The Landing Ship Tank

A pictorial presentation of 20 years of distinguished service in the United States Navy and the present operations of Landing Ship Squadron Three, from conception through WWII, Korea and the mid 60's

Congratulations by Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, USN Amphibious Mission by Vice Admiral J. B. Colwell, USN L.S.T. Mission by Captain K. P. Huff, USNR Well-Done by Commander T. E. Reynolds, USN Landing Ship Horse First Landing Ship Tank First Standardized L.S.T. L.S.T. in World War II L.S.T. in the Korean War L.S.T. in the Cold War Landing Ship Squadron Three Squadron Commander and Staff U.S.S. Floyd County (LST 762) U.S.S. Kemper County (LST 854) U.S.S. Page County (LST 1076) U.S.S. Polk County (1084) U.S.S. Snohomish County (LST 1126) U.S.S. Stone County (LST1141) U.S.S. Tioga County (LST 1158)

2 3 4 5 7 8 10 11 20 22 26

27 30 44 58 72 86 100 114 Bibliography and Book Credits 128

13th Century Landing Ship Horse

The first Amphibious Assault in recorded history was implemented at least thirty-five centuries ago, approximately 1500B. C. when an Egyptian King transported troops and weapons across a large body of water. Detailed records of other amphibious landings during this period are incomplete. Not until the late Minoan Period, about 1500B.C. to 1100 B. C., when Crete fell to the Mycenaean's under Achaean (Greek) leadership are any historical events available. Probably the most historical amphibious landing was conducted by the first wave of Greeks upon the city of Troy in 1183 B. C. According to an ancient IIiad, by Homer, the Greeks crossed the Aegean sea and attacked the beach near Troy. With-standing attacks on their ships, they drove ashore and after years of war destroyed the ancient city. Historical evidence that the science of Amphibious Warfare was further advanced in 1275 A.D., during the great military expeditions of the Middle Ages, The religious fever of the day inspired Crusaders to stage their overseas movements from the merchant port of Venice and Genoa to hurl attacks against the Saracan Coast of what was known as Palestine. The knights and soldiers are reputed to have used surface craft that might be considered forerunners of the equipment used on the Normandy beachheads hundreds of years later. They had a Landing Ship Horse, (L.S.H.) a combination of sailing ship and a galley; it was the medieval conception of today's L.S.T. The large L.S.H. carried 100 knights with their horses and attendants (soldiers) of 1000. The knights in full armor were first hoisted aboard the ship and then onto their mounts by derricks manned by Boatswain's Mates. When as many as 52 oarsmen began their rhythmic strokes and full sail was bent, the ship headed for the beach. When the strand was felt beneath the keel, the ramp went down and out galloped many one man, one horsepower, armor chargers to assault the enemy forces. If one of the knights floundered in the sand, the beach master arrived with his bulldozers (two husky oxens) and hauled out the bogged down warrior. It was not until 1942, after seven centuries had passed, when once again the unique L.S.T. concept was adapted for Amphibious Warfare by Great Britain in World War II.

First Landing Ship Tank

In 1940, prior to the entry of the United States in World War II, the United Kingdom was confronted with the aged amphibious assault problem, the successful transfer of heavy tanks and equipment over a large body of water. This problem challenged the minds of the military strategists and tacticians. Primarily, the entrenched unyielding German Army of Adolph Hitler was protected from British ships by sand bars and shallow waters. Furthermore, many sea-ports of military importance in Western Europe were guarded by small channels. To meet this pressing situation two proposals were considered which might solve this problem of transferring heavy tanks and equipment. First, a major program to build a large ship, specifically designed to transfer heavy tanks and equipment over a large body of water ap-peared paramount. Second, a program converting ships already in use into heavy tank transports seemed expedient and practical. The particular situation demand, the acceptance of both of these proposals. It was well known that the tankers that collected of at Maracaibo, Venezuela, drew very little water when crossing a sand bar. Like most oilers their machinery waa located well aft and their mean draft was only 10 feet The Maracaibos oilers ranged between 365 and 385 fee in length, and about 60 feet wide. In converting them to L.S.T.s, the Maracaibos' bows were slightly elongate( and squared off to house a bow ramp and a pair o massive bow doors. Another necessary adaptation wa: the addition of a 60 foot bridge section which wa! needed to span the gap between ship and shoal water. The MISOA, TASAJERO and BACHEQUERO were selected for conversion. By the middle of 1941 the MISOA sailed from Sunderland, England and took part

First Landing Ship Tank

In an exercise at Scapa, Scotland, thus becoming the first landing ship tank ever commissioned. However, these converted oilers were a far cry from the ship conceived by the British Military Strategists. By the autumn of 1941, the British military strategists were demanding additional L.S.T.s. Unfortunately, at this time the only plans available to the British ship builders were drawings started before 1940. Since these were the only completed plans, an order was placed for three of these experimental L.S.T.s. The BOXER, BRUISER, and THRUSTER, were to be built at Belfast, Ireland. This class of L.S.T. only served for the interim for the British and American ship designers diligently worked to develop a new class which was to be the first standardized U.S. Navy L.S.T., constructed at Newport News, Virginia in October 1942.

H.M.S. BOXER, a 16 knot L.S.T.

The Beginning of Distinguished Service

The new construction of the Landing Ship Tank was perhaps the most important material development that came out of the combined shipbuilding efforts of the United States and United Kingdom in World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Win-ston S. Churchill, two statesmen with admiralty service in their past, took a personal interest in the new ship On the 7th of December 1941 news was received that the Japanese had attacked the American Fleet in Pearl Harbor and grievous losses had been inflicted. It was clear that tanks would not only have to cross the Atlantic Ocean but the Pacific Ocean as well. On the 7th of January, 1942 the President approved the construction of 200 L.S.T.s. By May 1942, the United States was producing the L.S.T.s with a number one priority over destroyer escorts, aircraft carriers, and everything else that was under con-struction in the shipyards. Such expedient measures as the hull of an aircraft carrier, was hastily yanked out of a building dock to make room for several tank ships to be built in her place. These diesel twin screw vessels, similar in characteristics to the experimental British L.S.T.s, measured 328 feet in length with a 50-foot beam and capable of steaming for 50,000 miles or more with-out a refit. The loaded seagoing draft of an L.S.T. was 8 feet forward and 14 feet, 4 inches aft. After blowing ballast on landing the draft was reduced to 3 feet, 1 inch forward and 9 feet, 6 inches aft. The L.S.T. was also equipped with the proven bow ramp and massive bow doors. Broaching of the L.S.T. was prevented by the ad-dition of a stern anchor while the ship was on the beach or secured to a causeway. This anchor also aided while retracting from the beach or causeway. While simplicity was the basic-feature of the new L.S.T. construction, its operation called for no less than 142 motors and 850 valves. Production design of the L.S.T. was such that in the event of one becoming severely damaged, spare parts could be cannibalized and bolted to others. By the end of the war 937 L.S.T.s were built, the production of which constituted half the tonnage of the entire land-ing craft program in the United States. The first standardized L.S.T. to cross the Atlantic Ocean departed New York on the 27th f January 1942. They arrived safely at Gibraltar on the 23rd of March 1942.

The appearance of the L.S.T. in World in midyear, 1943, when the allied forces concentrating their war efforts on major invasion plans of the Japanese held island of Tarawa in the pacific and Sicily, the stronghold of the Axis in Western Europe. So successful was the performance of the new Landing Ship Tank, that in all later major amphibious in both theaters of war, the L.S.T. played a vital diversified Role. While the L. S. T. was primarily designed to be a tank and vehicle carrier, circumstances demanded the accomplishment of many unrelated tasks. The L.S.T. proved its capability of discharging assault cargo much more rapidly than the big transports, and without transfer to smaller landing craft, during the invasion of Sicily, in the Mediterranean, beginning on 1o July 1943. While utilizing pontoon causeways for the first time, the L.S.T.s demonstrated how and 1,500 tons of stores and 500 vehicles could be brought ashore and put into service of the Allies in twenty-four hours in spite of continuous straffing attacks by German aircraft.

Experiences in the Sicily campaign demonstrated that the L.S.T. needed more armament. Originally, the ships' battery consisted of thirteen 50 caliber and six 20MM line guns. Therefore, the gunnery complement was immediately strengthened, including three to five 40MM, en to eighteen 20MM, four to eighteen 50 caliber line guns and one three-inch 50 caliber gun. An-change was the outfitting of a few L.S.T.s with one inch gun mounted on the stern. Commander Service Force in the Atlantic was confronted on one occasion to ship 176 L.C.M.s to the Mediterra-nean. These landing craft were 50 feet long and weighed 26 tons empty, three times as heavy as the well known L.C.V.P. Careful examination of available transport facilities revealed that the only ship capable of such a task was the L.S.T. Forty L.S.T.'s were assigned to ferry the L.C.M.s in their tank decks and some L.C.T.s on their main deck from the United States to the European shore. In transporting them across the Atlantic one or two smaller personnel landing craft, L.C.V.P.s, were stowed inside an L.C.T. Transferring assault cargo and landing craft was only part of the L.S.T.s many types of combat articles that were transported over the high seas.

Close to the end of the War the United States under-took the task of transporting the new Chinese First Army Cavalry from Hong Kong to Chinwan Tao, China. This unique assignment required converting the L.S.T. tank deck into a common barn equipped with stalls and of course lots of hay which had first been adapted several centuries earlier as the Landing Ship Horsse. In keeping with the L.S.T. precedence of accomplishing some of the most novel assignments during the War, a few L.S.T.s in both the Pacific and Atlantic were con-verted into small aircraft carriers. This innovation was later to provide each attack force at Normandy with small reconnaissance aircraft. By constructing a runway amidships from stem to stet four or five light observa-tion planes could be accommodated on each side. Cata-pulting the aircraft into the air was necessary due to the limited length of the flight deck. Recovering the aircraft on the L.S.T. was accomplished by a boom, one on the bow and one on the stern, which swung out over the side of the ship and hoisted the light aircraft back aboard.

From the 6th of June 1944, to the end of the War on 14 August 1945, a period in which included the major military campaigns of Normandy (D-Day), in the Atlantic, and Saipan, Guam, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, in the Pacific, the L.S.T. T undoubtedly performed some of the most important and dramatic missions of World War II. While the entire resources of the Allied powers in Europe were hastily making preparation to make a full scale assault on Europe over the shores of Normandy, one obstacle of tactical importance prevented the setting of the invasion date. From his Memoirs of the Second World War, Prime Minister Winston Churchill says', In this period in the war all the great strategic combina-tions of the Western Powers were restricted and distorted by the shortage of tank-landing craft for the transport, not so much of tanks, but of vehicles of all kinds. The letters 'L.S.T. are burnt in upon the minds of all those who dealt with military affairs in this period. We had invaded Italy in strong force. We had an army there which, if not supported, might be entirely cast away, giving Hitler the greatest triumph he had since the fall of France. On the other hand, there could be no question of our not making the 'Overlord' (Normandy Invasion) attack in 1944. Anxious to remedy the situation and take necessary steps to make final preparations for the invasion of Normandy, Winston Churchill sent the following message to President Franklin D. Roosevelt: " . . . having kept fifty-six L.S.T.s in the Mediterranean so long, it would seem irrational to remove them for the very week when they can render decisive service. What, also, could be more dangerous than to let the Italian battle stagnate and fester on for another three months? We cannot afford to go forward leaving a vast half-finished job behind us. It therefore seemed to those present that every effort should be made to bring off Anzio on a two-division basis around January 20, and orders have been issued to General Alexander to prepare accordingly. If this opportunity is not grasped we must expect the ruin of the Mediterranean campaign of 1944. I earnestly hope therefore that you may agree to the three weeks delay in return of the fifty-six landing craft, and that all the authorities will be instructed to make sure that the May 'Overlord' is not prejudiced thereby. . In response, President Roosevelt agreed to delay the departure of the fifty-six L.S.T.s, ..... on the basis that 'Overlord remains the paramount operation and will be carried out on the date agreed to. .. "

The exact number of L.S.T.s utilized in the Normandy invasion is unobtainable, however, it can be safely that all the L.S.T.s available on the western co( Europe were gathered for the assault. On D-Day the L.S.T.s discharged their troops, tanks and trucks on schedule. Upon completing their primary task, L.S.T.s were assigned additional major tasks necessary for the successful invasion, exemplifying the "can do" spirit of the L.S.T. crews. For instance, during the from D-Day to 1200, 8 September 1944, the USS L.S.T. 74 performed the following services: watered and fueled 225 ships and craft, issued 552 tons of water, 945 tons of fuel, 200 drums of fog oil, and 1,752 smoke pot floats; repaired 109 ships and craft; treated 76 patients; provisioned 194 vessels; issued 132 tons of dry provisions and 64 tons of fresh provisions; berthed an average of 256 daily and issued 307 rations daily exclusive of L.C.V.P.s, she had a total of 416 ships and craft alongside. This was truly a noteworthy service for a craft of 328 feet in length. One of the tasks the L.S.T.s accomplished during the Normandy invasion was that of serving as the ships. To provide for their casualty care and evacuation duties, L.S.T.s were stocked with medical supplies in addition to those normally carried. Some of these were drugs, bandages, dressings, gauze, gloves, needles,

splints, syringes, tourniquets, and sutures, 59 different items Also the L.S.T.s were supplied with a minimum 60 each of litters, blankets, and cots. In the first 4, months of the Normandy operation, of the 54,69 casualties 7 evacuated by the United States across the Channel, the L.S.T.s handled 41,918 in 334 crossings, or an average of about 125 each trip. On one particular trip, however, there were 425 casualties on one L.S.T To satisfy the army requirement of 350,00 gallons of portable water from DDay through D-plus 5 days, 26 L.S. T.s were equipped as water carriers supplying their indispensable cargo to the beaches immediately after assault and during the maintenance period. The L.S.T.s designated as mother ships were equipped with filling plants. In both the Normandy operation in the Atlantic and invasion of Okinawa in the Pacific, L.S.T.s proved particularly successful in contributing to the rapid re-plenishment of ammunition to fire-support ships. Following the delivery of their initial loads to the battle-s, cruisers and destroyers, the L.S.T.s reloaded ammunition from the naval ammunition ships and returned to discharge their cargo to the fire-support ships. The transferring of high explosives by the L.S.T.s permitted larger amounts of ammunition to be discharged to the support ships, than could have been handled by one by one large ammunition ship in the same amount of time.

Before landing the first troops on the shores of Oki-nawa, the navy had expended a total of almost 45,009 rounds of shells, 33,000 rockets and 22,500 mortars. Rapid replenishment of ammunition was paramount. With special cranes and slings two L.S.T.s simultaneously replenished two battleships and two heavy cruisers dur-ing the course of a day. Generally, one L.S.T. was cap-able of replenishing one light, cruiser while another replenished two destroyer escorts, all in a four hour period. Another distinguishing mission accomplished during the Normandy and Okinawa invasions was the delivery of gasoline to small amphibious tanks and landing craft. L.S.T.s marked by red flags maintained six refueling sta-tions, three on either side, for delivery of 100 octane gasoline. By converting L.S.T.s into damage repair (A.R.L.s), again the versatility of the L.S.T. crew was demonstrated. An A.R.L. equipped with special shop; technically trained personnel was capable of repairing ships and landing craft ranging from ship's clocks to major hull, electrical and machinery damage. Other similar conversions of L.S.T.s into ships special missions during the War, included: Salvage Tenders, (A.R.S.T.); Aircraft Repair Ships, (A.R.V.A.] (A.R.V.E.); Self Propelled Barracks Ships, (A.P.B.); any advanced Aviation Base ships, (A.V.B.). Before assuming their new missions, limited modifications included addition of shop compartments and heavy-duty loading equipment on the main deck. However, in some like A.R.S.T.s and A.P.B.s the ships' entire superstructures were moved well forward, just aft of the forecastle.

In February 1945, World War II's most famous photograph was taken, the raising of the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. The 3rd Marine' Platoon raised a small flag on the battered hillside of Suribachi on the 23rd of February, 1945. This occasion was to be a boost to the morale of the troops below who were still engaged in combat with the enemy. However, it was felt that the flag was too small. Without hesitating a request for a larger flag was hastily sent too an L.S.T. beached near by Suribachi's eastern base. From the flag staff of the USS L.S.T. 779 the flag was hauled down and carried up the volcano slope. Joe Rosenthal, a civilian photographer covering the operation for the Associated Press, spotted the move and decided to follow. With his camera, the photographer captured World War II's most famous photograph. Following the end of World War II, Winston Churchill was quoted to say that the L.S.T., " . . . figured promi-nently in all our later operations, making perhaps the greatest single contribution to the solution of the stub-born problem of landing heavy vehicles over beaches. When questioned about the importance of the L.S.T., L. E. H. Maund says, the L.S.T., ..... probably did more to win the war than any other class of ships as it was on her tank deck and on her main deck that the majority of the tanks, guns, vehicles and stores of the assaulting armies were carried.

Korean War
On 25 June 1950, North Korean forces swept across the 38th parallel into South Korea without warning. This outward aggression inspired by the Chinese Com-munists triggered the United States entry into the War. Armed American troops and equipment were immed-iately needed to bolster the defensive forces of South Korea. L.S.T.s stationed in Japan helped rush U.S. troops to the battle area. However, before long, the military situation had worsened for the United Nation Forces. The Communists were successfully pushing their way far below the 38th parallel and were threatening the defensive forces with devastation. It was clear that a dramatic amphibious assault on the Korean shore was of great I importance to support the defending forces with bulk supplies and heavy equipment. General MacArthur, the master planner of the risky amphibious assault, employed eight L.S.T.s to head the assault, at Inchon, Korea. The tides at Inchon were a controlling factor in preparation of the invasion. There are only three days in the lunar month that allow L.S.T.'s to land on the beach. Even so, the tide on the beach at Inchon was capable of reaching the height of thirty feet. It was inevitable that within the short period in which the L.S.T.s would be beached the retracting water would leave the ships stranded on the mudflats of the harbor. The officer in charge of the eight L.S.T.s in

Korean War

Inchon, LCDR James C. Wilson, was quoted to say, "My orders were to get as many of the eight ships into the red area and unloaded as was humanly possible, no matter what the cost.'' The L.S.T.s made the successful transfer of war materials to the troops ashore in spite of their vulnerability to enemy fire, and withdrew after the tide raised the ships off the bottom of the harbor. Thus, as in World War II the L.S.T. served a vital need of transporting men and materials to the scenes of battle. However, not all L.S.T.s involved in the Korean War performed the same type of duties. As in the past the L.S.T. displayed its "can-do" spirit of its crew by ac-complishing many unrelated assignments. For instance, a few L.S.T.s operated as Mine Countermeasures Support Ships, (M.C.S.) and helicopter bases in the enemy held harbor of Wonsan, Korea. Additional L.S.T.s were utilized for transferring prisoners-of-war to and from various ports in Korea. L.S.T.s also evacuated refugees from the war-torn areas of South Korea. Another diversified as-signment engaged by the L.S.T. during the Korean War was the task of replenishing small craft of the United Nations with fuel and logistics. The mention here of only a few distinguished tasks assigned to the L.S.T.s during the Korean War demon-strates again the vital and significant role they play in determining the successful outcome of the United States while engaged in armed conflict.

Cold War
Since the Korean War, L.S.T.s in the Pacific Fleet have been maintaining a constant state of readiness for quick deployment to any trouble spot in the world. Currently there are 3 classes of L.S.T.s that are operating through out the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In 1952, the 1156 Class L.S.T. made its appearance in the Amphibious Fleet shortly after the experimental steam driven 1153 Class L.S.T. program was cancelled due to the inability of keeping sand out of the engine! when the ship was beached. The 1156 L.S.T. returned to the use of diesel engines. Although, this L.S.T. retained the principles characteristics of the 542 Class predecessor it was 56 feet longer and 6 feet wider. It has sustained maximum speed capability of 13.5 knots, almost 3 knots faster then the World War II Class. In 1957 another Class was added to the progressing L.S.T. concept; that is, the 1171 Class. Bigger and faster than the preceding 542 and 1156 Classes, this L.S.T. measured 442 feet in length and 62 feet in width. It is 114 feet longer and 12 feet wider than the 542 Class L.S.T The speed of the 1171 L.S.T., is 15 knots, an increase half again the speed of the first United States Standardized L.S.T. of 1942. Although today the fear of an all out atomic war threatens the entire world, aggression by the Communisit forces against the weaker nations has been within the framework of "limited warfare." It is for this reason the L.S.T.s remain a vital member of the naval "Ready Group" standing by to move into action in a moment': notice. In 1954, during operation "Passageway to Freedom' one L.S.T. alone was commended for evacuating more than 3,000 refugees from Haiphong, Vietnam and transporting them to safer land in South Vietnam. Ir response to a new crisis in July 1958, L.S.T.s were sent into the. Mediterranean and landed over 5,000 marine: at Lebanon within 72 hours to assist the local authorities against efforts to overthrow the government. Later it 1958 L.S.T.s in the Pacific saw action in the Quemoy. Matsu crisis and in the Straits of Taiwan (Formosa), where their assistance was requested. In 1961, the united States initiated a military assistance program in South Vietnam against the entrenched Communist guerrillas in that area.. A number of United States L.S.T.s, which had served locally in World War and the Korean War, were turned over to South Vietnam Navy to support their army personnel with logistics. Hence, much effort by United States naval personnel is being spent to indoctrinate and train the inexperienced Vietnamese Navy. being spent to indoctrinate and train the inexperienced Vietnamese Navy. Today the total number of L.S.T.s stationed through out the Pacific comprises approximately one-third of the entire number of Amphibious ships for the same area.

These L.S.T.s make up three landing ship tank squadrons, two of which are located with the First Fleet, San Diego, California and the other in the Far East with the Seventh Fleet. To insure that a complete state of readiness is maintained, the L.S.T.s are continuously involved in major Amphibious operations and individual competi-tive exercises. A vigorous training program for these ships includes such evolutions as

During the 1960's, the 542 Class L.S.T.s have commenced a major rehabilitation program in keeping with the latest technical advances in electronics and engineering. From Stem to Stern, from the flat bottom to the top of the tripod mast, the L.S.T.s were completely inspected for repair and replacement of time-worn equipment and material. It is anticipated that this rehabilitation pro-gram will further guarantee the readiness and proficiency of the L.S.T. when called again to meet the demands of armed aggression. Realizing the L.S.T.s unique capability to transport large amounts of wheeled and tracked vehicles and to off-load them over the beach the Navy's ship designers have eagerly set forth on a mission to create and build an L.S.T. with even greater capabilities than the rugged time proven L.S.T. of today. In the future the L.S.T. will be a greater asset than today for while retaining its capabilities to handle heli-copters, heavy tanks and vehicles, and large amounts of troops and cargo, it will have an operating speed of 20 knots which is twice the amount capable of the 542 Class L.S.T.

Landing SHIP squadron Three

Landing Ship Squadron Three Landing Ship Squadron Three, was established on 1 October 1954, comprising of eleven, L.S.T.s; one, A.R.L.; one, I.F.S.; and three, L.S.M.R.s. Three ships included with the original units are still assigned to the present Squadron of seven L.S.T.s: USS POLK COUNTY (L.S.T. 1084), USS SNOHOMISH COUNTY (L.S.T. 1126), and USS TIOGA COUNTY (L.S.T. 1158). The USS.KEMPER COUNTY (L.S.T. 854) was assigned to the Squadron in 1958, while the USS PAGE COUNTY (L.S.T. 1076) and the USS FLOYD COUNTY (L.S.T. 762) joined the Squadron in 1960. The USS STONE COUNTY (L.S.T. 1141), the most recent ships assigned to Squadron Three arrived in 1961. Assigning names taken from counties throughout the United States to the L.S.T.s occurred in 1955. The first squadron insignia in the Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, was approved in 1958 for Landing Ship Squadron Three. The insignia colored blue and white is shaped like a shield. The white chess piece "knight" on blue background represents the L.S.T., "Workhorse" of the Navy which illustrates the random moves it makes fulfilling its mission. The blue numerial three on white background designates the Squadron.

Commander Thomas E. Reynolds, U.S. Navy, graduate of Midshipman's School, Notre Dame, Indiana, veteran of both World War II and the Korean War was born in Sanford, Mississip-pi, 19 October 1917. After graduating from high school, he attended Jones County Junior College, in Ellisville, Mississippi, and Harrison-Stone-Jackson Junior college, Perkinston, Mississippi, where he received a teacher's certificate in early 1941. In August 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Apprentice Seaman and advanced to the rate of Aviation Machinist's Mate Third on 1 September 1942. He entered U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman's School in October 1942. After graduating from Midshipman's School, January 1943, Ensign T. E. Reynolds, USNR was assigned to the USS JOHN PENN (APA 23) as Assistant Second, Division Officer. From January 1943, to June 1957, En-sign Reynolds advanced to the rank of Commander and commanded the following units: USS L.C.I.(L) 332, USS L.S.T. 883, USS MAINSTAY (AM261), USS WILLET (DE 354), and USS LIDDLE (APD 60). He also served as Executive Officer aboard the USS L.S.T. 1083 in 1945, and aboard the USS HERBERT J. THOMAS (DDR 833) in 1948. In 1946, he was accepted for regular navy. In October 1961, Commander Reynolds assumed the duties as Chief Liaison Branch in the Armistice Affairs Division of the United Nations Command/Commander U.S. Forces, Korea Staff. Com-mander Reynolds reported to his present assignment as Com-mander Landing Ship Squadron THREE in January 1963.

LTJG "Tom" McClernon Jr. is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from La Salle College, June 1960, he entered the Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. His first assignments were in the Deck and Operation depart-ments of the USS CAVALIER (APA-37). In June 1962, LTJG McClernon joined Commander Landing Ship Squadron THREE Staff with duties as Squadron Administration/Engi-neering Officer. He was assigned his present duties as Chief Staff Officer in November 1963.

LT Marshall Gollub was born in St. Louis, Missouri where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959 and a degree in Medicine at Washington University in 1963. Dr. Gollub im-mediately entered into his internship at Uni-versity of Wisconsin. In July 1964, Dr. Gollub entered the U.S. Naval Reserve and was assigned to Commander Landing Ship Squadron THREE to assume duties as the Squadron Medical Officer.

In June 1961, Walter M. McIntyre received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science a San Fernando Valley State College, California. After receiving a naval commission at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R. I., in February, 1962, Ensign McIntyre attended the Prospective Engineering Officer course in San Diego, Cali-fornia. Upon reporting for permanent duty aboard the USS KEMPER COUNTY (L.S.T. 854), he assumed the duties of the Main Propulsion Assistant. In June of 1962, Mr. McIntyre became the ship's Gunnery Officer and Assistant First Lieutenant. After eighteen months of duty aboard the KEMPER COUNTY, LTJG McIntyre was relieved as First Lieutenant in August 1963 and ordered to report to Commander Landing Ship Squadron THREE Staff to serve as Squadron Ad-ministration/Engineering Officer.

LTJG George A. Gunn received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at the Uni-versity of Vermont in June 1961 prior to entering Officer Candidate School, Newport, R. I. Upon receiving a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Mr. Gunn attended Damage Control School in San Francisco, California. In August 1962, he reported on board the USS TIOGA COUNTY (L.S.T. 1158) to assume duties as the Damage Control Assistant. After completing a twelve-month tour at sea, Mr. Gunn was transferred to Commander Landing Ship Squadron THREE Staff in September, 1963, and assumed the billet of Squadron Communications Officer and Assistant Operations Officer.

Staff

FRONT ROW: C.C. Wood, RMI; W.A. Murray, BM2; B.F. Nerry, SDI; W.E. Bonwell, YNI; B.F. Shingleton, SMI. BACK ROW: R.V. Vibat, TN; D.S. Morrow, SN; R.L. Wilson, RM2; G. Villalobos, YN3; R.P. Regan, QM3; J.T. Brown, SM3.

U.S.S. Floyd County (LST 762)

The U.S.S. LST 762 was built by the American Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania, and was first com-missioned at NOB, Algiers, Louisiana, on 5 September 1944. After first fitting out and shakedown, she de-ployed on 24 November 1944 for operations in the South Pacific. On 1 April 1945 she discharged 400 marines under fire on the beach at Okinawa. On 4 April 1945 she was credited with shooting down a Japanese plane off Okinawa. For World War II service the ship was awarded the Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Defense Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. The 762 was decommissioned at Tongue Point, Ore-gon in 1946 and was reactivated there, after outbreak of hostilities on Korea, on the 3rd of November 1950. She participated in the Second Korean winter campaign (1951-1952) while operating in and around Inchon, Pusan, and Kojido, Korea. For this service she was awarded the United Nations Medal and the Korean De-fense Medal with one star. From July 1953 to April 1954, the ship operated in the Eniwetok-Bikini Atomic Energy Tests. For meritorious service, the ship and all crew members received Certifi-cates of Achievements from Commander Joint Task Force SEVEN. On 25 April 1955 the 762 returned from a Far East tour in which she participated in the Tachen Island Evacuation and was awarded the China Service Medal. On 2 July 1955 at appropriate ceremonies on board, the LST 762 was renamed the USS FLOYD COUNTY (LST 762) after Floyd County, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia.

Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Rayome was born in Port Edwards, Wisconsin and was graduated from the University of Wisconsin. While attending the University he received his naval training through the NROTC program and was commissioned 28 February 1956. Lieutenant Rayome's first assignment was aboard the USS Wis-consin BB64 serving in the gunnery department. Upon decom-missioning of the "Last Battleship" he was transferred to the USS Naval Base, Clarksville, Tennessee where his duties were with the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. His next assign-ment was to the USS Frank Knox DDR 7742 serving as Operations Officer. Lieutenant Rayome was then ordered to Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center, San Diego, California serving as Sur face Operations Officer. He then received his orders to the USS Floyd County and assumed command on 14 September 1963. Lieutenant Rayome resides in San Diego with his wife and two children.

Executive Officer
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Hollister, a graduate of the Uni-versity of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma with an A.B. Degree in Economics and Mathematics, received his commission aboard the USS Ranger CVA 61 through the NROTC program on 6 June 1962. Late in the summer of 1962 he received orders to the USS Magoffin APA 199, aboard which he served in various billets including CIC Officer and Assistant 1st Lieutenant. He reported aboard the Floyd County as Executive Officer in May of 1964. He and his wife make their home in San Diego.

Left to Right: First row; Rich, ETSN; Schmitz, YN3; Brackney, RM2; Myres, ) 2; Jeminez, HMI. Second row; ENS Castin; Eakins, QMI; Petty, RMSN; ibert, SMSN; Fitzpatrich, ET3; Martin, YNSN; ENS Fishback. (Not Present: Jenkins, RM1; Broussard, SMI; Brooks, RDSN; Reid, SM2) ENS Castin, Operation Officer ENS Fishback, Communication officer The Thinker Fitz-Patrich receives congratulations from commanding officer: 'Flags Broussard, SMl Advanced Men and Dept. Head

Engineering Department
Left to Right: First Row; Montanelli, IC2; Johnson, EM1; Jackson, SF1; Crutcher, EN2; Clark, EM2. Second Row; Gamble, EM3; Wagner, EN3; Cummins, EN3; Holbert, GJEN3; Bethke, FN; Defranza, EMFN; LT(JG) Toncray. Third Row; ENS Wissing, ENS Depew Bryan, FN; Foulrrod, FN; Lonescu, FN; Eaton, DC3; Schultz, EN3. (Not Present: Jung, EN; Hicks, EM2; Hoey, FN; Santell, EN3; Stiles, FN; Rodriguez, FN; Holbert, GDFA) Engineering Officer, LTIJG) Toncray Damage Control Assistant, ENS Wissing Main Propulsion Assistant, ENS Depew Senior Cheif Engineman and Master of Arms; Cheif McHenry Cleaning Day For Hoey, FN; Santell, EN3; and Lonescu, FN.

Supply Department
Left to Right: First Row; Custodio, TN; Flores, SD3; Aguilar, TN; Elsarelli, SK3; Arriago, SN; SN. Second Row: Boudreau, SKI; Brownstead, SH3; Fisher, CSI; Martin, ENS Pettis. Supply Officer ENS Oskinson, Assistant Supply Officer, the Cosal Lesson The Fantail Watch.

