The USS Eldorado (AGC-11/LCC-11) was a Mount McKinley-class amphibious force command ship launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944. The vessel became the flagship of Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner, Commander, Amphibious Forces, Pacific. In 1945, she was in Manila preparing for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. Upon returning to Pearl Harbor, the USS Eldorado continued to serve as the flagship for succeeding amphibious commanders in the Pacific post-war. With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, she was the flagship for Rear Admiral Lyman A. Thackrey, Commander, Amphibious Group 3. During the Vietnam War, the vessel was the flagship for the Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific Fleet. In 1967, she received the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation for participating in twelve amphibious assaults. Her designation was changed to LCC-11 in 1969, and she was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her command and control actions during Operation Bold Mariner, the largest amphibious landing since WWII. The ship was decommissioned in 1972 and stricken from the Register the same year. Chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite asbestos were widely used in military ship construction, exposing the enlisted personnel onboard. Those exposed to asbestos while serving may be eligible for compensation.
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