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This is a list of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships. This type of ship has been in use with the US Navy since World War I.

Ship status is indicated as either currently active [A] (including ready reserve), inactive [I], or precommissioning [P]. Ships in the inactive category include only ships in the inactive reserve, ships which have been disposed from US service have no listed status. Ships in the precommissioning category include ships under construction or on order.

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.

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.

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 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) 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.^[1]

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.^[2]

Tarawa class

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.^[3]

America class

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.^[4]

Wasp class

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.^[9]

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.^[12]

Commencement Bay class: MC type T3

• USS Block Island (LPH-1), ex-CVE-106, conversion under project SCB 159 canceled^[13]

Iwo Jima class

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).^[12]

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.

Essex class

The following LPH ships were converted Essex class aircraft carriers, due to budget constraints with the construction of the Iwo Jima class ships.^[15]

• USS Boxer (LPH-4), ex-CV-21
• USS Princeton (LPH-5), ex-CV-37, Operation Dominic participant^[14]
• USS Valley Forge (LPH-8) ex-CV-45

Casablanca class: 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.^[16]

• USS Thetis Bay (LPH-6), ex-CVE-90, CVHA-1

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.^[17]

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.

Raleigh class

Austin class

Austin class (Cleveland subclass)

Austin class (Trenton subclass)

San Antonio class

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.^[18]

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 16 knots (30 km/h) 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.^[22]

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.^[23]

Ashland class

Casa Grande class

Thomaston class

The Thomaston class, designed under project SCB 75, would be the first class of LSDs capable of 20 knots.^[28]

Anchorage class

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).^[31]

Whidbey Island class

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.^[32]

Harpers Ferry class

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.^[34]

The APM hull classification was short-lived; it was changed to Landing Ship Dock (LSD).^[35]

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).

Mount McKinley class: MC type C2-S-AJ1

• USS Mount McKinley (LCC-7)
• USS Eldorado (LCC-11)
• USS Estes (LCC-12)

Adirondack class

• USS Pocono (LCC-16)
• USS Taconic (LCC-17)

Blue Ridge class

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 List of cruisers of the United States Navy § Command cruisers (CLC, CC)) these ships would be pressed into that role despite their lack of speed relative to carrier strike groups.^[36]

• USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) [A]
• USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) [A]

All Amphibious Force Flagships (AGC) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious command ships (LCC).

Appalachian class: MC type C2-S-B1

• USS Appalachian (AGC-1)
• USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2)
• USS Rocky Mount (AGC-3)
• USS Catoctin (AGC-5)

Troop transport conversion

• USS Ancon (AGC-4), ex-AP-66

Coast Guard cutter conversions

• USCGC Duane (WAGC-6), ex-WPG-33
• USCGC Taney (WAGC-37), ex-WPG-37

Mount McKinley class: MC type C2-S-AJ1

• USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7), nuclear tests participant,^{[A 3][26][27]} later LCC-7
• USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8)
• USS Wasatch (AGC-9)
• USS Auburn (AGC-10)
• USS Eldorado (AGC-11), later LCC-11
• USS Estes (AGC-12), nuclear tests participant,^{[A 4][25][24]} later LCC-12
• USS Panamint (AGC-13)
• USS Teton (AGC-14)

Adirondack class

• USS Adirondack (AGC-15)
• USS Pocono (AGC-16), later LCC-16
• USS Taconic (AGC-17), later LCC-17

Barnegat class

• USS Biscayne (AGC-18), ex-AVP-11

Presidential yacht (never used as a true AGC)

• USS Williamsburg (AGC-369), ex-PG-56

All Attack cargo ships (AKA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Cargo Ships (LKA).

Arcturus class

• USS Libra (LKA-12)

Andromeda class: MC type C2

Tolland class

Tulare class

The Tulare would be the first AKA/LKA capable of 20 knots: MA type C4-S-1A^[37]

• USS Tulare (LKA-112)

Charleston class

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).

The Tulare and the Charleston class would be the only AKA/LKAs capable of 20 knots.^[37]

All Attack transports (APA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Transports (LPA).

The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots.^[38]

Two transports with the hull symbol AP, USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) and USS Leedstown (AP-73), 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).

Doyen class: MC type P1-S2-L2

• USS Doyen (APA-1), ex-AP-2
• USS Feland (APA-11), ex-AP-18

Harris class

McCawley class

• USS McCawley (APA-4), ex-AP-10, damaged in air attack 30 June 1943, 15 killed, sunk by friendly fire
• USS Barnett (APA-5), ex-AP-11

Heywood class

• USS Heywood (APA-6), ex-AP-12
• USS Fuller (APA-7), ex-AP-14
• USS William P. Biddle (APA-8), ex-AP-15
• USS Neville (APA-9), ex-AP-16

Harry Lee class

• USS Harry Lee (APA-10), ex-AP-17

President Jackson class: MC type C3-A, C3-P or C3-P&C

Crescent City class: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta

• USS Crescent City (APA-21), ex-AP-40
• USS Charles Carroll (APA-28)
• USS Monrovia (APA-31), ex-AP-64
• USS Calvert (APA-32), ex-AP-65

Joseph Hewes class

• USS Joseph Hewes (APA-22), ex-AP-50, torpedoed 11 November 1942 off Morocco, approximately 100 killed

John Penn class

• USS John Penn (APA-23), ex-AP-51

Edward Rutledge class

• USS Edward Rutledge (APA-24), ex-AP-52, torpedoed 12 November 1942 off Morocco, 15 killed

Arthur Middleton class: MC type C3-P&C

• USS Arthur Middleton (APA-25), ex-AP-55
• USS Samuel Chase (APA-26), ex-AP-56
• USS George Clymer (APA-27), ex-AP-57

Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2

Ormsby class: MC type C2-S-B1

• USS Ormsby (APA-49), ex-AP-94
• USS Pierce (APA-50), ex-AP-95
• USS Sheridan (APA-51), ex-AP-96

Sumter class: MC type C2-S-E1

• USS Sumter (APA-52), ex-AP-97
• USS Warren (APA-53), ex-AP-98
• USS Wayne (APA-54), ex-AP-99
• USS Baxter (APA-94)

Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2

Gilliam class: MC type S4-SE2-BD1

Frederick Funston class: MC type C3-S-A1

• USS Frederick Funston (APA-89), ex-AP-48, later T-AP-178
• USS James O'Hara (APA-90), ex-AP-49, later T-AP-179

Haskell class: MC type VC2-S-AP5

Paul Revere class: MA type C4-S-1A

The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots.^[38]

• USS Paul Revere (APA-248), later LPA-248
• USS Francis Marion (APA-249), later LPA-249

In 1969 the remaining destroyer escorts which had been converted into High-speed transports (APD)s were reclassified as Amphibious transports, small (LPR)s.

Charles Lawrence class

Crosley class

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). This classification is not to be confused with hull code "HST", also for "High Speed Transport", currently assigned only to experimental high-speed catamaran designs, and high-speed catamarans chartered from private ferry companies.

• USS Tunny (LPSS-282), ex-APSS-282
• USS Perch (LPSS-313), ex-APSS-313, later IXSS-313
• USS Sealion (LPSS-315), ex-APSS-315
• USS Grayback (LPSS-574), ex-APSS-574

• 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

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.^[41]

The United States Navy built 932 Landing Craft Infantry ships in World War II.

The United States Navy built 11,144 landing craft Motorized, designated Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) in World War II.^[42]

The United States Navy built 1,394 landing craft tank, designated Landing Craft Tank (LCT) in World War II. Those that were still in use in 1949 were redesignated as Landing Craft, Utility.

The United States Navy built the LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 classes after World War II.^[43] Seventy old LCUs (likely ex-LCTs) were retired from amphibious duties and reclassified as Harbor utility craft (YFU).

Towards the end of World War II the United States Navy built 558 Landing Ship Medium (LSM) type vessels across three classes. They were originally designed under the classification Landing Craft Tank - Mark 7 but were reclassified after exceeding 200 feet in length.

As of February 2023 the US Marine Corps has proposed the purchase of 18 to 35 modern LSMs; this LSM concept was previously known as the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW).^[44][45]

The United States Navy built nearly 1,200 tank landing ships, classified as "Landing Ship, Tank" or "LST", from the World War II-era up through the early 1970s.^[46] The Newport class, which entered service in 1969, would be the last class built and the only class capable of exceeding 20 knots. The 1987 introduction of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) — which allowed for over-the-horizon amphibious landings onto a far larger number of beaches — made LSTs obsolete, but they remained with the fleet for another decade because they were the only means by which the hundreds of thousands of gallons of motor vehicle fuel needed by a Marine Expeditionary Force could be landed. Only the development of tankers with the Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS) and the later development of special fuel bladders which gave the LCACs a tanker capability allowed for their retirement.^[47]

The ATL hull classification was short-lived; it was changed to Landing Ship Tank (LST).^[48]

• USS ATL-1, later USS LST-1

The World War II LSVs were converted from surplus minelayers (CM) and netlayers (AN) into ships which could carry and launch amphibious vehicles.^[49] After the war most were slated to become mine countermeasures support ships (MCS), but only two were actually converted.

• USS Catskill (LSV-1), former CM-6, AP-106, later MCS-1
• USS Ozark (LSV-2), former CM-7, AP-107, later MCS-2
• USS Osage (LSV-3), former AN-3, AP-108, later MCS-3 canceled
• USS Saugus (LSV-4), former AN-4, AP-109, later MCS-4 canceled
• USS Monitor (LSV-5), former AN-1, AP-160, later MCS-5 canceled
• USS Montauk (LSV-6), former AN-2, AP-161, later AKN-6

The post-WW2 LSVs were among the first roll-on/roll-off cargo ships.^[50]

• USNS Comet (T-LSV-7), former T-AK-269, later T-AKR-7
• USNS Taurus (T-LSV-8), former LSD-23, T-AK-273
• USNS Sea Lift (T-LSV-9), later T-AKR-9

Thirty-five PC-461-class submarine chasers were converted into amphibious landing control vessel during World War II and reclassified as Patrol Craft, Control after the war. Extra personnel (eight radiomen, two signalmen, one quartermaster and two communications officers), accommodations and improved radar and communications equipment were added. PCs proved exceptionally adept as Control Vessels, guiding waves of landing craft during numerous amphibious landings in the European and Pacific Theaters.^[51]

Thirteen Patrol Craft Sweepers (which were built on 134-foot YMS-1-class minesweeper hulls) were converted into amphibious landing control vessel during World War II and reclassified as Patrol Craft Sweeper, Control.^[52]

Spearhead class

In January 2023, the Navy announced that three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) had been approved in the 2023 military budget.^[54] By May 2023 the three ships had been officially reclassified from EPF to EMS.^[55]

Lewis B. Puller class

Note there is no ESB-1 or ESB-2, the ESB and ESD hulls have one sequence.

• USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) [A]
• USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) [A]
• USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) [A]
• USS John L. Canley (ESB-6) [A]^[56]
• USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB-7) [P]^[57]
• USS Hector A. Cafferata Jr. (ESB-8) [P]

The Afloat forward staging base (AFSB) was reclassified as the Expeditionary mobile base (ESB) on 4 September 2015.

• USS Ponce (AFSB-15), ex-LPD-15
• USS Lewis B. Puller (AFSB-1), ex-MLP-3, later ESB-3

Montford Point class

• USNS Montford Point (T-ESD-1) [A]
• USNS John Glenn (T-ESD-2) [A]

The Mobile landing platform (MLP) was reclassified as the Expeditionary transfer dock (ESD) on 4 September 2015.

• USNS Montford Point (T-MLP-1), later T-ESD-1
• USNS John Glenn (T-MLP-2), later T-ESD-2
• USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-MLP-3) later AFSB-1, ESB-3

Barracks ships are auxiliaries that are used in a variety of roles, not only for amphibious warfare.

OPDS ships support amphibious operations by pumping needed fuel ashore without the need for port facilities. They do not have unique hull classification symbols.^[58]

• USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001) [A]

All OPDS tankers have been scrapped.

• Potomac (T-AO-181)
• List of United States Navy oilers § Other transport oilers

• Amphibious assault ship
• Amphibious warfare ship
• List of current ships of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy ships
• List of United States Navy losses in World War II § Amphibious warfare ships - abbreviated list
• List of US Navy ships sunk or damaged in action during World War II § Amphibious ships - detailed list
• Mobile offshore base

• Friedman, Norman (1987). U.S. Small Combatants: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 978-0-87021-713-5.
• Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.

Museum ships

• USS LCI(L)-713 - Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum, Portland, OR
• USS LCI(L)-1091 - Humboldt Bay Naval Sea/Air Museum, Eureka, CA
• USS LCS(L)(3)-102 - Landing Craft Support Museum, Mare Island, CA
• USS LST-325 - The USS LST Ship Memorial, Evansville, IN
• USS LST-393 - USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, Muskegon, MI
• USS Stark County (LST-1134) - Surat Thani, Thailand