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USN Amphibious Ships - The Gator Navy "L" Ships & AKA/APA


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Salvage Sailor
On 11/3/2016 at 5:49 AM, 10esee said:

 

USS LIDDLE (APD-60), ex-Buckley class (DE-206), Converted to Charles Lawrence Class High-speed Transport in 1944. In service 1943 to 1967
 
Liddle embarked 141 troops on 6 December for a flanking operation in the Leyte Gulf area. After landing her troops at Ormoc without casualty on 7 December, Liddle came under attack from Japanese aircraft. Though splashing five attackers, she was hit on the bridge by a kamikaze and seriously damaged, necessitating her return to San Francisco on 16 January 1945 for repairs. While she was being refitted, a sign on her quarterdeck read: "This Ship Lost 38 Officers and Men. She is Anxious to Get Back Into Action."
 
4 battle stars for WWII service - High Speed Gator Greyhound Patch circa 1960's

APD 60 USS LIDDLE 001.jpg

 

APD 60 USS LIDDLE 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

USS BOWERS (DE-637/APD-40) Buckley Class Destroyer Escort / Charles Lawrence Class High-speed Transport in service 1944 to 1958. USS Bowers earned four battle stars for World War II service

 

post-2322-0-13455400-1547064087.jpg

This is her APD-40 patch circa 1951-1958

 

APD 40 USS BOWERS 002.jpg

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USS THUBAN (AKA-19) Andromeda class attack cargo ship in service 1943 to 1967

AKA 19 USS THUBAN 001.jpg

 

AKA 19 USS THUBAN 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

USS TOM GREEN COUNTY (LST-1159) Terrebonne Parish class tank landing ship in service 1953 to 1972

 

post-2322-0-17420000-1549761265_thumb.jpg

Another brown water navy support ship, 12 engagement stars, two Navy Unit Commendations, and one Meritorious Unit Commendation for her Vietnam War service

 

As the situation in Southeast Asia worsened, the United States began to take a more active part in the Vietnam War. Operation Jungle Drum, towards the end of 1965, landed Marines in southern Thailand. With increasing American commitments in South Vietnam, Tom Green County participated in Operations Piranha and Double Eagle in January and February 1966. The latter was the first large-scale amphibious landing under combat conditions since Inchon. In June 1966 the ship came under the operational and administrative command of Landing Ship Squadron 9; and, in November, the ship commenced support commitments for the Vietnam Coastal Surveillance Force, engaged in monitoring and interdicting offshore small craft traffic, TF 115. The year 1967 found the ship participating in further combat operations: Operation Beacon Torch, Operation Beaver Track, Operation Bear Chain, and Operation Kangaroo Kick. As an element of Amphibious Ready Group Bravo (TG 76.5), Tom Green County received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for these operations conducted between 18 June and 4 August 1967. During this deployment in Southeast Asia, the ship also underwent a yard overhaul at Yokosuka from 16 August to 17 November before she returned to Vietnamese waters. On 22 March 1968 Tom Green County arrived in the Mekong Delta region to commence a deployment as support LST for the Mobile Riverine Assault Force. On 15 April Viet Cong (VC) insurgents attacked the ship with recoilless-rifle and automatic-weapons fire, taking nine hits in quick succession. Following repairs, the ship resumed operations with Amphibious Ready Group Alpha (TG 76.4) and participated in Operation Swift Pursuit, before returning to the Mekong in December to commence resupply duties for TG 117.2—Mobile Riverine Group Bravo. While en route on 28 December, Tom Green County came under rocket fire from VC gunners and took seven hits on her port side.
 
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Repairing the damage and continuing her assigned missions, she conducted her operations in the Bassac River near Cần Thơ. On 21 January 1969, while beached at Vũng Tàu and loading supplies for a routine convoy run, the ship again came under fire as VC launched a rocket barrage directed at the loading ramp and the adjacent airstrip. One rocket (122 millimeter) impacted on the fantail and exploded in the mess decks of Tom Green County, inflicting heavy materiel damage and wounding several men in the after part of the ship. Retracting and anchoring at Vũng Tàu Bay, Tom Green County effected temporary repairs before being relieved by the USS Whitfield County to sail for Yokosuka and permanent repairs. On 2 February the ship made port at Yokosuka to commence a long repair period, after which she conducted support operations for an assault boat school at Numazu while undertaking independent steaming exercises. Sudden troop deployments in Vietnam resulted in a recall to Southeast Asian waters, and Tom Green County accordingly sailed for Vũng Tàu on 23 June. En route, the ship trained in riverine warfare tactics. Tom Green County relieved Whitfield County on 4 July 1969 at Mỹ Tho, near Dong Tam Base Camp, and spent the next six weeks supporting the operations of TF 117, as it prepared to "wrap up" its operations in the Mekong Delta region. While at Mỹ Tho and in the Delta, the ship served as a floating supply base and a transient barracks ship for members of the Army 9th Division who were being processed for stateside duty. Tom Green County also fired over 3,000 rounds of 3-inch/50-caliber counter-battery harassment and interdiction fire, while maintaining watch for VC swimmer-sappers who might attempt to mine the ship while she lay at anchor.
 
On 18 August, the day before the disestablishment of the Mobile Riverine Force, Tom Green County departed Vietnamese waters and steamed for Subic Bay, arriving in the Philippines on the 23rd. Taking on provisions after arriving, the tank landing ship proceeded for Keelung, Taiwan on the 23rd, making port four days later. Underway for the Marianas on 2 September, the ship stopped briefly at Guam before pressing on with a Micronesian cruise, calling at Koror, Babelthuap, and Yap, before returning to Guam and subsequent operations transporting men and materiel to Yokosuka. On 25 October, with the ship's dependents on board, Tom Green County cruised from Yokosuka to Tokyo, unloading the dependents upon arrival and on-loading a 5-ton, 135-foot totem pole from Alaska, to transport it to Expo '70 at Osaka. "Operation Totem Pole" proceeded to completion on 27 October when the ship docked at Kobe and unloaded her unusual cargo. After a one-night liberty, Tom Green County joined the USS Vernon County, USS Washoe County and USS Westchester County in support of Operation Keystone Lift from Da Nang, where they made port on 5 November. Four and one-half hours later, the ship got underway for Kin Red, Okinawa with elements of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, embarked; and arrived at her destination on the 11th, unloaded and disembarked the troops; and headed back toward Yokosuka. En route, however, the ship was redirected to Da Nang for another lift, and she took on board a full cargo of railroad rolling stock. Her ship's historian nicknamed Tom Green County the "Ghost Ship of Da Nang" because of her nocturnal loading operation in which she arrived after dark and was gone before the dawn. On the night of the 25th, Tom Green County made port at Okinawa; unloaded in just one and one-half hours; and steamed for Yokosuka, her job completed. Four days later, on the afternoon of 29 November, the ship arrived at her home port in time to spend Thanksgiving of 1969 at "home." Returning to the business of transporting marines soon thereafter, Tom Green County completed one round-trip haul from Okinawa to Numazu before making port at Yokosuka on 13 December for a year-end leave and upkeep period.
 
post-2322-0-85132200-1549761140.jpg
 
For the next two years, Tom Green County remained in the Far East serving as she had done since she was first homeported at Yokosuka. Late in 1971, she was ordered home to the United States and her home port changed to San Diego. The ship departed Japanese waters on 27 October and made port at Pearl Harbor on 12 November for a seven-day stay before beginning the last leg of her voyage to the west coast. Upon her arrival at San Diego on 28 November, she soon commenced preinactivation preparations; and, on 23 December, she cruised in San Diego harbor, commencing the training of the new Spanish crew slated to take over the ship. On 5 January 1972 Tom Green County was decommissioned and transferred to Spain. Renamed Conde de Venadito (L-13), she served the Spanish Navy through 1989. Struck from the Spanish Naval list in 1990, her final fate is unknown.

 

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Salvage Sailor

Another Brown Water Navy Vung Tau tender

 

LST 1167 USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY 005.jpg

 

LST 1167 USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY 006.jpg

 

USS WESTCHESTER COUNTY (LST-1167) Terrebonne Parish class in service 1954 to 1973. Three Navy Unit Commendations, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, and 14 campaign stars for Vietnam War service

 

post-2322-0-79944300-1550439077.jpg

 

Workhorse of Landing Ship Squadron Nine in RVN - She began her service transporting the ROK Marines and Army to Vietnam and then carried US Marines to RVN. She was then transferred to the Riverine Force.

 

The LST served as a Mobile Riverine Force support ship in the Mekong Delta from 24 October through 31 December 1967. Westchester County spent the early weeks of 1968 continuing service as a Mobile Riverine support ship. On 26 January the ship began a series of lifts from Okinawa and the Philippines to Vietnam. She underwent repair availability and training exercises from 16 July through 22 September. The ship resumed duty with the Mobile Riverine Forces on 22 September. On 1 November while Westchester County lay anchored in the vicinity of Mỹ Tho, Vietnam two giant underwater explosions ripped through it, killing 26 men. Viet Cong divers had attached limpet mines to the hull about amidships on the starboard side causing ruptured berthing compartments and fuel and storage tanks. Command-detonated mines were used extensively on "The Long Tau" (Saigon—Vũng Tàu). U.S. minesweepers normally operated between Nha Be south to the ocean, and South Vietnamese operated from Nha Be to Newport. The day following the explosion, the entire Mobile Riverine Force moved from Mỹ Tho to Đồng Tâm. After beaching at Đồng Tâm for temporary repairs, she returned to Yokosuka, via Subic Bay, on 26 November. Westchester County went into drydock at the United States Naval Ship Repair Facility where it remained until 5 February 1969.

 

 

Despite her damage and her mining losses at the hands of the Viet Cong, she returned to the waterways of South Vietnam in 1969 and served until the end of the conflict. Nine of Westchester County's sailors received the Combat Action Ribbon when they withstood enemy small arms and rocket fire while transiting the Bo De River in 1970.

 

09 Amphibious Squadron Nine 001.jpg

 

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USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2) Class leader in service 1961 to 1993. Iwo Jima earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with eight campaign stars for Vietnam War service

 

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Gemsco Version circa 1966

 

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Photo: Hoisting Apollo 13 command module Odyssey on board 1970

 

LPH 2 USS IWO JIMA Gemsco 004.jpg

 

LPH 2 USS IWO JIMA Gemsco 005.jpg

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Salvage Sailor
On 7/6/2017 at 3:39 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

Class leader USS TERREBONNE PARISH (LST-1156) The "T-Bone" stalwart LST of the Atlantic and Sixth Fleets, in service 1952 to 1971

 

Different version

LST 1156 USS TERREBONNE PARISH 003.jpg

 

LST 1156 USS TERREBONNE PARISH 004.jpg

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USS TRAVERSE COUNTY (LST-1160) Terrebonne Parish class tank landing ship in service 1953 to 1971 with the Atlantic Fleet & Sixth Fleet

LST 1160 USS TRAVERSE COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 1160 USS TRAVERSE COUNTY 002.jpg

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Salvage Sailor
On 7/17/2014 at 11:25 AM, Salvage Sailor said:

.....which reminded me that I also have the class leader in my Division specific collection

 

USS WASP (LHD-1) ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

 

Finest in the Fleet - Everyone else is just along for the ride

 

The namesake of a long lineage, the tenth WASP was commissioned in 1989 - flagship of the Second Fleet

 

 

USS WASP (LHD-1) Swiss Tex

LHD 1 USS WASP Swiss Tex 001.jpg

 

LHD 1 USS WASP Swiss Tex 002.jpg

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USS TALLADEGA (APA-208) Three war Haskell class attack transport in service 1944 to 1969.

 

Iwo Jima - Talladega sortied from Saipan as a unit of Task Group 56.2, the Assault Group, on 16 February, and arrived off Iwo Jima on the morning of 19 February, "D-day". Four Marines pictured in Joe Rosenthal's famous flag-raising photograph debarked from Talladega to climb Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima: Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, Harlon Block, and Mike Strank.

 

post-2322-0-21237200-1561835696_thumb.jpg

 

Vietnam - 1965 the attack transport moved to Okinawa to combat load the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, for passage to Vietnam. On 1 July, Talladega joined Task Group 75.6, composed of Iwo Jima and Point Defiance. Marines from the three ships were assault-landed at Qui Nhon and cleared Viet Cong forces from the mountains around Qui Nhon harbor by 6 July.

 
From 15 to 25 August, Talladega participated in Operation Starlight, landing marines 10 miles south of Chu Lai. On 12 September, she joined Task Group 76.3 which, in mid-September and early October, conducted the first two raids by a Navy-Marine Corps team in the Vietnam War.

 

APA 208 USS TALLADEGA 002.jpg

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USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) Tarawa class Amphibious Assault ship in service 1977 to 2007

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Swiss Tex 1977 001.jpg

 

Swiss Tex commissioning patch 1977

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Swiss Tex 1977 002.jpg

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Med Indian Ocean Cruise 1981 1982 Zig Zag 001.jpg

 

Mr. Zig Zag head cruise 6" jacket patch - On 3 September 1981, Saipan deployed for her second tour in the Mediterranean Sea. During that deployment, Saipan visited or operated in seven different countries on three continents.

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Med Indian Ocean Cruise 1981 1982 Zig Zag 002.jpg

 

In January 1985, Saipan departed for her third Mediterranean deployment. She steamed more than 32,000 miles (51,000 km), logged over 6,700 safe aircraft landings and visited ports in three countries.

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Med Cruise 1985 001.jpg

 

Atlantic Fleet - Sixth Fleet 1985 Med Cruise

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN Med Cruise 1985 002.jpg

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN 001.jpg

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN 002.jpg

 

USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) Tarawa class Amphibious Assault ship in service 1977 to 2007

 

HSC-26 CHARGERS DET II (2) - Previous designations as HU-2 and HC-6 - 2005 EURO TRIP - "TOUCAN DO IT"

 

From late January 2005 until early March 2005, Saipan was on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. Southern Command (NAVSO) area of responsibility in support of New Horizons, the humanitarian civic assistance efforts in Haiti. In early June, she made an official visit to Oslo on the occasion of Norway's independence centennial. During the week of 26 June 2005, Saipan was one of two American military vessels (the other being USCGC Eagle) to participate in the Royal Navy International Fleet Review in the waters off Portsmouth, England. This review, conducted by Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family, consisted of a parade of more than 166 ships from around the world. This event also coincided with the 2005 International Festival of the Sea and Trafalgar 200 celebration.

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN HSC 26 DET-II 2005 001.jpg

 

LHA 2 USS SAIPAN HSC 26 DET-II 2005 002.jpg

 

HSC 26 2005 001.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS ALAMO (LSD-33) Thomaston class dock landing ship in service 1956 to 1990. USS Alamo earned the Armed Forces Service Expeditionary Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal (with 11 campaign stars) for Vietnam War Service

 

Cut edge circa 1960's made by Hilborn Hamburger

 

LSD 33 USS ALAMO Hilborn Hamburger 001.jpg

 

Merrowed edge version 1970's

 

LSD 33 USS ALAMO 001.jpg

 

LSD 33 USS ALAMO 002.jpg

 

Merrowed edge version 1990

 

LSD 33 USS ALAMO 003.jpg

 

LSD 33 USS ALAMO 004.jpg

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USS NOBLE (APA-218) Haskell class attack transport in service 1944 to 1964. Okinawa, Inchon, Big Switch, Tachen Islands, Cuban Missile Crisis. 1 battle star WWII, 6 battle stars Korean War.

