USS Harnett County (LST-821)

USS "Harnett County" (LST-821) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Harnett County, North Carolina, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

USS "LST-821" was laid down on 19 September 1944 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 27 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Hugh Robertson, Sr.; and commissioned on 14 November 1944 with Lieutenant C. J. Rudine, USNR, in command. During World War II, "LST-821" was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from April through June, 1945. Following the War, she performed occupation duty in the Far East until early December, 1945. "LST-821" returned to the United States and was decommissioned in March, 1946 and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet. On 1 July 1955 all remaining LSTs were given names of U.S. counties; "LST-821" was named USS "Harnett County" (LST-821). Recommissioned on 20 August 1966, "Harnett County" saw extensive service in the Vietnam War, participating in the following campaigns: the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase II (12 January to 31 May 1967); the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase III (1 June to 12 July 1967 and 17 August 1967 to 29 January 1968); the Tet Counteroffensive (30 January to 27 February 1968); the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase IV (9 April to 30 June 1968); the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase V (1 July to 1 November 1968); the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VI (2 to 4 November 1968 and 8 December 1968 to 22 February 1969); the Tet/69 Counteroffensive (23 February to 7 May 1969); Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 (4 August to 31 October 1969); Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 (1 November 1969 to 22 January 1970 and 17 February to 30 April 1970); the Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May to 30 June 1970); and the Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII (1 to 21 July 1970). Redesignated a Patrol Craft Tender, USS "Harnett County" (AGP-821) in the spring of 1970, she was decommissioned 12 October 1970 at Guam. The ship was transferred to South Vietnam under the Security Assistance Program 12 October 1970 and renamed RVNS "My Tho" (HQ-800). Transferred to the Philippines on 5 April 1976, her final fate is unknown.

"LST-821" earned one battle star for World War II service. Additionally, "Harnett County" earned nine battle stars, two awards of the Presidential Unit Citation, and three awards of the Navy Unit Commendation for the Vietnam War.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-821 / AGP-821 "Harnett County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160821.htm|accessdate=June 15|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=821&n1=USS&n2=HARNETT&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-821 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs