USS Indra
USS Indra was one of 39 landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Indra, she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name, and only one of three ships to be named after a Hindu deity.
Construction
Originally laid down as LST-1147 on 12 February 1945; reclassified while building and launched as ARL-37 by Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, of Seneca, Illinois, 21 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Regina K. Hlubek; placed in reduced commission and brought to Bethlehem Key Highway Shipyard, Baltimore, for conversion, and commissioned 2 October 1945.Service history
After shakedown, Indra sailed to Green Cove Springs, Florida, where she remained from 30 November 1945, until 8 May 1946. She then steamed through the Panama Canal to San Diego, arriving 4 June 1946. The ship remained in California until departing 7 January 1947, for the Far East. Indra arrived at Qingdao, 19 February 1947, to support the United States Marines there attempting to stabilize the volatile Chinese situation and protect American lives and property. She performed repair and general services there and at Shanghai, until 30 August 1947, when she sailed for San Diego. Upon her arrival on 25 September 1947, Indra was decommissioned on 6 October 1947, and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group.Indra was recommissioned 16 December 1967. During the Vietnam War, Indra participated in the following campaigns:
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase IV
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase V