| abstract | - The USS Newport (LST-1179) was the third ship to bear the name of the Rhode Island city. The first of her class of LSTs, she was capable of a sustained speed of . Her ability to adjust her draft, accompanied by her unique bow-ramp design, helped bring a new degree of responsiveness to the amphibious fleet. Built by the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, she was christened on 3 February 1968 by Mrs. Nuella Pell; wife of Rhode Island's Senator, Claiborne Pell. While assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Newport completed ten deployments to the Mediterranean, as an asset of the Sixth Fleet. She also completed numerous deployments to the North Atlantic and Caribbean, in support of U.S. foreign policy. She assisted in the 1976 evacuation of Lebanon, and the 1990 Liberian Civil War; as well as operating in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, from a station in the Mediterranean. During her service, she earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy "E" Ribbon (for Battle Efficiency), (twice), Navy Expeditionary Medal (one service star), National Defense Service Medal (one service star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (nine service stars), and a Secretary of State Tribute of Appreciation.
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