MarAd offers Pioneer Commander to historic groups

MarAd offers Pioneer Commander to historic groups    The U.S. Maritime Administration said it will dispose of the obsolete vessel Pioneer Commander, which is located at the agency's National Defense Reserve Fleet site in Beaumont, Texas, and make it available to qualified public and non-profit organizations for use as a memorial.
   MarAd, in consultation with the Texas Historical Commission, determined that the vessel is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places due to its role in the evacuation of more than 44,000 Americans, Vietnamese military and refugees from South Vietnam in 1975, signaling the close of America's long involvement in Vietnam.
   Starting June 1, MarAd will accept completed donation applications for the Pioneer Commander for the next 45 days. For more information, visit the MarAd Ship Donation Program here or contact Kevin Smith by telephone at (202) 366-3798, or by e-mail at kevin.r.smith@dot.gov.