APA 218 USS NOBLE 001.jpg

 

APA 218 USS NOBLE 002.jpg

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USS TERRELL COUNTY (LST-1157) Terrebonne Parish class tank landing ship in service 1953 to 1971

South Korean and American troop lifts to RVN, Market Time & Brown Water Navy support ship, Vietnam Advisory service and 12 campaign stars for Vietnam War service.  Photos from Navsource

 

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Photos from navsource

LST 1157 USS TERRELL COUNTY 003.jpg

HAL-3 Seawolf Huey on Flight Deck (note insignia on door and nose)

 

LST 1157 USS TERRELL COUNTY 004b.jpg

Army Huey on Flight Deck

 

LST 1157 USS TERRELL COUNTY 005b.jpg

Armed LCVP ashore in Vietnam

 

LST 1157 USS TERRELL COUNTY 006.jpg

USS TERRELL COUNTY Flight Deck

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Salvage Sailor
On 2/4/2014 at 9:25 AM, Bearmon said:

USS Wahkiakum County LST-1162 1953-1970 East Coast Amphib

 

 

USS WAHKIAKUM COUNTY (LST-1162) US made with rocker

 

LST 1162 USS WAHKIAKUM COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 1162 USS WAHKIAKUM COUNTY 002.jpg

 

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USS CHURCHILL COUNTY (LST-583) LST-542 class landing ship tank in service 1944-46, 1960-1968 assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. Primarily operated in Panama, the Caribbean and South America

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 001.jpg

 

Three battle stars WWII for participating in the Lingayen Gulf landing in January 1945, the Zambales-Subic Bay landing in January 1945, and the Mindanao Island landings in March and April 1945. Following the war, LST-583 performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-December 1945.

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 001a.jpg

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 002.jpg

 

Patch circa 1960's, unknown maker

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 003.jpg

 

 

USS CHURCHILL COUNTY (LST-583) LST-542 class landing ship tank in service 1944-46, 1960-1968 assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. Primarily operated in Panama, the Caribbean and South America

 

Personal Recollection of LT. Robert Burris, Executive Officer USS Churchill (LST-583)
 
"Summer 1965 - In the Aero Jet General yards in Jacksonville FL.
 
Fall 1965 - Cruise to Panama through Christmas. Liberty in Puerto Lemon, Costa Rico and Santa Marta, Columbia
Also went to the San Blas Islands to deliver aid material to the San Blas Indians. The last time any ship was there was 1790’s and that was the Spanish, all the soundings on the chart are mine. We followed a US Army Q boat which was following an Indian canoe though the reefs where we anchored in a small bay where we had about 15 feet of spare room on each end of the ship Rex [Commanding Officer LCDR Carpenter] was a great ship driver, and had lots of guts.
 
Spring 1966 - to Panama stopping in Kingston Jamaica where we took on a 50 ft boat on the main deck, and delivered it to Panama, LT. Michael H.V. Nolan relieved LCDR. Carpenter in Panama. We went to the back country south of the canal to support prep for a new canal. Big tide range and on the way home, we stopped in the Dominican Republic and evacuated the last US Army troops from the 1964 invasion. I was in USS Monrovia (APA-31) which sent in the first wave there in 1964.
 
Summer 1966 - We went to the head of the Chesapeake Bay to Havre De Grace Maryland to act as the judges stand for a hydra plane race, followed by a cruise to Argentia, Newfoundland Ireland and Iceland. I am pretty sure that this is the time frame when we hit the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel.
 
