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Thanks to Kevin Flatley for the information and permission to publish this information.

Laid down, 7 September 1954, at Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS. Class: Thomaston LSD-28 Fleet. Launched, 10 November 1955. Commissioned USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32), 8 June 1956. Decommissioned, 2 October 1989 Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and struck from the Naval Register 13 December 1989. Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA. Final Disposition, towed to Norfolk, VA., June 2001, to be prepared for sinking as an artificial reef at Key Largo, FL in the spring of 2002.

The Spiegel Grove was named after the home and estate in Fremont, OH, of Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States. Spiegel Grove was laid down on 7 September 1954 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, MS.; launched on 10 November 1955; sponsored by Mrs. Webb C. Hayes; and commissioned on 8 June 1956, Capt. Saverio S. Fillipone in command.Spiegel Grove headed for Hampton Roads and arrived at Norfolk, VA on 7 July. The ship was in the yards during October; and in November, she participated in amphibious exercises off Onslow Beach, NC.On 9 January 1957, Spiegel Grove, with other ships of Transport Amphibious Squadron (TransPhibRon) 4, sailed from Morehead City, NC, with elements of the 6th Marines embarked, for a tour with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She returned to Norfolk on 3 June and operated along the east coast for the remainder of the year. In November, she transported 364 Army troops to Labrador. In January 1958, the LSD was deployed with her squadron to the 6th Fleet on an extended tour which did not end until; 6 October. On the 22nd, the Spiegel Grove was assigned to PhibRon 10, the new Fast Squadron. The years 1959 and 1960 saw the LSD participating in numerous operations along the east coast and in the Caribbean.Spiegel Grove stood out of Norfolk in April 1961 with Task Force (TF) 88 for "Solant Amity II", a good-will tour to the African coast. The force carried tons of medical supplies, food and disaster supplies, toys, books and seed. During the 4 month cruise, the ships visited Gambia, Durban, the Malagasy Republic, the Seychelles Islands, Zanzibar, Kenya, the Union of South Africa, Togo and Gabon before returning to the United States on 8 September. She then entered Horne Brothers Shipyard, Newport News, VA, for an overhaul that was not completed until early January 1962.Spiegel Grove conducted refresher training and then spent March and April in amphibious exercises in the Caribbean. In May, she took part in operations supporting Malcolm Scott Carpenter's manned space flight. In July and August she returned to the Caribbean for "Phibulex 2-62". On 1 December 1962, a tender availability period was begun to prepare the ship for "Solant Amity IV". The LSD loaded supplies during January 1963, and sailed, on 15 February, for her second good-will tour which lasted until late May. The ship steamed over 21,000 miles and visited 9 countries before returning home. Spiegel Grove next deployed to the Caribbean from July to September with PhibRon 8.The landing ship has spent the greater part of her active service participating in amphibious exercises along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean. Spiegel Grove was deployed to the 6th Fleet from January to June 1964; 3 November 1966 to 11 May 1967; and from 17 April to 9 October 1971. She participated in Operation "Steel Pike I" off Spain in October 1964 and made a Midshipman cruise to England and Denmark in 1970.1975: C.O. Cdr. John Avila, Jr. The Spiegel Grove became a member of ComPhibRon 8, 2nd Fleet. January and February were devoted to general upkeep. On 6 March, the ship was U/W to the Caribbean with Marines from Morehead City, NC. The Spiegel Grove participated in various operations, including Latredex 2-75, with the British Navy; Escort Tiger, Agate Punch, and Rum Punch with the British and Dutch navies.The Spiegel Grove returned to Little Creek in late April and was U/W again to participate in exercises "Solid Shield '75".The LSD's next assignment was to serve as Commander Amphibious Task Force for a reserve amphibious landing exercise in June. July was spent preparing for the ship's second Caribbean cruise of the year. On 5 August, the Caribbean Amphibious Ready Group 2-75 was terminated and Spiegel Grove became a member of the Atlantic Ready Group (LARG 2-75) under ComPhibRon 4.On 6 August, the LSD deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and finally to Vieques, Puerto Rico where she conducted numerous training exercises. The ship returned to Little Creek on 29 August.September saw the ship participating in a PhibRefTra. October and November were spent in port preparing for an upcoming Mediterranean deployment scheduled for January 1976.The Spiegel Grove served as flagship for ComPhibRon 8 in December.On 5 January 1976, the ship deployed to the Mediterranean with embarked UDT 21, Det 2 and ACU2, Det E; and USMC BLT 3.The Spiegel Grove was a member of Task Force 61. The ship anchored in Augusta Bay, Italy on 27 January. On that same day, during a rain squall, the anchor chain of the merchant ship Honesty (of Panamanian registry), parted, and caused the merchant to drift and collide with the bow of the Spiegel Grove. Minor damage occurred to both ships, but no personnel were injured.On the morning of 21 June, the LSD began the operation "Fluid Drive" - the evacuation of Lebanon. LCU 1654 was launched and 110 Americans along with 166 foreign nationals were evacuated to the Spiegel Grove.The remainder of the deployment went well, and the ship returned to Little Creek on 15 July.August and September saw the ship preparing for a six month overhaul. On 20 September, the ship got U/W for Yorktown to offload her ammunition. On 29 September, she was U/W for Baltimore, MD where she began her overhaul that would last throughout the remainder of the year.In 1976, the Spiegel Grove earned the Amphibious Assault award and the CIC "E".The USS Spiegel Grove remained in the Bethlehem Steel yards in Baltimore, MD for all of 1977. The Commanding Officer was Captain V.R. Bush. This overhaul included major modifications to the enlisted dining facility and galley. In addition, extensive work was accomplished in the main engineering space where a majority of equipment was overhauled.The overhaul was completed on 27 January 1978. On 14 April, Cdr. J.C. Van Slyke, Jr. relieved Cpt. Bush.On 19 May the ship deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for RefTra. On 18 July, the LSD sailed to Bermuda to participate in the special CNO project OMAT (Ocean Measurement & Array Technology). The Spiegel Grove returned to GTMO on 16 September to complete the RefTra.The ship deployed to Panama City, FL to participate in another special CNO project working with the latest US Navy landing craft: JEFF "B" Assist craft. November and December 1978 were spent in Restricted Availability at port in Little Creek, VA.January 1-10, 1979 were spent in port, Little Creek. Cdr. Van Slyke commanding. On 10 January, the ship deployed to the Mediterranean as part of MARG 1-79. This cruise went without a hitch, and the Spiegel Grove returned to port on 19 June and stood down until 13 August 1979. On that date she departed for Panama City, FL fro training with the experimental "JEFF" craft.The remainder of 1979 was spent performing various amphibious exercises, including conducting LVT operations with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marine Reserve. The latter part of the year was spent preparing for the January 1980 Mediterranean deployment (MARG 1-80).January 1980 was spent preparing for the upcoming deployment. On 30 January, the Spiegel Grove joined other ships of Amphibious Readiness Squadron Group 1-80, (USS Inchon, USS Austin, USS Spartanburg County, USS Fairfax County), under the command of ComPhibRon 6 - Captain Raymond Burris. (On 26 April, Captain E.W. Foote relieved Captain Burris).During the successful Mediterranean deployment, the LSD took part in several amphibious operations including landings at Medonheria, Portugal; Garuch, Spain; Capo Teulada, Sardinia; Dogenby, Turkey and Brindisi, Italy.On 19 May, Commander John N. McKay, Jr. relieved Commander J.C. Van Slyke, Jr. of command.The LSD returned to Little Creek on 2 July, and stood down until 26 August when she deployed for "Teamwork 80". This operation included 60,000 personnel and 170 ships from nine NATO countries in the largest amphibious training exercise in history. This exercise took place on the Norwegian coast.January 1981 was spent in port for general upkeep. In February, the LSD deployed to Charleston, SC to test the feasibility of loading out Mine Sweeping Boats in order to transport them worldwide.On 8 March, the Spiegel Grove deployed with the USS Josephus Daniels (CG-27) to the Caribbean Sea to demonstrate US Naval presence in support of US policies in Latin America and the Caribbean areas Carib Ops 81). CincLantFlt (Adm. Harry Train) and ComNavSurfLant (V-Adm. J.D. Johnson) were embarked on Josephus Daniels. This marked the first time since former Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, banned alcohol from US Navy ships, that wine and beer were served. This also may have been the first time in the ships' history that she brought home a stowaway from the Dominican Republic!During May, June and July, the ship participated in two operations. The first one was Exercise "Solid Shield '81", and the second one was "Operation Life Line II" - this one working with the US Army's 7th Transportation Group.On 26 July, the Spiegel Grove entered the yards at Norfolk's NorShipCo Shipyard in Berkley for an extensive overhaul.In addition to a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Spiegel Grove received the Energy Conservation Award from the Secretary of the Navy.January and February 1982 saw the USS Spiegel Grove undergoing her overhaul in drydock. During March and April the Spiegel Grove became the first LSD-28 class ship to successfully complete a Propulsion Plant Examining Board Light-Off Exam.In May, the ship completed her overhaul 2 months ahead of schedule and returned to port in Little Creek.The next several months were filled with numerous tests, exercises and inspections The LSD was awarded her first Navy "E".On 8 October, Commander Thomas Summerlin relieved Captain John McKay as Commanding Officer. Two days later, the Spiegel Grove was U/W for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for Refresher Training (RefTra).RefTra was also completed ahead of schedule, and the ship was the first LSD-28 class ship to earn Operational Propulsion Plant Examination certification.November saw the Spiegel Grove participating in amphibious refresher training and, during this reftra, she earned the highest scores ever recorded at amphibious refresher training.From 1-19 January 1983, the Spiegel Grove was in port. On the 20th, she departed for "Operation Ahuas Tara/Kindle Liberty". Anchoring 29 January, at La Cieba, Honduras, the ship embarked 479 enlisted and 25 officers of the Honduran Army. An amphibious exercise took place near Puerto Lempira. The Honduran President and the Chief of Armed Forces were in attendance.In February, the ship anchored in Gatun Lake, Panama Canal Zone, to conduct amphibious operations with the US Army.March and April 1983 were spent in port. On 23 April, the ship participated in "Solid Shield '83". The ship returned to port on 4 May 1983. The remaining days of May 1983 were spent preparing for the upcoming "Unitas XXIV/WATC '83" deployment in June. On 15 June, the LSD departed for the annual good-will cruise. The first stop was Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico to rendezvous with the balance of the task force: the USS Jesse L. Brown (FF-1079), the USS Connolly (DD-979) and the USS Scott (DDG-995).The Spiegel Grove returned to Little Creek on 12 December for standdown and the holiday leave period. The ship also began preparing for an upcoming overseas movement (POM).On 19 January 1985, Commander Richard McCarthy relieved Commander Summerlin as Commanding Officer. During the first couple of months, the ship prepared for an upcoming Mediterranean deployment. In mid-March, the ship began it's restricted availability repairs to the engineering spaces, mainly the feed pumps and forced draft blowers. Due to repair problems, the RAV was extended and the Mediterranean deployment was cancelled.In early May 1985, the Spiegel Grove acted as host ship for the arrival of the newest LSD to Little Creek: the USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41).A shipyard strike in late summer hampered ongoing repairs. In December, the ship began preparing for the February 1986 LOE.January 1986 saw the Spiegel Grove receive departmental awards in Deck, Comms, and DC. The ship participated in LOE and sea trials in April. Mount 31 was replaced in April.In June, the Spiegel Grove held a 30th birthday party commemorating the anniversary of the ship's commissioning date. The LSD won the Golden Anchor award in October.Commander McCarthy was promoted to Captain in November, in December, the ship won the NavPhiBase Captain's Cup; the Vulcan Phalanx Close-In Weapons System was also installed as was the 4 Coffin Main Feed Pumps.The main feed pump installation was completed in February 1986. In March, the ship deployed to Guantanamo Bay for RefTra. In May, the Spiegel Grove underwent Combat Systems Readiness Review (CSRR), and in June she deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of MARG 3-87.In November, the Spiegel Grove returned to Little Creek. December was spent in standdown mode.During the 1987 Mediterranean deployment, the Spiegel Grove became CTU 76.8.2, better known as ComPhibRon 32 as the mining of the Persian Gulf by Iran reconfigured the MARG deployment schedule.Due to the extreme water temperatures in this part of the world, the Spiegel Grove lost both of her evaporators, and she had to shut down the boilers. The ship then performed a 'dead stick' maneuver alongside the USS Ponchatoula (TAO 148) for a fresh water transfer. The ship received a 'well done' from CTF 76, R-Adm Smith. The LSD was also designated as Top Operator during the MARG 87 deployment.The USS Spiegel Grove (LSD 32) was decommissioned in 1989 and from that time until late 1996 she rested as part of the 'mothball fleet' in the James River in Newport News.