USS League Island (AG-149)

USS "League Island" (AG-149/AKS-30) – also known as USS "LST-1097" -- was an sclass|LST-511|tank landing ship launched by the U.S. Navy during the final months of World War II. "League Island" served as a supply and stores-issue ship for the U.S. 7th Fleet, and was decommissioned after the war.

Constructed in Jeffersonville, Indiana

"LST-1097" was laid down by Jeffersonville Bridge & Machinery Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana, 22 November 1944; launched 16 January 1945: sponsored by Mrs. Susan A. Rash; and commissioned 9 February 1945; Lt. Earl J. Lane in command.

World War II-related service

"LST-1097" reported for duty to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, 27 March 1945. After a number of short voyages in the western Pacific Ocean she participated in the Okinawa campaign from 21 May to 30 June. The ship entered Pearl Harbor Navy Yard in December for conversion to an Ordnance Spare Parts Barge, and remained there until March 1946. She steamed to Portland, Oregon, 21 November and decommissioned 19 December 1946.

Korean War service

On 27 January 1949 she was reclassified "AG-149", and named "League Island" 1 February. Due to the Korean War buildup, she recommissioned 3 January 1951, Lt. R. E. Duppenthaler in command.

She was converted to a cargo stores ship 17 January to 2 March by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp., Oakland, California, and upon completion, moved to San Diego, California, 24 March. The ship departed for Japan 1 June to join ServRon 3 with whom she served from Sasebo and Yokosuka from June 1951 to August 1954. She was reclassified "AKS-30" on 18 August 1951. During this period she carried out her mission of supplying spare parts to the fleet in the Far East in support of America’s Korean commitment.

Post-war service

With the cessation of hostilities in Korea, the ship sailed to the Philippines to assist the U.S. 7th Fleet in the China Sea area. She served from Subic Bay, not returning to Japan until May 1955. Early in 1956 she was back in the Philippines to continue logistic support for the 7th Fleet. She returned to Sasebo March 1956, and sailed for San Francisco, California, 30 April.

Decommissioning

She decommissioned at Astoria, Oregon, 14 December 1956. Stricken from the Navy list 1 April 1960, she was sold 17 March 1961 to Hatch & Kirk Co., Seattle, Washington, and towed away for scrapping on 24 April 1961.

Honors and awards

"LST-1097" received one battle star for World War Il service:
* Okinawa Gunto operation (assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, May and June 1945)

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/161097.htm NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - LST-1097 / AG-149 / AKS-30 League Island]