As in earlier volumes in the series, this study sheds light on past decisions by presenting previously unpublished documents that illustrate not only what was actually built but also what was planned and never brought into service. For example, this book offers the first comprehensive and fully illustrated account of abortive attempts in the 1960s and beyond to build new fire support ships (LFSs). With nearly three hundred photographs and specially commissioned line drawings and extensive appendixes, this work conveniently brings together details of the ships and their service histories found elsewhere only in scattered official references.