Amphibious Forces Ships Escorted to the Panama Canal during the Cuban Missile Crisis

 

Units of the Fifth Marine Expeditionary Brigade embarked in amphibious ships of Commander Amphibious Group Three began arriving in Panama during the day for canal transit. After clearing the canal, the units were to shift operational control from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet.

The forces involved four Marine Battalion Landing Teams composed of 8,000 officers and men. They were embarked in the following ships:

 

Eldorado (AGC-11)

Washburn (AKA-108)

Iwo Jima (LPH-2)

Belle Grove (LSD-2)

Henrico (APA-45)

Carter Hall (LSD-3)

Bexar (APA-237)

Cabildo (LSD-16)

Bayfield (APA-33)

Colonial (LSD-18)

Noble (APA-218)

Gunston Hall (LSD-5)

Okanogan (APA-220)

Point Defiance (LSD-31)

Renville (APA-227)

Thomastone (LSD-28)

Mathews (AKA-96)

Whetstone (LSD-27)

Merrick (AKA-97)

Page County (LST-1075)

Union (AKA-106)

  

 

Video Of Various Ships Underway (click to view)

Video compliments of ENS Richard "Buzz" Shulman '61 - '64

Note: Escort duty was performed by DesRon 21. Hull replaced USS Uhlmann (DD-687) and not USS Perkins (DD-877) after Uhlmann 'salted-up' a boiler and was not able to make the commitment. 

DESDIV 211
 GREGORY (DD 802) (Flagship)
 MULLANY (DD 528)
UHLMANN (DD 687)
McDERMUT (DD 677)

DESDIV 212
 BRAINE (DD 630)
 INGERSOLL (DD 652)
COGSWELL (DD 651)
STODDARD (DD 566)

In August 1962 Captain D.L. HARRIS took over Squadron command, and in October 1962 UHLMANN (DD 687) was detached from DESRON 21. The Squadron participated in routine exercises; with an upkeep period in San Diego interrupted by the Cuban crisis in October. On short notice Squadron 21 was ready for sea and escorted a large amphibious force to the Panama Canal Zone. When the tension slackened, DESRON 21 returned to San Diego in late November 1962.