Description USS Ashland (LSD-48) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship to be named for Ashland, the home of Henry Clay, in Lexington, Kentucky. Ashland was laid down on 4 April 1988, by the Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, Louisiana; launched and christened on 11 November 1989, sponsored by Mrs. Kathleen Foley, wife of Admiral Sylvester R. Foley, Jr. (Ret.); and commissioned on 9 May 1992, at New Orleans. As of 2013, Ashland is homeported at Sasebo, Japan, and assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11. On 19 August 2005, the Ashland and USS Kearsarge were targeted by three Katyusha rockets while in port in Aqaba, Jordan. The vessels were not hit, but one Jordanian soldier was killed and another was wounded after two rockets hit nearby docks. The third rocket landed on a taxi near the Eilat airport in Israel but did not explode. The Ashland, one of eight active ships in its class, is expected to remain in service and mission-capable to 2038. Whether this is worn proudly on a uniform aboard the ship or displayed in a shadow box, this nickel buckle designed for USS Ashland enlisted men and women, makes a perfect gift, souvenir, or award for service This belt buckle measures a 3 inch x 2 inch (75mm x 51mm) rectangle. This is a surplus NWTM item. Packaging may vary.
