THE LPD

             USS PONCE is designated an LPD, Amphibious Transport Dock.  It is the United States Navy’s custom for LPDs to be named after cities that take their names from explorers and developers of their countries.  USS PONCE is the first United States Ship to be named after the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, which in turn is named in honor of the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon.  Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the State of Florida and served as the first Governor of Puerto Rico.

The Insignia

               USS PONCE’s insignia, as displayed, is comprised of four major elements: a rampant lion signifying the high spiritedness of the Navy-Marine Corps team that serves on her and is the coat of arms of Juan Ponce de Leon which is a continuing reminder of our bond with the people of our namesake city; a trident, emblematic of U.S. Naval power and supremacy; an anchor chain, linking the ship’s name and its designator symbols; and the “commission pennant”, which is distinctive of a ship in active service and serves as the commanding officer’s personal pennant – representative from the days of knighthood and chivalry.

Ship’s History

            PONCE (pronounced “PON-SAY”) is an Amphibious Transport Dock. USS PONCE (LPD 15) is assigned to Commander, AMPHIBIOUS GROUP TWO as a unit of the Naval Surface Forces, United States Atlantic Fleet and is the 12th and last vessel of the AUSTIN class.  Her mission is to embark, transport, land and support United States Marine Corps and Navy elements by sea and air, and to conduct amphibious landings or raids to secure beach heads for further prosecution of operations ashore.           

        Constructed by the Lockheed Shipbuilding Company, USS PONCE was commissioned on July 10, 1971in Seattle, Washington.  She is the first United States Ship to be named after the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, which is named in honor of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. 

          Since commissioning, PONCE has deployed numerous times to include the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic, Persian Gulf and operations in the Caribbean.