Assault Craft Unit 1

Last updated
Assault Craft Unit ONE
Assault Craft Unit 1 Command Logo.png
Active01 June 1943 - Present
Country United States
Branch USN
Garrison/HQ NAB Coronado
Nickname(s)Surf Riders
Motto(s)"Initiative, Dependability, Cooperation"
Engagements World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
War on Terror
Commanders
Current
commander
CDR K. M. STONER

Assault Craft Unit ONE, (ACU-1) is a Pacific Ocean Maritime Prepositioning Force in the United States Navy operated under Naval Beach Group ONE out of Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado with a Forward Detachment in Sasebo, Japan. [1] ACU-1's force consists of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) boats, Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM), Mark 8 boats , and Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boats (MPFUBs) . [2] The sister unit of ACU-1 is Assault Craft Unit 2 in Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. [1]

Contents

History

Assault Craft Unit 1 traces its roots to World War II as hundreds of LCUs were decommissioned, leaving 30 LCUs in the command of "Centralized Flotilla Command" in NAB Coronado known as LCU Squadron ONE. In July, 1947, a neighboring command, Boat Unit ONE, was created to command Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) LCM-3s and Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP)s. In 1950, the two commands participated in the Battle of Inchon and in every amphibious operation of the Korean War afterward. [3]

In 1963, the LCU Squadron ONE and Boat Unit ONE were merged to make Assault Craft Squadron 1 (ACS-1). In 1968, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) directed to have ACS-1 and its Assault Craft Divisions ELEVEN, TWELVE and THIRTEEN be disestablished and reformed as Assault Craft Unit ONE (ACU 1).

In 1990, in response to the Gulf War, ACU-1 was a first responder, acting to transport and unload cargo from Maritime Prepositioning Ships using LCM-8s. Since the September 11 attacks, ACU-1 has operated outside of a strictly military role, providing humanitarian services and disaster relief. Recently, ACU-1 has operated with other Amphibious Battalions providing Military logistics for the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle Military exercise in South Korea.

LCU 1500 Memorial

On 28 February 1968, near Ocean View, Viet Nam, LCU 1500 was hit by a rocket, killing the Radioman. One year later, on 27 February 1969, while loading ammunition in Da Nang, an enemy rocket hit the nearly loaded craft and killed 13 crew aboard. On 14 March 1969, ACU-1 began an annual memorial to the 14 sailors that lost their lives on LCU 1500. [4] At the ACU-1 compound on NAB Coronado, a recreational cabana was erected near its piers and painted to look like LCU 1500. The cabana houses pictures of the crew and ship as well as a memorial with the names of the slain Sailors. [5]

Structure

The six departments of ACU-1 are Landing Craft, Administration, Engineering, Medical, Operations, and Supply. [6] The most prevalent ratings at the command are Boatswain's Mates (BM), Enginemen (EN), Quartermasters (QM), and Undesignated Seamen (SN). Secondary and support ratings at ACU-1 include Culinary Specialists (CS), Damage Controlmen (DC), Electrician's Mates (EM), Hull Maintenance Technicians (HT), Logistics Specialists (LS), Machinist's Mates (MM), Operations Specialists (OS), Navy Counselors (NC), and Yeomen (YN).

The LC department is divided into three divisions; LCU, MPF, and MRF. The LCU Division operates its LCUs which can make long deployments independently or aboard larger amphibious vessels such as LHDs and LHAs. The MPF Department operate and maintain its LCM-8 and MPFUB crafts locally and are mobilized and flown to theaters to perform maritime prepositioning operations within 24 hours notice. The MRF Department operates 6 eleven-meter RHIBs.

ACU-1 had its change of command on Dec. 1, 2017, at which time CDR Nathan W. Fugate took over as Commanding Officer.

Awards

The ACU-1 sign outside its Quarterdeck in March 2013 Assault Craft Unit ONE Medals 2013.jpg
The ACU-1 sign outside its Quarterdeck in March 2013

Through its continuous operation from the Korean War through today, Assault Craft Unit ONE has been awarded 21 different medals, several with multiple awards.

Award-star-silver-3d.png
Combat Action Ribbon.svg
United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg
Award-star-silver-3d.png
1 golden star.svg
1 golden star.svg
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg
Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Korean Service Medal - Ribbon.svg
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea).svg
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg
Combat Action Ribbon with 5 Award Stars Presidential Unit Citation Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Navy Unit Commendation with 7 Award Stars Meritorious Unit Commendation with 11 Service Stars Navy Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal with 3 Service Stars Korean Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 7 Service Stars
Vietnam Service Medal with 7 Service Stars Southwest Asia Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with 6 Service Stars Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) with Golden Palm and Gold frame United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Korean War Service Medal

Related Research Articles

<i>Tarawa</i>-class amphibious assault ship Class of US amphibious assault ships

The Tarawa class is a ship class of Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) type amphibious assault ships operated by the United States Navy (USN). Five ships were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding between 1971 and 1980; another four ships were planned, but later canceled; instead they were joined by the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherlands Marine Corps</span> Royal Dutch Navy component

The Netherlands Marine Corps is the elite naval infantry corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy, one of the four Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The marines trace their origins to the establishment of the Regiment de Marine on 10 December 1665, by the then grand pensionary of the Dutch Republic, Johan de Witt and famous Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. It is the second-oldest still-active marine corps in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Special Warfare Command</span> Naval component of United States Special Operations Command

The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (USNSWC), also known as, is the naval component of United States Special Operations Command, the unified command responsible for overseeing and conducting the nation's special operations and missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile Riverine Force</span> US naval force in Vietnam

In the Vietnam War, the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) (after May 1967), initially designated Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Force, and later the Riverines, were a joint US Army and US Navy force that comprised a substantial part of the brown-water navy. It was modeled after lessons learned by the French experience in the First Indochina War of Dinassaut and had the task of both transport (of soldiers and equipment) and combat. The primary land base was at Đồng Tâm Base Camp, with a floating base which operated in the major rivers of the Mekong Delta. Soldiers and sailors went out in river boats from the floating base to assault the Viet Cong. During part of the 1968-69 period, there were two such mobile bases operating in different parts of the Delta, Mobile Riverine Groups Alpha and Bravo. The MRF played a key role in the Tet Offensive.

USNS <i>Sacagawea</i> Cargo ship of the United States Navy

USNS Sacagawea (T-AKE-2), a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, is the third ship operated by the United States Navy to be named for Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who acted as guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and one of the few United States Navy ships named for women.

PHIBRON is a United States Navy abbreviation for Amphibious Squadron. It is a tactical and administrative organization composed of amphibious assault shipping to transport troops and their equipment for an amphibious assault operation.

Landing Craft Utility Type of boat designed for transporting amphibious forces and cargo to shore

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing Craft Mechanized</span> Landing craft designed for carrying vehicles

The landing craft mechanized (LCM) is a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allied amphibious assaults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Amphibious Base Coronado</span> US Navy installation near San Diego, California, United States

Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is a US naval installation located across the bay from San Diego, California. The base, situated on the Silver Strand, between San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, is a major Navy shore command, supporting over 30 tenant commands, and is the West Coast focal point for special and expeditionary warfare training and operations. The on‑base population is 5,000 military personnel and 7,000 students and reservists. The base is one of the eight components of Naval Base Coronado (NBC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Expeditionary Combat Command</span> Echelon III command of the U.S. Navy

The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is an echelon III command of the United States Navy, which serves as the single functional command to centrally manage current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the United States Navy's 21,000 expeditionary forces who are currently serving in every theater of operation. The NECC was established in January 2006. NECC is a subordinate command of the Navy's Fleet Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amphibious Construction Battalion 1</span> Military unit

Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE is an amphibious construction battalion in the United States Navy based in Coronado, California. Amphibious Construction Battalion TWO is its sister unit based in Little Creek, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expeditionary strike group</span> Organizational unit within the US Navy

In the United States Navy, the expeditionary strike group (ESG) is a coordinated group of surface ships, aircraft, submarines, and other naval assets. In contrast to carrier strike groups (CSGs), which emphasize air power and are led by a supercarrier, ESGs are strongly suited for amphibious warfare and are led by an amphibious assault ship. The ESG concept was introduced in the early 1990s, based on the Naval Expeditionary Task Force. The U.S. Navy fields nine expeditionary strike groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen</span> Military unit

The Special Warfare Combat Crewmen is a United States Naval Special Warfare Command team that operates and maintains small craft for special operations missions, particularly those in support of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maritime Special Purpose Force</span> United States Marine Corps specialized sub-unit of a Marine expeditionary unit

A Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) is a United States Marine Corps specialized sub-unit of a Marine expeditionary unit. A MSPF is deployed to give the commanders low profile, two-platoon surgical emplacement in the accessible littoral regions. The MSPF provides the enhanced operational capability and precision skills to complement, enable, and execute selected conventional, maritime special operations. They can also perform operations not resident in traditional amphibious raid companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khmer National Navy</span> Navy of the Khmer Republic (1970-1975)

The Khmer National Navy was the naval component of the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK), the official military of the Khmer Republic during the Cambodian Civil War between 1970 and 1975.

Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boat

The Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Utility Boat (MPFUB) is a commercially designed utility craft used primarily to move personnel and light equipment during MPF offload operations. The 41 foot long, high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the United States Navy's Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. Additional missions include supporting waterborne force protection, transportation of personnel and materials, medical evacuation, salvage, damage control, and repair operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assault Craft Unit 2</span> Military unit

Assault Craft Unit TWO (ACU-2) is an Atlantic Ocean Maritime Prepositioning Force in the United States Navy operated under Naval Beach Group Two out of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. ACU-2's force consists of Landing Craft Utility boats (LCU), Landing Craft Mechanized, Mark 8 boats (LCM), and Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boats (MPFUB). The sister unit of ACU-2 is Assault Craft Unit 1 in Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Beach Group One</span> Military unit

Naval Beach Group One, (NBG-1) is a United States Navy amphibious unit based at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in Coronado, California. Naval Beach Group Two is its sister unit based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Beach Group Two</span> Military unit

Naval Beach Group Two, (NBG-2) is a United States Navy amphibious unit based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Naval Beach Group One is its sister unit based in Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in Coronado, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Support Activity Danang</span> Military unit

Naval Support Activity Danang or NSA Danang was a United States Navy logistics support organization located in Danang, South Vietnam active from October 1965 to April 1972.

References

  1. 1 2 "Assault Craft Unit ONE (ACU 1)" . Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  2. "ACU-1 Assault Craft Boats". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  3. "Assault Craft Unit 1 History" . Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  4. "BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON LCU 1500". Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  5. "Survivor Remembers Vietnam-era Assault on Landing Craft" . Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  6. "ACU ONE Departments". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.