December
Launched 22 December with a small contingent of key officers and crew reporting directly to the ship.

1945
January
Remainder of the plank owners were assembled for training in Norfolk, Virginia. Majority of officers and crew were brought from Newport, RI by troop train arriving 14 March

March
The ship was commissioned 15 March with Commander E.B. Holdorff, USNR, in command. Shakedown commenced 31 March with Navy camera men aboard to film moving pictures of an LSD in action. LCI’s and LCT’s were taken in and our of the well deck, and tanks were transferred to LSM’s and LST’s “married” to the stern.

April - May
Following shakedown, proceeded to NYC on 26 April and took on a full cargo of boats and a dredge. Left New York 6 May in convoy but defective pumps forced the ship to drop out at Norfolk where she remained in repair.

Underway on 12 May for Guantanamo, Cuba. After testing proved the problem corrected, departed Cuba 22 May and proceeded through the Panama Canal en route to Pearl Harbor, remaining in Balboa, Canal Zone for two days.

June - August
Arrived Pearl Harbor 8 June. A boat division of five officers and 104 men were assigned to the ship. On 18 June she departed for Guam where the dredge was promptly put to work. Departed Guam 9 July, arriving Saipan 9 July and Ulithi 15 July departing that same day in convoy arriving Okinawa 21 July.

While underway 4 August in a rough sea, an emergency signal was received from the SS Soter Ortynsky, a merchant vessel, that they had a man seriously ill. Following a dangerous transfer, the patient, a member of the ship’s armed guard crew, was successfully operated on for appendicitis complicated by peritonitis.

After arriving in Eniwetok 10 August, the ship rid herself of the LCT’s and engaged in a week of intensive, 24-hour-a-day landing craft repair. On 14 August received glorious news that Japan had agreed to surrender.

Entering Peliliu Bay on 21 August, a floating mine was sighted and subsequently destroyed by gun fire. A cargo of small boats were loaded for transfer to Leyte where they were discharged 24 August.

September
On 9 September, in company with the Montpelier, Lunga Point, Sanctuary and Consolation, proceeded to making the initial occupational landings at Wakanoura Wan, Honshu, Japan of 11 September.

On 15 September, loaded with 248 Javanese, Dutch and Australian former prisoners of war, departed in convoy which included the hospital ship USS Sanctuary for Okinawa where for three days were in throes of a typhoon. (See link “POWs and Typhoon”).

Departed 27 September for Subic Bay, PI and then Manila, PI arriving 2 October.

October - December
Arrived Sasebo 17 October. While at anchorage many crew members were able to get as close as authorities would allow, to view the immense destruction of Nagasaki, the second city to be hit with an atomic bomb.

On 14 December Cmdr. Holdoff, eligible for release, received orders for immediate departure. Command was temporarily turned over to senior line officer, Lt. Maurice N. White.

On 22 December permanent change of command with Cmdr. Wallace E. Gregg, USN taking command.

1946
January - March
Continued repair and boat pool functions working out of Wakanoura Wan with short trips to Nagoya, Shimizu and Kure.

On 4 February set sail for Yokohama arriving the following day.

April - May
On 20 April departed Yokosuka arriving Pearl Harbor 2 May.

Departed Pearl Harbor 4 May arriving San Diego 12 May.

1947
January 15
Decommissioned and transferred to Reserve Fleet in San Diego, California.

1950
October 7
Re-commissioned for the Korean hostilities.

1951
January
Shakedown cruise. Proceeded to Mare Island Naval Station in Vallejo, California

February
6 February left Vallejo, California under sealed orders.

13 February arrived Pearl Harbor.

March

Arrived at Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands to participate inOperationGreenhouse, an Atomic Energy Commission project. During this operation, Cabildo was one of the first ships to become radio-active and required extensive decontamination prior to return to the United States.

December
Departed Yokosuka, Japan and proceeded to Inchon, Korea; Otaru, Hokido, Japan transporting the California 40th and 45th National Guard Division.

1952
Deployed in the Western Pacific, Cabildo operated in Korean Theater of Operations. Operations were varied and the ship's duty ranged from lifting Army and Marine elements to acting as flagship and tender for the Ships of Mine Squadron Three.

April
On 26 April while in Wonson Harbor, North Korea that the Cabildo was hit by enemy fire from shore batteries. After repairs the Cabildo continued various operations from Japan to Korea over the next four months, then departed Yokosuka for San Diego arriving 2 September.

