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USS Fresno (LST 1182)

USS FRESNO was the 4^th ship in the NEWPORT - class of Tank Landing Ships and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. Transfered to the Naval Reserve Force in October 1990, the FRESNO was decommissioned on April 8, 1993. The ship spent the following years laid-up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Pearl Harbor, HI. On September 15, 2014, the FRESNO was sunk as a target during Exercise Valiant Shield approx. 215 nautical miles northeast of Guam.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS FRESNO. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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• Click here to see which USS FRESNO memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS FRESNO Cruise Books and Pamphlets:

• WestPac Cruise Book 1970-71
• WestPac Cruise Book 1985
• WestPac Cruise Book 1986
• Cruise Book 1991
• Decommissioning Pamphlet

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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The seal of USS FRESNO represents a number of themes pertinent to the ship. The central figure is a branch of the ash tree, which is native to the San Joaquin Valley in which the City and County of Fresno are located. The ash, the official symbol of Fresno County, is flanked on both sides by a cluster of grapes, the insignia of the City of Fresno, where a major industry surrounds the growing and processing of the grape.

The motto "Paratus" displayed on the seal is Latin for "read"; the condition which the USS FRESNO strives to maintain at all times. Appearing slightly above this motto is the Danforth anchor, which symbolizes the stern anchor, a key item used during beaching operations of the LST.

Prominently displayed above and at the side of the seal is the decorative border of antique gold in the Spanish heritage, both of the City and County of San Diego where the ship was built.

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USS FRESNO History:

USS FRESNO was laid down at San Diego, California, by National Steel and Shipbuilding Corporation on December 16, 1967. She was launched on September 28, 1968, sponsored by Mrs. Marilyn Hyde, and commissioned on November 22, 1969, with Commander Stanislaus J. Sowinski in command. Assigned to the Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet, she was homeported at San Diego.

The opening months of 1970 were devoted to bringing the newly commissioned ship to full operational readiness through testing, training, crew qualifications and preparations for overseas service. FRESNO entered the fleet during a period in which American policy in Southeast Asia was increasingly centered on the withdrawal of U.S. ground forces from South Vietnam. This process generated a continuing requirement for amphibious ships capable of carrying Marines, vehicles, equipment and supplies away from the combat theater while the Seventh Fleet maintained sufficient forces in the region to respond to military developments.

FRESNO began her first western Pacific deployment on August 1, 1970. She operated as part of Amphibious Squadron 11 with USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), USS ALAMO (LSD 33) and USS ST. LOUIS (LKA 116). The deployment was closely connected with Operation Keystone Robin Alpha, one of the movements associated with the withdrawal of Marine Corps units and their equipment from South Vietnam. FRESNO reached Da Nang during August and was assigned to Embarkation Unit VIII of the withdrawal movement. Loading at the Deep Water Pier began at 5:30 p.m. on August 21 and was completed at 12:15 p.m. on August 22. FRESNO departed the Deep Water Pier at 1:40 p.m. that afternoon carrying personnel and equipment connected with the continuing American redeployment. Her involvement placed the new landing ship directly into Vietnam-related operations less than nine months after commissioning. She completed this first western Pacific deployment on September 11, 1970.

FRESNO returned to the western Pacific only a few weeks later. On November 2, 1970, she departed California in company with USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), USS IWO JIMA (LPH 2) and USS TULARE (LKA 112). The ships reached Pearl Harbor on November 8. When the formation continued westward on November 11, FRESNO remained in Hawaii because repairs were required to her propulsion plant. The engineering problem temporarily separated her from the amphibious force and delayed her arrival in the western Pacific.

After repairs, FRESNO continued westward and had rejoined the amphibious force by February 2, 1971. On that date, the group received orders to proceed from Subic Bay in the Philippines toward the Gulf of Tonkin. The deployment occurred while South Vietnamese forces were conducting Operation Lam Son 719, their large-scale incursion into Laos intended to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes and facilities associated with the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The American amphibious group moved into the Gulf of Tonkin north of the Demilitarized Zone as part of a diversionary naval presence connected with the operation. FRESNO remained involved in the Vietnam theater during February and early March and received qualifying Vietnam service credit for February 6 through March 7.

The amphibious force subsequently returned toward the Philippines and participated in Exercise Subok from March 26 through April 7, 1971, in the Lingayen Gulf area. Subok was a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization exercise involving American, Philippine, British, Australian and New Zealand forces and combined amphibious, airborne and air-landed operations. FRESNO later returned to the Vietnam operating area and received additional qualifying Vietnam service credit from April 22 through April 24. Her operations during this period reflected the changing character of the American military presence in Southeast Asia: large ground formations were being withdrawn, but naval forces continued to provide transportation, logistics, aviation support and contingency capability throughout the region.

FRESNO returned to the western Pacific during 1972 as the Vietnam War entered another period of major escalation. North Vietnamese forces opened the Easter Offensive at the end of March, prompting the United States to increase its naval and air presence around Vietnam. Aircraft carriers, surface combatants and amphibious forces concentrated in Southeast Asian waters while Marine helicopter units aboard amphibious ships supported operations ashore and contingency forces remained available off the Vietnamese coast.

By November 9, 1972, FRESNO was officially listed as part of Amphibious Ready Group Bravo with USS OKINAWA (LPH 3), USS JUNEAU and USS ST. LOUIS. The group supported the 33rd Marine Amphibious Unit, which included Battalion Landing Team 1/9 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164. The amphibious force remained available for contingencies while the United States intensified air and naval activity and negotiations intended to end direct American participation in the conflict moved toward their final phase.

The composition of the amphibious force changed again late in the year. USS CLEVELAND, after completing another period of operations off Vietnam, joined FRESNO for movement toward Taiwan. The two ships arrived at Kaohsiung on December 7. On December 8 and December 9, Republic of China Marines received briefings and observed demonstrations involving the embarked American Marines. FRESNO and USS CLEVELAND departed independently for Subic Bay on December 11.

At Subic Bay they joined USS INCHON (LPH 12) and USS TULARE to form the reorganized Amphibious Ready Group Bravo. With elements of the 33rd Marine Amphibious Unit embarked, the group participated in Exercise Zamlex 6-72 on December 17 and December 18. After returning briefly to Subic Bay, the ships proceeded to Singapore, where the amphibious group spent December 23 through December 27. The ships then returned toward Vietnam. On December 31, they arrived in the Gulf of Tonkin and took station in the amphibious holding area off Da Nang generally known as the Gator Box.

FRESNO began 1973 still operating off South Vietnam. During the first week of January, the amphibious force remained in the Gulf of Tonkin before returning to Subic Bay for an upkeep period from January 9 through January 16. USS CLEVELAND subsequently conducted deck-landing qualifications locally and rejoined the other amphibious ships on January 20. The group moved back toward the Vietnamese coast, and by January 22m the ships were again operating in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The political and military situation changed fundamentally during these operations. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, establishing a ceasefire and providing for the withdrawal of remaining American combat forces from Vietnam. Following notification of the agreement, the amphibious force was ordered away from the Vietnamese operating area. FRESNO and USS CLEVELAND reached Okinawa on January 30, where Marines were rapidly debarked as the Seventh Fleet adjusted its amphibious organization to the new situation.

FRESNO nevertheless remained active in East Asian waters following the ceasefire and received additional qualifying Vietnam service credit from February 5 through February 15. On February 28, she was listed as part of Task Group 79.4 supporting the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. The group included USS CLEVELAND, USS TULARE, USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189), USS RACINE (LST 1191) and FRESNO. Although direct American combat operations in Vietnam were ending, the United States continued to maintain substantial amphibious forces in the western Pacific for regional contingencies. FRESNO's Vietnam service ultimately resulted in the award of two engagement stars.

After the end of direct American participation in the Vietnam War, FRESNO returned to the normal Pacific Fleet cycle of maintenance, amphibious training and overseas deployments. The changed situation in Indochina did not eliminate the requirement for forward-deployed amphibious forces. Political and military conditions in Cambodia and South Vietnam continued to deteriorate, while American planners retained forces capable of evacuation operations and other regional contingencies.

FRESNO returned to the western Pacific during 1974. By June 20, she was at Brisbane, Australia, where she rendezvoused with USS CLEVELAND, USS TULARE and USS SAN BERNARDINO. The ships departed Brisbane on June 25 and proceeded to Hervey Bay. On June 27 and June 28, they conducted turnover activities with the outgoing amphibious force, which included USS JUNEAU, USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40), USS ALAMO and other supporting amphibious shipping. The turnover formed part of the continuing rotation of Seventh Fleet amphibious forces and embarked Marine units.

During the following months, FRESNO operated throughout the western Pacific with the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. By September, she was associated with an amphibious force including USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS MONTICELLO (LSD 35) and USS OGDEN (LPD 5). The ships were operating against the background of the rapidly deteriorating military situation in Cambodia. Khmer Rouge forces were increasing pressure on the government of President Lon Nol, and American planners were developing contingency arrangements for the evacuation of American citizens and other personnel if Phnom Penh or Cambodia's coastal areas became untenable.

During September, FRESNO and the other amphibious ships were maintained under a readiness requirement connected with planning for Operation Eagle Pull. The force was required to retain the ability to respond within 168 hours to Kampong Som, Cambodia. The actual evacuation of Phnom Penh under Operation Eagle Pull did not occur until April 12, 1975, and the amphibious force that carried out that operation had a different composition. Available documentation likewise does not establish FRESNO as a participant in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon later that month.

FRESNO continued operating in Philippine and western Pacific waters during the autumn of 1974. She was photographed underway in Philippine waters on October 19. By November, she was approaching the end of her deployment. On November 20, she was operating with USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) and USS DURHAM (LKA 114) while proceeding toward Subic Bay. USS FREDERICK (LST 1184) was scheduled to join the force and relieve FRESNO, permitting her to begin the return from an extended period of Seventh Fleet service.

During 1975, FRESNO operated primarily within the Pacific Fleet amphibious training and readiness cycle. The ship's performance during this period was recognized with the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for fiscal year 1975. The award was associated with improvement in battle efficiency and was received while Commander Robert E. Mumford Jr. was commanding officer.

FRESNO remained active in amphibious training later that year. During the opening days of November, she conducted underway operations with USS CLEVELAND and USS POINT DEFIANCE (LSD 31) off southern California. The three ships went to sea again on November 17 for a five-day amphibious exercise. Army personnel from the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division practiced embarking in amphibious ships, transferring to landing craft and carrying out corresponding debarkation procedures. The exercise demonstrated that amphibious shipping could also be used for joint-service movement and training beyond its normal Marine Corps role.

The training program continued into 1976. On February 23, FRESNO went to sea for Exercise Bead Chevron. The amphibious force included USS CLEVELAND, USS POINT DEFIANCE, USS MOBILE (LKA 115), USS THOMASTON (LSD 28), FRESNO and USS KIRK (FF 1087), with additional amphibious units involved in the broader exercise organization. The principal amphibious phase took place at Camp Pendleton. The scenario required the landing force to secure communications and airfield facilities and evacuate personnel and equipment in the face of a simulated hostile threat. The main landing occurred on February 28, and the exercise concluded at the beginning of March.

FRESNO departed for another western Pacific deployment on April 13, 1976, as part of Amphibious Squadron 3. The initial formation included USS CLEVELAND, USS OGDEN, USS POINT DEFIANCE, USS PEORIA (LST 1183), USS FREDERICK and FRESNO. USS CHICAGO (CG 11) and USS COOK (FF 1083) also participated in the initial movement. USS CLEVELAND suffered an engineering casualty shortly after departure and returned to San Diego, while FRESNO and the remaining units continued westward.

During the deployment, FRESNO resumed the normal Seventh Fleet cycle of amphibious transportation, Marine training and contingency readiness. By September 29, she was at Subic Bay with USS TRIPOLI, USS OGDEN and USS POINT DEFIANCE as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha supporting the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. FRESNO was scheduled to leave Subic Bay on October 3. Her operations during the year continued the post-Vietnam pattern of maintaining a permanent American amphibious capability around Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines and adjacent western Pacific waters.

Following the 1976 deployment, FRESNO returned to the West Coast for another period of maintenance, training and readiness work. Another extended western Pacific deployment followed during 1978 and 1979. FRESNO operated in Amphibious Ready Group Bravo with USS DUBUQUE, USS DURHAM and USS CAYUGA (LST 1186). The group supported a Marine landing force and performed the transportation, training and contingency tasks expected of Seventh Fleet amphibious shipping. During October 1978, USS DUBUQUE, USS DURHAM and FRESNO were proceeding toward Numazu, Japan, with arrival expected on October 13, while USS CAYUGA was moving separately toward Sasebo.

