USS Summit County (LST-1146)

USS "Summit County" (LST-1146) was an "LST-542"-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after World War II, she survived long enough to be named. On 1 July 1955, all LSTs still in commission were named for US counties or parishes; "LST-1146" was given the name "Summit County", after counties in Colorado, Ohio and Utah.

"LST-1146" was laid down on 10 February, 1945 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 11 May 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret L. Hecht, Jr.; and commissioned on 30 May 1945, Lt. Warren A. Gushing, Jr., in command.

Service

Following World War II, "LST-1146" performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-November 1945. After occupation duty, "LST-1146" operated off the west coast of the United States for the next five years, principally occupied with resupply missions for Alaskan ports. During the Korean War, her resupply efforts were shifted to Korean ports. On 1 July 1955, she was redesignated "Summit County" (LST-1146) after counties in Colorado, Ohio, and Utah. From 1965 into 1969, "Summit County" saw extensive service in the Vietnam theater. She was transferred to the United States Maritime Administration in December 1969 and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, California. "Summit County" was sold to Ecuador on 14 February 1977.

"LST-1146" earned one battle star for the Korean War and three battle stars for the Vietnam War..

"Hualcopo"

On February 14 1977, "Summit County" was sold to Ecuador under the terms of the Security Assistance Program where she served as "Hualcopo" (T-55, later T-61 and then TR-61). She remained in service in 1999.

References

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External links

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* [http://www.hullnumber.com/LST-1146 LST-1146 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]