USS Clearwater County (LST-602)

The USS "Clearwater County" (LST-602) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Idaho and Minnesota, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-602 was laid down on 23 October 1943 at Seneca, Illinois by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 9 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Adele R. Ziehm; and commissioned on 31 March 1944 with Ensign John H. Mehus, USNR, in command. During World War II, LST-602 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the invasion of southern France in August and September, 1944. In 1946 she was decommissioned and, as a result of hostilities in Korea, the ship was recalled to active service in 1950 and performed service in the Korean Theater from 26 November 1951 to 25 July 1952 and from 19 July 1953 to 26 February 1954 and participated in the following campaigns: Second Korean Winter (22 December 1951 to 14 January 1952, 22 February to 11 March 1952, and 20 to 28 March 1952) and Korea, Summer-Fall 1953 (27 July 1953). On 1 July 1955 she was redesignated USS "Clearwater County" (LST-602). The tank landing ship was operated by the United States Air Force from September, 1957 to September, 1969 when she was transferred to the temporary custody of the Maritime Administration. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 May 1972 and sold to Mexico on 30 May 1972 where she served as "Manzanillo" (IA-02). Her final fate is unknown. LST-602 earned one battle star for World War II service and two battle stars for Korean War service.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-602 "Clearwater County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160602.htm|accessdate=May 29|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=602&n1=USS&n2=CLEARWATER&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-602 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs