Avondale Shipyard
USS "Valdez" was laid down on 30 June 1972 at Oswego, Louisiana, by the Avondale Shipyard; launched on 24 March 1973; sponsored by Mrs. Manuelita Valdez, the mother of Hospitalman Third Class Valdez; and commissioned on 27 July 1974 at Charleston, South Carolina, Comdr. Joe D. Peden in command. The "Valdez" was the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for a Spanish-descended American war hero.