SHIP'S NAMESAKE
Richard M. McCool Jr. (1922-2008)
U.S. Navy Captain Richard M. McCool Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient, is the heroic namesake of the Navy’s 13th San Antonio (LPD 17) class amphibious landing platform dock.
While serving as a Lieutenant aboard a landing support craft, June 10, 1945, McCool observed a kamikaze attack by enemy Japanese aircraft near Okinawa. He and his crew secured their ship to the battered, sinking destroyer, USS William D. Porter (DD-579) to rescue survivors.
The suicide planes later attacked McCool’s own ship. His crew shot several down before one exploded on the ship. Burned and wounded from shrapnel, McCool marshalled his crew to fight the fire and rescue trapped sailors. His rescue efforts took place exactly 77 years prior to the day the Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) will be christened.
Click the Ship's Crest to learn more about it.
San Antonio (LPD 17) - Construction
April 2018
Burner Paul Bosarge initiates the Start Fab for Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), the first Flight II ship, observed by, from left, Braxton Collins, Gene Ramsey, Shawn Wiseman, SUPSHIP, LPD production manager; and Stephen Janowski.
December 2018
Shipbuilders land grand block B311 for Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29). Sister ship Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) is shown alongside her.
March 2019
Goliath and a 300-ton portal crane move a five-unit keel grand block for Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) to the ship’s build area.