USS Ogden (LPD-5)

USS Ogden (LPD-5), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Ogden, Utah. Ogden was laid down on 4 February 1963 by the New York Naval Shipyard. She was launched on 27 June 1964 sponsored by Mrs. Laurence J. Burton, and commissioned at New York City on 19 June 1965 with Captain Floyd M. Symons in command.

Vietnam era
After training off Norfolk, Ogden arrived in San Diego 29 October 1965 to join the Pacific Fleet and complete her initial training. In her first year of service she deployed twice to South Vietnam (8 February through 4 April 1966 and 16 May through 7 July 1966), bringing Marines and their equipment to the Vietnam War. On her return passages, she brought damaged vehicles home for repair. During the summer of 1966, she conducted experiments with aircraft capable of vertical or short landing and take-off. The Ogden participated in Operation Endsweep in Haiphong Harbor as a member of Task Force 78 from January 1973 through July 1973, clearing mines with Marine CH53 Helicopters.

1989 Oil Spill Task Force 2 The USS Ogden was relieved by the USS Duluth during the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill after spending 2 months onsite. She supported over 400 civilians with beds, food, operational command for the Task Force and helicopter support for Task Force 2.

Westpac
Ogden has turned sailors and Marines into Golden Shellbacks on at least four occasions. On November 10,1976, June 1987, 1992, and again in November 2001, Ogden crossed the Equator and the International Dateline simultaneously. During the 2001 crossing, Ogden was hosting Alpha Company 1/1 BLT of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Special Note: On November 10, 1976, the Marine Corps 201st birthday, BLT 2/3 based out of KMCAS Hawaii, en route from Australia to Pearl Harbor after conducting the joint Operation Kangaroo II, simultaneously crossed the International Dateline (Latitude 00) and the Equator (Longitude 180). This crossing made history as being the only time a Marine Corps unit has celebrated the birthday twice in the same year. All newly initiated Shellbacks from the trip to Australia were inducted into the Order Of The Golden Shellback.

Ogden was damaged when she collided with the submarine USS Greeneville (SSN-772) on 27 February 2002, which opened a five by 18 inch hole in one of her fuel tanks. Despite the fact that the collision was the fault of the USS Greenville the Captain of the Ogden was still relieved of his command.

Middle East
She was commissioned as part of the 3rd Fleet. She deployed in early 2006 with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit as part of a battle group. The ship was originally scheduled for decommissioning in 2000, but with the requirements of the Operation Iraqi Freedom it was rescheduled.

On 16 February 2007, Ogden was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.

USS Ogden was formally decommissioned on 21 February 2007. She is to be towed to the vicinity of Hawaii and sunk in a gunnery exercise. in Bahrain

Popular References
USS Ogden figures prominently in the novel Without Remorse by Tom Clancy as the base of operations for the aborted rescue attempt against the North Vietnam prisoner of war camp.