USS Floyd County (LST-762)

The USS "Floyd County" (LST-762) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-762 was laid down on 24 June 1944 at Ambridge, Pennsylvania by the American Bridge Company; launched on 11 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Margaret M. Ewing; and commissioned on 5 September 1944 with Lieutenant Franklin J. Ewers, USCGR, in command. During World War II, LST-762 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April, 1945. Following the War, she performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-November 1945. The ship was decommissioned in 1946 and reactivated on 3 November 1950 for service in the Korean War. On 1 July 1955 she was redesignated USS "Floyd County" (LST-762) Following the Korean War, she operated with the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force, including extensive service off Vietnam from 1965 through 1968. "Floyd County" was again decommissioned on 3 September 1969. Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, the ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 April 1975. Sold for scrapping 1 December 1975 by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, the ship was again sold to Max Rouse & Sons of Beverly Hills, California 4 December 1975. Taken in hand by Lake Union Drydock Company of Seattle, Washington and converted for commercial use, the ship was sold to Landing System Technology Pte. Ltd., of Singapore (Lauritz Kloster, Norway) and renamed LST-1 in 1976. Arrived at Piraeus, having been acquired by Maritime & Commercial Company Argonaftis S.A., Panama, (Greek flag) and renamed "Petrola" 141 30 June 1978, she was placed in service in July, 1980. The ship was sold for scrapping in 1988. LST-762 earned one battle star for World War II service, one for the Korean War, and three battle stars and an award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in the Vietnam War.

References

*
* cite web|title=LST-762 "Floyd County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160762.htm|accessdate=June 13|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=762&n1=USS&n2=FLOYD&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-762 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs