crossroads nuclear test participant • , Operation Crossroads participant • USS Rocky Mount (AGC-3) • USS Catoctin (AGC-5) Troop transport conversion • , ex-AP-66 Coast Guard cutter conversions • USCGC Duane (WAGC-6), ex-WPG-33 • , ex-WPG-37 : MC type C2-S-AJ1 • USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), nuclear tests participant later LCC-7 • USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) • • • USS Eldorado (AGC-11), later LCC-11 • USS Estes (AGC-12), nuclear tests participant, later LCC-12 • , Operation Crossroads participant • USS Teton (AGC-14) • • USS Pocono (AGC-16), later LCC-16 • USS Taconic (AGC-17), later LCC-17 • USS Biscayne (AGC-18), ex-AVP-11 Presidential yacht (never used as a true AGC) • USS Williamsburg (AGC-369), ex-PG-56 ==Amphibious cargo ship (LKA)==

All Attack cargo ships (AKA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Cargo Ships (LKA). Arcturus class • USS Libra (LKA-12) : MA type C2 • USS Thuban (LKA-19) • USS Algol (LKA-54) • USS Arneb (LKA-56) • USS Capricornus (LKA-57) • USS Muliphen (LKA-61) • USS Yancey (LKA-93) • USS Winston (LKA-94) • USS Merrick (LKA-97) : MA type C2-S-AJ3 • USS Rankin (LKA-103) • USS Seminole (LKA-104) • USS Skagit (LKA-105) • USS Union (LKA-106) • USS Vermilion (LKA-107) • USS Washburn (LKA-108) Tulare class: MA type C4-S-1A :The Tulare would be the first AKA/LKA capable of 20 knots • USS Tulare (LKA-112) : MA type C4-S-1A • • • • • ==Attack cargo ship (AKA)==

The Attack Cargo Ship (AKA) hull symbol was introduced on 1 February 1943; all AKA ships remaining in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious cargo ships (LKA). : MC type C2 • , ex-AK-18 • , ex-AK-19 • , ex-AK-20 • , ex-AK-21 • , ex-AK-22, later AE-20 • , ex-AK-23 • , ex-AK-24 • , ex-AK-25 • , ex-AK-26 • , ex-AK-27 • , ex-AK-28 • , ex-AK-53, later LKA-12 • , ex-AK-55 • , ex-AK-56 : MC type C2 • , ex-AK-64 • , ex-AK-65 • , ex-AK-66 • , ex-AK-67 • , ex-AK-68, later LKA-19 • , ex-AK-69, later AE-30 : MC type S4-SE2-BD1 :The Artemis class was deliberately smaller than other classes of attack cargo ships, to reduce the risks of having too many troops and large quantities of cargo in a single hull. After WW2 most were quickly disposed of as uneconomical. • , Operation Crossroads nuclear test participant • • • • • • • • • • • • • , later AGS-15 • • , later AGS-16 • • • • • • • • , Operation Crossroads participant • • • , later ARC-3 • • , later ARC-4 • • • Andromeda class: MC type C2 • • , later LKA-54 • • , later LKA-56 • , later LKA-57 • , later AE-31 • • , nuclear tests participant • , later LKA-61 • • : MC Type C2-S-AJ3 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Andromeda class: MC type C2 • • , Operation Sandstone nuclear test participant • • • , later T-AK-283 • , Operation Sandstone participant, later LKA-93 • , later LKA-94 • • • , later LKA-97 • • , Operation Crossroads participant • Tolland class: MC type C2-S-AJ3 • , Operation Crossroads participant • • , later LKA-103 • , later LKA-104 • , later LKA-105 • , later LKA-106 • , later LKA-107 • , later LKA-108 • , canceled 27 August 1945 Andromeda class: MC type C2 • , canceled 27 August 1945 • , canceled 27 August 1945 The Tulare and the Charleston class would be the only AKA/LKAs capable of 20 knots. • , later LKA-112 • , later LKA-113 • , later LKA-114 • , later LKA-115 • , later LKA-116 • , later LKA-117 ==Amphibious transport (LPA)==

All Attack transports (APA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Transports (LPA), hull numbers were unchanged. : MA type C3-S-A2 • • • : MA type VC2-S-AP5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • : MA type C4-S-1A :The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots. • • ==Attack transport (APA)==

Two transports with the hull symbol AP, and , had been configured as attack transports but were sunk in 1942 before the introduction of the APA hull symbol on 1 February 1943. All attack transports (APA) in service in 1969 were reclassified as amphibious transports (LPA). : MC type P1-S2-L2 • , ex-AP-2 • , ex-AP-8 • , ex-AP-9 • , ex-AP-10, damaged in air attack 30 June 1943, 15 killed, sunk by friendly fire • , ex-AP-11 • , ex-AP-12 • , ex-AP-14 • , ex-AP-15 • , ex-AP-16 Harry Lee class • , ex-AP-17 Doyen class: MC type P1-S2-L2 • , ex-AP-18 Harris class • , ex-AP-25 • , ex-AP-26 • , ex-AP-27 • , ex-AP-30. later AG-90 • , ex-AP-34 • , ex-AP-35 : MC type C3-A, C3-P or C3-P&C • , ex-AP-37 • , ex-AP-38 • , ex-AP-39 : MC type C3-P or C3-Delta • , ex-AP-40 Joseph Hewes class • USS Joseph Hewes (APA-22), ex-AP-50, torpedoed 11 November 1942 off Morocco, approximately 100 killed John Penn class • , ex-AP-51 Edward Rutledge class • USS Edward Rutledge (APA-24), ex-AP-52, torpedoed 12 November 1942 off Morocco, 15 killed : MC type C3-P&C • , ex-AP-55 • , ex-AP-56 • , ex-AP-57, Operation Crossroads nuclear test participant Crescent City class: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta • President Jackson class: MC type C3-A, C3-P or C3-P&C • , ex-AP-59 • , ex-AP-60 Crescent City class: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta • , ex-AP-64 • , ex-AP-65 : MC type C3-S-A2 • , ex-AP-78, Operation Crossroads participant • , ex-AP-79 • , ex-AP-80 • , ex-AP-81 • , ex-AP-82 • , ex-AP-83, later LPA-38 • , ex-AP-84 • , ex-AP-85 • , ex-AP-86 • , ex-AP-87 • , ex-AP-88 • , ex-AP-89, later LPA-44 • , ex-AP-90, Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-45 • , ex-AP-91 • , ex-AP-92 • , ex-AP-93 : MC type C2-S-B1 • , ex-AP-94 • , ex-AP-95 • , ex-AP-96 : MC type C2-S-E1 • , ex-AP-97 • , ex-AP-98 • , ex-AP-99 : MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • , ex-AP-100 • : MC type S4-SE2-BD1 :The Gilliams were deliberately smaller than other classes of attack transports, to reduce the risks of having too many troops and large quantities of cargo in a single hull. After WW2 they were quickly disposed of as uneconomical. • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • • • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads participant, later IX-67 • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • , Operation Crossroads target • • • • • • , Operation Crossroads target • • , Operation Crossroads target • • , Operation Crossroads target • • • • , Operation Crossroads target • • , Operation Crossroads target, scrapped • : MC type C3-S-A1 • , ex-AP-48, later T-AP-178 • , ex-AP-49, later T-AP-179 Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • • Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • Sumter class: MC type C2-S-E1 • Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • • • • Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • • • • Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2 • • Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2 • • • • • : MC type VC2-S-AP5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • , later LPA-132 • • • • • • • • • • • • , later LPA-144 • • , later LPA-146 • , later LPA-147 • • • • • • • , later LPA-154 • • • , later LPA-157 • • • • • • • • • • • • , later LPA-169 • • • • , later LPA-173 • • • • , later LPA-177 • , later LPA-178 • , later LPA-179 • : APA-181 to APA-186, all unnamed, canceled, 1944 • • , later LPA-188 • • • • , later LPA-192 • • , later LPA-194 • • , later LPA-196 • • • , later LPA-199 • • • • • , later LPA-204 • • • • , later LPA-208 • • , later LPA-210 • • , later LPA-212 • , later LPA-213 • • , Project SHAD chemical/biological test participant, later LPA-215 • • • • • , Project SHAD participant, later LPA-220 • • , Operation Sandstone nuclear test participant, later LPA-222 • , later LPA-223 • • , later LPA-225 • • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-227 • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-228 • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-229 • , Operation Crossroads participant • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-231 • • , later LPA-233 • , later LPA-234 • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-235 • , later LPA-236 • , Operation Crossroads participant, later LPA-237 • • , later LPA-239 • USS Harnett (APA-240) * • USS Hempstead (APA-241) * • USS Iredell (APA-242) * • USS Luzerne (APA-243) * • USS Medera (APA-244) * • USS Maricopa (APA-245) * • USS McLennan (APA-246) * • USS Mecklenburg (APA-247) * :(* cancelled in 1945) : MA type C4-S-1A :The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots. • , later LPA-248 • , later LPA-249 ==Amphibious transport, small (LPR)==

In 1969 the remaining destroyer escorts which had been converted into High-speed transports (APD)s were reclassified as Amphibious transports, small (LPR)s with no change of hull number. Charles Lawrence class • • • • • • • • • • • • • ==High-speed transport (APD)==

High-speed Transports (APD) were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts; they received the US hull classification symbol APD: "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer. In 1969, the remaining ships were reclassified as Amphibious transport, small (LPR) with no change of hull numbers. This classification is not to be confused with hull code "HST", also for "High Speed Transport", previously assigned only to experimental high-speed catamaran designs, and high-speed catamarans chartered from private ferry companies. • , ex-DD-74 • , ex-DD-85, sunk in air attack 30 August 1942, 51 killed • , ex-DD-82, sunk by naval gunfire 5 September 1942, 24 killed • , ex-DD-79, sunk by naval gunfire 5 September 1942, 65 killed • , ex-DD-90, sunk in air attack 17 November 1943, 116 killed • , ex-DD-83 • , ex-DD-114 • , ex-DD-115 • , ex-DD-116 • , ex-DD-232, heavily damaged by Kamikaze 6 January 1945 (never repaired and decommissioned in August 1945), 8 killed • , ex-DD-233 • , ex-DD-236 • , ex-DD-243 Wickes-class • , ex-DD-103 • , ex-DD-137 • , ex-DD-139 sunk by Kamikaze 7 December 1944 • , ex-DD-164 Clemson-class • , ex-DD-235 Wickes-class • , ex-DD-125 • , ex-DD-147 • , ex-DD-157, scuttled after Kamikaze attack 4 April 1945, 54 killed • , ex-DD-160 Clemson-class • , ex-DD-239 • , ex-DD-343, sunk in collision 12 September 1944, no deaths Wickes-class • , ex-DD-113 Clemson-class • , DD-237 — conversion canceled • , ex-DD-244 • , DD-342 — conversion canceled • , ex-DD-248, sunk by Kamikaze 21 June 1945 • , ex-DD-186 • , ex-DD-188 • , ex-DD-196 • , ex-DD-251, heavily damaged by Kamikaze 11 January 1945 (never repaired and decommissioned in August 1945), 38 killed • , ex-DD-255 • , ex-DD-266, ex-AVD-13, wrecked by Typhoon Louise Okinawa October 1945 Charles Lawrence class • • • • • • • • • • • , sunk by Kamikaze 25 May 1945, 21 killed or missing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • , Operation Crossroads nuclear test participant • • • • • • • • • • • • ==Transport submarine (LPSS)==

• , ex-APSS-282 • , ex-APSS-313, later IXSS-313 • , ex-APSS-315 • , ex-APSS-574 ==Transport submarine (APS, ASSP, APSS)==

• USS Argonaut (APS-1), ex-SM-1, sunk by Japanese destroyers off Rabaul on 10 January 1943, 102 killed • USS Tunny (APSS-282), ex-SS-282, SSG-282, later LPSS-282 • USS Perch (APSS-313), ex-SS-313, SSP-313, ASSP-313, later LPSS-313 • USS Sealion (APSS-315), ex-SS-315, SSP-315, ASSP-315, later LPSS-315 • USS Grayback (APSS-574), ex-SS-574, SSG-574, later LPSS-574 ==Inshore fire support ship (LFR)==

• , ex-IFS-1 • • • • • • • • • • • • ==Landing craft air cushion (LCAC)==

==Landing craft, control (LCC)==

Not to be confused with the later Amphibious command ship (LCC). During World War II a number of small boats were built to direct the movements of landing craft as they approached beaches. These were 56 feet in length, displaced 30 tons, and ran 13-16 knots in speed. They were equipped with multiple radios and SO radar (the same radar as on PT boats). During the invasion of southern France they were used to control drone minesweepers. ==Landing craft infantry (LCI)==