USS Madera County (LST-905)

The USS "Madera County" (LST-905) was a sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Madera County, California, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as LST-905 by the Dravo Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 19 November 1944; launched 30 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Paul Gulling; and commissioned 20 January 1945. After commissioning, the ship was fitted out at New Orleans and then underwent brief training exercises along the gulf coast. In February, 1945 she departed for the Pacific, arriving the next month at Pearl Harbor. Following further training, she departed Hawaii 16 April for the Marianas. By mid-May she was at Guam where she joined a convoy then gathering to get underway for Okinawa. She arrived at Okinawa Gunto 8 June, remaining until the 28th. She continued to operate in the western Pacific, shuttling cargo and passengers among the island groups until returning to the United States in 1946. On 11 September 1946 she was deactivated and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet. While still inactive the LST was given the name USS "Madera County" (LST-905) on 1 July 1955. On 30 March 1963 "Madera County" recommissioned, retaining her reserve status. With a crew of volunteers from the Pacific Fleet's Amphibious Force, she underwent shakedown training at San Diego and then began preparations for a voyage to a new home port at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. Arriving there 19 June, she came under the control of the Commander, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. Her mission as part of this Fleet was to be able to support, on short notice, any military operation in the Atlantic-Caribbean area. The next year and a half was spent on extensive amphibious training exercises and shipyard periods to insure this ability. On 22 March 1965 she proceeded to Cape Kennedy, Florida to stand by during the recovery phase of the first manned Project Gemini shot. On 27 April the ship again departed Little Creek for southern waters, this time transporting equipment to Puerto Rico. The next day the Dominican Republic crisis arose, and upon delivery of her cargo at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico she headed for San Juan where she went on 4-hour standby duty. In May she made one trip to Little Creek, returning to the Caribbean within 2 weeks with Army units aboard. On 8 June, she debarked these units at Puerta de Andres, Dominican Republic and loaded other Army units for a voyage back to the east coast. She returned to Little Creek 15 June, but before the end of the year completed three more Caribbean deployments; 13 August to 15 September, 25 October to 10 November, and 18 November to 8 December. On 11 December the LST was assigned active status and then underwent overhaul in preparation for extended sea duty. Ordered to the western Pacific, "Madera County" steamed out of Hampton Roads 11 February 1966 en route to the Philippines. She entered Subic Bay 1 May and the next week commenced logistic support of Vietnamese operations. During the ensuing months she transported ammunition and construction materials to the Republic of Vietnam, off loading at ports such as Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Chu Lai, and Nha Trang. She also called at ports in the Philippines, on Taiwan and in Japan. Upkeep and maintenance periods were held at Sasebo during July and December 1966. Following her December overhaul, "Madera County" returned to Subic Bay and support of combat operations in South Vietnam, continuing this role through 1969. Decommissioned (date unknown), the tank landing ship was transferred (leased) to the Republic of the Philippines 29 November 1969 and renamed RPS "Ilcos Norte" (LT-87). Struck from the Naval Vessel Register 15 September 1979, she was sold to the Philippines 1 March 1980. The ship was struck from the Philippine Navy in 1992; her final fate is unknown.

LST-905 earned one battle star for World War II service, and ten campaign stars for Vietnam War service as "Madera County".

References

*
* cite web|title=LST-905 "Madera County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160905.htm|accessdate=August 13|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=905&n1=USS&n2=MADERA&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-905 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs