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USS Westchester County (LST-1167)
Encyclopedia
The USS Westchester County (LST-1167) was a built for the United States Navy
at the tail end of the Korean War
. Named for Westchester County, New York
, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
; launched on 18 April 1953; sponsored by Mrs. Robert E. Wood; and commissioned on 10 March 1954 with Lieutenant Commander Leamond F. Lacy in command. The tank landing ship departed New Orleans on 8 April 1954 and reached the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, Virginia on 14 April. The remainder of the year was spent in amphibious warfare exercises in the Chesapeake Bay
. On 14 February 1955 LST-1167 sailed from Little Creek to embark 205 marines
and equipment for exercises in the Caribbean
. These exercises were repeated in April, and the ship returned to Little Creek on 6 May 1955.
On 1 July, LST-1167 was renamed USS Westchester County. Westchester County spent the remaining months of 1955 engaged in operations along the east coast with the majority of the time being spent in local training. After loading marines and equipment at Morehead City, North Carolina
the tank landing ship sailed for exercises in the Caribbean on 11 January 1956. She returned to Norfolk, Virginia
on 6 February and made another training cruise to the Caribbean from 20 February to 24 March. Upon returning to Little Creek the ship conducted local operations until the Fourth of July which she spent at Yonkers, New York
. She visited Trenton, New Jersey
and Washington, D.C.
, then went into overhaul on 21 September at the Brewer Dry Dock Company of Staten Island, New York. After a two-month yard period, the ship conducted local operations to finish out the year.
On 28 February 1957 Westchester County embarked personnel and equipment at Morehead City and sailed to the Caribbean for amphibious training exercises, returning to Norfolk on 13 May. She conducted local operations until 28 August when she sailed for a Mediterranean deployment, joining the 6th Fleet at Messina, Sicily
on 15 September. The ship conducted exercises off Turkey
, Greece
, and Spain
. On 4 November the ship departed Alicante
, Spain for Little Creek, where she spent the remainder of the year in local operations. Westchester County began the year 1958 departing Norfolk for San Francisco via the Panama Canal
. She arrived at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard
on 31 January for overhaul which was completed on 2 April. The ship put to sea from San Diego on 7 June for her first tour of duty in the Far East
. She reached Sasebo
, Japan
on 5 July for amphibious warfare maneuvers and assault landing practice in Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Subic Bay
, Philippines
; and Tsoying, Taiwan
where she engaged in joint operations with Chinese Underwater Demolition Teams embarked. She returned to San Diego on 10 December 1958 and there finished the year. The first eight months of 1959 were spent in amphibious training along the California
coast. On 24 August Westchester County embarked marines and vehicles for Kaneohe, Hawaii and amphibious landings. On 6 October she returned to California, off-loaded the marines and returned to San Francisco. On 30 November WestChester County entered the Todd Shipyard, Alameda, California
for overhaul until 12 February 1960.
, Japan via the Hawaiian Islands
and Okinawa. The ship beached at Numazu, Japan on 5 September 1960 to commence a series of large scale amphibious exercises with SEATO forces. From 1 to 31 December, Westchester County underwent overhaul at the Yokosuka Naval Base. The year 1961 was spent making logistic runs between Subic Bay, Okinawa, and North Borneo
. Westchester County spent November and December. 1961 in upkeep at her home port. Westchester County got underway on 18 January 1962 for sea trials and refresher training. On 10 March she rendezvoused with other units of the Pacific Fleet and departed for Mindoro
, Philippines
for amphibious warfare maneuvers. The ship returned to Yokosuka on 20 April and resumed a normal training schedule. The communist threat in Vietnam interrupted this training period and, on 13 May, Westchester County was underway for Subic Bay with a combat load of marines.
