USS San Marcos (LSD-25)

• Namesake: USS San Marcos (LSD-25) was named after Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, located in St. Augustine, Florida. • Class and Type: She was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship, designed to support amphibious operations by carrying and launching landing craft and vehicles. • World War II Service: Commissioned in April 1945, USS San Marcos entered service just before the end of World War II and trained for Pacific operations, but the war ended before she saw combat. • Operation Crossroads: In 1946, she participated in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, supporting the tests and transporting equipment and personnel. • Korean War Service: Although she did not serve directly in Korea, San Marcos played a crucial role in the Atlantic Fleet, training Marines and supporting amphibious readiness during the conflict. • Cold War Deployments: Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she participated in numerous NATO and Mediterranean exercises, reflecting the growing importance of amphibious warfare in the Cold War era. • Cuban Missile Crisis: The ship was part of the U.S. naval forces during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, supporting the blockade and prepared for potential amphibious operations. • Disaster Relief: In 1962, USS San Marcos assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Flora in Haiti, delivering supplies and providing aid, demonstrating the versatility of amphibious ships. • Transfer to Spain: In 1971, after over 25 years of U.S. Navy service, the ship was transferred to the Spanish Navy, where she served as Galicia (TA-01) until 1989. • Legacy: USS San Marcos earned a reputation as a reliable and versatile vessel, supporting amphibious operations, nuclear tests, disaster relief, and alliance training throughout her long and varied career.