HERE ARE SOME OF THE RIBBONS SHE WAS AUTHORIZED...DO YOU KNOW OF OTHERS?
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CABILDO CLASS (Sometimes referenced as CASA GRANDE CLASS)
Keel laid down, 2 January 1945, at Boston Navy Yard, Boston, MA.
Launched, 2 June 1945
Commissioned, USS Fort Mandan (LSD-21), 31 October 1945
Decommissioned, 16 January 1948 Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet
Recommissioned, 25 October 1950
Decommissioned, 23 January 1971
Transferred to Hellenic Navy under the Security Assistance Program 23 January 1971, renamed Nafkratousa (L-153)
Struck from the Naval Register and sold to Greece, 8 February 1980
Displacement: 4,490 t.(lt), 9,375 t.(fl)
Length: 457' 9"
Beam: 72' 2"
Draft:18 Ft.
Speed:15.4 Knts.(Geared Turbines 2 Shafts)
Complement: 326 (Officers and Crew)
Boats: (Well Deck Capacity) 18 LCMs / Ships Complement: (1ea) Gig, LCVP, and Motor Whale Boat
Aircraft: modified circa 1952 to accommodate 9 helicopters on added flight deck
Armament (at last decommissioning): (8) 40MM Bofors Guns (in 2 Quad Mts)at other times She carried an additional: (1)5"/38 Dual Purpose Gun, (4) 40MM Bofors Guns (in 2 Twin Mts) and (16) 20MM Guns
LSD-21 update recieved on 2/20/00
The following information was received from a Greek sailor serving in the former Fort Mandan: (SIC)
"Regretfully I announce you the decommisioning of HNS (Hellenic Navy Ship) NAFKRATOUSSA, LSD of the Cabildo Class, on the end of February 2000. I cannot recall right now what the ship's name originally was, Ill look in my books, but it was built in 1945, and until today on active duty. After having completed nearly 50 years of service life, the ship was the last 2 years in a desolate condition with no spare parts for most of its devices and corrosion as much as 2/3 of wall thickness. The ship is to be stored either in Salamis or Crete naval stations and sold as scrap later on".
On December 9th 2001, the following unconfirmed report was received in the MAA Office: "I am sorry to inform you that LSD 21 Fort Mandan/Nafkratousa was sold for scrap and left in tow for Aliaga, Turkey in November 2001. (signed)
Aris Bilalis
Athens, Greece"
The Following is copied directly from Hellenic Navy site referencing former USS Fort Mandan: Built in 1945. Was FRAM II updated between the years 1960-62. Transferred from the U.S.N. as part of the military assistance program and accepted by Lt Cdr J. Papandreou HN on January 23rd 1971 in Norfolk, Virginia. Arrived in Greece on March 30th 1971 and serves as headquarters for the Landing ship Command. Decommissioned on February 29, 2000.
Click Here for picture of her in Greek service
INTERESTING NOTES
In 1961 She was filmed for the movie THE LONGEST DAY: The USS Fort Mandan was filmed as five LCM-6's with troops and equipment embarked, moved out of her welldeck to circle off the starboard quarter.
Noted Actor/comedian Bill Cosby served in Her in 1960 as an HM3. He would like to have a picture of himself in Uniform,and so would this web site.(preferably aboard the FM)he would also like a souvenir from the FM sick bay. If you have more information on this subject please contact the MAA Office.
CLICK HERE TO SEE AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE TO: CREW
THIS WEB SITE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A GENEROUS DONATION FROM Janet R. Wagner
IN TRIBUTE TO HER FATHER Jim Finley, THE U.S.S. FORT MANDAN, AND ALL WHO SERVED IN HER.
BELL
