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USS Burnett County (LST-512)
Encyclopedia
USS Burnett County (LST-512) 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 Burnett County, Wisconsin, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
LST-512 was laid down on 22 July 1943 at Seneca, Illinois
Seneca, Illinois
Seneca is a village in LaSalle and Grundy counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census.The LaSalle County portion of Seneca is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in Grundy County is part of the...
by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 10 December 1943; and conducted her trial runs in the Ohio
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
and Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
s. Sponsored by Mrs. Gerry DeWane, she was sent to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
for her final fitting out and was commissioned on 8 January 1944.
Service history
LST-512 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. In October 1945, a severe storm in the English channel broached the ship on the beach, "breaking her back." She was towed to England for temporary repairs, made by welding railroad iron alongside the damaged keel, then returned to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where it was repaired and outfitted to do a war bond
War bond
War bonds are debt securities issued by a government for the purpose of financing military operations during times of war. War bonds generate capital for the government and make civilians feel involved in their national militaries...
tour in the Great Lakes, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Leaving Norfolk, VA in April, 1945, the ship sailed to Miami, FL, where soil and palm trees were loaded aboard to create a Pacific Island Jungle on a portion of the tank deck. It then moved to New Orleans, and was in that city on VE Day, May 8, 1945. It then began the journey up the Mississippi River to the Illinois River, and was the first LST to make the trip up both those rivers, and was the first and only LST to return to the inland shipyard (Seneca, IL) where it was built. It arrived in Chicago, IL on May 21, 1945, for additional preparation for the tour. The tour commenced in Detroit, MI. on June 12. Displays on the tank deck included a Pacific Island jungle complete with enemy snipers concealed in trees, a map with miniature models of LST's making amphibious landings in the Pacific, a captured Kamikaze "Baka" plane, and film footage of the war in the Pacific. Visitors could also look into the engine rooms, and tour crew quarters. On the main deck were displays of US armor, vehicles and artillery alongside captured Japanese artillery and vehicles. In addition to the static displays, the ship gave live demonstrations of amphibious landings, which included simulated bombardment and air strikes, followed by Marines landing in LCVP's and Amtracs. Once the landing zone was "secured", the ship would approach the beach and offload additional Amtracs, tanks and vehicles. Invasions were demonstrated in several cities, including Detroit, Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Duluth, Milwaukee, and Chicago. The ship was returning from Duluth and was passing through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, MI on V-J Day. The tour concluded on January 13, 1946, in New Orleans. During the tour, over two million visitors came aboard.
On 28 March 1947 was decommissioned and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet. On 1 July 1955 the ship was redesignated USS Burnett County (LST-512), and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 18 February 1957. LST-512 received one battle star for World War II Service.
On 11 October 1957 she was sold to Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. Renamed BAP Paita (LT-35), and commissioned in the Peruvian Navy
Peruvian Navy
The Peruvian Navy is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the Peruvian littoral...
. Employed as a training ship for the Peruvian Naval Academy. Later renumbered DT-141. Deleted 1983.