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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)-A
ex
USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) (1943 - 1949)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Zulu - Bravo - Lima
NZBL
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Elbow Quebec

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - American Campaign Medal
Second Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (9) - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal (2)
Third Row - Korean Service Medal (8)- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba, Vietnam) - Vietnam Service Medal (7)
Fourth Row - Philippines Presidential Unit Citation - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (11) - Philippines Liberation Medal (2)
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) was transferred to Argentina and renamed ARA Candido de Lasala (Q43)

Ashland Class Dock Landing Ship:

Originally authorized as (APM-5), a Mechanized Artillery Transport

Reclassified Landing Ship Dock (LSD-5), 1 July1941

Laid down, 28 December 1942, at Moore Drydock Co. Oakland. CA.

Launched, 1 May 1943

Commissioned USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5), 10 November 1943, CDR. D. E. Collins in command

During World War II USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Marshall Islands operation Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls 1 to 6 February 1944	Leyte operation Leyte landings 20 October 1944
Bismarck Archipelago operation Emirau Island 20 March 1944	Luzon operation Lingayen Gulf landings 9 January 1945
Hollandia operation 22 April 1944	Iwo Jima operation Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima 19 February 1945
Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Guam 21 July 1944	Okinawa Gunto operation Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto 1 April 1945
Western Caroline Islands operation Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands Peleliu, 15 September 1944

Decommissioned, 7 July 1947, at Naval Station Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA.

Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet

Converted for Arctic Service and recommissioned, USS Gunston Hall LSD-5(A), 5 March 1949, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

During the Korean War USS Gunston Hall LSD-5(A) participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Korean War Campaigns
North Korean Aggression 26 October 1950	Second Korean Winter 5 to 6 December 1951 17 to 18 December 1951 22 to 23 January 1952 3 to 4 February 1952 21 March to 1 April 1952 20 to 30 April 1952
Communist China Aggression November 1950 to 12 January 1951	Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952 1 May 1952
Inchon Landing 15 to 17 September 1950	Third Korean Winter 26 March to 22 April 1953
UN Summer-Fall Offensive 1 September to 18 October 1951	Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 8 to 18 May 1953 1 to 11 June 1953 21 to 22 June 1953 20 July 1953 26 July 1953

During the Vietnam War USS Gunston Hall participated in the following campaigns:

Campaigns and Dates	Campaigns and Dates
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Advisory Campaign 16 to 18 February 1965 1 March 1965	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV 7 to 9 April 1968 13 to 17 April 1968 9 to 12 May 1968 21 to 23 May 1968 28 May to 3 June 1968 10 to 14 June 1968 19 to 25 June 1968
Vietnam Defense Campaign 6 to 16 April 1965 4 to 8 May 1965 10 to 20 May 1965	Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V 13 to 19 July 1968 24 to 28 July 1968
Vietnamese Counteroffensive 14 to 17 June 1966 28 to 29 June 1966	Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 1 to 10 September 1969
Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II 21 July to 11 August 1966 25 August to 4 September 1966 10 to 20 September 1966 2 October 1966 25 October to 6 November 1966 14 to 18 December 1966	Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 5 to 11 November 1969 27 November to 1 December 1969 12 to 15 December 1969 20 to 22 December 1969 30 December 1969 to 2 January 1970 14 to 16 January 1970 22 to 27 January 1970 17 to 20 February 1970
Tet Counteroffensive 3 to 14 March 1968 26 to 30 March 1968

Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register in May 1970

USS Gunston Hall earned nine battle stars for World War II service, eight battle stars Korean War service, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and seven campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Transferred (sold) to Argentina, under terms of the Security Assistance Program, renamed ARA Candido de Lasala (Q43). Named in honor of Teniente de Navío (Lieutenant) Cándido de Lasala, Spanish Royal Navy

Decommissioned by the Argentine Navy in 1981

Final Disposition, scrapped at Campana, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

Arctic Conversion SHIPALTS

Enclosed Pilot House

Moved Flying Bridge up one deck

Enclosed 5"/38 Mount, Gun Director and Plotting Shack

Peak Tank filled with cement

Heating and Ventilation systems modified for cold weather operations

One each 24" Westinghouse carbon-arc signal/search light added outboard on Signal Bridge port and starboard

Enclosed water-tight bow lookout compartment

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source/ Contributed By
USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)
10120523	212k	*Namesake* Gunston Hall is an 18th-century Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia, United States. The house was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason. It was located at the center of a 5,500 acre plantation. The home is also located not far from George Washington's home. The construction period of Gunston Hall was between 1755 and 1759. (Wikipedia)	Skip Sanders
	110k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** newly commissioned, circa November 1943 underway in San Francisco Bay during acceptance trials. US Navy photos from "Allied Landing Craft of World War Two", published by Arms and Armor Press..	Robert Hurst
	45k
	49k
	69k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** underway during World War II, date and location unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert Hurst
	40k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)*, circa 1945. Photo courtesy Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN(MSC), 1978 US Navy photo # NH 86539* from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center	US Naval Historical Center
	115k	Invitation to the Recommissioning of *USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 5 March 1949.	David Buell in honor of his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell, USN (Ret), Main Propulsion Assistant USS Oak Hill
	738k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** underway, soon after recommissioning in March 1949, location unknown. US Navy photo.	David Buell in honor of his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell, USN (Ret), Main Propulsion Assistant USS Oak Hill
	703k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** underway, soon after recommissioning in March 1949, location unknown. US Navy photo.	David Buell in honor of his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell, USN (Ret), Main Propulsion Assistant USS Oak Hill
	122k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** during 1949-early 1950s. US Navy photo # NH 96886 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	US Naval Historical Center
	104k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** en route to the Wonsan invasion area, 26 October 1950. One of many ships in the invasion convoy. US Navy photo # NH 96879 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center	US Naval Historical Center
	84k	From left to right; unknown LSD, *USS Colonial* (LSD-18), USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) and USS Catamount (LSD-17)** rendezvous at a Japanese port, date unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine November 1954	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	55k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)**, September 1967, Operation Duke, Qui Nhon Harbor, Vietnam, 84th E.B.C. US Army loading men and equipment.	Paul Farley
	60k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)**, September 1967, Operation Duke, Qui Nhon Harbor, Vietnam, 84th E.B.C. US Army loading men and equipment.	Paul Farley
	51k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)**, September 1967, Operation Duke, Qui Nhon Harbor, Vietnam, 84th E.B.C. US Army loading men and equipment.	Paul Farley
	73k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)**, September 1967, Operation Duke, Qui Nhon Harbor, Vietnam, 84th E.B.C. US Army loading men and equipment.	Paul Farley
	55k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)**, September 1967, Operation Duke, Qui Nhon Harbor, Vietnam, 84th E.B.C. US Army loading men and equipment	Paul Farley
	85k	A Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) leaves *USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)*'s well deck, circa January-February 1967, probably in the vicinity of San Diego. The PACVs had seen experimental service in South Vietnam's Mekong River Delta. The original photograph was released by Commander Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, 15 February 1967. US Navy photo # NH 96887* from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center	US Naval Historical Center
	65k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5) underway on the Saigon River, in South Vietnam, circa 1969. Photo taken from ex-LSM-547** in Australian service as Clive Steele (AV1356), circa 1967	Dave Perham
	87k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** carried replacement gun barrels for New Jersey (BB-62) from Hawaii to Subic Bay during her 1968 WestPac deployment.	Cliff Boxer
	58k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** underway, date and location unknown.	Gunston Hall (LSD-5) web site
	79k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5) with USS Flagstaff (PGH-1)** in her well deck enroute to Vietnam, circa 1969	Cliff Boxer
	111k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5) with USS Tucumcari (PGH-2)** in her well deck enroute to Vietnam circa 1969	Cliff Boxer
	106k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** proceeding out of San Diego harbor at a speed of 12 knots (Indicated by flag hoist on outboard starboard halyard on yardarm.) Point Loma in the background.	Donald J. Wagner USS Gunston Hall
10120524	160k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5)** underway off San Diego date unknown. © George Barber	Nicholas Tiberio
	106k	*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5) as seen from USS Waddell (DDG-24)**, circa 1971-72 WestPac.	Photo courtesy GMG2 Bill Liesch, contributed by Bob Canchola
ARA Candido de Lasala (Q43) (Cándido Francisco José de Lasala (born in Buenos Aires, 1770; died in Buenos Aires, 29 June 1807), sailor from the River Plate region, who fought against the English Invasions and died in combat against the Second Invasion in the Retiro (city of Bueno Aires).
10120525	69k	Ex-*USS Gunston Hall* (LSD-5) in Argentine naval service as ARA Candido de Lasala (Q43)** underway soon after turn over by the U.S. Navy. Note her hull number is still visible. Photo courtesy of Col. Martín Otero	Robert Hurst
	70k	*ARA Candido de Lasala* (Q43)** moored pierside at Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, circa 1972. Photo by Col. Martín Otero.	Robert Hurst

Additional Ships Patches
Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Contributed by Mike Smolinski	Contributed by Mike Smolinski

For more photos and information about USS Gunston Hall, see:
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
Western Caroline Islands Attack Landing Order
Beach White Peleliu - CTF 32 Operation Plan A501-44 Appendix 4 to Annex "D"

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Collins, Dale Edmond :RADM	10 November 1943 - 14 February 1945
02	LT. Bentley, William F.	14 February 1945 - 9 April 1945
03	LCDR. Powell, Morgan Allen	9 April 1945 - 10 December 1945
04	LCDR. Barkmann, Walter Henry	10 December 1945 - 7 July 1947
	Decommissioned	7 July 1947 - 5 March 1949
05	CDR. Motes Jr., Jesse Hogan	5 March 1949 - 27 August 1950
06	CDR. Musgrave, Charles Weigel	27 August 1950 - 31 August 1951
07	CDR. Baker, George Towne	31 August 1951 - 7 February 1953
08	CAPT. Lindsay Jr., Harry Meakin, USN (USNA 1933)	7 February 1953 - 12 April 1954
09	CDR. Duryea, Robert Joseph	12 April 1954 - 29 June 1955
10	CDR. Cohen, David Barney	29 June 1955 - 19 October 1956
11	CDR. Best, Charles Lewis Jr.	19 October 1956 - 11 November 1958
12	CDR. Burns Jr., John Scott, USNR	11 November 1958 - 11 December 1959
13	CDR. Ochsner, Robert Perkins	11 December 1959 - 4 August 1961
14	CDR. Sparger, John	4 August 1961 - 23 February 1963
15	CDR. Ball, Edwin Lee, USN (USNA 1946)	23 February 1963 - 28 July 1964
16	CDR. Radcliffe, Robert John	28 July 1964 - 27 September 1966
17	CDR. Sundt, Wilbur Allan	27 September 1966 - 3 October 1968
18	CDR. West, Gordon Ray	3 October 1968 - 1 May 1970


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 7 April 2023

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)-Aex USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) (1943 - 1949)

USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5)-A
ex
USS Gunston Hall (LSD-5) (1943 - 1949)