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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Patch at left contributed by Walter Michielutti LCU-1481 patch at right by Jerry Patterson ENCS USN Ret.

LCU-1481
Landing Craft Utility


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Charlie - Xray - India
 NCXI
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon - Presidential Unit Citation - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (8 March to 14 May 1965 Assault Craft Div. 11&13, Vietnam) - National Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal (12)
Third Row - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation - Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation - Vietnam Campaign Medal

LCU-1481 was transferred to South Vietnam redesignated HQ-547
LCU-1466 Class Landing Craft Tank (Modified Version of LCT Mark 5)
  • Built in 1953 at Marietta Mfg. Point Pleasant, W.V.
  • Launched in 1953
  • Delivered and placed in service in 1953
  • Placed out of service and laid up in reserve in Japan, circa 1956
  • Reactivated and assigned to various Assault Craft Divisions 11,12,13 (Assault Craft Unit 1), date unknown
  • LCU-1481 was temporarily assigned (TAD) to Naval Support Activity Danang during the Vietnam War and participated in the following campaigns;
    Vietnam War Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II
    1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967     		Tet/69 Counteroffensive
    23 February to 8 June 1969
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III
    1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968     		Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
    9 June to 31 October 1969
    Tet Counteroffensive
    30 January to 1 April 1968     		Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970
    1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV
    2 April to 30 June 1968     		Sanctuary Counteroffensive
    1 May to 30 June 1970
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V
    1 July to 1 November 1968     		Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
    1 July 1970 to 30 June 1971
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VI
    2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969     		Consolidation I
    1 July to 30 September 1971

  • Placed out of service, date unknown
  • Turned over to South Vietnam, date unknown, redesignated HQ-547
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
  • LCU-1481 earned at least twelve campaign stars for Vietnam War service
    Specifications
    Displacement 180 t.(lt), 360 t.(fl)
    Length 119' (o.a.)
    Beam 34'
    Draft 6'
    Design Speed 10 kts.
    Range 700 nautical miles at 7 kts.
    Complement 14
    Cargo Capacity 150 short tons
    Armament
    two twin 20mm AA gun mounts, one port, one starboard
    two .50 cal. machine guns
    Armor 2 1/2" wheelhouse, 2" gun shield
    Propulsion 3 Grey Marine Diesels, 3 shafts, Shaft horsepower 675 bhp per shaft
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LCU-1481 245k LCU-1481 transporting troops from USS USS Talladega (APA-208) onto a shingle beach, date and location unknown. Keith Brooker
    LCU-1481 205k
    LCU-1481 167k
    LCU-1483 209k Nine LCUs in reserve in Japan, 1956. Four in front row unidentified. Back row from left to right: LCU-1482, LCU-1476, LCU-1481, LCU-1483, and LCU-1494, Tommy Trampp
    Comstock 113k LCU-1481 alongside USS Comstock (LSD-19) at Chu Lai, South Vietnam, June 1965. In the background is USS Thomaston (LSD-28), with her stern gate still raised.
    Photo and text from "U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History" by Norman Friedman.    		 Robert Hurst
    LCU-1481 83k LCU-1481 preparing to land at "Onion Beach" South Vietnam during operation Deckhouse IV, circa 1967-68. Tommy Trampp
    LCU-1481 205k LCU-1481 underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, August 1967 issue.    		 NavSource
    LCU-1481 114k LCU-1481 offloading South Korean troops at Vung Tau in 1967. Photo by Richard Ballard USS Pulaski County
    LCU-1481 74k Walter Michielutti standing on the ramp of LCU-1481 while beached on the ramp at Da Nang, South Vietnam in 1968.Walter Michielutti LCU-1481
    LCU-1481 71k LCU-1481 beached on the ramp at Da Nang, South Vietnam in 1968. Walter Michielutti LCU-1481
    LCU-1481 47k LCU-1481 beached on the ramp at Da Nang, South Vietnam in 1968. Walter Michielutti LCU-1481
    There is no DANFS history record for LCU-1481 available at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Mobile Riverine Force Association
    Brownwater Navy in Vietnam Web Book
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Utility Tank (LCU) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 29 November 2013