USS Paul Revere (APA-248)

USS "Paul Revere" (APA/LPA-248) was the lead ship of her class of amphibious transport ship in the United States Navy. She was named for the early patriot, Paul Revere. She later served in the Spanish Navy as "Castillia" (L-21).

"Paul Revere" was originally laid down as MA hull 27 on 15 May 1952 by the New York SB Corp., Camden, New Jersey; launched 11 April 1953 as SS "Diamond Mariner"; sponsored by Mrs. Franklin Ewers; delivered to MARAD 22 December 1953; operated by the Prudential Steamship Corp. for MARAD; placed in the Maritime Reserve Fleet 24 July 1954; acquired by the Navy 14 September 1956; classified APA-248 and named "Paul Revere" 4 June 1957; converted by Todd SB Corp., San Pedro, California; and commissioned at Long Beach, California 3 September 1958, Capt. Robert Erly in command.

U.S. Navy service

After shakedown, "Paul Revere" spent the next full year participating in amphibious training operations: “Rock Shoals” at San Diego in November 1958, “Twin Peaks” at Camp Pendleton in February 1959, “PACNAMIDLEX” at Del Mar, California in August, “Clear Ridge” off Calif. in September, and “Totem Pole” at Kodiak, Alaska during November.

During 1960–1961, she was assigned “Ready APA” duty, in which she maintained on board, at all times, a fully equipped and reinforced battalion of landing troops to be put as ore on short notice at any trouble spot in the Pacific. On 21 March 1961 trouble flared in Laos, and "Paul Revere" commenced patrolling the waters off the coast of Southeast Asia. She remained in the area in a ready status for a total of fifty-four days until tensions eased, then resumed her normal South China Sea patrol.

In January 1962, after returning to the U.S., "Paul Revere" accomplished a most dramatic rescue, when one of several helicopters engaged in ASW exercises plunged into the ocean. Operating several hundred yards from the scene, she launched a manned boat which returned the three crewmen of the helicopter to the ship for medical treatment, all in the space of six minutes.

Following overhaul, she spent the remainder of 1962 in coastal amphibious training operations in the San Diego area. The year 1963 saw her complete a successful WestPac deployment and another rigorous schedule of training operations.

Departing San Diego on 28 January 1964 for her fourth WestPac deployment en route to Pearl Harbor Paul Revere participated in “Coco Palm”, a merchant convoy sailing exercise. From Pearl Harbor she sailed to Buckner Bay in preparation for one of the largest amphibious operations since the end of World War II. This exercise, called “Back Pack”, involved over 50,000 American and Nationalist Chinese personnel and over 125 ships. It was conducted off the southwestern coast of Taiwan and terminated 12 March. "Paul Revere" also participated in “Ligtas”, a combined SEATO exercise in the Philippines during May, and operation “Minute Hand”, conducted at Numazu, Japan in July. Returning to the states, she joined another convoy exercise, “Mad Bull”, and arrived San Diego 6 August. During 1964 the "Peter Rabbit"'s crew saw action in N. Vietnam, as they destroyed communications and fought their way back to the landing craft. These men were part of the fire control tech team. They saved a lot of Marines as they fought their way back by calling in fire support to take down the V.C.

"Paul Revere" spent the first seven months of 1965 conducting training operations off the coast. In August she lifted elements of the 1st Marine Division to Okinawa and during October and November she transported personnel of South Korea’s famed Tiger Division to Qui Nhon, South Vietnam from Pusan. From 7–18 November she conducted her first actual combat assault as a unit involved in operation “Blue Marlin”, with Marine battalions embarked. She was involved in a similar operation called “Double Eagle” at Quang Ngai Province, landing the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division on 28 January 1966. She continued lift support for Marine units in Vietnam through March and then returned to San Diego 19 April.

"Paul Revere" resumed coastal operations on her return, until May 1967 when she again deployed to the Far East. As a unit of the Amphibious Ready Group off the coast of Vietnam she engaged in operations “Belt Drive”, “Fortress Sentry”, “Formation Leader”, and “Knox”. She returned to San Diego 16 December and commenced coastal operations. For meritorious service from 17 August 1967 to 11 November 1967 during sustained amphibious operations against communist insurgent forces in the Republic of Vietnam, "Paul Revere" was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the first ship of her type to receive the award.

During 1968 she participated in training cruises for Naval Reservists and Midshipmen, including a special familiarization cruise for Sea Cadets. She also continued her upkeep and training preparations for her next coming deployment in January 1969.

Deployed on 30 January 1969 , departing San Diego as part of ARG "Bravo" (TG 76.5)in company with Tulare (LKA-112), Belle Grove (LSD-2), Alamo (LSD-33), Cook (APD-130), Tortuga (LSD-26), and Valley Forge (LPH-8), bound, via Pearl Harbor and Okinawa, for Southeast Asia. She arrived in her operating area off Vietnam on 7 March and delivered her cargo in DaNang . Ports-of-call: Subic Bay, Buckner Bay, Yokosuka, and Hong Kong. Participated in a series of "Keystone" operations redeploying Marine Corps units beginning with Operation Keystone Eagle on 14 July 1969, when the 1st Battalion/9th Marines boarded the USS Paul Revere and sailed for Okinawa in the first increment of America's withdrawal from South Vietnam. Relieve of duty with ARG "Bravo" (TG 76.5) by USS Vancouver (LPD-2) on 29 August 69 at Subic Bay RPI before returning to San Diego.

Crossed equator on 9 Sept. 1970 and initated 'polywogs' into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep while in route to Singapore.

In 1972 participated in the Easter Offensives.

"Castillia" (L-21)

"Paul Revere" was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 January 1980, and subsequently sold through the Security Assistance Program to Spain on 17 January 1980, renamed "Castillia" (L-21). The Spanish Navy decommissioned the ship on 6 June 1998 but her final disposition is unknown .

USS "Paul Revere" Awards, Citations & Campaign Ribbons

*Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (5-Vietnam, 2-Qumoy-Matsu)
*Bottom Row - Vietnam Service Medal (7)- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (5) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p3/paul_revere.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Paul Revere"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03248.htm navsource.org: USS "Paul Revere"]