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{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= [[Image:USS LST 1068.jpg|300px|USS Orange County (LST-1068) off the coast of San Diego, returning from a tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War]]
|Ship image= USS LST 1068.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''LST-1068'' off the coast of [[San Diego]], returning from a tour of duty in Korea during the [[Korean War]]
|Ship caption=USS ''Orange County'' (LST-1068) off the coast of San Diego, returning from a tour of duty in Korea during the [[Korean War]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
Line 9: Line 9:
|Ship country=
|Ship country=
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1957}}
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1957}}
|Ship name= USS ''LST-1068''
|Ship name=
* ''LST-1068''
* ''Orang County''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard]], [[Hingham, Massachusetts]]
|Ship builder= [[Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard]], [[Hingham, Massachusetts]]
|Ship yard number= 3458{{sfn|Bethlehem-Hingham|2011}}
|Ship laid down=31 January 1945
|Ship laid down=31 January 1945
|Ship launched=3 March 1945
|Ship launched=3 March 1945
|Ship acquired=
|Ship acquired=

|Ship commissioned=27 March 1945
|Ship commissioned=27 March 1945
|Ship decommissioned=9 August 1946
|Ship decommissioned=9 August 1946
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Amphibious warfare type|Hull symbol]]: LST-1068
*[[International Code of Signals|Code letters]]: NAIJ
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Alpha}}{{ICS|India}}{{ICS|Juliet}}
|Ship status= Laid up in the [[Pacific Reserve Fleet]], [[Astoria, Oregon|Astoria Group]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=yes
|Hide header=yes
|Ship recommissioned=8 September 1950
|Ship recommissioned= 8 September 1950
|Ship decommissioned=15 October 1957
|Ship decommissioned= 15 October 1957
|Ship in service=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=USS ''Orange County'' (LST-1068), 1 July 1955
|Ship renamed= ''Orange County'', 1 July 1955
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship struck=27 September 1957
|Ship struck= 27 September 1957
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honors=4 [[battle star]]s (Korea)
|Ship honors= 4 × [[battle star]]s (Korea)
|Ship fate=Sunk as a [[target ship]], 18 June 1958
|Ship fate=Sunk as a [[target ship]], 18 June 1958
|Ship status=
|Ship status=
Line 40: Line 46:
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption={{sfn|Navsource|2016}}
|Ship class={{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}}
|Ship class={{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}}
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|1625|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} light
|Ship displacement={{LST-542 class tank landing ship displacement}}
|Ship length={{LST-542 class tank landing ship length}}
*{{convert|3640|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full
|Ship length={{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{LST-542 class tank landing ship beam}}
|Ship beam={{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{LST-542 class tank landing ship draft}}
|Ship draft=*''Unloaded'' :
*{{convert|2|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}} forward
*{{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} aft
*''Loaded'' :
*{{convert|8|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} forward
*{{convert|14|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}} aft
|Ship depth=
|Ship depth=
|Ship power={{LST-542 class tank landing ship power}}
|Ship propulsion=2 × [[General Motors]] [[EMD 567|12-567]] [[diesel engine]]s, two shafts, twin rudders
|Ship propulsion={{LST-542 class tank landing ship propulsion}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|12|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship speed= {{LST-542 class tank landing ship speed}}
|Ship range=
|Ship range={{LST-542 class tank landing ship range}}
|Ship boats= 2 × [[LCVP (United States)|LCVP]]s
|Ship boats= {{LST-542 class tank landing ship boats}}
|Ship troops=Approximately 130 officers and enlisted men
|Ship capacity={{LST-542 class tank landing ship capacity}}
|Ship complement=8–10 officers, 89–100 enlisted men
|Ship troops=16 [[Commissioned officer|officers]], 147 [[Enlisted man|enlisted men]]
|Ship armament=*1 × single [[3"/50 caliber gun]] mount
|Ship complement=13 officers, 104 enlisted men
*8 × [[Bofors 40 mm|40 mm guns]]
|Ship armament={{LST-542 class tank landing ship armament}}
*12 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm guns]]
|Ship armor=
|Ship armor=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox service record
| is_ship = yes
| is_multi =
| label =
| partof = '''LST Flotilla 33'''
| codes =
| commanders =
| operations =
| victories =
| awards =
*'''World War II'''
*[[File:American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[American Campaign Medal]]
*[[File:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]]
*[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
*[[File:Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Navy Occupation Service Medal#Asia Clasp|Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Asia Clasp]]
*'''Korean War'''
*[[File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[National Defense Service Medal]]
*[[File:Korean Service Medal - Ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Korean Service Medal]]
*[[File:United Nations Korea Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[United Nations Service Medal]]
*[[File:Korean War Service Medal ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Republic of Korea War Service Medal]]
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''USS ''Orange County'' (LST–1068)''' was an {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}} built for the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Named for counties in the states of [[Orange County, California|California]], [[Orange County, Florida|Florida]], [[Orange County, Indiana|Indiana]], [[Orange County, New York|New York]], [[Orange County, North Carolina|North Carolina]], [[Orange County, Texas|Texas]], [[Orange County, Vermont|Vermont]], and [[Orange County, Virginia|Virginia]], she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.


