From Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. V (1979), pp. 348

A city in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, discoverer of Florida, first governor of Puerto Rico.

(LPD-15: dp. 16,900; l. 570'; b. 84'; dr. 23'; s. 20 k.; cpl. 490; a. 8 3"; cl. Cleveland)

Ponce was laid down 31 October 1966 by the Lockheed SB & Const. Co., Seattle, Wash.; launched 20 May 1970, sponsored by Mrs. John J. Hyland, and scheduled to commission in July 1971.