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USS Sphinx

U.S. Navy•47 members

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About this Unit

USS Sphinx

U.S. Navy

USS Sphinx (ARL-24) was a landing craft repair ship of the United States Navy, originally commissioned in 1945 near the end of World War II. Built as LST-963 and later converted to an Achelous-class repair ship, she provided crucial repair and maintenance services to amphibious forces in the Pacific. Reactivated for the Vietnam War, USS Sphinx supported riverine and coastal operations, earning multiple campaign stars for her service. Decommissioned in 1971, she continued to serve in civilian roles before being struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

About USS Sphinx

About this Unit

Historical Facts

USS Sphinx (ARL-24) was a landing craft repair ship: Originally built as LST-963 (Landing Ship, Tank), she was later converted to a landing craft repair ship (ARL) and commissioned as USS Sphinx.
World War II service: USS Sphinx was commissioned in February 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, providing repair services to landing craft.
Support during major operations: The ship played a critical support role during the Battle of Okinawa, repairing and maintaining landing craft used in the assault.
Decommissioned post-WWII: After the war, USS Sphinx was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve, reflecting the common postwar drawdown of naval forces.
Recommissioned for the Vietnam War: With the escalation of the Vietnam War, she was recommissioned in 1967 and sent to support operations in Southeast Asia.
“The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta”: During the Vietnam War, Sphinx earned the nickname "The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta" due to her vital and ever-present support to riverine forces.
Mobile repair base: USS Sphinx often anchored in the rivers and canals of Vietnam, providing rapid repair services to boats engaged in combat, sometimes under fire.
Participated in Operation Game Warden and Operation Market Time: These operations sought to interdict enemy supplies and support river patrols—USS Sphinx kept the patrol craft operational throughout.
Awarded for service: The ship and her crew received multiple awards, including campaign medals for Vietnam and Navy Unit Commendations.
Final fate: After her Vietnam service, Sphinx was decommissioned in 1971 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1993. She was eventually used as a target and sunk in 2001.

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USS Sphinx

U.S. Navy•47 members

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About this Unit

USS Sphinx

U.S. Navy

Unit members

Robert Podlaski

U.S. Navy · 1984 - 1994

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Daniel Triplett

U.S. Navy Veteran · 1969 - 1970

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Jacob (Contact Marla his wife) Peck

U.S. Navy · 1966 - 1973

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kelly norton

U.S. Navy Veteran · 1969 - 1970

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Navy photos

Somewhere in Kuwait near the Iraqi border

Siezed Soviet/Iraqi Tank that was abandoned

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About USS Sphinx

About this Unit

Historical Facts

USS Sphinx (ARL-24) was a landing craft repair ship: Originally built as LST-963 (Landing Ship, Tank), she was later converted to a landing craft repair ship (ARL) and commissioned as USS Sphinx.
World War II service: USS Sphinx was commissioned in February 1945 and served in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II, providing repair services to landing craft.
Support during major operations: The ship played a critical support role during the Battle of Okinawa, repairing and maintaining landing craft used in the assault.
Decommissioned post-WWII: After the war, USS Sphinx was decommissioned in 1947 and placed in reserve, reflecting the common postwar drawdown of naval forces.
Recommissioned for the Vietnam War: With the escalation of the Vietnam War, she was recommissioned in 1967 and sent to support operations in Southeast Asia.
“The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta”: During the Vietnam War, Sphinx earned the nickname "The Galloping Ghost of the Mekong Delta" due to her vital and ever-present support to riverine forces.
Mobile repair base: USS Sphinx often anchored in the rivers and canals of Vietnam, providing rapid repair services to boats engaged in combat, sometimes under fire.
Participated in Operation Game Warden and Operation Market Time: These operations sought to interdict enemy supplies and support river patrols—USS Sphinx kept the patrol craft operational throughout.
Awarded for service: The ship and her crew received multiple awards, including campaign medals for Vietnam and Navy Unit Commendations.
Final fate: After her Vietnam service, Sphinx was decommissioned in 1971 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1993. She was eventually used as a target and sunk in 2001.