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TAKR 303 Mendonca

Mendonca is the ninth of 15 new construction large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships and is assigned to surge sealift. Like her sister ships USNS Fisher and USNS Seay, she will be operated by Patriot Contracting Services. Mendonca is the fourth ship of the Bob Hope class.

USNS SEAY (T-AKR 302), the third of seven BOB HOPE Class Strategic Sealift ships Litton Avondale Industries is building, was delivered to the U. S. Navy on March 28, 2002 ahead of schedule.

Delivered to Military Sealift Command in February 2001, Mendonca's first port of call was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, home state of the late Leroy Mendonca.

USNS Mendonca sailed from Hawaii to Korea to load cargo and just happened to be there on July 4, 2001 -- the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Mendonca's heroic last action on July 4, 1951.

Sergeant Leroy A. Mendonca

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.