The deployment continued into 1979 and eventually carried the amphibious group toward South Korea for Exercise Team Spirit 79. By early March, USS DUBUQUE, USS DURHAM, USS CAYUGA and FRESNO were at Pohang supporting the participating Marine landing force. Team Spirit was the principal recurring American-South Korean exercise intended to practice reinforcement and combined defense of the Korean Peninsula. The Marine amphibious phase continued through March 5, with the ships scheduled to depart Pohang on March 6. FRESNO therefore remained actively deployed into the opening months of 1979 before returning to the United States.

FRESNO began another major western Pacific deployment on May 23, 1980. She sailed with Amphibious Squadron 1, whose ships included USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11), USS VANCOUVER (LPD 2), USS DUBUQUE, USS RACINE, USS FREDERICK and FRESNO. The squadron reached Pearl Harbor on May 31. Amphibious training followed in Hawaiian waters, including operations connected with Bellows Air Force Base and Kahoolawe, before the ships returned to Pearl Harbor on June 6.

The squadron departed Hawaii on June 9 and continued westward. Operational control passed to the Seventh Fleet on June 18. USS DUBUQUE and FRESNO then detached from the principal formation and headed toward Buckner Bay, Okinawa. On June 20, two Soviet Bear-D reconnaissance aircraft approached and observed the two ships while they crossed the Pacific. Such surveillance was a routine feature of Cold War naval operations, with Soviet long-range aircraft regularly monitoring American fleet movements. The encounter caused no interruption to the passage, and USS DUBUQUE and FRESNO continued toward Okinawa, reaching the area on June 24.

FRESNO remained with the Seventh Fleet during the succeeding months, supporting Marine movement and amphibious readiness throughout East Asia. The deployment took place at a time of renewed Cold War tension following the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and amid increased American emphasis on maintaining naval forces in both the western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

On November 12, 1981, FRESNO sailed on another major deployment with Amphibious Squadron 1. The force included USS TRIPOLI, USS DULUTH (LPD 6), USS DUBUQUE, USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39), USS FREDERICK and FRESNO. The ships supported the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, including Battalion Landing Team 1/3 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265.

The squadron reached Pearl Harbor on November 18. Amphibious landing operations were carried out in the Kauai operating area on November 24, after which the force departed Hawaii on November 28. The ships passed to Seventh Fleet operational control on December 7 and reached Subic Bay on December 17, remaining there through the end of the year. During early 1982, the deployment expanded through Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean waters. USS DULUTH, for example, called at Singapore on January 5, Diego Garcia on January 18 and January 19 and Fremantle, Australia, at the end of January while the amphibious squadron operated across the region. FRESNO remained part of the deployed amphibious organization and subsequently turned north with the force for training connected with the defense of South Korea.

Before Team Spirit 82, amphibious ships including USS DULUTH, USS MOUNT VERNON and FRESNO conducted a rehearsal landing at Subic Bay. Exercise Team Spirit 82 ran from February 13 through April 26 and represented one of the largest annual combined American-South Korean military exercises. Its amphibious phase practiced the movement of Marine forces from ships to shore and their integration into the broader defense of the Korean Peninsula. FRESNO remained with the deployed amphibious force through this period before the squadron headed east. The ships returned to San Diego on May 15, 1982.

After several months of maintenance and training, FRESNO prepared for one of the most geographically extensive deployments of her career. Amphibious Squadron 1 left San Diego on May 4, 1983. The squadron initially operated as a combined formation for Exercise Valiant Blitz 83-3 from June 4 through June 11, including amphibious landings on Okinawa on June 7. Following the exercise the squadron divided into several operating groups. FRESNO formed part of Group One together with USS TARAWA (LHA 1), USS DULUTH and USS FREDERICK. The group carried elements of the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. It subsequently participated in Exercise Cobra Gold 83 with Thai forces. The broader exercise continued through August 1 and included naval, air and amphibious training in and around Thailand.

Group One then moved into the Indian Ocean. From August 15 through August 25, the force participated in exercises Bright Star and Eastern Wind, which involved American forces and regional partners in northeast Africa. An amphibious landing was carried out in Somalia on August 19. The ships continued along the East African coast, and USS DULUTH was at Mombasa, Kenya, from August 29 through September 1 as the group entered a liberty period.

Events in Lebanon abruptly changed the deployment. The Lebanese Civil War had intensified during 1983, and American Marines serving with the multinational force in Beirut were increasingly exposed to artillery, mortar and small-arms fire. On September 2, while Group One was at Mombasa, orders were received directing the ships to leave the Indian Ocean and proceed to the Mediterranean. The group moved rapidly northward, passed through the Suez Canal and entered the eastern Mediterranean. FRESNO and the other Group One ships arrived off Beirut on September 12. Their arrival added a Pacific Fleet amphibious group and additional Marines to the American naval forces already supporting the multinational presence ashore. The ships remained off Lebanon until October 10 during a period of increasingly intense fighting around Beirut and repeated attacks against Marine positions near Beirut International Airport. On September 27, a Marine helicopter operating from USS TARAWA crashed approximately eight miles offshore, although both crewmen were rescued. FRESNO and the other Group One ships were released from the immediate Lebanon assignment on October 10, thirteen days before the October 23 bombing of the Marine headquarters compound that killed 241 American servicemen.

Following their release from the eastern Mediterranean contingency, the ships began the long return passage to the Pacific. The group eventually reached Hawaii, where embarked Marine air and ground elements were debarked, and continued to southern California. FRESNO returned to San Diego with the other Group One ships on November 22, 1983.

The demanding 1983 deployment was followed by a period dominated by maintenance, local training and restoration of readiness during 1984. FRESNO again completed a western Pacific deployment during 1985. A contemporary cruise book documents the cruise. FRESNO remained part of the Pacific Fleet amphibious organization and continued preparations for further overseas operations.

The next deployment began on June 19, 1986, when FRESNO departed with USS TARAWA, USS JUNEAU and USS TUSCALOOSA (LST 1187). The amphibious force supported the 13th Marine Amphibious Unit. Rather than proceeding immediately along the customary route toward Hawaii and the western Pacific, the group initially headed north. From July 2 through July 5, the ships participated in Exercise Kernel Potlatch 86-1 in waters near Adak in the Aleutian Islands. The exercise exposed the amphibious force to the demanding weather and sea conditions of the North Pacific. After completing the exercise, the group transferred to Seventh Fleet operational control on July 7 and continued toward East Asia.

The 1986 deployment included several major exercises. FRESNO participated in Cobra Gold 86 in Thailand, Valiant Usher 86-4 and Valiant Blitz 87-1. These events involved amphibious assaults, combined operations with allied forces and repeated movement of the Marine landing force between ships and shore. They formed part of the broad American exercise program intended to demonstrate the ability to reinforce allies and operate throughout the western Pacific. The deployment also extended into the Indian Ocean. USS JUNEAU entered the Indian Ocean on August 27, USS TUSCALOOSA on August 30, USS TARAWA on September 1 and FRESNO on September 7. All four ships departed the Indian Ocean on September 22 and returned toward the western Pacific. FRESNO remained deployed for the remainder of the year and returned home with the 13th Marine Amphibious Unit deployment on December 19, 1986.

During 1987, FRESNO returned to the Pacific Fleet interdeployment cycle of maintenance, local amphibious operations, crew certifications and preparations for another overseas deployment.

FRESNO began another major deployment during June 1988 as part of the amphibious force supporting the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The group included USS NEW ORLEANS, USS MOBILE, USS OGDEN, USS FORT McHENRY (LSD 43) and FRESNO. During July, the force operated around Okinawa and the Philippines. FRESNO steamed in formation with the other amphibious ships from Buckner Bay toward Subic Bay and subsequently continued toward Thailand.

The group participated in Exercise Cobra Gold 88, a major combined American-Thai exercise. After the training phase, the amphibious ships anchored off Pattaya Beach. The force then continued south toward Australia. Its route took the ships through Indonesian waters and the Sunda Strait before they reached Fremantle, Western Australia. FRESNO subsequently participated in Exercise Valiant Usher 88-6 in Australia. The exercise provided additional combined amphibious training and allowed the embarked Marine force to operate in an environment substantially different from the familiar training areas around Okinawa, the Philippines and Korea. The amphibious group then continued through East Asian waters during the autumn.

Later in the deployment, the group participated in Valiant Blitz 89-1, continuing the cycle of regional amphibious exercises before beginning its eastward return across the Pacific. FRESNO completed the deployment before the end of 1988.

During 1989, FRESNO remained part of the Pacific amphibious force and underwent the training, maintenance and certification cycle required for another deployment. By this point, the ship had accumulated two decades of service. The NEWPORT-class landing ships nevertheless remained useful because of their ability to carry large quantities of heavy Marine Corps equipment, including trucks, artillery, amphibious vehicles and other rolling stock.

FRESNO began what became her final conventional western Pacific deployment on January 12, 1990. She sailed with USS PELELIU (LHA 5), USS CLEVELAND and USS FORT FISHER in support of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The force initially followed the established pattern of regional exercises and amphibious training. From January 31 through February 1, the group participated in Exercise Valiant Usher 90-3 off Iwo Jima. The ships subsequently operated in the Okinawa area and prepared for Exercise Team Spirit 90 in South Korea. FRESNO, however, developed a material problem requiring repairs. By March 1, she had been withdrawn from Team Spirit and was proceeding independently toward Yokosuka, Japan. Marines and equipment embarked aboard FRESNO for the exercise were redistributed among the remaining amphibious ships so that the Marine landing force could continue its mission without her. FRESNO was expected to arrive at Yokosuka on March 3 for repairs.

After completing the necessary work, FRESNO continued her deployment. The official deployment period of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit ended on July 16, 1990, after which FRESNO returned to the United States.

In October 1990, FRESNO was transferred from the active fleet to the Naval Reserve Force. Her home port remained on the California coast. The transfer reflected the ship's age and the Navy's practice of retaining useful amphibious capability while reducing the number of active-duty personnel required to operate older ships. Naval Reserve Force vessels maintained a core active-duty crew that could be augmented by reservists for training and mobilization requirements. The transfer occurred during a major change in the international security environment. Iraq had invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, while the Cold War itself was approaching its conclusion. FRESNO's role during the following years centered on Naval Reserve Force training, material readiness and preservation of the ability to augment the active fleet if required.

During 1991 and 1992, FRESNO continued serving with the Naval Reserve Force. By April 1, 1992, Marine Corps reporting listed her at Long Beach in a reserve and maintenance status. Commander Kendall J. King, her commanding officer during this period, described FRESNO in 1992 as the oldest tank landing ship still serving in the United States Navy and noted that the ship was scheduled for decommissioning the following year. The end of the Cold War and the associated reduction in the size of the fleet accelerated the retirement of older amphibious ships, while newer dock landing ships and amphibious transport designs increasingly assumed missions previously carried out by the NEWPORT-class.

FRESNO entered the final stages of her active career during early 1993. She was decommissioned on April 8, 1993, after more than twenty-three years of commissioned service. Following decommissioning she was retained in inactive status and laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The former FRESNO remained at Pearl Harbor for many years while the Navy considered possible foreign transfer or final disposal. During the 2000s, Peru became a prospective recipient. In 2008, the United States Congress authorized the transfer of FRESNO and USS RACINE to Peru as excess defense articles. The legislation allowed the transfer and provided that transfer-related costs were generally to be borne by the recipient, with repair or refurbishment work to be performed in the United States where practicable.

The proposed transfer was ultimately not completed, and FRESNO remained under United States control. She was formally struck from the Naval Vessel Register on December 1, 2008. With no subsequent foreign transfer and no requirement to reactivate the ship, she was eventually selected for disposal as a target.

The former FRESNO was prepared for use during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014, a large American joint-force exercise conducted around Guam and the Mariana Islands. More than 18,000 personnel, approximately 200 aircraft and numerous ships participated in the exercise, which was intended to integrate Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army capabilities in a complex maritime training environment. On September 15, 2014, the former FRESNO became the target of a live-fire sinking exercise in the western Pacific. Several surface ships took part. USS MUSTIN (DDG 89) fired two SM-2 missiles during the engagement. USS SHILOH (CG 67) launched a Harpoon anti-ship missile, and USS STETHEM (DDG 63) also fired a Harpoon against the target. Aircraft and other American forces participated in the broader attack as Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force units practiced locating, targeting and engaging a surface ship with live weapons.

At 3:15 p.m. on September 15, the former FRESNO sank approximately 215 nautical miles northeast of Guam in water about 18,000 feet deep.

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USS FRESNO's Commanding Officers:

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USS FRESNO SINKEX:

Ex-USS FRESNO was sunk as a target during exercise Valiant Shield 2014 on September 15, 2014 in waters 18,000 feet deep, approx. 215 nautical miles northeast of Guam. Official US Navy video.

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USS FRESNO Image Gallery:

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