USS Dunn County (LST-742)

The USS "Dunn County" (LST-742) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in North Dakota and Wisconsin, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-742 was laid down on 12 March 1944 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation of Neville Island; launched on 22 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Harry Lester; and commissioned on 23 May 1944 with Lieutenant Warren W. Holmes, USNR, in command. During World War II, LST-742 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the Lingayen Gulf landing (January, 1945), Visayan Island landings (March and April, 1945) and the Tarakan Island operation (April and May, 1945). Following the War, LST-742 was decommissioned on 26 April 1946 and transferred to the United States Army on 28 June 1946. She was returned to the United States Navy and recommissioned on 1 September 1950. On 1 July 1955 she was redesignated USS "Dunn County" (LST-742). The ship performed service during the Korean War followed by extensive service with Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, until decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 February 1961. "Dunn County" was sold to Zidell Explorations, Inc. of Portland, Oregon on 6 September 1961 for scrapping. LST-742 earned three battle stars for World War II service and five battle stars for the Korean War.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-742 "Dunn County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160742.htm|accessdate=June 13|accessyear=2007

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs
* Dunn County, North Dakota
* Dunn County, Wisconsin