USS Hillsdale County (LST-835)

The USS "Hillsdale County" (LST-835) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Hillsdale County, Michigan, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as LST-835 by the American Bridge Company of Ambridge, Pennsylvania 6 September 1944; launched 25 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. I. Raphael; and commissioned 20 November with Lieutenant William H. McHenry in command. Following shakedown off Florida, LST-835 loaded ammunition at New Orleans and departed there 28 December. After brief stops on the West Coast and Pearl Harbor, she steamed for the western Pacific, arriving Guam 18 March 1945. For the next 6 weeks she transported troops, trucks, and other equipment from the Marianas to Iwo Jima. Sailing from Saipan 25 April, LST-8S5 carried vital ammunition to Okinawa, where American forces were engaged in a fierce battle for control of this strategic island. For the remainder of World War II, the landing ship shuttled cargo and troops throughout the American staging areas in the Pacific. After V-J Day she operated with the occupation forces in the Philippines and Japan for the next 2 months. Departing Nagoya, Japan 8 November, LST-835 stopped for cargo at Saipan before proceeding to the United States. She arrived San Francisco 8 January 1946 and later that month sailed to Astoria, Oregon and decommissioned there. While berthed with the Columbia River Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, LST-835 was named USS "Hillsdale County" (LST-835) 1 July 1955. "Hillsdale County" was struck from the Navy Vessel Register in October, 1959 and sold in April,, 1961 to Japan to serve as JDS "Shimokita" (LST-4002). LST-835 received one battle star for World War II service.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-835 "Hillsdale County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160835.htm|accessdate=July 23|accessyear=2007

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs