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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Carter Hall (LSD-3)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Xray - Alpha - Charlie
 NXAC
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Richard William
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (13 December 1966)
Second Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (6)
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia or Europe clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2)
Fourth Row - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba, 4-Vietnam) - Vietnam Service Medal (5)- Philippines Presidential Unit Citation
Fifth Row - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (14) - Philippines Liberation Medal (1) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Ashland Class Dock Landing Ship:
  • Originally authorized as (APM-3), a Mechanized Artillery Transport
  • Reclassified as Landing Ship Dock (LSD-3), 1 July1941
  • Laid down (date unknown), at Moore Dry Dock Co. Oakland, CA.
  • Launched, 4 March 1943
  • Commissioned USS Carter Hall (LSD-3), 18 September 1943, LCDR. F. J. Harris, USNR, in command
  • During World War II USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Bismarck Archipelago operation
    Arawe, New Britain, 15 December 1943
    Admiralty Islands landing, 16 to 18 March 1944     		Western New Guinea operation
    Morotai landings, 15 September 1944
    Hollandia operation
    Aitape, Humboldt Bay, Tanahmerah Bay, 21 to 26 April and 28 April to 2 May 1944     		Leyte operation
    Leyte landings, Red Beach Tacloban, San Pedro Bay, 13 to 21 October and 31 October to 9 November1944
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 26 July 1944     		Borneo operation
    Balikpapan operation, 26 June to 4 July 1945

  • Following World War II USS Carter Hall was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    10 to 18 September 194518 to 20 October 1945
    27 September to 6 October 194510 November 1945 to 26 February 1946
    28 February to 3 March 19464 March to 15 April 1946

  • Decommissioned, 12 February 1947
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Recommissioned, 26 January 1951
  • USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) was assigned to occupation service in Europe for the following period; 20 January to 7 May 1953
  • During the Vietnam War USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) participated in the following campaigns:

    Vietnam War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Vietnam Defense
    4 to 11 and 20 to 25-July 1965
    13 to 17-August 1965
    25 August to 30-November 1965
    7 to 9 and 17 to 23 December 1965     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
    1 to 14 June 1967
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive
    26 to 29 January 1966     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V
    4 to 13 and 26 to 30 July 1968
    3 to 7 and 19 to 31 August 1968
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
    2 to 14 December 1966
    19 to 25 March 1967
    4 to 8 and 13 to 17 April 1967
    1 to 5 and 28 to 31 May 1967     		 

  • Decommissioned and Struck from the Naval Register, 31 October 1969
  • USS Carter Hall earned six battle stars for World War II and five campaign stars for Vietnam War service
  • Final Disposition, sold to N. W. Kennedy, Vancouver, B.C., 28 August 1970, for scrapping
    Specifications: (as reported by Office of Naval Intelligence, 7 April 1944)
    Displacement 4,032 (light draft), 7,930 (seagoing - loaded)
    Length 457' 9" o.a.
    Beam 72'2"
    Draft
    8' 2 ½" fwd, 10' ½" aft (light draft)
    15' 5 ½" fwd, 16' 2" aft (seagoing loaded)
    Speed 17 kts (design speed)
    Endurance 8,000 miles @ 15 knots
    Complement
    Officers 17
    Enlisted 237
    Troop Accommodations
    Officers 22
    Enlisted 218
    Well Deck Capacity (varies with mission)
    three LCT (Mk V or VI) each w/ 5 medium tanks or
    two LCT (Mk III or IV) each w/ 12 medium tanks or
    fourteen LCM (Mk III) each w/ 1 medium tank or 1, 500 long tons cargo or
    forty-seven DUKW or
    forty-one LVT or
    Any combination of landing vehicles and landing craft up to capacity
    Aircraft (still in commission in late 40's or early 50's) were fitted/retro-fitted with a prefabricated steel grated "Portable Deck" suspended between the wing walls and supported by removable I-beam girders. The aft end of the portable deck contained a wooden helicopter platform, enabling the ship to land and launch 1 helicopter at a time. Stowage of helicopters was limited to capacity of the portable deck installed for the mission. Aircraft servicing was limited to re-fueling. With portable deck and aircraft platform installed, the Landing ship, dock was still capable of transporting, launching and repairing smaller amphibious craft and vehicles up to the size of a Landing craft, utility (LCU) in their well decks.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount in open tub (w/director)
    two quad 40mm AA gun mounts (w/directors)
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts (w/directors)
    sixteen single 20mm AA gun mounts (local control)
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 11,720 Bbls
    Diesel 160 Bbls
    Gasoline 5,085 Gals
    Propulsion
    two Skinner Uniflow 5-cylinder reciprocating steam engines
    two Babcock and Wilcox oil fired D-type boilers, two drum, single furnace, single uptake, 250psi
    Ship's Service Generators
     two turbo-drive 150Kw 120V D.C.
     one Diesel-drive 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    twin propellers, 7,400shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Carter Hall
    10120330    		 91k
    Namesake
    Carter Hall was the Millwood, Virginia, estate of Lt. Col. Nathaniel Burwell (1750–1814). It is located in the upper Shenandoah Valley, off Virginia Route 255 northeast of Millwood. The estate includes a grand plantation house, a great lawn, and terraced gardens, and has panoramic views in all directions. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.(Wikipedia)
    Photo by Sevenofnine7o9    		 Tommy Trampp
    Carter Hall 152k Overhead view of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way in the Coral Sea, 25 November 1943.
    Australian armed forces photo from the Collection Database of the Australian War Memorial, ID Number: 302559    		 Robert Hurst
    Carter Hall 146k Port side view of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way while part of the attack force for the Invasion of Guam circa 17 July 1944, as seen from USS Ringgold (DD-500). Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
    Carter Hall
    10120333    		 273k Starboard side view USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way part of TG53.2 the attack force for the Invasion of Guam 17 July 1944, as seen from USS Ringgold (DD-500). Other vessels in the distant columns are transports USS Zeilin (APA-3), USS Clymer (APA-27), and USS Ormsby (APA-49).
    Photo by LTjg. Dwight Spayth    		 Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
    Carter Hall
    10120334    		 308k Starboard side view USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way part of TG53.2 the attack force for the Invasion of Guam 17 July 1944, as seen from USS Ringgold (DD-500). Other vessels in the distant columns are USS Kalinan Bay (CVE-68), USS Centaurus (AKA-17), and USS Corregidor (CVE-58)
    Photo by Ltjg Dwight Spayth    		 Dave Schroeder and John Chiquoine
    Carter Hall 35k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) anchored off Morotai Island, landing beaches, 15 September 1944. The ship is trimmed down aft, flooding her stern docks so landing craft can float off the ship.
    Australian War Memorial, Photo No.305210    		 Mike Green
    Carter Hall 37k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) at anchor, circa 1946. S C Heal Esq.
    Oak Hill 81k USS Oak Hill (LSD-7), USS San Marcos (LSD-25), and USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) all recommissioned, 26 January 1951, at the Destroyer Repair Base (Naval Station) San Diego, CA. Photo by Bob Allport, RD2 USNUSS Carter Hall, 26 January 1951
    Oak Hill 67k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) recommissioning ceremony, 26 January 1951, Destroyer Repair Base (Naval Station) San Diego, CA. Thomas E. Gibson MMR2 USS Carter Hall
    Oak Hill 104k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) recommissioning ceremony, 26 January 1951, Destroyer Repair Base (Naval Station) San Diego, CA. Thomas E. Gibson MMR2 USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 81k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way off San Diego, CA. during her first sea trials after recommissioning, circa late-January 1951. Note: At this time Carter Hall had not been completely fitted. Bob Allport, RD2 USNUSS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 78k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) moored at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, early June 1951, enroute Norfolk, VA. with cargo of over 40 LVT-As, from Oakland, CA. Bob Allport, RD2 USNUSS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 17k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way off San Diego, CA. during her shakedown cruise after recommissioning, circa late-January 1951. Leonard Nash CS3, V-6 USNR, USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 20k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way off San Diego, CA. during her shakedown cruise after recommissioning, circa late-January 1951. Leonard Nash CS3, V-6 USNR, USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 19k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way off San Diego, CA. during her shakedown cruise after recommissioning, circa late-January 1951. Leonard Nash CS3, V-6 USNR, USS Carter Hall
    LSM-175 70k USS LSM-175 about to enter the well of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) in San Diego Bay, Spring-1951. Bob Allport RD2 USS Carter Hall 1950-54
    LSM-160 63k USS LSM-161 approaching the well of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) in San Diego Bay, Spring-1951. Bob Allport RD2 USS Carter Hall 1950-54
    LSM-160 63k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) with USS LSM-161 partially in the well at San Diego, Spring-1951. Bob Allport RD2 USS Carter Hall 1950-54
    LCT-1462 76k LCT-1462 embarked in the well of USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) with US Marine Corps medium tanks, San Diego Bay, Spring-1951. Note: Carter Hall's stern gate is up. Bob Allport RD2 USS Carter Hall 1950-54
    Carter Hall 51k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) at anchor, date and location unknown. Bob Allport, RD2 USN USS Carter Hall 1950-54
    Carter Hall 56k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) moored to the sea wall at Marseille, France 21 February 1953. Note: Super deck was loaded with Marines gear, and there were three LCTs in the well . Photo by Bob Allport, RD2 USN USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 82k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way, date and location unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    Carter Hall 118k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 David Buell in honor of his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell, USN (Ret), Main Propulsion Assistant USS Oak Hill
    Carter Hall 86k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) at anchor, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 David Buell in honor of his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell, USN (Ret), Main Propulsion Assistant USS Oak Hill
    Carter Hall 185k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) change of command, 6 June 1962. CDR. John S. Bailey, Jr., USNR relieves CDR. James S. Jeffries John Bailey, USS Nicholas (DD-449) for his father CAPT John S. Bailey, Jr., USNR CO USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 265k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) moored at the end of the Long Beach Naval Shipyard mole, August 1963 John Bailey, USS Nicholas (DD-449) for his father CAPT John S. Bailey, Jr., USNR CO USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 260k
    Carter Hall 154k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) commanding officer CDR. John S. Bailey, Jr., USNR helping to paint the squadron "E" on the face of the bridge, circa 1962-64. John Bailey, USS Nicholas (DD-449) for his father CAPT John S. Bailey, Jr., USNR CO USS Carter Hall
    Carter Hall 52k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3)at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, circa 1967. CAPT. Don Bodron, USCG Ret.
    Carter Hall 96k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way, circa 1968, location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Carter Hall 44k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) at Pearl Harbor, January 1969. © Richard Leonhardt
    Carter Hall 105k USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) under way, date and location unknown. Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
    USS Carter Hall (LSD-3)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Harris, Francis James, USNR18 September 1943 - 10 October 1943
    02LCDR. Blount, Cecil Edward, USN (USNA 1935)10 October 1943 - 1 March 1945
    03LCDR. Jost Jr., Henry Lamont, USNR1 March 1945 - 15 December 1945
    04ENS. Heath, Gordon George, USNR15 December 1945 - 1 January 1946
    05LCDR. Wahlig, Frederick Henry USN (USNA 1933)1 January 1946 - 25 August 1946
    06LCDR. Lafferty, William Joseph, USN25 August 1946 - 12 February 1947
     Decommissioned12 February 1947 - 26 January 1951
    07CDR. Brooks, Frederic Wilder, USN (USNA 1935)26 January 1951 - February 1952
    08CDR. Coker, Charles Walter, USN (USNA 1937)February 1952 - July 1953
    09CDR. Schmidt, C. L.July 1953 - 1955
    10CDR. Tabb, Donald Cameron, USN1955 - 3 October 1956
    11CDR. Hawkins, Gordon Stuart, USN3 October 1956 - 29 September 1958
    12CDR. Hyde, Will Thomas, USN29 September 1958 - 1959
    13CDR. Herndon III, Edward Beverly, USN1959 - 5 March 1960
    14CDR. Jeffries, James Stocker, USN5 March 1960 - 6 January 1962
    15CDR. Bailey, Jr., John Sherman USNR6 January 1962 - 14 September 1963
    16CDR. Johns, Walter Wade, USN14 September 1963 - 4 December 1964
    17CDR. Casserly, Christopher Joseph, USN1965 - 21 May 1966
    18CDR. Mussetto, Bruno, USN21 May 1966 - 24 October 1967
    19CDR. Vayo, Miles Paul, USN24 October 1967 - 31 October 1969
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. Photos courtesy Bill Gonyo
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Carter Hall on Facebook.com
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    Last Updated 10 June 2022