1953
While on the ‘53 cruise the Cabildo visited Pearl Harbor, Bikini Atoll, Eniwetok, Guam, Yokosuka, Yokohama, Sasebo, Kobe, Tokyo, Okinawa, Inchon, Pusan and Hong Kong. Christmas in ‘53 was celebrated in Hong Kong as was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II with special napkins from the Skyroom Lounge!

During this cruise Cabildo was in some pretty illustrious company including the USS Quincy, Helena, Oriskany, Los Angeles, Wasp, St. Paul, Fort Marion, Gunston Hall and USS Wisconsin

January
Departed San Diego in late January for Mare Island, arriving in early February to go into drydock.

March
Returned to San Diego to engage in operations through June

July
On 3 July departed San Diego for Pearl Harbor. Plan of the day for 8 July warned crew of overexposure to the tropical sun. Arrived Pearl on 10 July, moored at berth King 10, Naval Supply Depot. The movie for the 9th was “Meet Danny Wilson”.

Departed Pearl for Bikini Atol on 18 July. Bikini to Eniwetok on July 19 and Eniwetok to Guam on 24 July. Departed Guam for Yokosuka, Japan on 29 July.

August
On 6 August departed Yokosuka for Inchon, Orea and departed Inchon for Pusan on 8 August. Operations carried out during this time included extensive mine sweeping. Cabildo participated in Operation Marlex while in waters off Korea. Cabildo was in this area through October.

November
Off Otaru, Japan Cabildo was blanketed with snow and it’s cold! Movie for the night of 4 November was “Sea Devil” starring Yvonne DeCarlo and Rock Hudson.

December
Fired for Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) off Japan. All 20mm, twin 40mm and quad 40mm batteries take part.

1954
From 1 January to 23 April the Cabildo visited the following ports in Japan: Sasebo, Yokosuka, Yokohama, SucamiWan-Numaru, Camp McGill and in Korea: To Jan Po, Paegn Yong Do, the Islands: Okinawa, HaHa Jima and Iwo Jima leaving Pearl Harbor 16 April and arriving San Diego 23 April.

12 July departed San Diego for Treasurer Island, California.

14 July departed Treasurer Island for Nome, Alaska arriving 23 July where we embarked Marine troops for transportation to Seattle, Washington. No liberty parties due to hight winds.

25 July departed Nome, Alaska and travelled through the inside passage to Seattle, Washington where on 3 August we disembarked Marine troops.

8 August departed for Portland, Oregon to pick up dredge for Army post in Whittier, Alaska for use in constructing new dock.

16 August on arrival Whittier, Alaska ship missed anchoring off a ledge and subsequently dropped 36 fathoms of chain before being able to stop. Capstan brake in chain locker so hot it required use of fire extinguishers to cool.

18 August departed Whittier, Alaska arriving San Diego 26 August.

August-September
Made second Alaskan cruise

October
Home port changed to Long Beach, California.

1956
January-October
Operated in Far Eastern Waters for third tour since re-commissioned. Returned to Long Beach Oct. 10, 1956.

1957
January-June
Operated in home waters.
June-September
EntOctober-December
Operated in US Waters.

1958
January-July
Operated in Far Eastern Waters. Departed Jan. 17, 1958 and returned July 16, 1958.
1958 was a very busy time for the Cabildo. We spent most of our time on patrol as China and Formosa were having difficult times. We entered Kaohsiung, Formosa and loaded gun powder tubes similar to the type we used in our semi-fixed 5" gun on the bow and some Matador missiles for the Air Force. We were watched going in to the harbor by a submarine. We were there about three days while the loading went on. We could hear the Chinese big guns firing on Matsu and Quamoy (not sure about the spelling) and the dock we were tied up at had many armed soldiers moving to and fro. On the way out of the harbor (I was in the starboard fire room) we received a fully back down. Some one, don't know who, us or them, made a mistake and the mines stretched across the channel had not been pulled back so we could go out. It was a close encounter. We had very little liberty time on this cruise as compared to our other cruises. Our fuel, mail and food was brought out to us while on station. At one point we pulled into Yokosuka just long enough to drop about 10 men off that were in need of hospital care and took on mail I would say we were along side the dock for 15 minutes. On another occasion we ruptured a water tube in the starboard boiler and had to go into the yard for about two weeks. It was a busy time, but I enjoyed all the "steaming" we had to do. While enroute home the ship celibrated the 4th of July with a holiday routine and then crossed the international date line and enjoyed another day of holiday routine.
August-Spetember
During this time period Commander Philip Kelsey was relieved by Commander McCaughey.
October-December
During this period the ship loaded Army personnel from Fort Lewis Washington and participated in a landing exercise near San Simeon with hearst Castle in full view.
(Wade H. Combs)

1959
February-June
Deployed to the Western Pacific from Feb. 10, 1959 until returning on June 5, 1959.
July-December
Todd Shipyard overhall Seattle Washington. Stuck there during the steel strike. "We had been in the yards long enough to be inoperable and when the strike started so we had to stay until the strike was over."
(Wade H. Combs)

1960
February-July
Operated in Far East participating in Amphibious Operations with Nationalist Chinese and Koreans.

July-December
Attended the "Pacific Festival" in San Francisco and participated in Operation Pack Mule in Southern California.

1961
February
Made an operational visit to Fort Lewis and Tacoma, Washington and good will visit to Vancouver, British Columbia

March-May
Participated in support operations to preserve the peace in the Far East. this included emergency deployment to Okinawa with USMC units embarked.

May
Participated in operation Green Light off the coast of Southern California.

1962
August, 1961- February, 1962
FRAM Mark II overhaul at Todd Shipyard, Alameda, California. Ship was extensively modernized. INSURV Inspection, Refresher Training and Amphibious Refresher Training.

February
The last U.S. atomic test series. The ship was used to take the natives off their island for their own protection during the test. We delivered and set up targets for the tests. Ship had one occasion of having to avoid a hot cloud. CIC got a well done.

March
First crossed the Equator March 6th at Longitude 00000 and Latitude 157 48 W. The skipper was Captain Gray. We were to cross over two more times.

August
Participated in operation Dominic as a unit of Joint Task Force 8, operating in support of nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean area.

October - November
Cuban Missile crisis. The Cabildo loaded marines and equipment at Camp Pendelton and proceeded through the Panama Canal and was available had an invasion been called for.

1963
February - March
Operated in Long Beach area and completed repairs in AAA Machine Shop shipyard in San Francisco.

March - August
Training exercises on the West Coast of California.

September
Left home port of Long Beach for WesPac with Phibron7. Cargo of two Norwegian PT boats enroute to Vietnam for evaluation at the request of Defense Secretary MacNamara.

October
Splashed PT boats at Pearl Harbor. Not sure who took them to Vietnam. Loaded Marines and equipment at Keneohe Bay for exercise landings on Molokai.

November-December
Proceeded to Guam via Kwajalein Island with a load of used school desks for a Catholic school. Proceeded on to Subic Bay via the straits which separate the two main Philippine Islands.

Deployed to WesPac and participated in operation Dull Knife. Acted as station ship Hong Kong. Ran the Hong Kong shore patrol and coordinated the Kai Tac R and R fight activity. We were there when President Kennedy was assassinated. Proceeded to Kobe, Japan from Hong Kong. Arrived Christmas Eve and stayed a few days. We then proceeded on to Yokosuka.

1964
January
Change of Command. Cdr. Warren D. Detrickson relieved Cdr. Charles M. Itte.

Participated in Fire House and Backpack with SEALS on east coast of Korea at DMZ. (No fire house - just damned cold, especially for the swimmers)

Collision at sea. The Cabildo was hit in the starboard wingwall by the bow of an APA while transferring an injured man from the Cabildo. There was a doctor onboard the APA. We proceeded back to Yokosuka for repair which took about a week.

February
Carried miscellaneous cargo between Okinawa and Yokosuka.

March
Loaded Marines at Okinawa for a joint exercise with the relieving Amphibious Squadron, PhibronX, on West Coast of Taiwan. Returned Marines and equipment to Okinawa. Headed home non-stop from Okinawa. Took 23 days. Three days out of Okinawa three ships in our squadron were diverted back for Vietnam duty. The only LSD that went back was the newer and faster Point Defiance (LSD-31). The Belle Grove, Carter Hall and the Cabildo headed for home at 11.5 knots.

May
Operated in Long Beach area. Participated in operation Pine Tree. This amphibious exercise was conducted on the beaches of San Clemente Island and Camp Pendleton and involved some 11,000 marines and 34 ships.

June
Provided indoctrination and amphibious training to several hundred troops of the First Armored Division upon the completion of the larger army exercise Desert Strike .

July
Provided amphibious training and services to units of the Marine Corps Reserve in the San Clemente area.

28 July. Sailed from Long Beach to commence a three month overhaul in Portland. Cabildo’s versatility again proved an asset by carrying 86 automobiles and 28 wives and children of the crew. The ability of the ship to transport dependents and automobiles from home port to the overhaul area enabled many families to relocate for three months away from Long Beach with little or no inconvenience or expense. The dependents were berthed in spaces normally occupied by troops. A Navy doctor and female medical representative were embarked to assist wives and children.

1965
January. Completed overhaul period at Northwest Marine Iron Works, Portland, Oregon. Completed refresher training operating in the Long Beach area.

7 May. Departed Long Beach for WestPac cruise.

21 May. Arrived Midway Island to refuel and off-load two LCM6’s. At 0200 on 22 May the ship officially crossed the 180th meridian and entered the Domain of the Golden Dragon and the mysteries of the Far East. Arrived Buckner Bay, Okinawa on 1 June to unload Marines and then reload other equipment and Marines.

From 4 June through 15 December, refer to Vietnam link for ship movements.

1968 Westpac Cruise
May
1 Departed Long Beach, CA for Nha Be 9 Arrived Pearl Harbor

11 Departed Pearl Harbor.

28 Arrived Subic Bay

29 Departed Subic Bay

Departed Subic Bay forTan My

June
1 Arrived Vung Tau.

2 Departed for Nha Be. Arrived Nha Be and offloaded Mobile PBR Base. Departed for Cua Viet.

5 Arrived Cua Viet. Departed for Subic Bay

8 Arrived Subic Bay.
Ensign Zupkas reported aboard with Ensign Bruce Wolven and began the process of relieving Lt(jg) Jim Shields as Comm Officer and RPS Custodian.

17 Departed Subic Bay for Da Nang. While underway, conducted man overboard, GQ and gunnery drills (used painted barrels for target pracice for 40mm and 50 cal machine guns).

20 Arrived Da Nang. Cdr Richard C. Johnston relieved Cdr David R. Freytag as Commanding Officer. Anchored in the midst of LSTs, Oilers and the hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16). Super sabres and Hueys flying overhead .. sound of gunfire, explosions and plenty of black smoke. Onloaded LCMs. Departed for Phan Rang

22 Arrived Phan Rang. Departed Phan Rang for Vung Tau. Phan Rang was a desolate mountainous beach surrounded by fishing boats. Manned port and starboard 50 cal. machine guns but encountered no trouble. Onloaded diving boat.

23 Arrived Vung Tau. Departed for Subic Bay. Offloaded LCMs and diving boat.

26 Arrived Subic Bay. Departed for Tan My. Onloaded PCFs (“Swift” Boats).

29 Arrived Tan My. Departed for for Da Nang. Departed Da Nang for Cam Ranh Bay. Offloaded PCFs in Danang. One crew member left the ship on emergency leave.

30 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay. Set Hostile Security Watch while at anchor (six sentries patrolled rails for swimmers with mines). Grenades were kept on bridge.

July
1 Departed CamRang Bay for Subic Bay

3 Arrived Subic Bay. Four carriers are in port including the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The “Fleet’s In” .. and Olongapo is very crowded.

5 Departed Subic Bay for Sasebo

9 Arrived Sasebo. Upkeep repairs and shore liberty.

18 Departed Sasebo for Cam Ranh Bay

24 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay. Offloaded PCF’s.

25 Departed Cam Ranh Bay for Vung Tau. Buzzed by two Super Sabres (hundred feet over the bridge. Went through some typhoon weather (50 knot relative winds). Unrep with USS Guadalupe (AO-32).

26 Arrived Vung Tau. Offloaded Deep Sea Dredge.

27 Departed Vung Tau for Cam Ranh Bay.

28 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay. The crew had a beach party/cookout with steaks and free beer. Needless to say, a good time was had by all, as reported by Bruce Wolven in charge of Shore Patrol. A lot of laying in the sun, body-surfing, eating and, of course, drinking. As the Papa boat was taking crewmembers back to the ship, pier sentries spotted VC in the water around the Swift Boats. They dropped concussion grenades in and killed one of the swimmers.

30 A group of Red Cross girls came aboard to entertain the troops (sounds funny..but all within the bounds of propriety).

August
1 Departed Cam Ranh Bay for Tan My

3 Arrived Tan My. Departed for Cua Viet . Departed for Da Nang.

3 Arrived Da Nang. Loaded boats..USS Boston (CA-69) conducting shore bombardment.

4 Departed Da Nang for Subic Bay. Conducted AA “sleeve shoot” exercises with 40mm.

7 Arrived Subic Bay. QMC Thompson reports aboard Thursday, 8 August and Ensign Buce Gallanter reports aboard on Sunday, 11 August.

11 Departed Subic Bay for Vung Tau

14 Arrived Vung Tau

15 Departed Vung Tau for Da Nang

17 Arrived Da Nang. Departed for Wonder Beach. While anchored in Danang Harbor, there is a Red Alert due to VC infiltration. USS Providence (CL-82) commenced shore bombardment and Cabildo is ordered to move to Wonder Beach Army Causeway.

18 Arrived Wonder Beach. Departed for Qui Nhon.

19 Departed Qui Nhon for Subic Bay. While underway on 20 August, received a distress signal from Taiwanese vessel. Proceeded on course to aid stricken vessel.

21 Arrived Subic Bay. Anchored, awaiting USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) to depart. Delayed because Kawishiwi has gotten salt in her boilers..leaving a very upset CO.

September
1 Departed Subic Bay for Da Nang

4 Arrived Da Nang. Departed for Wonder Beach. Picked up parts for radar and crypto gear. PCFs come under mortar attack and Cabildo is once again ordered to take station off Wonder Beach Army Causeway.

5 Steamed off Wonder Beach to avoid typhoon. Went through tropical storm Bess (50 knot relative winds, 30 degree rolls). Steamed up and down the coast for the next few days, cancelling one of our lifts, awainting orders.

6 Arrived Da Nang. Departed for Wonder Beach

7 Arrived Wonder Beach. Departed for Vung Ro Bay

8 Arrived Vung Ro Bay. Departed for Da Nang

9 Arrived Da Nang. Departed for Yokosuka.

16 Arrived Yokosuka. Departed for Sasebo. Ensign Jim Arthur reports aboard.

19 Arrived Sasebo. Shore liberty for the crew. Departure was scheduled for 22 Sept. but delayed because of typhoon Della.

25 Departed Sasebo for Subic Bay. Ran into Della’s “relief”, typhoon Elaine and took evasive course. Took up to 40 degee rolls.

October
2 Arrived Subic Bay

3 Departed Subic Bay for Cam Ranh Bay

5 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay.

8 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay. Departed for San Fernando.

11 Arrived San Fernando. Departed for Subic Bay.

12 Arrived Subic Bay.

20 Departed Subic Bay for Hong Kong.

22 Arrived Hong Kong.

28 Departed Hong Kong for Da Nang.

30 Departed Da Nang for Cam Ranh Bay.

31 Arrived Cam Ranh Bay. Half the crew has intestinal “problems” because of bad water. Ensign Perry Bishop reports aboard.

November
1 Departed Cam Ranh Bay for Keelung

6 Arrived Keelung. We are the only US Navy ship in port (one Coast Guard vessel and various Merchant vessels). Cabildo is paid a visit by a Nationalist Chinese Admiral.

9 Departed Keelung for Buckner Bay. Went through rough seas (up to 48 degrr rolls) on way to Okinawa.

11 Arrived Buckner Bay. Ensign Dick Saylor reports aboard.

13 Departed Buckner Bay for Kure. Onloaded Admiral’s gig and dog and had a very interesting cruise throug the Inland Sea.

15 Arrived Kure. Departed for Yokosuka.

17 Arrived Yokosuka. Underwent upkeep repairs. Turbine blade comes loose and chews up rotor.

23 Amphibious Squadron SEVEN, minus USS Cabildo (turbine repair) sails for home. We say goodbye to USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and USS Okanogan (APA-220) as they set sail to join with USS Merick (AKA-97) on their way home. Needless to say, morale is at an all-time low as the crew contemplates not making it back for Christmas. But the Yokosuka Ship Repair Facility takes full responsibility for turbine damage and works around the clock to have it repaired. Sea trials are conducted and turbine test out ok. We’re on our way home!

26 Departed Yokosuka for Pearl Harbor.

December
6 Arrived Pearl Harbor.

7 Departed Pearl Harbor for Long Beach. This is on Pearl Harbor Day and everyone is suffering from “channel fever” but very glad that we are heading for CONUS.

14 Arrived Long Beach. The USS Cabildo (LSD-16) ends her illustrious overseas career and will continue another year of duty in readiness training, “Operation Bellflower” with Mine Warefare Command and participates in the Centennial 4th of July Celebration in Tacoma, Washington until she is decommissioned in 1970.