The Pearl Harbor honors the naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and the men and women who fought so valiantly in response to the surprise attack by Japanese forces December 7, 1941.

USS Pearl Harbor is the Navy's 12th Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, and the fourth to be built with a "cargo variant" configuration, which provides additional space for Marine Corps equipment. She was christened on February 24, 1996, at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, Louisiana. LSD 52 was commissioned May 30, 1998.

In January 2000, the dock landing ship departed Naval Station San Diego for its maiden deployment in western Pacific, with the USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group. She returned home in July after participating in Operation Southern Watch and exercises Eager Mace, Eastern Maverick and Sea Soldier.

December 1, 2001 USS Pearl Harbor deployed again, with the BHR ARG, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The ARG was ordered to deploy 45 days earlier than originally scheduled, to join America's war against international terrorism.

June 18, 2002 LSD 52, commanded by Cmdr. Ronald W. Kennedy, returned to San Diego after six-and-a-half month combat deployment in Arabian Gulf. Transiting back to home she visited her namesake port June 7-10.

January 17, 2003 USS Pearl Harbor departed San Diego, as part of Amphibious Task Force West (ATF-W), for an unscheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

July 3, The dock landing ship pulled to island of Tonga for a three-day port visit.

July 26, USS Pearl Harbor returned to homeport after more than six-month underway period in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The ATF-W arrived in the North Arabian Gulf in February to join a larger amphibious force that brought 33,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to the region. This amphibious force, named Task Force 51, eventually included 32 U.S. and coalition ships.

July 16, 2005 USS Pearl Harbor departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Tarawa ESG-1 and 13th MEU, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

August 15, USS Pearl Harbor pulled to Darwin, Australia, for training, liberty and a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of World War II's victory in the Pacific with their Australian allies.

September 10, LSD 52 entered the Mediterranean Sea to participate in the multinational exercise Bright Star 2005.

October 14, USS Pearl Harbor, commanded by Cmdr. Jonathan Harnden, made a brief port stop to Manama, Bahrain, where Sailors loaded 13 pieces of heavy equipment bound for Pakistan. The United States government is participating in a multinational humanitarian assistance and support effort led by the Pakistani Government to bring aid to victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the region Oct. 8. The dock landing ship arrived in Karachi, Pakistan, Oct. 18.

October 22, USS Pearl Harbor departed Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, bound for Pakistan with 130 tons of essential supplies for the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the region. The relief supplies included blankets, mattresses, heaters, food, water, clothes and shoes, as well as other comfort items. LSD 52 pulled to Karachi again on Oct. 24th.

October 29, The amphibious ship makes third Pakistani relief delivery offloading 16 pieces of heavy machinery. Pearl Harbor’s cargo included tractors, heavy trucks, bulldozers and other heavy equipment requested by the government of Pakistan to assist with improving road access to the affected areas in the northern part of the country.

December 28, The Pearl Harbor conducted maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf Nov. 20 - Dec. 26. During this time Pearl Harbor's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Team has been a key component in the MSO as well has building a bridge between the U.S. service members and local merchants and fishermen.

January 21, 2006 LSD 52 departed Singapore after a three-day port visit.

February 20, USS Pearl Harbor returned to San Diego after completing a seven-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

May 19, The dock landing ship departed floating dry-dock in San Diego following a scheduled repair cycle.

July 7, LSD 52 is currently in Depot Maintenance Availability at NASSCO shipyards in San Diego.

July 26, USS Pearl Harbor, commanded by Cmdr. Victor V. Cooper, departed for sea trials following an extensive nine-week period in the NASSCO shipyards.

December 4, The dock landing ship arrived in Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor those who valiantly fought to defend the island of Oahu during the attack on December 7, 1941.

March 28, 2007 USS Pearl Harbor departed San Diego to begin their role in a U.S. Navy Task Group conducting Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. The task group, led by Capt. Randall Snyder, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 commodore, will be composed of the Pearl Harbor; Chilean Frigate Almirante Latorre (FFG 14), USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and USS Samuel B Roberts (FFG 58). During POA 2007, the ships will participate in several exercises as they sail around South America, including UNITAS and Teamwork South. The deployment will conclude with participation in PANAMAX 2007, an annual exercise designed to assist the government of Panama in protecting the sovereignty and security of the Panama Canal.

April 6, After a brief port visit to Vasco Nunez De Balboa, Panama, the Pearl Harbor passed through the Panama Canal.

April 18, U.S. Navy Task Group 40.0 arrived in Salvador, Brazil, for a scheduled port call. Upon completion of the port visit, Sailors and Marines will begin working with the Spanish and Brazilian navies, conducting tactical maneuvering drills, communications exercises and seamanship evolutions.

April 26, USS Pearl Harbor pulled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a port visit.

May 2, LSD 52 arrived in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina, for a scheduled port call.

May 16, Partnership of the Americas Task Group 40.0 got underway May 14 after a successful 3-day visit to Puerto Belgrano, Argentina, marking the end of UNITAS Atlantic 48-07 phase.

May 23, USS Pearl Harbor arrived in Valparaiso, Chile, for a port visit after transiting the Strait of Magellan and the Patagonian channels located on the Chilean coast.

May 30, The dock landing ship pulled to Mejillones, Chile, to participate in exercises Team Work South 2007.

June 17, The 24th Marine Regiment, embarked aboard LSD 52, conducted a beach landing exercise June 14 and 15 in Ancon, Peru. Task Group 40.0 will begin the at sea phase of UNITAS Pacific on June 18, working with a submarine and ships from Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

June 28, UNITAS 48-07 Pacific concluded off the coast of South America with a final conference at sea aboard USS Pearl Harbor to assess the exercise and its results.

July 20, USS Pearl Harbor departed Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama, after a ten-day port visit. For the next two months, ships of Task Group 40.0 will be completing a series of theater security cooperation events in Central America and the Caribbean. At the end of August, the Task Group will participate in PANAMAX 2007, an exercise that simulates defending the Panama Canal from attack.

July 25, LSD 52 pulled to Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, for a scheduled port call. The dock landing ship arrived in La Union, El Salvador, July 30.

August 9, USS Pearl Harbor pulled to Amapala, Honduras, Aug. 4 to participate in theater security cooperation operations ashore in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA) 2007. The ship departed Corinto, Nicaragua, Aug. 15.

August 25, USS Pearl Harbor arrived in Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama, for the final phase of POA 2007.

September 20, LSD 52 departed Mazatlan, Mexico, after a final port visit.

September 26, USS Pearl Harbor returned to San Diego after a six-month deployment in support of Partnership of the Americas.

November 20, Cmdr. Xavier Valverde relieved Cmdr. Victor V. Cooper as CO during a ceremony held aboard the ship in San Diego.

May 4, 2008 USS Pearl Harbor departed Naval Base San Diego, as part of USS Peleliu (LHA 5) ESG, for a scheduled deployment in the Central Command Area of Responsibility (AoR).

June 27, LSD 52 is currently conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.

July 27, Rear Adm. Kendall Card relieved Cmdr. Xavier F. Valverde following a preliminary inquiry after a recent grounding incident in the Persian Gulf. Card expressed his loss in confidence in Valverde's ability to command. No injuries or damage occurred as a result of the incident. Capt. Mike Slotsky has assumed command of the Pearl Harbor.

October 13, The dock landing ship arrived in Guam for a routine port call.

November 4, USS Pearl Harbor returned to homeport after a six-month underway period in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

March 12, 2010 LSD 52 departed San Diego for a Friends and Family Day Cruise.

April 26, The Pearl Harbor completed its participation in a Certification Exercise (CERTEX), with the USS Peleliu ARG, in preparation for a deployment next month.

May 20, USS Pearl Harbor departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

June 4, The dock landing ship arrived in Guam for a scheduled port call.

June 20, The Pearl Harbor arrived off the coast of Dili, Timor Leste, to take part in exercise Crocodilo.

June 28, LSD 52 pulled into Darwin, Australia, for a week port visit.

July 13, USS Pearl Harbor arrived at the port of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, to participate in exercise Benevolent Phoenix 2010.

July 31, Cmdr. Homer R. Denius III relieved Cmdr. David K. Guluzian as CO of the Pearl Harbor during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship in the Arabian Gulf.

August 14, The dock landing ship recently departed Manama, Bahrain, after a routine port call.

September 24, LSD 52 is currently assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

November 21, USS Pearl Harbor departed Singapore after a four-day port visit.

December 6, The dock landing ship arrived in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a four-day port call to participate in the commemoration ceremonies on the 69th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor. It is the first time the ship is able to be in Hawaii on the anniversary of its namesake.

December 18, USS Pearl Harbor returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment.

May 20, 2011 The Pearl Harbor entered the dry-dock at General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard for a month of extensive work on shafting system and exterior hull. LSD 52 has been docked at NASSCO’s Berth 4, since January 24, for a $20 million worth renovation and modernization period.

October 14, The dock landing ship returned to San Diego after successufully completing certification exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of southern California, as part of the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

November 14, USS Pearl Harbor departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled deployment.

November 23, LSD 52 departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after a two-day port visit.

December 11, USS Pearl Harbor, along with USS New Orleans (LPD 18), arrived off the coast of Cambodia to participate in a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2012, in the vicinities of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

December 17, The dock landing ship pulled into Sihanoukville for a two-day port visit.

December 23, The Pearl Harbor pulled into Changi Naval Base for a scheduled port visit to Singapore.

January 8, 2012 USS Pearl Harbor recently arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a routine port call.