USS Chesterfield County (LST-551)

The USS "Chesterfield County" (LST-551) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in South Carolina and Virginia, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-551 was laid down on 15 January 1944 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 11 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. H. Edward Lannan; and commissioned on 14 April 1944. During World War II, LST-551 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the invasion of southern France in August and September, 1944. Following the War, LST-551 performed occupation service in Europe until early July, 1945. The ship then performed post-World War II service with Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet until she was decommissioned on 10 June 1955. On 1 July 1955 LST-551 was redesignated USS "Chesterfield County" (LST-551). She was recommissioned on 21 December 1965 and operated off Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. Decommissioned once again, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1970 and sold to Mitsui and Company of Japan in February, 1971 for scrapping. LST-551 earned one battle star for World War II service and two for Vietnam War service.

References

*
* cite web|title=LST-551 "Chesterfield County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160551.htm|accessdate=May 11|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=551&n1=USS&n2=CHESTERFIELD&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-551 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs
* Chesterfield County, South Carolina
* Chesterfield County, Virginia