Namesake Information

USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) honors the residence of James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States. Monroe often traveled to and from the capitol on horseback carrying his state papers in his saddle bags. The Monroe Doctrine was penned at Oak Hill, and subsequently delivered at an 1823 congressional address which asserted that the Western Hemisphere was never to be colonized again. It further stated that any attempt by a European power to oppress or control any nation in the Western Hemisphere would be perceived as a direct threat to the U.S. This doctrine continues to shape our national policy, and is the inspiration for the ship’s motto: “Nations’ Protector.”  In 1830, Monroe went to live with his daughter in New York and upon his death a year later, Oak Hill passed out of family hands. USS Oak Hill is the second ship to honor the residence, and serves as a fitting monument to President Monroe and an important part of American History.