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USNS Mendonca (T-AKR 303)

- Military Sealift Command -

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USNS MENDONCA is the fourth BOB HOPE - class large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship (LMSR) and the first ship in the Navy named after Army Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca. The USNS MENDONCA is operated by Patriot Contracting Services.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: December 27, 1995
	Keel laid: November 3, 1997
	Launched: May 25, 1999
	Delivered: January 30, 2001
	Builder: Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, LA
	Propulsion system: 4 Colt Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V diesels
	Propellers: two
	Length: 951.4 feet (290 meters)
	Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters)
	Draft: 34.8 feet (10.6 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 62,070 tons full load
	Speed: 24 knots
	Aircraft: helicopter landing area only
	Armament: none
	Capacity: 380,000 sq. ft.
	Crew: 26 civilian crew (up to 45); up to 50 active duty
	Homeport: not assigned

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Crew List:

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

Click here to view the list.

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About the Ship's Name:

USNS MENDONCA is named in honor of Army Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca, a native of Honolulu, HI., who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in Chich-on, Korea, on July 4, 1951.

Citation:

Sgt. LeRoy A. Mendonca, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. After his platoon, in an exhaustive fight, had captured Hill 586, the newly won positions were assaulted during the night by a numerically superior enemy force. When the 1st Platoon positions were outflanked and under great pressure and the platoon was ordered to withdraw to a secondary line of defense, Sgt. Mendonca voluntarily remained in an exposed position and covered the platoon's withdrawal. Although under murderous enemy fire, he fired his weapon and hurled grenades at the onrushing enemy until his supply of ammunition was exhausted. He fought on, clubbing with his rifle and using his bayonet until he was mortally wounded. After the action it was estimated that Sgt. Mendonca had accounted for 37 enemy casualties. His daring actions stalled the crushing assault, protecting the platoon's withdrawal to secondary positions, and enabling the entire unit to repel the enemy attack and retain possession of the vital hilltop position. Sgt. Mendonca's extraordinary gallantry and exemplary valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

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USNS MENDONCA Image Gallery:

The photo below was taken by Stefan Karpinski and shows the MENDONCA being escorted through Bab El Mandeb by the German frigate MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN (F 218) during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003.

The photos below were taken by me and show the MENDONCA at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash., on May 12, 2012.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MENDONCA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on September 21, 2018.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the MENDONCA at Naval Base Norfolk, Va., on December 26, 2021.

The photos below were taken by me and show the MENDONCA arriving at Bremerhaven, Germany, on July 30, 2022. MENDONCA is in Europe to deliver equipment to forward-deployed US forces. Prior to her arrival in Bremerhaven, MENDONCA visited Antwerp, Belgium, July 24-29.

The photo below was taken by Michael Jenning and shows the MENDONCA at Newport News, Va., on September 6, 2022.

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