'''USS ''Orange County'' (LST–1068)''' was an {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}} built for the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after [[World War II]], she survived long enough to be named. On 1 July 1955, all LSTs still in commission were named for US [[county (US)|counties]] or [[Parish (country subdivision)|parish]]es; ''LST-1068'' was given the name '''''Orange County''''', for counties in the states of [[Orange County, California|California]], [[Orange County, Florida|Florida]], [[Orange County, Indiana|Indiana]], [[Orange County, New York|New York]], [[Orange County, North Carolina|North Carolina]], [[Orange County, Texas|Texas]], [[Orange County, Vermont|Vermont]], and [[Orange County, Virginia|Virginia]], she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name.
Laid down as USS ''LST-1068'' on 31 January 1945 by the [[Bethlehem Steel Company]] of [[Hingham, Massachusetts]]; the ship was launched on 3 March 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Alice R. Wilbur; and commissioned on 27 March 1945 with Lieutenant Clinton E. Voyles in command.

==Construction==
''LST-1068'' was laid down on 31 January 1945, at [[Hingham, Massachusetts]], by the [[Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard]]; the ship was launched on 3 March 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Alice R. Wilbur; and commissioned on 27 March 1945, with [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] Clinton E. Voyles, [[USNR]], in command.{{sfn|DANFS LST-1068}}


==Service history==
==Service history==
===World War II===
After [[shakedown cruise|shakedown]] in [[Chesapeake Bay]], ''LST-1068'' loaded [[Pontoon bridge|pontoon]] [[causeway]]s and [[Landing craft tank|LCT]] sections at [[Davisville, Rhode Island]], and embarked men at [[New York City|New York]] prior to getting underway, on 11 May, for the Pacific via the [[Panama Canal]]. On 27 June, she departed [[Pearl Harbor]] for [[Guam]] via [[Eniwetok]].{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}


''LST-1068'' cleared [[Apra Harbor]], Guam, with a group of LSTs on 11 August, en route to [[Saipan]]. From Saipan she returned to [[Okinawa]], arriving on 28 August 1945. She was forced out to sea from her anchorage on 16 September, to ride out a violent storm which lasted for three days and nights. On 22 September, she loaded elements of the [[Fifth Air Force]] for transport to [[Yokohama]], Japan.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
===World War II, 1945–1946===
After shakedown in [[Chesapeake Bay]], ''LST-1068'' loaded [[Pontoon bridge|pontoon]] [[causeway]]s and LCT sections at [[Davisville, Rhode Island]] and embarked men at New York prior to getting underway, on 11 May, for the Pacific via the [[Panama Canal]]. On 27 June she departed [[Pearl Harbor]] for [[Guam]] via [[Eniwetok]]. ''LST-1068'' cleared [[Apra Harbor]], Guam with a group of LSTs on 11 August en route to [[Saipan]]. From Saipan she returned to [[Okinawa]], arriving on the 28th. She was forced out to sea from her anchorage on 16 September to ride out a violent storm which lasted for three days and nights. On 22 September she loaded elements of the [[Fifth Air Force]] for transport to [[Yokohama]], Japan.


After discharging the Air Corps personnel on the 27th, ''LST-1068'' sailed on 1 October from [[Tokyo Bay]] for the little port of [[Ominato]], where she was to drop off a Port Director Unit. On the 12th she was underway again bound for [[Manila]] via Yokohama. Arriving in [[Manila Bay]] on 26 October, ''LST-1068'' remained for five days and then moved to [[Batangas]] and loaded occupation troops to return to Tokyo. She arrived in Tokyo on 14 November. On 28 November at Saipan, ''LST-1068'' exchanged low-point crew members for high-point personnel of other LSTs and on 14 December she sailed for Pearl Harbor. From Pearl Harbor she was ordered to San Francisco for pre-deactivation overhaul and then to [[Bremerton, Washington]] for decommissioning.
After discharging the Air Corps personnel on 27 September, ''LST-1068'' sailed on 1 October, from [[Tokyo Bay]], for the little port of [[Ominato]], where she was to drop off a Port Director Unit. On 12 October, she was underway again bound for [[Manila]] via Yokohama. Arriving in [[Manila Bay]] on 26 October, ''LST-1068'' remained for five days and then moved to [[Batangas]] and loaded occupation troops to return to Tokyo. She arrived in Tokyo on 14 November. On 28 November, at Saipan, ''LST-1068'' exchanged low-point crew members for high-point personnel of other LSTs and on 14 December, she sailed for Pearl Harbor. From Pearl Harbor she was ordered to [[San Francisco]] for pre-deactivation overhaul and then to [[Bremerton, Washington]], for decommissioning.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
''LST-1068'' decommissioned on 9 August 1946 and was placed in reserve at [[Astoria, Oregon]].
''LST-1068'' decommissioned on 9 August 1946, and was placed in reserve at [[Astoria, Oregon]].{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}


===Korean War, 1950–1953===
===Korean War===
[[Image:LST-1068.jpg|thumb|left|''LST-1068'' at sea, date and location unknown.]]
[[Image:LST-1068.jpg|thumb|left|''LST-1068'' at sea, date and location unknown.]]
Recommissioned on 8 September 1950 ''LST-1068'' went through her second shakedown cruise and then sailed to the Far East via [[San Diego]]. Her actual departure was delayed, however, while she underwent repairs for a hole torn in her bottom by striking a submerged [[Landing Craft Infantry|LCI]]. Repaired and loaded, she sailed in January 1951 with a scheduled stop at Pearl. In February, ''LST-1068'' arrived in [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], and the following month she made her first entrance into [[Korea]]n waters. Through May she was engaged in operations at [[Inchon]], and in June, was on her way back to the U.S. Following overhaul, training and upkeep, which lasted for several months, she returned to the Far East in January 1952.
Recommissioned on 8 September 1950, ''LST-1068'' went through her second shakedown cruise and then sailed to the Far East via [[San Diego]]. Her actual departure was delayed, however, while she underwent repairs for a hole torn in her bottom by striking a submerged [[Landing Craft Infantry|LCI]].{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}


Repaired and loaded, she sailed in January 1951, with a scheduled stop at Pearl. In February, ''LST-1068'' arrived in [[United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka|Yokosuka]], and the following month she made her first entrance into [[Korea]]n waters. Through May, she was engaged in operations at [[Inchon]], and in June, was on her way back to the US. Following overhaul, training and upkeep, which lasted for several months, she returned to the [[Far East]] in January 1952.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
''LST-1068'' carried out a rigorous schedule which kept her busy until October, landing troops and supplies and shipping prisoners. She participated in operations at [[Sokchori]], [[Koje-do]], and [[Wonsan]], with brief but frequent trips to [[Pusan]], [[Cho-do]], and Yokosuka, Japan. ''LST-1068'' returned to the U.S. again in October, arriving in San Diego around [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]]. The [[s:Korean Armistice Agreement]] was signed on 27 July 1953 at the time that ''LST-1068'' was preparing for her third deployment.


''LST-1068'' carried out a rigorous schedule which kept her busy until October, landing troops and supplies and shipping prisoners. She participated in operations at [[Sokchori]], [[Koje-do]], and [[Wonsan]], with brief but frequent trips to [[Pusan]], [[Cho-do]], and Yokosuka, Japan. ''LST-1068'' returned to the US again in October, arriving in San Diego around [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]]. The [[s:Korean Armistice Agreement]] was signed on 27 July 1953, at the time that ''LST-1068'' was preparing for her third deployment.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
===Pacific, 1953–1957===

She departed San Diego on 1 August with the landing craft repair ship {{USS|Satyr|ARL-23|3}} and {{USS|LST-819||2}}. Arriving in Japan on 21 September, and following a three-week stay at Yokosuka, she proceeded to [[Kobe]], and then to Sasebo. During November, she participated in a series of training exercises at [[Tokchok-to]], Korea, an island near Inchon.
===Post-war===
She departed San Diego, on 1 August, with the landing craft repair ship {{USS|Satyr|ARL-23|2}} and {{USS|LST-819||2}}. Arriving in Japan on 21 September, and following a three-week stay at Yokosuka, she proceeded to [[Kobe]], and then to Sasebo. During November, she participated in a series of training exercises at [[Tokchok-to]], Korea, an island near Inchon.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
In January 1954 ''LST-1068'' conducted training at Okinawa, and in March, at [[Iwo Jima]], she was involved in the largest training operation she had ever experienced. On 17 June she joined with five LSTs of LST Division 13, for a return passage to San Diego. Upon arrival she was assigned primarily local operations and periods of upkeep. December 1954 and January 1955 were spent in overhaul at [[San Pedro, California]]. The ship was renamed '''USS ''Orange County'' (LST-1068)''' on 1 July 1955.
In January 1954, ''LST-1068'' conducted training at Okinawa, and in March, at [[Iwo Jima]], she was involved in the largest training operation she had ever experienced. On 17 June, she joined with five LSTs of LST Division 13, for a return passage to San Diego. Upon arrival she was assigned primarily local operations and periods of upkeep. December 1954 and January 1955, were spent in overhaul at [[San Pedro, California]]. The ship was renamed ''Orange County'' on 1 July 1955.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}


===Decommissioning and sale===
==Decommissioning==
''Orange County'' continued to provide a vital service to the Navy until she decommissioned on 15 October 1957. The ship was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 27 September 1957 and subsequently sunk as a target vessel on 18 June 1958.
''Orange County'' continued to provide a vital service to the Navy until she decommissioned on 15 October 1957. The ship was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 27 September 1957, and subsequently sunk as a [[target ship]] on 18 June 1958.{{sfn|DANFS Orange County|2015}}


==Awards==
==Awards==
''LST-1068'' earned four [[battle star]]s for her [[Korean War]] service.
''LST-1068'' earned four [[battle star]]s for her [[Korean War]] service.{{sfn|DANFS LST-1068}}


==References==
== Notes ==
{{DANFS}}
{{notelist}}
===Citations===
* {{cite web|title=''Orange County''|work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/o3/orange_county.htm|accessdate=28 March 2007}}
{{Reflist|2}}
* {{cite web|title=LST-1068 ''Orange County''|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161068.htm|accessdate=28 March 2007}}


==See also==
== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* [[List of United States Navy LSTs]]
'''Online resources'''
* {{cite DANFS
| last =
| first =
| url = https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/LST-1068.html
| title = LST-1068
| publisher = Naval History and Heritage Command
| date =
| accessdate = 15 July 2017
| ref = {{sfnRef|DANFS LST-1068}}
}}{{PD-notice}}
* {{cite DANFS
| last =
| first =
| url = https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/o/orange-county.html
| title = Orange County
| publisher = Naval History and Heritage Command
| date = 17 Aug 2015
| accessdate = 15 July 2017
| ref = {{sfnRef|DANFS Orange County|2015}}
}}{{PD-notice}}
* {{cite web
| url = http://shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencylarge/bethhingham.htm
| title = Bethlehem-Hingham, Hingham MA
| publisher = www.ShipbuildingHistory.com
| date = 11 August 2011
| accessdate = 15 July 2017
| ref = {{sfnRef|Bethlehem-Hingham|2011}}
}}
* {{cite web
| url = http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161068.htm
| title= USNS T-LST-1068
| publisher= Navsource.org
| date= 9 September 2016
| accessdate= 15 July 2017
| ref= {{sfnRef|Navsource|2016}}
}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* {{navsource|10/16/161068|USS Orange County (LST-1068)}}

{{Portalbar|United States Navy|World War II}}


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{{LST-542 class tank landing ship|1000}}
{{LST-542 class tank landing ship|1000}}
{{MARCOM ships Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orange County (Lst-1068)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orange County (Lst-1068)}}
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships]]
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships]]

Revision as of 08:19, 15 July 2017

USS LST-1068 off the coast of San Diego, returning from a tour of duty in Korea during the Korean War
History
Name
  • LST-1068
  • Orang County
BuilderBethlehem-Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts
Yard number3458[1]
Laid down31 January 1945
Launched3 March 1945
Commissioned27 March 1945
Decommissioned9 August 1946
Identification
StatusLaid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Astoria Group
Recommissioned8 September 1950
Decommissioned15 October 1957
RenamedOrange County, 1 July 1955
Stricken27 September 1957
Honors and
awards		4 × battle stars (Korea)
FateSunk as a target ship, 18 June 1958
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) (light)
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) (full (seagoing draft with 1,675 short tons (1,520 t) load)
  • 2,366 long tons (2,404 t) (beaching)
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Unloaded: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Full load: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing with 500 short tons (450 t) load: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
  • Limiting 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m)
  • Maximum navigation 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed11.6 kn (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 x LCVPs
Capacity1,600–1,900 short tons (3,200,000–3,800,000 lb; 1,500,000–1,700,000 kg) cargo depending on mission
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Service record
Part of: LST Flotilla 33
Awards:

USS Orange County (LST–1068) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after World War II, she survived long enough to be named. On 1 July 1955, all LSTs still in commission were named for US counties or parishes; LST-1068 was given the name Orange County, for counties in the states of California, Florida, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia, she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name.

Bauwesen

LST-1068 was laid down on 31 January 1945, at Hingham, Massachusetts, by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard; the ship was launched on 3 March 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Alice R. Wilbur; and commissioned on 27 March 1945, with Lieutenant Clinton E. Voyles, USNR, in command.[3]

Service history

World War II

After shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, LST-1068 loaded pontoon causeways and LCT sections at Davisville, Rhode Island, and embarked men at New York prior to getting underway, on 11 May, for the Pacific via the Panama Canal. On 27 June, she departed Pearl Harbor for Guam via Eniwetok.[4]

LST-1068 cleared Apra Harbor, Guam, with a group of LSTs on 11 August, en route to Saipan. From Saipan she returned to Okinawa, arriving on 28 August 1945. She was forced out to sea from her anchorage on 16 September, to ride out a violent storm which lasted for three days and nights. On 22 September, she loaded elements of the Fifth Air Force for transport to Yokohama, Japan.[4]

After discharging the Air Corps personnel on 27 September, LST-1068 sailed on 1 October, from Tokyo Bay, for the little port of Ominato, where she was to drop off a Port Director Unit. On 12 October, she was underway again bound for Manila via Yokohama. Arriving in Manila Bay on 26 October, LST-1068 remained for five days and then moved to Batangas and loaded occupation troops to return to Tokyo. She arrived in Tokyo on 14 November. On 28 November, at Saipan, LST-1068 exchanged low-point crew members for high-point personnel of other LSTs and on 14 December, she sailed for Pearl Harbor. From Pearl Harbor she was ordered to San Francisco for pre-deactivation overhaul and then to Bremerton, Washington, for decommissioning.[4]

LST-1068 decommissioned on 9 August 1946, and was placed in reserve at Astoria, Oregon.[4]

Korean War

LST-1068 at sea, date and location unknown.

Recommissioned on 8 September 1950, LST-1068 went through her second shakedown cruise and then sailed to the Far East via San Diego. Her actual departure was delayed, however, while she underwent repairs for a hole torn in her bottom by striking a submerged LCI.[4]

Repaired and loaded, she sailed in January 1951, with a scheduled stop at Pearl. In February, LST-1068 arrived in Yokosuka, and the following month she made her first entrance into Korean waters. Through May, she was engaged in operations at Inchon, and in June, was on her way back to the US. Following overhaul, training and upkeep, which lasted for several months, she returned to the Far East in January 1952.[4]

LST-1068 carried out a rigorous schedule which kept her busy until October, landing troops and supplies and shipping prisoners. She participated in operations at Sokchori, Koje-do, and Wonsan, with brief but frequent trips to Pusan, Cho-do, and Yokosuka, Japan. LST-1068 returned to the US again in October, arriving in San Diego around Thanksgiving. The s:Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on 27 July 1953, at the time that LST-1068 was preparing for her third deployment.[4]

Post-war

She departed San Diego, on 1 August, with the landing craft repair ship Satyr and LST-819. Arriving in Japan on 21 September, and following a three-week stay at Yokosuka, she proceeded to Kobe, and then to Sasebo. During November, she participated in a series of training exercises at Tokchok-to, Korea, an island near Inchon.[4]

In January 1954, LST-1068 conducted training at Okinawa, and in March, at Iwo Jima, she was involved in the largest training operation she had ever experienced. On 17 June, she joined with five LSTs of LST Division 13, for a return passage to San Diego. Upon arrival she was assigned primarily local operations and periods of upkeep. December 1954 and January 1955, were spent in overhaul at San Pedro, California. The ship was renamed Orange County on 1 July 1955.[4]

Decommissioning

Orange County continued to provide a vital service to the Navy until she decommissioned on 15 October 1957. The ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 September 1957, and subsequently sunk as a target ship on 18 June 1958.[4]

Awards

LST-1068 earned four battle stars for her Korean War service.[3]

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ Bethlehem-Hingham 2011.
  2. ^ Navsource 2016.
  3. ^ a b DANFS LST-1068.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j DANFS Orange County 2015.

Bibliography

Online resources

  • "LST-1068". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 15 July 2017.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Orange County". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2017.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Bethlehem-Hingham, Hingham MA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  • "USNS T-LST-1068". Navsource.org. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  • Photo gallery of USS Orange County (LST-1068) at NavSource Naval History


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