On 15 June 1962 the tank landing ship returned to Yokosuka for upkeep and in-port training. She then conducted operations at Keelung
, Taiwan; Subic Bay; Bangkok
, Thailand
; and Naha, Okinawa
. During October, the ship participated in amphibious "Exercise Lone Eagle." This exercise was delayed in Okinawa due to the Cuban Missile Crisis
, which put United States
ships on a worldwide alert. On 12 November Westchester County returned to her home port of Yokosuka, where she spent Christmas
. On 28 December 1962 she departed for a New Year
's visit to Tokyo
, Japan. The year 1963 began with a cold weather operation in Korea
which commenced on 16 January. Westchester County spent the time until 24 May shuttling marine personnel and equipment to Naha, Tsoying, and Numazu, Japan with interspersed upkeep periods at Yokosuka. On 24 May she sailed from Naha to transport Korean soldiers from Pusan to Pohang
, Korea. After a brief upkeep at Sasebo, Japan Westchester County took part in "Operation Flagpole", a joint amphibious exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy
and Marines which concluded on 29 June. July and August were spent in upkeep at Yokosuka, followed by "Exercise Bayonet Beach" on 5 September at Tong Po Pi, Korea. Westchester County returned to Yokosuka on 19 September for inspections and amphibious training. On 7 October the ship sailed for Okinawa where she sustained damage to her bow ramp which required repairs at Sasebo until 29 October. After a brief Marine lift to Okinawa, Westchester County returned to Yokosuka on 9 November for regular overhaul. The ship went into drydock on 27 December 1963 and thus ended the year.
Westchester County remained in drydock until 31 January 1964 and underwent sea trials, refresher training, and amphibious refresher training at Yokosuka until 8 May. She departed Yokosuka on 19 May for Naha, and the first of many Marine lifts between Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines which occupied the ship until 9 August. At that time, due to the Tonkin Gulf Incident, Westchester County departed Naha for extended operations off Vietnam
in the South China Sea
. She returned to Subic Bay on 2 October and began a series of Marine lifts between Naha and Buckner Bay, Tsoying, and Yokosuka. On 19 November the ship returned to Yokosuka and underwent upkeep and underway training until 24 December when she visited Tokyo. Westchester County departed Tokyo on 28 December 1964 and returned to Yokosuka. Westchester County started 1965 with two Marine lifts between Okinawa and Japan. February was spent at Okinawa; and, on 3 March, the ship transported marines and vehicles to Subic Bay. Between 17 March and 15 April the tank landing ship completed two Marine lifts to Da Nang
, South Vietnam. On 29 April she departed Buckner Bay for the first amphibious landing at Chu Lai
, South Vietnam. This operation was the largest in the Pacific since the Korean War
. From 11 May to 24 May, the ship made two turnaround trips between Naha, Okinawa, and Chu Lai. Following upkeep at Yokosuka, Westchester County spent the period from 22 June to 15 August making Marine lifts to Da Nang and Chu Lai. She returned to Yokosuka for upkeep until 30 September when she transported marines from Naha to Numazu for cold weather operations.
During 1966 Westchester County served extensively in carrying cargo to the Republic of Vietnam in support of American forces ashore. On 24 January the ship joined in "Operation Double Eagle", an amphibious assault at Cap Mai, Vietnam. From February throughout August, Westchester County transported troops and equipment to Qui Nhon
, Chu Lai, and Da Nang. This duty was interspersed with port visits to Hong Kong
and repairs at Subic Bay and Yokosuka. On 1 September 1966 Westchester County anchored at Vung Tau
, Vietnam to begin operations as the support ship for "Operation Market Time
". Until 4 October the ship steamed continuously on station off the Ca Mau Peninsula
; refueling, replenishing, and serving as a base for the boats and crews who patrolled the coast of Vietnam to prevent infiltration by sea. After returning to Yokosuka, the ship spent the period from 16 October through 31 December undergoing upkeep interspersed with a short training visit to Okinawa and port visits to Keelung
, Taiwan and Hiroshima
, Japan. From 3 January to 15 March 1967 Westchester County transported troops and supplies between Okinawa and Vietnam. The tank landing ship went into overhaul on 15 March at Yokosuka, followed by refresher training which lasted through 5 August. Westchester County spent the remaining months of 1967 carrying marines and equipment between Yokosuka, Okinawa, and Vietnam. The LST served as a Mobile Riverine Force
support ship in the Mekong Delta
from 24 October through 31 December 1967.
