USS Duval County

The USS Duval County (LST-758) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship that was built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Florida and Texas, she was the only U.S. naval vessel to bear the name.

Duval County (LST-758) off the Virginia Capes, 27 March 1968
History
United States
NameUSS LST-758
BuilderAmerican Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Laid down5 June 1944
Launched25 July 1944
Commissioned19 August 1944
Decommissioned13 July 1946
Recommissioned3 November 1950
Decommissioned28 October 1969
RenamedUSS Duval County (LST-758), 1 July 1955
Stricken1 November 1976
Honours and
awards
FateSold, 18 August 1981
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • 8 ft (2.4 m) forward
  • 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 LCVPs
TroopsApproximately 130 officers and enlisted men
Complement8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men
Armament

The LST-758 was laid down on June 5, 1944 at Ambridge, Pennsylvania by the American Bridge Company. Launched on July 25, 1944, it was sponsored by Mrs. F. D. Colburn and commissioned on August 19, 1944.

Service history

During World War II, the LST-758 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima in February 1945, and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Guntō in April through June 1945.

After the war, she performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-September 1945. The LST-758 was decommissioned on July 13, 1946, and recommissioned on November 3, 1950 for service in the Korean War. She was stationed in Korea until late November 1953. James E. Thompson boarded the 758 in November 1950, and was discharged from it on February 1, 1954.

She was scheduled to leave Korea in July 1953. When the armistice was signed in June, however, she was held over to return prisoners from Koje Do Island to Inchon. Pens were built on the tank deck that held six hundred prisoners. She made three trips to Inchon. She subsequently sailed to Long Beach, California in November.

On July 1, 1955, the ship was redesignated as the USS Duval County (LST-758). Following the Korean War, she saw extensive service with the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets through 1969. The Duval County was decommissioned on October 28, 1969. Laid up in the Reserve Fleet, the ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on November 1, 1976. After custody was transferred to MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, she was sold by MARAD on August 18, 1981. Her final fate is unknown.

The LST-758 earned two battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars during the Korean War.

She made a brief appearance in the movie PT 109 (film).

See also

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

  • "LST-758". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  • "LST-758 Duval County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
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