USS Buchanan County (LST-504)

USS "LST-504" was an sclass|LST-491|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Renamed USS "Buchanan County" (LST-504) for counties in Iowa, Missouri, and Virginia on 1 July 1955, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

"LST-504" was laid down on 21 July 1943 at Jeffersonville, Indiana by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company; launched on 19 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. W. J. Griffin; and commissioned on 18 December 1943. During World War II, "LST-504" was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944 and the invasion of southern France in August and September, 1944. She was then assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and took part in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April and June, 1945. Following the War, "LST-504" performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-January, 1946. Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 22 January 1946. The ship was redesignated USS "Buchanan County" (LST-504) on 1 July 1955. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 11 August 1955 and sunk as a target in February, 1956. "LST-504" earned three battle stars for World War II service.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-504 "Buchanan County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160504.htm|accessdate=April 6|accessyear=2007

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs