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{{Short description|Tank landing ship in the US Navy}}
{{More citations needed |date=February 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=
|Ship caption=USS ''Vernon County'' (LST-1161)
}}
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|Ship flag={{USN flag|1952}}
|Ship name=USS ''Vernon County'' (LST-1161)
|Ship namesake=[[Vernon County,
|Ship owner=
|Ship operator=
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|Ship speed=14 [[Knot (unit)|knots]]
|Ship range=
|Ship boats=Three [[LCVP (United
|Ship complement=205 (16 [[Commissioned officer|officers]] and 189 [[Enlisted man|enlisted men]]
|Ship troops=395 (15 officers and 380 enlisted men)
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*Three twin [[3
*Five single [[Oerlikon 20
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor=
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|}
'''USS ''Vernon County'' (LST-1161)''' was a [[United States Navy]], {{
==Construction and commissioning==
''Vernon County'' was designed under project [[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB 9A]] and laid down as USS ''LST-1161'' on 14 April 1952 at [[Pascagoula,
==Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean operations,
After conducting her [[
''LST-1161'' entered the [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]]
''LST-1161'' was renamed USS ''Vernon County'' (LST-1161) on 1 July 1955.
''Vernon County'' operated with the [[Amphibious warfare|Amphibious]] Forces of the [[United States Atlantic Fleet]], alternating between [[Norfolk, Virginia
==Pacific operations,
In 1958, ''Vernon County'' was transferred to the [[United States Pacific Fleet]], sailing via the [[Panama Canal]] to her new assigned home port, [[San Diego,
''Vernon County'' changed home ports again in 1960. On 16 June 1960, she departed the [[United States West Coast]] bound for her new home port, [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]],
''Vernon County'' subsequently formed an integral part of the amphibious forces supporting the [[Southeast Asia Treaty Organization]] (SEATO), participating in SEATO's [[Operation Tulungan]] in May 1962. In so doing, she became one of the first
Her first years in Yokosuka saw her participate in many major amphibious exercises, including those named "Pony Express" and "Sharp Edge." After an upkeep period in June 1962, ''Vernon County'' transported U.S. Marines from [[Subic Bay]] in the [[Philippines]], to [[Iwakuni]], Japan; she paid a port call at [[Karatsu]], Japan, reportedly the first American
February 1963 saw ''Vernon County'' at [[Kobe]], Japan. In March 1963 she visited [[Tspying]] and [[Kaohsiung]], [[Taiwan]], and she spent much of April 1963 at Subic Bay. In June 1963, she participated in Operation Flagpole, a joint [[United States Seventh Fleet]]
After her return to Yokosuka and subsequent refresher training at [[Numazu]], Japan, ''Vernon County'' took part in [[Operation Litgas]] in company with other SEATO naval units. Subsequently, returning to
==Vietnam War service==
===Tonkin Gulf Incident===
For a few days, ''Vernon County'' trained in nearby [[Sagami Bay]]. She was there when
''Vernon County'' was then relieved on station and proceeded back to Yokosuka, but the respite offered was, in retrospect, only a short one.
===Operations off South Vietnam, January–April 1965===
In January 1965,
Over the ensuing months, ''Vernon County'' conducted various operations: loading, offloading, stand-by alerts, and the landing of
===Operations at Chu Lai, 1965===
Once the
[[File:USS Vernon County (LST-1161) unloading.jpg|300px|left|thumb|USS ''Vernon County'' unloading [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marines]] and their equipment at [[Chu Lai]], [[South Vietnam]].]]''Vernon County'' then conducted more cargo runs to ensure the steady flow of supplies and equipment to support the ever-expanding Chu Lai beachhead and the development of
While ''Vernon County'' was carrying out those duties, American
Late in October 1965, ''Vernon County'' sailed for
▲===Transportation operations, 1965-1966===
▲Late in October 1965, ''Vernon County'' sailed for [[South Korea]] and, with other units of the Seventh Fleet, participated in the movement of the South Korean "Tiger" [[Division (military)|Division]] to South Vietnam. Subsequently, she took part in direct lifts of equipment and troops to South Vietnam before returning to Yokosuka on 25 December 1965.