Westchester County spent the early weeks of 1968 continuing service as a Mobile Riverine support ship. On 26 January the tank landing ship began a series of lifts from Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines to Vietnam. She underwent repair availability and training exercises from 16 July through 22 September. The tank landing ship resumed duty with the Mobile Riverine Forces on 22 September. Tragedy struck on 1 November while Westchester County lay anchored in the vicinity of My Tho, Vietnam. Two giant underwater explosions ripped through Westchester County, killing 26 men. The enemy limpet mines
had been attached to the hull about amidships on the starboard side causing ruptured berthing compartments and fuel and storage tanks. Command-detonated mines were used extensively on "The Long Tau" (Saigon—Vung Tau). U.S. minesweeper
s normally operated between Nha Be south to the ocean, and South Vietnamese operated from Nha Be to Newport. The day following the explosion, the entire Mobile Riverine Force moved from My Tho to Dong Tam. After beaching at Dong Tam for temporary repairs, she returned to Yokosuka, via Subic Bay, on 26 November. Westchester County went into drydock at the United States Naval Ship Repair Facility where it remained until 5 February 1969. Upon completion of refresher training and upkeep, the ship got underway on 10 March 1969 for "Operation Market Time" off the Vietnam coast. From 5 July through 23 August, Westchester County joined in the first phase of Vietnam troop withdrawal. The remainder of 1969 was spent carrying personnel and equipment from Korea, Japan, and Okinawa to Vietnam with intermittent periods of repair and liberty. The beginning of the 1970s found Westchester County operating off the northern coast of Vietnam. During February, she conducted troop and equipment withdrawal from South Vietnam
, then underwent restricted availability at Yokosuka beginning on 4 March. April through July were spent transporting personnel and cargo from Japan and Okinawa to Vietnam. On 2 August she relieved the off the Ca Mau Peninsula for "Operation Solid Anchor", which consisted of fueling boats and helicopter
s. Nine of Westchester County's sailors received the Combat Action Ribbon
when they withstood enemy small arms and rocket
fire while transiting the Bo De River.
Following a restricted availability at Yokosuka which commenced on 30 October, Westchester County made stops at Camranh Bay, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Iwakuni
, Japan before departing on 17 November for a vehicle lift from Chinhae, South Korea to Okinawa. Westchester County spent the first half of December involved in landing rehearsals and gunnery exercises. She then transited to Singapore
to enjoy a Christmas visit. The ship closed out the year en route to Subic Bay. During January, 1971 Westchester County sailed between Hong Kong and Subic Bay. On 2 February she departed Subic Bay en route to the Gulf of Tonkin
in support of "Operation Lamson III", the Cambodia
n operation which lasted until 7 March. After restricted availability and training at Okinawa and Yokosuka, the ship returned to Vietnam on 21 June and continued operations. From 6 August through 1 September, Westchester County assumed the administrative duties as SOPA (senior officer present afloat) in Hong Kong. Following restricted availability at Yokosuka, the ship lifted personnel and equipment of an Army
security agency for transit to Pusan, and returned them to Okinawa on 6 December. During this period, she transported marines from Japan to Okinawa, departing Okinawa on 24 November to spend Thanksgiving
at Yokosuka. Following the off-load of Army personnel on 6 December, Westchester County returned to Yokosuka for the holiday season, arriving on 10 December. Westchester County completed a restricted availability on 17 January 1972 and set out for a lift to Subic Bay. The tank landing ship spent February at Subic Bay undergoing repairs and local operations. After SOPA duties at Hong Kong from 15 March to 31 March, the ship resumed personnel and cargo transits to the Gulf of Tonkin until 30 August 1972. During this period, the tank landing ship underwent a seven-week restricted availability followed by refresher training at Yokosuka.
From 7 September through 1 October 1972 Westchester County operated in logistic support of Mine Flotilla 1. She returned to Yokosuka on 15 October for availability and inspection. The ship made a brief transit to Okinawa, departing on 30 November. She returned to Yokosuka on 5 December 1972 and enjoyed the Christmas holidays while in upkeep status. On 27 January 1973, following the signing of the Paris Peace Accords
, the ship was underway for Subic Bay to transport mine counter-measures equipment and Commander, Mine Flotilla One to the Gulf of Tonkin. Due to a breakdown in the cease-fire negotiations, the tank landing ship was ordered to a rendezvous point near Da Nang. Departing the vicinity on 3 March, she continued to work in support of "Operation End Sweep
".
