During her second and third deployments to Vietnam, the Mt. McKinley continued to provide communications and specialized support for Commander Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet. The ship participated in in numerous over-the-beach landings -- over sixteen in the 1967-1968 deeployment alone. Though she was about to enter her 25th year of service, Mount McKinley continued to provide the needed communications for the Admiral and his staff.

The twilight cruise for the Mount McKinley began in January, 1969. She received her new designation (LCC-7) at that time and immediately deployed to Vietnam to cruise the waters off Danang. The ship participated in over ten landings during this deployment. This is during the time that I was stationed aboard as part of the Marine Communications Detachment (MarCommDet). On May 1, 1969, Mount McKinley celebrated her 25th year of continuous service.