After operating locally out of Yokosuka and in South Vietnamese waters, primarily at Chu Lai, ''Vernon County'' replenished and underwent a period of upkeep at Subic Bay in the Philippines. She then returned to intracoastal shipping operations off the coast of South Vietnam and even penetrated the [[Mekong Delta]] to pay a port call at [[Saigon]], South Vietnam. She returned to Yokosuka in early June 1966.
''Vernon County'' trained briefly at Numazu, Japan, before going to Okinawa, and from there to Hong Kong to allow her crew liberty there. Returning to South Vietnamese waters from Hong Kong, she headed for Subic Bay, via
===Operation Market Time, 1966===
Ordered back to South Vietnam, ''Vernon County'' operated in support of [[Operation Market Time]], the coastal interdiction of
===Upkeep and training in Japan,
Completing those repairs and alterations on 15 March 1967, ''Vernon County'' ran sea trials and conducted refresher training before visiting Kobe in April 1967. Subsequently, the
===Riverine operations, 1967===
Leaving Yokosuka on 6 June 1967, ''Vernon County'' was heading for Sasebo when she received orders directing her to return to South Vietnam. Upon arrival, ''Vernon County'' became a part of the [[Mobile Riverine Force]] (MRF), a joint U.S. Navy-[[United States Army|U.S. Army]] assault unit conducting
Relieved from MRF support duties on 20 August 1967, ''Vernon County'' headed for Chu Lai, and from there to Keelung, Taiwan. Reaching Keelung on 30 August 1967, she remained there until 4 September 1967 before moving on, ultimately returning to her home port, Yokosuka, on 8 September 1967.
===Operations in Japan, Okinawa, and the Philippines, 1967===
Vernon County remained in port at Yokosuka until 5 October 1967, when she headed south for [[Ora Bay]], Okinawa, to conduct two days of training with U.S. Marine Corps amphibious forces. Upon completion of training, she shifted to Subic Bay, where she loaded various items for
Arriving at Yokosuka on 1 November 1967, ''Vernon County'' remained in port there until 20 November 1967, at which time she got underway for Naha, Okinawa, and from there for Subic Bay.
===Amphibious Ready Group Bravo,
Upon reaching Subic Bay, ''Vernon County'' was assigned to [[Amphibious Ready Group]] (ARG) Bravo. Underway for South Vietnam on 18 December 1967, she arrived
''Vernon County'' took part in her second amphibious operation within a month when she participated in [[Operation Badger Tooth]] between 26 December 1967 and 2 January 1968. Helicopter
''Vernon County'' operated with ARG "Bravo
===Operations in Japan and South Korea, 1968===
''Vernon County'', when relieved of duty with TG 76.5, headed for Japan and returned to her home port of Yokosuka for a scheduled two-month overhaul, after which time she sailed for Korean waters. She conducted joint training with ROK naval units, including a United States detachment from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 embarked with four pontoon causeways and associated equipment. After a complete slate of exercises, the tank landing ship returned to Japan for upkeep. She then sailed for Okinawa, there loading cargo before proceeding back to Vietnam.
===Riverine operations, May–June 1968===
Offloading her cargo at [[Wunder Beach]], ''Vernon County'' shifted operations to the
The MRF
A good deal of activity took place during that period of both base and ship defense; 15 to 20 rounds of 3-inch (76.2-millimeter gunfire were fired nightly for harassment and interdiction; all [[gun mount]]s were manned continuously throughout the nocturnal hours, to be fired while the crew was proceeding to their [[general quarters]] stations. In addition, six [[wikt:sentry|sentries]] patrolled the
''Vernon County'' also served as a landing pad for helicopters making resupply runs both to and from the ship to units in the field; whenever the ship made a transit of the waterways of the Mekong Delta, she stood at general quarters with .50-[[caliber]] (12.7-millimeter) and .30-caliber (7.62-millimeter) machine guns mounted to provide the ship with close-range firepower when needed.
Upon relief by tank landing ship {{USS|Washtenaw County|LST-1166|6}} on 21 June 1968 at
===Repairs, 1968===
Upon reaching the South China Sea, ''Vernon County'' headed to Subic Bay for [[Electrical generator|generator]] repairs. En route and three days out of Vietnamese waters, her
Subsequently, ''Vernon County'' reached Subic Bay on 24 June 1968. Upon arrival, however, it was found that her generators could not be repaired there, so she moved for Naha, Okinawa, with cargo on board, en route Japan. She offloaded her cargo at Naha and proceeded on, reaching Yokosuka on 13 July 1968. There, the repairs were effected. While at Yokosuka, she received the Navy Unit Commendation for her service with the Mobile Riverine Force.
===Riverine operations, August–October 1968===
''Vernon County'' subsequently returned to South Vietnamese waters, lifting cargo to
Sailing to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, with a cargo of [[jeep]]s, and encountering [[
===Riverine operations, 1969===
Underway again for South Vietnam on 6 January 1969, ''Vernon County'' encountered engineering difficulties en route to her initial destination, Naha. Reaching Okinawa on
Lifting cargo that proved to be about the smallest in the history of the vessel—one man and two tons of [[LCPL]] equipment – ''Vernon County'' disembarked her passenger and unloaded the equipment upon arrival at
The most noteworthy events of the deployment occurred in ''Vernon County''{{'}}s direct contact with the enemy. During the latter part of February 1969 and early days of March 1969, ''Vernon County'' took two near-misses from [[
On 23 February 1969,
On 26 February 1969, ''Vernon County'' came in for further attention from
Closely related to ''Vernon County''{{'}}s activities was a [[recoilless rifle]] attack on the
Relieved on station by
===Operations in Japan and South Korea, 1969===
After conducting refresher [[sea trials|trials]] in company with
===Transportation operations in South Vietnam, 1969===
''Vernon County'' began her next line tour in South Vietnam on 5 July 1969, this time transiting to South Vietnam in company with tank landing ship {{USS|Westchester County|LST-1167|6}}. Arriving on 13 July 1969, ''Vernon County'' loaded A Company, 3rd Motor Transport Battalion, [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]]
Although ''Vernon County'' was slated to return to South Vietnamese waters, engineering casualties diverted her to Subic Bay for repairs. From Subic Bay, she was ordered, upon completion of repairs, to join AEG Bravo, operating off the I Corps zone in the northern part of South Vietnam.
''Vernon County'' carried out training activities in the days that ensued, lifting 185 field troops from E Company, [[2nd Battalion, 26th Marines
===Operations at Okinawa, Taiwan, and Japan, 1969===
''Vernon County'' participated in exercises over the succeeding days before proceeding to sea at 23:00
With the end of the Taiwan stay, she put to sea again to return to Yokosuka. En route, she rescued three Taiwanese
''Vernon County'' operated between Okinawa and Japan through mid-October 1969.
===Transportation and Operation Market Time operations,
In mid-October 1969, ''Vernion County'' returned to South Vietnamese waters, sailing to
''Vernon County'' returned to South Vietnam soon thereafter, initially to
Relieved by ''Washoe County'' on 21 January 1970, ''Vernon County'' sailed first to Hong Kong, and from there to the Philippines, the latter in connection with the first leg of the lift known as
Departing Chu Lai in company with ''Westchester County'', ''Vernon County'' sailed to Iwakuni, Japan, reaching Iwakuni ahead of schedule on 27 February 1970. The two ships then sailed for Yokosuka, arriving soon thereafter.
===Operations in Japan and South Korea, 1970===
''Vernon County'' subsequently sailed to South Korean waters, participating in [[Operation Golden Dragon]]
===Operation Market Time, 1970===
Following an availability and refresher training, Vernon County departed Yokosuka in company with gunboat {{USS|Crockett|PG-88|6}}. She was diverted to Subic Bay to meet an additional two gunboats to escort to Vietnamese waters. Necessary upkeep items, however, could only be completed by ''Vernon County'' and gunboat {{USS|Welch|PG-93|6}}, which then proceeded to sea as scheduled to resume the transit to
Her responsibilities and activities generally similar to those of previous Market Time deployments, ''Vernon County'' remained on station supporting Task Force 115 until 5 November 1970. Then, after a period of time at Hong Kong, she returned to Japan, reaching Yokosuka on 21 December 1970.
==Operations at Diego Garcia, 1971==
''Vernon County'' began 1971 in [[dry dock]] number one at Yokosuka, Japan, at the naval ship repair facility. During the first few weeks of 1971, ''Vernon County'' took on a decidedly different appearance, because, instead of the standard U.S. Navy [[haze gray]], ''Vernon County'' had been painted white overall in preparation for her next
''Vernon County'' ultimately reached Diego Garcia shortly after 17:00 hours on 9 March 1971 and, on 10 March 1971, began underwater [[reconnaissance]] and [[beach]] surveys. On 11 March 1971, the first formal construction of a United States Navy communication station on Diego Garcia began, which was to forge another link in the globe-girdling system of transmitting and receiving stations. On 12 March 1971, ''Vernon County'' became the first LST in history to beach on largely unexplored Diego Garcia, offloading much of her heavy equipment to prepare a staging site for the reception of the many tons of supplies and equipment needed to build the station.
As the days passed, the [[atoll]] began to change; the ship rode higher in the water as equipment was unloaded. Temperatures on deck averaged 122 degrees [[Fahrenheit]] (50 degrees [[Celsius]]) between 10:00 and 15:00 hours each day; "[[tropical]]" duty hours of 0400 to 1400 soon commenced aboard the ship. The men of [[Underwater Demolition Team]] 12 and a [[platoon]] of [[Seabee (US Navy)|Seabees]] removed underwater obstacles, installed [[buoy]]s, marked [[Anchorage (maritime)|anchorage]]s, cleared land, set up a [[tent]] city, and began laying down an airfield. By the time [[dock landing ship]] {{USS|Monticello|LSD-35}} and [[amphibious cargo ship]] {{USS|Charleston|LKA-113}} arrived, the base camp was fully ready, as was a [[harbor]]. Later, having established a self-sustaining shore party, ''Vernon County'' made two additional voyages to and from Diego Garcia, picking up more men and supplies at Singapore, [[Cocos Island]], and [[Mauritius]].
During the last few days of her deployment to Diego Garcia, ''Vernon County'' was repainted her standard haze gray, a sure sign that the time had come for the ship to sail away from the atoll upon which she had established a base camp and the beginnings of a communication station.
==Transportation operations, 1971==
''Vernon County'' returned to the Philippines via
==Return to Vietnam War service==
===Operation Market Time, 1971===
''Vernon County'' conducted another tour of duty in South Vietnamese waters in the summer of 1971, again performing the duties of Operation Market Time support ship, a job that entailed her staying close to shore and serving as a landing platform for helicopters, a haven for patrol boats, and a supplier of food, fuel, water, lodging, and ammunition for both helicopters and
===Thailand, 1971===
Departing Bangkok on 27 October 1971 for Hong Kong, ''Vernon County'' spotted a Thai
===Vietnam and Far Eastern operations,
''Vernon County'' ultimately spent the remainder of her active naval career in the [[Far East]], returning twice more to South Vietnamese waters and serving once more as Operation Market Time support LST. She visited the familiar ports of Subic Bay, Hong Kong;
===Awards===
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==Decommissioning and transfer to Venezuela==
[[Ship decommissioning|Decommissioned]] on 14 June 1973 at Yokosuka, Japan, ''Vernon County'' was transferred to the [[Venezuelan Navy]] on 29 June 1973 on loan. Assigned the name ''Amazonas'' (T-21) in [[Venezuela]]n service, she was permanently transferred, via cash sale, to Venezuela on 1 December 1977. She was simultaneously struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register|Navy List]].
''Amazonas'' ran aground on 6 August 1980, but was repaired and returned to Venezuelan Navy service.
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==References==
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/v/vernon-county.html|https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/lst-1161.html}}
*[http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161161.htm NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive USS Vernon County (LST-1161) ex USS LST-1161 (
==External links==
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{{Terrebonne Parish-class tank landing ships}}
▲{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vernon County (LST-1161)}}
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[[Category:Vietnam War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pascagoula, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela]]
[[Category:1952 ships]]
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