After availability and shore bombardment exercises at Subic Bay which commenced on 14 March, Westchester County returned to Vietnam in support of "Operation End Sweep" which was completed on 18 July. The ship made stops at Subic Bay and Okinawa before finally arriving at Yokosuka on 30 July. Westchester County was decommissioned on 30 August 1973 and arrived at the Inactive Ship Facility, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
, Bremerton, Washington
on 30 November of that year. On 27 August 1974 she was turned over to the Turkish Navy
and commissioned as Serdar (L-402). Decommissioned by the Turkish Navy in 2011.
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...
at the tail end of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Named for Westchester County, New York
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
1950s
Originally laid down as LST-1167 on 11 January 1952 by the Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, WisconsinSturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a city in and the county seat of Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,437 at the 2000 census. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula.-Geography:Sturgeon Bay is...
; launched on 18 April 1953; sponsored by Mrs. Robert E. Wood; and commissioned on 10 March 1954 with Lieutenant Commander Leamond F. Lacy in command. The tank landing ship departed New Orleans on 8 April 1954 and reached the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, Virginia on 14 April. The remainder of the year was spent in amphibious warfare exercises in the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. On 14 February 1955 LST-1167 sailed from Little Creek to embark 205 marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and equipment for exercises in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. These exercises were repeated in April, and the ship returned to Little Creek on 6 May 1955.
On 1 July, LST-1167 was renamed USS Westchester County. Westchester County spent the remaining months of 1955 engaged in operations along the east coast with the majority of the time being spent in local training. After loading marines and equipment at Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
the tank landing ship sailed for exercises in the Caribbean on 11 January 1956. She returned to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
on 6 February and made another training cruise to the Caribbean from 20 February to 24 March. Upon returning to Little Creek the ship conducted local operations until the Fourth of July which she spent at Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
. She visited Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, then went into overhaul on 21 September at the Brewer Dry Dock Company of Staten Island, New York. After a two-month yard period, the ship conducted local operations to finish out the year.
On 28 February 1957 Westchester County embarked personnel and equipment at Morehead City and sailed to the Caribbean for amphibious training exercises, returning to Norfolk on 13 May. She conducted local operations until 28 August when she sailed for a Mediterranean deployment, joining the 6th Fleet at Messina, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
on 15 September. The ship conducted exercises off Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. On 4 November the ship departed Alicante
Alicante
Alicante or Alacant is a city in Spain, the capital of the province of Alicante and of the comarca of Alacantí, in the south of the Valencian Community. It is also a historic Mediterranean port. The population of the city of Alicante proper was 334,418, estimated , ranking as the second-largest...
, Spain for Little Creek, where she spent the remainder of the year in local operations. Westchester County began the year 1958 departing Norfolk for San Francisco via the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. She arrived at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard
San Francisco Naval Shipyard
The San Francisco Naval Shipyard was a United States Navy shipyard in San Francisco, California, located on of waterfront at Hunters Point in the southeast corner of the city...
on 31 January for overhaul which was completed on 2 April. The ship put to sea from San Diego on 7 June for her first tour of duty in the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
. She reached Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on 5 July for amphibious warfare maneuvers and assault landing practice in Buckner Bay, Okinawa; Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
; and Tsoying, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
where she engaged in joint operations with Chinese Underwater Demolition Teams embarked. She returned to San Diego on 10 December 1958 and there finished the year. The first eight months of 1959 were spent in amphibious training along the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
coast. On 24 August Westchester County embarked marines and vehicles for Kaneohe, Hawaii and amphibious landings. On 6 October she returned to California, off-loaded the marines and returned to San Francisco. On 30 November WestChester County entered the Todd Shipyard, Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
for overhaul until 12 February 1960.
1960s
She resumed her training schedule out of San Diego until 1 August 1960 when she shifted to Port Hueneme to load cargo and take on fuel. The next day, she set course for her new home port of YokosukaYokosuka, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 419,067 and a population density of 4,160 people per km². It covered an area of 100.62 km²...
, Japan via the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
and Okinawa. The ship beached at Numazu, Japan on 5 September 1960 to commence a series of large scale amphibious exercises with SEATO forces. From 1 to 31 December, Westchester County underwent overhaul at the Yokosuka Naval Base. The year 1961 was spent making logistic runs between Subic Bay, Okinawa, and North Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
. Westchester County spent November and December. 1961 in upkeep at her home port. Westchester County got underway on 18 January 1962 for sea trials and refresher training. On 10 March she rendezvoused with other units of the Pacific Fleet and departed for Mindoro
Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
for amphibious warfare maneuvers. The ship returned to Yokosuka on 20 April and resumed a normal training schedule. The communist threat in Vietnam interrupted this training period and, on 13 May, Westchester County was underway for Subic Bay with a combat load of marines.
On 15 June 1962 the tank landing ship returned to Yokosuka for upkeep and in-port training. She then conducted operations at Keelung
Keelung
Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport...
, Taiwan; Subic Bay; Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
; and Naha, Okinawa
Naha, Okinawa
is the capital city of the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.Naha is a coastal city located on the East China Sea coast of the southern part of Okinawa Island, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands...
. During October, the ship participated in amphibious "Exercise Lone Eagle." This exercise was delayed in Okinawa due to the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
, which put United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ships on a worldwide alert. On 12 November Westchester County returned to her home port of Yokosuka, where she spent Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. On 28 December 1962 she departed for a New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's visit to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan. The year 1963 began with a cold weather operation in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
which commenced on 16 January. Westchester County spent the time until 24 May shuttling marine personnel and equipment to Naha, Tsoying, and Numazu, Japan with interspersed upkeep periods at Yokosuka. On 24 May she sailed from Naha to transport Korean soldiers from Pusan to Pohang
Pohang
Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River...
, Korea. After a brief upkeep at Sasebo, Japan Westchester County took part in "Operation Flagpole", a joint amphibious exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
and Marines which concluded on 29 June. July and August were spent in upkeep at Yokosuka, followed by "Exercise Bayonet Beach" on 5 September at Tong Po Pi, Korea. Westchester County returned to Yokosuka on 19 September for inspections and amphibious training. On 7 October the ship sailed for Okinawa where she sustained damage to her bow ramp which required repairs at Sasebo until 29 October. After a brief Marine lift to Okinawa, Westchester County returned to Yokosuka on 9 November for regular overhaul. The ship went into drydock on 27 December 1963 and thus ended the year.
Westchester County remained in drydock until 31 January 1964 and underwent sea trials, refresher training, and amphibious refresher training at Yokosuka until 8 May. She departed Yokosuka on 19 May for Naha, and the first of many Marine lifts between Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines which occupied the ship until 9 August. At that time, due to the Tonkin Gulf Incident, Westchester County departed Naha for extended operations off Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
in the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
. She returned to Subic Bay on 2 October and began a series of Marine lifts between Naha and Buckner Bay, Tsoying, and Yokosuka. On 19 November the ship returned to Yokosuka and underwent upkeep and underway training until 24 December when she visited Tokyo. Westchester County departed Tokyo on 28 December 1964 and returned to Yokosuka. Westchester County started 1965 with two Marine lifts between Okinawa and Japan. February was spent at Okinawa; and, on 3 March, the ship transported marines and vehicles to Subic Bay. Between 17 March and 15 April the tank landing ship completed two Marine lifts to Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
, South Vietnam. On 29 April she departed Buckner Bay for the first amphibious landing at Chu Lai
Chu Lai
Chu Lai is a sea port, urban and industrial area in Dung Quat Bay, Núi Thành district, Quang Nam province of Vietnam. The city is served by Chu Lai Airport.-Vietnam War:...
, South Vietnam. This operation was the largest in the Pacific since the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. From 11 May to 24 May, the ship made two turnaround trips between Naha, Okinawa, and Chu Lai. Following upkeep at Yokosuka, Westchester County spent the period from 22 June to 15 August making Marine lifts to Da Nang and Chu Lai. She returned to Yokosuka for upkeep until 30 September when she transported marines from Naha to Numazu for cold weather operations.
Vietnam War Service
After reloading at Yokosuka, Westchester County transported Korean troops from Pusan, Korea to Qui Nhan, South Vietnam. From 7 November to 21 November she joined in "Operation Blue Marlin", making two landings at Tarn Ky, South Vietnam. These landings were followed by stops at Camranh Bay, Phan Rang, and Da Nang. She arrived at Yokosuka on 16 December and spent Christmas at her home port. On 26 December she put to sea to load cargo at Iwakuni, Japan arriving on the 28th and departing for Naha the next day. On 31 December 1965 she arrived at Naha and there celebrated the New Year.During 1966 Westchester County served extensively in carrying cargo to the Republic of Vietnam in support of American forces ashore. On 24 January the ship joined in "Operation Double Eagle", an amphibious assault at Cap Mai, Vietnam. From February throughout August, Westchester County transported troops and equipment to Qui Nhon
Qui Nhon
Qui Nhơn , also Quy Nhơn, is a coastal city in Binh Dinh province in central Vietnam. It is composed of 16 wards and five communes with a total of 286 km². Quy Nhon is the capital of Bình Định province. As of 2009 its population was 280,900. Historically, the commercial activities of the city...
, Chu Lai, and Da Nang. This duty was interspersed with port visits to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and repairs at Subic Bay and Yokosuka. On 1 September 1966 Westchester County anchored at Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
, Vietnam to begin operations as the support ship for "Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time was the United States Navy’s effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War...
". Until 4 October the ship steamed continuously on station off the Ca Mau Peninsula
Ca Mau Peninsula
peninsula makes up the southern tip of Vietnam. It is in Ca Mau province, and lies between the Gulf of Thailand to the west and the South China Sea to the east....
; refueling, replenishing, and serving as a base for the boats and crews who patrolled the coast of Vietnam to prevent infiltration by sea. After returning to Yokosuka, the ship spent the period from 16 October through 31 December undergoing upkeep interspersed with a short training visit to Okinawa and port visits to Keelung
Keelung
Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport...
, Taiwan and Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
, Japan. From 3 January to 15 March 1967 Westchester County transported troops and supplies between Okinawa and Vietnam. The tank landing ship went into overhaul on 15 March at Yokosuka, followed by refresher training which lasted through 5 August. Westchester County spent the remaining months of 1967 carrying marines and equipment between Yokosuka, Okinawa, and Vietnam. The LST served as a Mobile Riverine Force
Mobile Riverine Force
In the Vietnam War, the Mobile Riverine Force , initially designated Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Force, and later euphemistically the Riverines, were a joint US Army and US Navy force that comprised a substantial part of the Brown Water Navy...
support ship in the Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of . The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.The...
from 24 October through 31 December 1967.
Westchester County spent the early weeks of 1968 continuing service as a Mobile Riverine support ship. On 26 January the tank landing ship began a series of lifts from Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines to Vietnam. She underwent repair availability and training exercises from 16 July through 22 September. The tank landing ship resumed duty with the Mobile Riverine Forces on 22 September. Tragedy struck on 1 November while Westchester County lay anchored in the vicinity of My Tho, Vietnam. Two giant underwater explosions ripped through Westchester County, killing 26 men. The enemy limpet mines
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
had been attached to the hull about amidships on the starboard side causing ruptured berthing compartments and fuel and storage tanks. Command-detonated mines were used extensively on "The Long Tau" (Saigon—Vung Tau). U.S. minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
s normally operated between Nha Be south to the ocean, and South Vietnamese operated from Nha Be to Newport. The day following the explosion, the entire Mobile Riverine Force moved from My Tho to Dong Tam. After beaching at Dong Tam for temporary repairs, she returned to Yokosuka, via Subic Bay, on 26 November. Westchester County went into drydock at the United States Naval Ship Repair Facility where it remained until 5 February 1969. Upon completion of refresher training and upkeep, the ship got underway on 10 March 1969 for "Operation Market Time" off the Vietnam coast. From 5 July through 23 August, Westchester County joined in the first phase of Vietnam troop withdrawal. The remainder of 1969 was spent carrying personnel and equipment from Korea, Japan, and Okinawa to Vietnam with intermittent periods of repair and liberty. The beginning of the 1970s found Westchester County operating off the northern coast of Vietnam. During February, she conducted troop and equipment withdrawal from South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, then underwent restricted availability at Yokosuka beginning on 4 March. April through July were spent transporting personnel and cargo from Japan and Okinawa to Vietnam. On 2 August she relieved the off the Ca Mau Peninsula for "Operation Solid Anchor", which consisted of fueling boats and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s. Nine of Westchester County's sailors received the Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or...
when they withstood enemy small arms and rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
fire while transiting the Bo De River.
Following a restricted availability at Yokosuka which commenced on 30 October, Westchester County made stops at Camranh Bay, Da Nang, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Iwakuni
Iwakuni, Yamaguchi
is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan.On March 20, 2006, the old city of Iwakuni absorbed the towns of Kuga, Mikawa, Miwa, Nishiki, Shūtō and Yū, and the village of Hongō, all from Kuga District, to form the new, expanded city of Iwakuni.- History :...
, Japan before departing on 17 November for a vehicle lift from Chinhae, South Korea to Okinawa. Westchester County spent the first half of December involved in landing rehearsals and gunnery exercises. She then transited to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
to enjoy a Christmas visit. The ship closed out the year en route to Subic Bay. During January, 1971 Westchester County sailed between Hong Kong and Subic Bay. On 2 February she departed Subic Bay en route to the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
in support of "Operation Lamson III", the Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n operation which lasted until 7 March. After restricted availability and training at Okinawa and Yokosuka, the ship returned to Vietnam on 21 June and continued operations. From 6 August through 1 September, Westchester County assumed the administrative duties as SOPA (senior officer present afloat) in Hong Kong. Following restricted availability at Yokosuka, the ship lifted personnel and equipment of an Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
security agency for transit to Pusan, and returned them to Okinawa on 6 December. During this period, she transported marines from Japan to Okinawa, departing Okinawa on 24 November to spend Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
at Yokosuka. Following the off-load of Army personnel on 6 December, Westchester County returned to Yokosuka for the holiday season, arriving on 10 December. Westchester County completed a restricted availability on 17 January 1972 and set out for a lift to Subic Bay. The tank landing ship spent February at Subic Bay undergoing repairs and local operations. After SOPA duties at Hong Kong from 15 March to 31 March, the ship resumed personnel and cargo transits to the Gulf of Tonkin until 30 August 1972. During this period, the tank landing ship underwent a seven-week restricted availability followed by refresher training at Yokosuka.
Post Vietnam War and Transfer to Turkish Navy
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the Vietnam War, ended direct U.S. military involvement, and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam...
, the ship was underway for Subic Bay to transport mine counter-measures equipment and Commander, Mine Flotilla One to the Gulf of Tonkin. Due to a breakdown in the cease-fire negotiations, the tank landing ship was ordered to a rendezvous point near Da Nang. Departing the vicinity on 3 March, she continued to work in support of "Operation End Sweep
Operation End Sweep
Operation End Sweep was a U.S. Navy operation to remove the naval mines from Haiphong harbor in North Vietnam in July 1973. This action was done in favor of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, abiding to the Paris Peace Accord.-References:*...
".
After availability and shore bombardment exercises at Subic Bay which commenced on 14 March, Westchester County returned to Vietnam in support of "Operation End Sweep" which was completed on 18 July. The ship made stops at Subic Bay and Okinawa before finally arriving at Yokosuka on 30 July. Westchester County was decommissioned on 30 August 1973 and arrived at the Inactive Ship Facility, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility is a United States Navy shipyard covering 179 acres on Puget Sound at Bremerton, Washington...
, Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton, Washington
Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 38,790 at the 2011 State Estimate, making it the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula. Bremerton is home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap...
on 30 November of that year. On 27 August 1974 she was turned over to the Turkish Navy
Turkish Navy
The Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
and commissioned as Serdar (L-402). Decommissioned by the Turkish Navy in 2011.