Spring 1967 - Back to Panama, sailed to Lima Peru but had to turn around and return... This is when we had the “crossing” shellback celebration. We went to support the second canal again, and broached on the beach but with major effort and a hell of a lot of luck, we got off with no problem. We went to the San Blas Islands again, and that is where we hit a reef and ripped a hole in the bottom big enough to drive a Volkswagen through. Back to Little Creek and I left the ship...All of these things happened and I think I have the dates pretty close Many thanks Bob"
Source: navsource.org

 

 

Patch circa 1960's for service in Panama, US made by Gemsco

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 004.jpg

 

LST 583 USS CHURCHILL 005.jpg

 

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USS GARRETT COUNTY (AGP-786), ex-WWII LST-786, Recommissioned in 1966 and converted to a Patrol Craft Tender (AGP) for service in Vietnam with the brown water navy and HAL-3.

 

Decommissioned in 1971 as part of the ACTOV program (Accelerated Turnover) and commissioned in the South Vietnamese Navy as RVNS CAN THO (HQ 801). She escaped to the Philippines in 1975 and was absorbed into the Philippine Navy as BPR Kalinga Apayao (LT 516)

 

Photos from Seawolf.org here USS GARRETT COUNTY

 

LST 786 AGP 786 USS GARRETT COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 786 AGP 786 USS GARRETT COUNTY 002.jpg

 

Repro patch with original & more SEAWOLVES photos aboard AGP-786

 

LST 786 AGP 786 USS GARRETT COUNTY 003.jpg

 

LST 786 AGP 786 USS GARRETT COUNTY 004.jpg

 

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USS DE SOTO COUNTY (LST-1171) BRAVE, BOLD, RESOLUTE In service 1958 to 1977.

 

Class leader of seven new LST built in the 1950's. 1 campaign star for Vietnam service

 

Two different merrowed edge versions (note the teeth)

 

LST 1171 USS DE SOTO COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 1171 USS DE SOTO COUNTY 002.jpg

 

LST 1171 USS DE SOTO COUNTY 003.jpg

 

Older and larger cut edge version with a different motto

 

LST 1171 USS DE SOTO COUNTY 005.jpg

 

LST 1171 USS DE SOTO COUNTY 006.jpg

 

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USS COCONINO COUNTY (LST-603) In USN service 1944 to 1969, veteran of the Invasion of Southern France August 1944.  She was recommissioned for use in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1969 and during this period she was mined by VC swimmers at Cua Viet 29 June 1967.  Turned over to the RVNS in the ACTOV program and renamed the Vung-Tau (HQ-503) she served with the RVNS until 1975 when she was severely damaged and her Captain badly wounded by NVA artillery while rescuing ARVN 2nd division troops.  Soon after she was captured by the Vietnamese People's Navy and pressed into service as a training vessel.  She was still afloat and serving in Vietnam as late as 2003.

 

LST-603 received one battle star for World War II service, and Coconino County received six campaign stars and two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for Vietnam War service.

 

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 002.jpg

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 003.jpg

 

Photo:  Lookout stands watch on the sand-bagged bridge while USS Coconino County (LST-603) operates in South China Sea in February 1967.
US National Archives Photo # USN 1142211 US Navy photo by JOC R. D. Moeser, now in the collections of the US National Archives.

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 004.jpg

 

Photo:  The deck of USS Coconino County (LST-603) is the scene of an Ontos tank briefing in preparation for Operation Deckhouse V, 4 January 1967.
US National Archives Photo # K-35611, a US Navy photo by PH1 V.O. McColley, now in the collections of the US National Archives.

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 005.jpg

 

Photo: RVNS Vung Tau (HQ-503) underway, date and location unknown

 

LST 603 USS COCONINO COUNTY 006.jpg

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Salvage Sailor

USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197) Newport class in service 1970 to 1994, Homeport Little Creek, VA

 

IMG_4532.JPG

 

IMG_4533.JPG

 

"ICE STATION TANGO"

 

USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197) Operation Smokey Topaz, Barents Sea 1982 Ice Edge hunting Commie Subs during the Cold War

 

IMG_4534.JPG

 

IMG_4535.JPG

 

"ICE STATION TANGO"

 

From May through July of 1982, the USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST-1197) participated in Operation "Smokey Topaz", its own version of the "Hunt for Red October." This photo is the 51 member "Spook Detachment" that was embarked for this operation to gather intelligence on any Russian Naval activity.

