USS Bulloch County (LST-509) was an built for the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. Named for Bulloch County, Georgia

Bulloch County, Georgia

Bulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...

, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-509 was laid down on 7 October 1943 at Jeffersonville, Indiana

Jeffersonville, Indiana

Jeffersonville is a city in Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. Locally, the city is often referred to by the abbreviated name Jeff. It is directly across the Ohio River to the north of Louisville, Kentucky along I-65. The population was 44,953 at the 2010 census...

 by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company; launched on 23 November 1943; sponsored by Lieutenant (j.g.) Dorothy L. Nims, USCG(W); and commissioned on 20 January 1944 with Lieutenant J. B. Malcom, USNR, in command.

During World War II, LST-509 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. Following the war, LST-509 returned to the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and was redesignated USS Bulloch County (LST-509) on 1 July 1955.

On 8 April 1970, the ship was decommissioned and leased to the Republic of Vietnam under the Security Assistance Program for service as Qui Nhon (HQ-504). After 1975, she served in VPA Navy with new registration as HQ-505. In 1988 She was heavy damaged in South Johnson reef skirmish by Chinese 531 ship. VPA Navy in an effort to save her, tried to bring her to Cam ranh for repair but unfortunately on the way she was sunk somewhere south of Great Discovery reef, Spratly area. This ship and his team was granted the title "Vietnam Arm Forces Hero"..
For more her pictures: http://hoangsa.org/forum/threads/4725-Nh%E1%BB%AFng-con-t%C3%A0u
LST-509 earned one battle star for World War II service.

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs
• Republic of Vietnam Navy
  Republic of Vietnam Navy
  The Republic of Vietnam Navy was the naval force of the former Republic of Vietnam from 1955 to 1975. The early fleet consisted of boats from France. After 1955 and the transfer of the armed forces to Vietnamese control, the fleet was supplied from the United States...