SQUADRON 9 DIVISION 93

 

USS WHITE RIVER LSMR-536

 

 

 

 

 

USS WHITE RIVER LSMR-536

 

 

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Port bow view (right to left) of USS Clarion River (LSMR-409), USS White River (LSMR-536 ) and USS St. Francis River (LSMR-525) moored at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan, in1968.

 

The White River in action...
In the top picture, at the upper left, you can see the fiery tail of a departing rocket. On the right, looking through the two guy wires, another rocket is just streaking from its launcher tube...

photos submitted by Larry Hunter

A crowd begins to gather when the word is passed, "First Division, Standby to receive the White River alongside to starboard." ENS Shenk watches from MT 42 Director tub just aft of the Chart Room. White River is now within "spuds from the quarterdeck"

range

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Although there is little "chance" involved in the gam between the 536 and 409, the navigator always is a little nervous when told to go to a PARTICULAR spot in the ocean. He always "knows" where he is, but when that knowledge is compared to the knowledge of another navigator or a rocky promontory, it is a nervous moment for him. Nevertheless, the ships approach each other and, with the advantage of radar, come into view. White River is shown framed in the aircraft sights of MT 42 Director.

International Radio Call Sign:November - Juliet - Alpha - Alpha
                                         NJAA
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons





Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (3-17FEB57, 3NOV67, 5MAY69) - Navy Unit Commendation (2)
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Korean Service Medal (2)
Fourth Row - Vietnam Service Medal (10) - Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation - Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (8)
Fifth Row - United Nations Service Medal - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal - Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)

 

LSM(R)-501 Class Landing Ship Medium, (Rocket):
  • Laid down, 9 June 1945, at Brown Ship Building Co., Houston, TX.
  • Launched, 14 July 1945
  • Commissioned USS LSM(R)-536, 28 November 1945, LT. John M. Cates, USNR in command
  • Decommissioned, 31 July 1946, at Green Cove Springs, FL.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Florida Group, Green Cove Springs
  • Recommissioned, 16 September 1950, LT. Henry O. Bergkamp, USNR, in command
  • During the Korean War USS LSM(R)-536 participated in the following campaigns:
  • Named USS White River LSM(R)-536), 1 October 1955
  • Decommissioned, 7 September 1956, at San Diego, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Recommissioned, 2 October 1965, at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, LT. William C. Carlson in command
  • Redesignated Inshore Fire Support Ship (LFR-536), 1 January 1969
  • During the Vietnam War USS White River (LSMR-536 / LFR-536) participated in the following campaigns:

 

  • Decommissioned and Struck from the Naval Register, 22 May 1970, at Yokosuka, Japan
  • Final Disposition, sold in November 1970 to Nissho-Iwai American Corp, New York City, N.Y. for scrapping
  • USS White River LSM(R)-536 earned two battle stars for Korean War service and ten campaign stars for the Vietnam War