USS Tripoli (LPH-10)
The USS Tripoli was a US Navy amphibious assault ship that hit a naval mine during the Gulf War in 1991.
Specifications
History
The USS Tripoli (LPH-10) was an Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1966. It was designed to carry Marines and helicopters for amphibious landings. The ship served in the Vietnam War, carrying Marines and providing helicopter support. In 1991, during the Gulf War, the USS Tripoli was part of the naval force in the Persian Gulf. On February 18, 1991, the ship hit an Iraqi naval mine that tore a large hole in its hull. The mine caused flooding and damaged the ship, but the crew kept it afloat. Three hours later, the USS Princeton (CG-59), a nearby cruiser, also hit a mine. Despite the damage, both ships survived and were repaired. The USS Tripoli was decommissioned in 1995 after nearly 30 years of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Used In
Combat Medals & Awards
Air Force Commendation Medal
A mid-level military award honoring airmen for meritorious achievement, bravery, or outstanding service.
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
A high military award given for exceptionally meritorious service to the government in duties of great responsibility.
Air Medal
A military decoration awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Army Commendation Medal
A decoration awarded to soldiers for heroism, meritorious achievement, or exemplary service in the United States Army.
Bronze Star
A United States military decoration awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement in a combat zone.
Distinguished Flying Cross
A United States military decoration awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.
Distinguished Service Cross
The second highest military decoration for valor awarded to members of the United States Army.
Medal of Freedom
This foreign award from the United States honored civilians and allied service members who helped defeat enemy forces during wartime.
Medal of Honor
The highest military decoration of the United States, awarded for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
Navy Cross
The second highest military decoration for valor awarded to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
A major naval decoration honoring exceptionally meritorious service to the government in duties of great responsibility.
Purple Heart
A United States military decoration awarded to those wounded or killed while serving in the armed forces.
Silver Star
The third highest military decoration for valor in the United States Armed Forces.
Related Stories
What Happened at the Battle of Wanat?
The Battle of Wanat was a fierce fight in 2008 where US soldiers defended an unfinished base in the mountains of Afghanistan against a large enemy attack.
What Happened at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge?
The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge was a month-long, intense fight for a high hill in Korea that remains a symbol of the war's difficulty.
What Happened to the USS Tripoli and USS Princeton During the Gulf War?
Two U.S. Navy ships hit hidden mines during the Gulf War. Both ships survived the blasts thanks to their skilled crews.