Ponchatoula in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
USS Ponchatoula Memorial
(AO-148)
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, March 23, 2018
1. USS Ponchatoula Memorial Marker
This memorial is dedicated to all the officers and men who served aboard the USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) from its commissioning in January 1956 until its retirement from naval service in August 1992. The Ponchatoula was a Neosha Class Fleet Oiler designed and built to provide underway replenishment to ships at sea. Deployed during the Vietnam War, "The Ponch" was awarded 12 campaign stars and set records for refueling U.S. and allied warships in support of combat operations of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. After time spent assigned to the reserve fleet, the ship was towed in June 2014 from San Francisco, CA, to Brownsville, TX, where she was scrapped.
The memorial is a 1/7 scale replica of the stern of the ship and contains artifacts recovered from the ship during dismantling. When the Memorial was dedicated on May 16, 2015, a time capsule was placed in the capstan to be opened at a time determined by the City of Ponchatoula, LA.
David Cedillo
Baytown, Texas
Erected 2015.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Vietnam • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1956.
Location. 30° 26.324′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in the Florida Parishes and in Greater New Orleans. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ponchatoula Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); PFC Raymond "Mike" Clausen, Jr. (approx. one mile away); Hammond Junior College (approx. 4.6 miles away); Mt. Vernon Walnut (approx. 4.7 miles away); City Of Hammond (approx. 4.9 miles away); Grace Memorial Episcopal Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Friendship Circle (approx. 5.3 miles away); Site of 1st Classroom Bldg. (approx. 5.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ponchatoula.
Other markers no longer nearby. 1862 Train Wreck (was approx. 1.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Peter Hammond (was approx. 4.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Cate Square (was approx. 4.8 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, March 23, 2018
2. USS Ponchatoula Memorial Marker
Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, March 23, 2018
3. USS Ponchatoula Memorial Marker
March 23, 2018
4. USS Ponchatoula Memorial Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 1,522 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2018.