 

LST 1197 USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY SMOKEY TOPAZ BARENTS SEA 1982 003.jpg

 

Source and more photos here including the SEAL team chasing Russian subs in their Zodiac

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS CAPRICORNUS (AKA-57) Andromeda class amphibious cargo ship in service 1944 to 1970

 

AKA 57 USS CAPRICORNUS 001.jpg

 

AKA 57 USS CAPRICORNUS 002.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor

USS CHEBOYGAN COUNTY (LST-533) YOU CALL WE HAUL

 

LST 491 Class Landing Ship Tank in service 1944 to 1969, Renamed Cheboygan County (i.e. "The Big Boat") in 1955.  She participated in the Invasion of Normandy. LST-533 departed Trebah near Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom on 5 June 1944, transporting units of the 29th Infantry Division. Following the War, LST-533 performed occupation duty in Europe until early February 1953.  She served with Service Force Atlantic Fleet for the remainder of her career.

 

LST 533 USS CHEBOYGAN COUNTY 001.jpg

 

LST 533 USS CHEBOYGAN COUNTY 002.jpg

 

USS LST-533 dropping anchor while beaching at Normandy during the invasion, June 1944.
US Army Signal Corps newsreel photo.

 

1016053303.jpg

 

USS Cheboygan County (LST-533) beached during a training invasion near Ft. Pierce, FL in November 1962.

 

1016053306.jpg

 

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Salvage Sailor
On 12/22/2013 at 9:37 AM, sigsaye said:

This was my first Gator. I was SM1, served from '81 to '84. Great ship and my favorite of all I served on. She still did the "Over the Side" boats WW 2 style. Great ships, very comfortable coming from old Tin Cans

post-2104-0-73446800-1387740936.jpg

 

Here ya go Steve,

 

USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116) Charleston class amphibious cargo ship, was the sixth US ship to bear the name. She served as a commissioned ship for 22 years and 11 months.

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 001.jpg

 

Officers & Enlisted ball cap patches and rocker (UIM or Tab if you prefer)

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 002.jpg

 

USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116) MEDICAL DEPARTMENT - All LKA'a had a full medical and surgical ward for the Gators and their embarked troops.

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS MEDICAL 001.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS MEDICAL 002.jpg

 

USS ST. LOUIS LKA-116  The first and hard to find yellow & green version of her patch made by Swiss-Tex

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 003.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 004.jpg

 

and the yellow and red version of her patch, same as sigsaye's, made by Marine Photos & Publishing

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 005.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 006.jpg

 

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5 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

 

Here ya go Steve,

 

USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116) Charleston class amphibious cargo ship, was the sixth US ship to bear the name. She served as a commissioned ship for 22 years and 11 months.

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 001.jpg

 

Officers & Enlisted ball cap patches and rocker (UIM or Tab if you prefer)

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 002.jpg

 

USS ST LOUIS (LKA-116) MEDICAL DEPARTMENT - All LKA'a had a full medical and surgical ward for the Gators and their embarked troops.

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS MEDICAL 001.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS MEDICAL 002.jpg

 

USS ST. LOUIS LKA-116  The first and hard to find yellow & green version of her patch made by Swiss-Tex

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 003.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 004.jpg

 

and the yellow and red version of her patch, same as sigsaye's, made by Marine Photos & Publishing

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 005.jpg

 

LKA 116 USS ST LOUIS 006.jpg

 

She was a great ship. She was put down during RimPac ‘18 I believe. Sunk

as a target. Took a couple of missiles to sink her. 

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