Deck & Gunnery Department

Left to Right: First Row; ENS Park; Morris, SA; Launius, SA; Roton, SN; Larson, SN; Ellison, SN; Barack, SN; Galloway, BM2. Second Row; Ossehfort, SA; Hughes, SN; Knott, SN; Morgan, SN; Perry, SN; Lynch, SA. Third Row; ENS Mellmer; Cesena, SN; Curtis, SA; Barber, SA; Smith, SR; Wooley, SA; Cassidy, BM3; Thaxton, BMI. (Not Present: Broom,BM3; Jones, SN; Bailey; Coriell, SA, First Row; Endecott, SN; Breaux, SN; Gordon, SN. Second Row; ENS Park; Michalski, PTGSN; Cobb, FTG3; Eberhard, GMG3; Wilson, GMG2; ENS Miller First Lieutenant, ENS Mellmer Gunnery Officer, ENS Park.

Officer Call
Lieutenant (J.G.) G. W. Toncray was born in Kingsport, Tennessee and graduated from Clemson. University, Clemson, South Carolina in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He received his com-mission on 17 August, 1962 from Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. and reported aboard the Floyd County on 8 September, 1962. While on board he has served as Gunnery Officer, Damage Control Assistant, and currently is Engineering Officer and head of the Engineering Department. He is married and makes his home in San Diego. Ensign D. D. Mellmer was born in San Diego and attended school in New England, North Dakota. He graduated from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota with a Bach-elor of Arts in English. After being commissioned on 8 March, 1963 at Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., he attended a five week Engineering School in Nor-folk, Virginia. On 5 May, 1963 he reported aboard the Floyd County and has served as Assistant 1st Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer and is currently the department head of Deck and Gunner Ensign G. W. Pettis, a native of Spokane, Washing-ton, graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance. He was commissioned on 17 May, 1963 at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. and reported aboard the Floyd County on 9 June, 1963. While on board he has served as Communications Officer, Commissary Officer and is presently head of the Supply Department. Ensign J. A. Castin, a native of Okmulgee, Okla-homa, graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture. He received his commission on 28 June, 1963 at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. and reported aboard the Floyd County on 3 August, 1963 after two weeks of amphib-ious warfare school at Coronado, California. After at-tending six weeks of naval communications school in San Diego his billets on board have been Gunnery Officer, Communications Officer and he is currently Operations Officer. Ensign F. M. Wissing, a native of San Francisco, graduated from the University of Santa Clara at Santa Clara, California, with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He re-ceived his Commission on 22 November, 1963 Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. and report aboard the Floyd County on 14 March, 1964, after tending a two week amphibious training school and ten week damage control school at Treasure Island while on board he has served as Gunnery Officer and currently Damage Control Assistant. Ensign P. J. Fishback was born in Sioux Falls, Soy Dakota and attended South Dakota State College at Broockings, South Dakota where he earned a Bachelor Science in Zoology. He received his commission on February, 1964 from Officer Candidate School, Newport R.I. and reported aboard the Floyd County on 10 Apriil after spending six weeks at Prospective Communications Officer School at San Diego. He is presently the Communications Officer. Ensign D. G. Depew was born in Brooklyn, Ne York and grew up in Plaindome, Long Island. He c tended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanic Engineering. On 7 February, 1964 he was commission( at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. Upon completion on Engineering Officer School at the Fleet Training Center, San Diego, he reported aboard the Floyd County on 7 May, 1964 to serve as Damage Control Asistant and is presently the Main Propulsion Assistant He and his wife make their home in San Diego. Ensign A. J. Oskinson was born in Vinita, Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, Oklahoma where he received his Bachelor Science in Journalistic Management. He was commissioned on 16 April, 1964 from Officer Candidate School Newport, R.I., Reported aboard the Floyd County on May, 1964, and served as Gunnery Officer before being sent to a five week Supply School for Line Officers at San Diego. He is serving as Assistant Supply Officer and with his wife makes his home in San Diego. Ensign D. B. Park, a native of Long Grove, Illinois, attended Brown University in Providence, R.I. and received his Artium Baccalaureus in Sociology. He we commissioned at Officer Candidate School, Newport, R. on 19 June, 1964 and reported aboard the Floyd Count on 15 July, 1964 where he is now Assistant 1st Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer.

Exercises of Floyd County LST 762

Left to Right: Approaching helicopter off coast of Silver Strand, Coronado, California; Pilot sizing up the landing deck Watchful OOD and the Captain observing the helicopter operation. Deck crew moves in for a quick tie down A speedy takeoff by an experienced team Deck team releases the secured helicopter-

Exercises of Floyd County LST 762

Left to Right: Beaching at Silver Strand, Coronado, California The bridge of a decorated ship, LST762 for lowering an assault boat Bow to bow marriage LST & LCU Hi-line transfer at sea. Standby ready assistance

Exercises of Floyd County LST 762

Left to Right: Approach for refuelingExperience is a mustUnderway replenishingLowering the stern anchorKedging the stern anchor.

Activities Afloat
Left to Right: Chief McHenry's Flag Fish Johnson, EM1 and ENS Mellmer The navigation team executive officer and Eakins, QM1 The halfway point 'Oscar' Our primary purpose Refreshing break by LT(JG) Toncray and ENS Castin A happy lookout Hughes, SN.

Transit Activities of Floyd County

Left to Right: Commanding officer rides from own forecastle to bridge by boatswain chair Captain and advanced men Captain F.L. Rayome commends Cassidy, BM3 for boatswain chair ride Jimenez, HM1 catches prize Mahi-Mahi fish A disappointed sailor Advanced men: Brackney, RM2; Clark, EM2; Montanelli, IC2; Myers, RD2; Reid, SM2

Events Enroute to Hawaii

Left to Right: Crew receives an encouraging word from the commanding officer The probing lookout Myres, RD2 is congratulated by the exe- excutive officer The tragedy of the 'Sandander' Crew at Muster A happy senior watch officer First distant view of Hawaii.

Transit Activities of Floyd County

Left to Right: Extra duty for Thaxton, BM1 Tryouts for Mr. South Pacific Songfest featuring Aguilar, TN on guitar The taut mail bouy watch Deluxe fantail bar-b-que; Fisher, ski-directing Where we have been-

USS Kemper County (LST 854)

The USS KEMPER COUNTY (LST 854) history dates back to December 1944 when she was placed in com-mission at Algiers Repair Base, New Orleans, Louisiana. Shortly after being commissioned, KEMPER COUNTY pro-ceeded to the South Pacific where she took an active part in the Okinawa Campaign and Occupation. From then until her decommissioning in 1949, the LST 854 was engaged most of the time in transporting personnel and supplies throughout the Western Pacific Area. Upon reactivation in 1950, KEMPER COUNTY took on an important role in the Korean Conflict. Among other missions, she provided logistic support for the U.S. Army on Koja Do, Korea, transported rotation troops to and from Pusan, and participated in the Refugee Lifts in in Korea. She ended that particular tour by acting as fuel and supply ship of United Nations small craft. After an upkeep and training period in the San Diego Area, the KEMPER COUNTY returned to the Korean Area where she acted as a logistic support vessel, and took part in several operations, one of which was carrying pro and anti-communist prisoners to Korea for further trans-portation to the Buffer Area. This will be remembered as operation ''Big Switch.'' In July 1954, KEMPER COUNTY participated in the lift of units of the Japanese Self Defense Force from Honshu for which a "Well Done" was received from Commander Naval Forces, Far East. In August 1962, KEMPER COUNTY underwent a Mark II Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization overhaul In San Diego. In March 1963, KEMPER COUNTY was commended by the San Diego Branch of the National Health Agencies for highest per capita achievement in community service drives by any type ship with equal personnel allowance. In June 1963, KEMPER COUNTY left for MIDPAC de-ployment. From 19 June to 11 December, KEMPER COUNTY operated in the Hawaiian Area conducting ad-ministrative lifts of Marine and Army personnel. During this time KEMPER COUNTY lifted 28,000 tons of trucks, tanks, jeeps, and trailers. KEMPER COUNTY traveled 13,000 miles and carried 5,000 personnel. During fiscal year '64 KEMPER COUNTY won the right to display the Battle Efficiency "E," Amphibious Assault Award, and the Operations ''E.

Commanding Officer

LT Coolbaugh was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-vania and received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Pennsylvania State University in June 1957. At Penn State he was an NROTC regular and following grad-uation was commissioned an Ensign. LT Coolbaugh was assigned duty in the USS WASP (CVS 18) and USS VALLEY FORGE (CVS 45) from June 1957. During this time he served in the Comm-unications and Gunnery departments. In June 1958 he attended CIC and AIR Control School at Glynco, Georgia. Upon completion he re-ported aboard the USS Warrington (DD 843) as Oper-ations Officer and CIC Officer. After a short period of inactive duty he spent six months TAD, from September 1960 to March 1961 in the USS BARRY (DD 933) in the Operations department. He then reported to the USS Luce (DLG 7) as CIC Officer, and served on board till July 1962. He was then ordered to the NROTC unit at the University of Kansas where he served as the Junior Year Instructor in navigation and operations. LT Coolbaugh, his wife, Mary and their two chil-dren, Jennifer Dale, age 6, and Jess, age 3, reside in San Diego during his tour of duty aboard the KEMPER COUNTY.

LT JESSE D. COOLBAUGH

Executive Officer

Lt(jg) Kunz was born in Mallard, Iowa, and re-ceived his Bachelor of Science degree from Mar-quette University. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the U.S. Naval Ceremonial Guard at Washington, D.C., and Air-Anti-Submarine Squadron 31 at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. While attached to Squadron 31 he served aboard the USS WASP (CVS-18) as part of Air Group 52. Lt(ig) Kunz was commissioned in September 1961 through the OCS program. Upon commissioning he reported aboard the USS VANCE (DER-387) as First Lieutenant, and subsequently participated in the 1961-62 Operation Deepfreeze in the Antarctic. In May 1962 Lt(jg) Kunz attended the Fleet ASW School in San Diego, California. Upon completion he reported back aboard the USS VANCE (DER-3871 as ASW Officer and later as Weapons Officer. Lt(jg) Kunz reported aboard the USS KEMPER COUNTY LST-854) as Executive Officer in March of 1964.
LTJG JAMES C. KUNZ

Heads of Departments
LTJG Danelski was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in June, 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He enrolled in the OCS Class of '57 and was commissioned February 9, 1962. He then attended the Damage Control School at Treasure Island, California. LTJG Danelski re-ported aboard KEMPER COUNTY in Hawaii on April 16, 1962. He served as Damage Control Assistant until February, 1963, at which time he was promoted to Engineering Officer. LTJG Danelski, his wife, Doris, and daughter, Beth Marie reside in San Diego.

LTJG Hannah was born in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in accounting. He received his commission at OCS in April, 1962. After attending U.S. Naval Justice School in Newport, Rhode Island, LTJG Hannah then reported aboard the USS GEORGE CLYMER (APA 27) where he served as Personnel Officer, Second Division Officer and Assistant Boat Group Commander. He reported aboard KEMPER COUNTY in August, 1963 and assumed the duties of First Lieutenant.

LTJG Reinhcj-t was born on 6 July 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from St. Ignatius High School he enrolled at the University of Detroit where he grad-uated with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. He then entered the OCS prom. April 17, 1962 and received his commission on August 17, 1962. He reported aboard KEMPER, C0UNTY on September 7, 1962. LTJG Reinhart served as Communications Officer for 18 months and then assumed the duties of Supply Officer.

Ensign Hoy was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 29, 1940. He graduated from Santa Monica High School in February, 1958, and then enrolled at Santa Monica City College for three semesters. In July, 1959, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy. At the Aca-demy he was Captain of the '62 football team. Ensign Hoy graduated and received his commission on June 5, 1963. He spent 6 months TAD to the Naval Academy coaching the Plebe football team before reporting aboard the KEMPER COUNTY on January 15, 1964. Ensign Hoy, his wife, Karen, and daughter, Kristin Lynn reside in San Diego.

Division Officers
Ensign King was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 23, 1940. He graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Forestry on June 1, 1962. He .then attended OCS and was commissioned in June, 1963. After a 10 week course in Damage Control and Fire Fighting he reported aboard KEMPER COUNTY. Ensign King and his wife, Sandra, reside in San Diego.

Ensign Lange was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on October 15, 1941. After graduation from Ridgewood High in June, 1959, he enrolled at Duke University where he received an AB degree in Business Administration in June, 1963. Ensign Lange'r eceived his commission on November 22, 1963, after attending OCS. He was then sent to the U.S. Naval Communication school in Newport, Rhode Island, before reporting aboard KEMPER COUNTY on February 9, 1964.

Ensign Hyatt was born September 24, 1940, in Elkin, North Carolina. He attended Dobson High School in Dobson, North Carolina. In June, 1963 he graduated from North Carolina State College, Raleigh, North Caro-lina, with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. From November 1963 until April 1964 he attended and grad-uated from OCS receiving his commission as Ensign. On May 9, 1964, he reported aboard KEMPER COUNTY for active duty.

Ensign Shultz was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on September 13, 1942. After attending public school in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, before entering Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, under the NROTC Regular Pro-gram. He has taken summer cruises aboard the USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVS 39), the USS CUBERA (SS 347), the USS FORT SNELLING (LSD 30), and at U.S. Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia, and N.A.S. Corpus Christi, Texas. After graduating from Miami Uni-versity, receiving a BA in Sociology, he reported aboard the KEMPER COUNTY on July 7, 1964. Ensign Shultz, with his wife, Terry, and daughter, Lieschen Ann, reside in Coronado.

Chief Petty Officers

Robert L. Day, ENCA, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and educated in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He enlisted in May, 1951, and received recruit training at San Diego. Various tours of duty include he USS MOCTOBI (ATF 105), Patrol Craft 1141, USS QUAPAW (ATF 110), Mine Force duty with MINLANT at Charleston, South Carolina, USS PLUCK (MSO 464) and shoreduty at Cor-onado Amphibious Base. Chief Day reported aboard KEMPER COUNTY in April, 964. Chief Day resides with his wife and six children in Imperial Beach.

Engineering Department
Enginemen

Front Row: Maldonado, R.G., Klepper, R.L., Colton, H.A., Phillips, G., Blumenthal, G.D. Back Row (L to R): Gifford, S.L., Bidwell, D.A., Beard, F.E., Phillips, W.W., Brown, M.L.

Electricians and Damage Controlmen

Front Row (L to R): Kelly, J.M., Phelps, D.G., Bradshaw, L.E., Nadon, A.H., Lyons, R.D., Smith, L.D. Back Row (L to R): Haas, H.R., Horn, G.V., Van Hoorebeke, D.J., McManus, J.C., McKnight, T.R.

Deck Department

Front Row (L to R): Florian, A.L., Sponski, D.A., McLauchlan, G.C., Van Wagoner, T.E., Tardif, D.V., Morgan, R.G., Lenz, S.F., Adams, D.K. Back Row (L to R): Welsh, T.F., Wentz, T.J., Davis, L.E., Sanders, K.R., Wellner, C.A., Arnold, J.A., Lindsey, L.A.

Supply Department

Front Row (L to R): Ibanez, A.R., Scott, W.A., Ellis, R.l., Limjoco, P.T., Smith, W.E. Back Row (L to R): Saylor, R.J., Jones, C.J., Clark, H., Barbadilla, E.A

USS Page County (LST 1076)

USS PAGE COUNTY is named for counties in the States of Iowa and Virginia. She was built as the USS LST 1076 by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard in Hingham, Massachusetts. Her hull was laid 16 March and she was launched 14 April 1945. She was commissioned at the Bethlehem-Hingham Yard on 1 May 1945. After a brief tour in the Pacific, she returned to San Diego on 11 Dec. 1945 for overhaul and inactivation. She was Decommissioned on 13 June 1946 and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet. The name PAGE COUNTY was assigned on 1 July 1955. On 28 November 1960 USS PAGE COUNTY was recommissioned as an active unit. The next two years saw the PAGE COUNTY in routine operations in the San Diego and Hawaiian areas, but on 27 October 1962, she de-parted San Diego for Cuba with other units of the Amphibious Force and had the distinction of being the only LST to do so. Upon return from Cuba, she underwent a major over-haul in San Francisco, returning to San Diego in August 1963. In March of 1964 she made her second Hawaiian deployment returning to San Diego in August 1964.

Commanding Officer
Lt. Bruce A. Tager enlisted in the Navy 1 February 1951. Following his enlistment he served on various ships and stations until August 1956 when he received his commission as an Ensign at Newport, Rhode Island in Officer Candidate School under the USN Integration Program. Following his commission Lt. Tager served aboard the USS OZBOURN (DD846) as First Lieutenant and later as Gunnery Officer. In February 1959 he placed the USS RICHARD S. EDWARDS (_DD 950) in com-mission and served aboard as Gunnery Officer until June 1960. His next tour was as Surface Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Task Force 72. He then served on the Staff of Commander Amphibious Squadron FIVE as Assistant Operations Officer before coming to the PAGE COUNTY as Commanding Office in June 1963. Lieutenant Tager is married and resides with his wife and three children in San Diego, California.

Executive Officer
LTJG Brian V. Pape came to PAGE COUNTY in October 1963 after serving aboard USS PICKAWAY (APA 222) as Gunnery Officer. He assumed duties as First Lieu-tenant and subsequently took the Deck Force through Amphibious Refresher Training. In February 1964 LTJG Pape became Executive Officer and will serve in that capacity until the Fall of 1965. LTJG Pape is a '61 graduate from Northwestern Uni-versity where he obtained his regular commission as an Ensign through NROTC. He is married and resides in San Diego, California with his wife and son.

First Lieutenant
Now completing nearly three years on PAGE COUNTY, LTJG D. R. Julian has served as Communi-cations Officer, Operations Officer and is now serving as First Lieutenant. Mr. Julian received his commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve at OCS in 1961 after his graduation from U.C.L.A. He resides in San Diego, California with his wife and daughter.

Deck and Gunnery

The Deck and Gunnery Department is charged with the responsibility of training its personnel in the use and maintenance of equipment used in the various deck and amphibious evolutions and the two twin mount and four single mount 40MM guns and associated equipment.

First Division Officer

Ens. B. A. Thorns attended Lawrence College, a liberal arts school in Illinois, where he majored in economics. In the winter of 1962 he attended OCS where he received his commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Ens. Thorns reported to PAGE COUNTY in June 1963 were he has been serving as Gunnery Officer and As-sistant First Lieutenant.

Back Row: Chaffin, G.W.; Woods, L.; MacDonald, R.F.; McCullough, G.L.; Dolezal, E.I.; Campbell, L.E.; ENS. Thorns; Sanders, R.R.; Skipper, J.A.; Ballinger, R.F.; Torrence, R.J.; Reyes, A.T.; Warrick, H.; Scott, M. Front Row: Ryan, T.G.; Strome, E.W.; Vause, P.G.; Boucher, R.C.; Howe, R.W.; Williams, G.D.; Boric, R.R.; Guest, J.M.; Reade, D.R.; Moore, R.L.; Bean, J.H.

Assistant First Division Officer

Ens. Aubrey A. Stabler attended Vander-bilt University and OCS where he was commissioned as an Ensign in June 1964. He reported to PAGE COUNTY in July 1964.

Operations Officer
LTJG E. H. Osborne is from Holyoke, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Worcester Academy and Babson Institute of Business. Following his graduation he attended OCS where he received his commission as an Ensign in December 1962. Following his commission Mr. Osborne has served on PAGE COUNTY as the Assistant Communications Officer, Communi-cations Officer and is now serving as the Operations Officer.

Operations
The Operations Department is made up of the follow-ing sections: Radio Communications, Signal Communica-tions and Navigation, Combat Information Center, Elec-tronics Repair, and Ship's Office. These various sections deal with the technicalities of the ship's operations and administration. The majority of personnel within the Department are Petty Officers trained to do the necessary technical jobs.

"0" Division Officer

Ens. Kent Borrowdale received his commission in June 1963. Following his graduation he attended Com-munication Officer School in Newport, R.I. He has been attached to PAGE COUNTY since September 1963 and has served as Communications Officer and "O" Division Officer since February 1964. Mr. Borrowdale holds a B.S. degree from Fresno State College. He is married and has twin sons.

Back Row: Beatty, D.E.; Crandall, L.N.; Wakefield, R.N.; Gibbs, K.W.; ENS Borrowdale; Bryan, E.I.; Beling, L.R.; Reilly, T.E.; Graebke, R.F.; Cordray, D.R. Front Row: Frisbie, G.E.; Roach, L.; Robinson, L.; Nisker, G.; Durant, W.C.; Tabor, D.C.; Stigall, J.M.; Dobkoski, E.

Engineering Officer
LTJG M. G. Fligg received his commission in Feb-ruary 1962 from OCS. He reported aboard PAGE COUNTY in April 1962 after five weeks of Damage Con-trol School at Treasure Island. He served as Damage Control Assistant from June 1962 until May 1963 when he became Engineering Officer.

Engineering
The Engineering Department runs and maintains the Main Propulsion Plant, the auxiliary engines and boiler, and all machinery on board PAGE COUNTY. The Depart-ment is also responsible for procedures and training in Damage Control.

"E" Division Officer

Ens. D. A. Dattilo attended Miami University in Ox-ford, Ohio where he majored in Business Administration. He commenced OCS in October 1962 and was commis-sioned in March 1963 at which time he reported aboard USS PAGE COUNTY and assumed the duties of DCA. He took over as Main Propulsion Assistant in June 1964. Mr. Dattilo is married and resides in San Diego, California.

Back Row: Sylvest, R.E.; Stewart, J.H.; Black, R.C.; Lemming, L.M.; Smith, F.M.; Bue, W.E.; ENS. Dattilo; Price, R.Q.; Prazak, T.M.; Cimental, C.R.; Dillow, W.E. Front Row: Whited, G.J.; Wienke, M.J.; Murray, M.K.; Edwards, D.M.; Taylor, F.W.; Jones, G.I.; Moore, J.E.; Baker, W.R.; Beckman, C.R.

Assistant Division Officer

Ens. John U. Poruk is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his commission at OCS in February 1964. He is now serving as DCA on PAGE COUNTY.

Supply Officer
Ens. Don E. Jacobs graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963. He reported on PAGE COUNTY in February 1964 after a tour of duty with VP-48. He is now serving as Supply Officer after having been As-sistant Supply Officer.

Supply
The Supply Department serves many functions aboard PAGE COUNTY. It runs the galley and mess deck, the ship's store, laundry, and barber shop. It also serves as the Ship's purchasing agent as all requisitions are pro-cessed through the Ship's Supply Office.

"S" Division Officer

Ens. H. L. Nordhoff graduated from Johns Hopkins University in June 1963. He attended the winter session at OCS receiving his commission in April 1964. He re-ported to PAGE COUNTY the following month and as-sumed the duties of Assistant Supply Officer.

Lt. to Rt.: Valiente, A.R.; Johnson, U.J.; Hampton, M.D.; Mosey, N.; Meredith, B.L.; ENS. Nordhoff, Woods, J.H.; Knight, T.H.; Gomez, D.J.; Sangria, L.M.; DeLeon, A.A.

USS Polk County (LST 1084)

Built by the American Bridge Company at Am-bridge, Pa., she was launched and commissioned in 1945, and then served in World War II in General transport service. In 1946 Polk County was decommissioned. But with the outbreak of the Korean Conflict she was brought back into active service and recommissioned in 1950. During the War, she participated in am-phibious assaults. During the years 1957 through 1959 she visited ports in Canada, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Oki-nawa, Hong Kong, and Formosa, carrying out her part of our Nation's commitment of protecting the free world. She returned from a seven month deployment in WestPac in May of 1960, having steamed over 25,000 miles while never missing an operational commitment. In February of 1961 Polk County com-pleted an extensive overhaul adding five years to her service life. Nine months of 1962 were-spent in the Central Pacific Area participating in operations with Joint Task Force 8 in support of Operation Dominic. She operated from Johnston Island, Christmas Island, and other remote island areas. The first part of 1963 found Polk County going through another overhaul. She then departed for MidPac, returning in May of 1964 to again operate for Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, working out of San Diego.

Commanding Officer
LIEUTENANT Arthur F. Ensley

LIEUTENANT Arthur F. Ensley began his naval service at Recruit training center, San Diego, in December of 1946. He completed his enlisted service in March of 1958 while an AT1. He was integrated and entered Officer Candidate School. Lt. Ensley received his commission in August of 1958 and received orders to USS Union (AKA 106). While aboard he was CIC Officer, EMO, Communications Officer, Personnel Officer, and Deck Department Officer. In August of 1960 Lt. Ensley reported to the USS Jefferson County as Executive Officer. He held that billet until the Jefferson County was decommissioned, in November of 1960. He then went to USS Page County as Executive Officer until March of 1963. He was then ordered to COMPHIBPAC staff as OIC of the Amphibious Communications Cen-ter. In February of 1964 Lt. Ensley reported to USS POLK COUNTY as Commanding Officer. During his 18 years in the Navy Lt. Ensley has been awarded nine medals, including China Service Medal, American Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Air Medal.

Executive Officer
LT.(J.G.) J. P. W. DECKER

LIEUTENANT (junior grade) J. P. W. Decker received his commission in 1961 from the U.S. Naval Academy. From the Academy Mr. Decker was ordered to flight training at Pensacola, Flor-ida. From Pensacola he went to Anti-Submarine Warfare School at San Diego, California. He then went to USS Blue (DD 744) as Assistant First Lieutenant. He was then made ASW Officer. After spending eight weeks at Gunnery School in San Diego Lt. Decker was made weapons officer, the position he held until reporting aboard USS Polk County for duty as Executive Officer.

Operations Officer

Communication Officer

ENSIGN C.G. MARTINACHE, received his commission 5 June ENS George E. Ednie graduated from the University of Denver 1963 and reported aboard that same month. He served as in 1963 and received his commission in November of that year. He assistant Communications Officer for a period of 8 months and reported aboard in December and served 5 months as assistant First then took over the position of Communications Officer. He held Lieutenant. He moved to the Operations Department in June of 1964 that billet for 7 months and then relieved as Opera-tions Officer, as Assistant Communications Officer and assumed the job of his present billet. His collateral duties include TPL, Classified communications Officer in August of 1964. His collateral duties Material Control Officer, and Public Information Officer. include registered publications custodian, electronics material officer and signal officer.

Operations Dept. Officers

The Deck Department says they do all the work. The Engineering Department says they keep the ship moving and get the ship where it is going. This may all be true, but, it is the Operations De-partment that makes it all possible. Communica-tions, Navigation, Op-Orders, Administration are all tasks assigned to the Operations Department, to name a few. Every operation in which Polk County is involved is planned and executed, by the ship, by personnel of the Operations Department. Administrative and operational seniors advise and contact the ship via the Operations Department. POLK County has a job to do, a defined task. It is the Operations Department that plans how the job is to be done, when it will be done, and where it will be done. The necessary arrangements for the ship to do its task are made by operations person-nel. In short, it is because of the Operations De-partment that the Deck Department can do the work, the Engineering Department can get the ship where it is going. It has been said that when the engineers make a mistake the engineering officer and Commanding Officer know it. When the deck Department makes a mistake the First Lieutenant and Commanding Of-ficer know it. But, when the Operations Department makes a mistake the entire fleet knows about it. Because of this each the smallest mistake shows up big. This is why we say the Operations Department is truly the image of the ship. So, let the deck apes work and the snipes get the ship moving, we will keep it looking good to the fleet.

Operations Department

Front Row (left to right) ENS C.G. Martinache, LTJG, D.L. Bekkedahl, ETN3; Edwards, W.C., RM3; McCloskey, E.G., RD3; Smith, L.G., Rameriz, L.Y., PN2; Smith, W.S., RM2; Geddings, A.J., YN2; RM3; Jordan, T.L., SM2. Not Pictured: McCain, W.C., QM1; French, G.W., SN; Sartain, W.T., RM2; ENS G.E. Ednie. Back Row Sasser, D.C., QMI; Roth, R.A., ETRSN; Myers, A.O., SM3; Tremble, (left to right) McFerren, W.T., SN; Matheny, L.R., RD2; Mihal, C.L., A., SM3; Orndorff, E.R., SMSN; Risner, M.J., RMSN. Rates represented by the Operations Department
QM SM RM RD ET YN PN 2 4 3 3 2 1 1

Deck/Gunnery Department Officers

LTJG M.J. Rothery received his commission in August of 1962 through Officer Candidate School. His first tour aboard USS Polk County was divided between Supply Officer and assistant First Lieutenant. He was returned to take over as First Lieutenant, a job he has held since February of 1964.

Gunnery Officer

Asst. First Lieutenant

ENSIGN J.P. Sexton was commissioned in April, 1964 ENSIGN L.H. Thompson received his commission 5 June 1963 through the U.S. Naval Academy. He spent one year and reported aboard USS Polk County in June of that year. He is currently assistant First Lieutenant. at flight school at Pensacola, Florida and Merridian, Mississippi and then joined the fleet. He reported aboard in May of 1964 and has been Gunnery/ Weapons officer since that time. The departments of a ship's organization can be likened to the anatomy of a man: Operations is the brain, Engineering the legs, and Deck forms the arms and therefore, the muscles of the ship's activities. The success or failureof many of Polk County's exercises and evolutions rests solely on the performances of each indi-vidual in the Deck Department, for, without men to per-form the jobs requiring skill, ingenuity, and hard work, no ship can properly fulfill its reason for being. No matter how insignifcant a man thinks he is when he looks at an overview of the organization, it might be well for him to ponder the old saying, "For want of a nail a shoe was lost, for want of a shoe a horse was lost, for want of a horse a battle was lost." This saying is old, but, it is still true in the Atomic Age. Other departments may derisively call us 'deck apes' but it can truthfully be said by 'deck apes' everywhere that we do our part in making the U.S. Navy he greatest Navy that ever sailed the seas.

Deck/Gunnery Department

Front Row (left to right) LTJG M.J. Rothery, Martin, T.S., BM3; Rulo, R.D., SA; George, J.L., SN; Webb, T.R., GMG3; Cooper, C.D., BM2; Toth, F., BM2; Clark, W.E., BMI; ENS. Sexton. Back Row (left to right) Friend, T.M., SN; Justis, L.E., SN; Via, R.E., SN; Hudson, N.L., SN; Stanton, R.D., SN; Miller, R.W., SA; Ray, H.L., SN; Ludquist, J.W., SN. Not Pictured: Babino, R.L., SA; Placencia, N., SN; Her-nandez, T., SN; Allen, W.L., FTG3; Bergman, G.E., SN; Cohan, D.L., FTG2; DeJongh, H.S.,GMG1; Gibron, G.W., SN; Kerr, A., SN; Lewis, W., BM3; Long, H.S., SN; Pawlofski, V.R., SA.

BM GM FT

5 2 2

Engineering Officer Lt.(j.g.) L. F. Miller

Damage Control Assistant ENSIGN S.P. AMES

LTJG L.F. MILLER received his BS from Wisconsin State College and received his Commission 17 November 1961 through OCS. He served on the USS Pyro (AE 24) prior to reporting aboard USS Polk County. LTJG Miller will report to NTC Great Lakes for duty in November. He is presently En-gineering Officer.

ENSIGN S.P. AMES graduated from the University of Southern California in 1963 and received his commission in June of 1963 through the ROC program. He is currently Damage Control Assistant and will become Engineering Officer in October 1964. His collateral duties include Welfare and Recreation Officer, Athletic Officer, and I & E Officer.

ENSIGN D.J. RANSDELL was attending Damage Control School when pictures were taken and is therefore not pictured. He received his commission through OCS in December 1963. He will become Damage Control Assistant in October.

It can be said that the Engineering Department is the department that makes the ship move. But, it is that and more. From the engineers come the elec-tricity to light the ship, cook our meals, run the electronics equipment, and power the mounts. From the engineers comes the steam to warm the food, heat the ship, and keep us comfortable. And, from the engineers comes the power to move the ship. Yes, the Engineering Department makes the ship move and more. But, it takes the entire department to do the job. From the Engineering Officer to the fireman on the throttles, every man has a job to do and a big one. If any one man fails to do his job the slack must be taken up by other men or the ship could fail to accomplish her mission. The engineers have a hard, dirty job to do but the feeling of pride when the first bell is answered and the ship gets underway, a city within itself all the work seems worthwhile. Snipes they are and snipes they always will be, but if there's a job to do you can bet it will be done.

Engineering Department

Front Row (left to right) LTJG L.F. Miller; Hester, L.J., ENC; Malloy, Wells, FN; Jones, FA; EN1; Dewald,

EM2; Spurgeon, EN3; Braddy, FN; Dowdle, FN; Smesrud, ENFN; ENSIGN S.P. Ames. Back Row (left to right) Powell, EN2; King, ENFN; Hughes, EN2; Sanchez, E.C, D.C.2; Fenimore, SFP3; Powers F.N.; Freeze, EN3; Meyerkord EN3; Moore EM3; Not Pictured: Villerreal, EM1; LeFevre, EM2; Cvitak, FN; Keller, FA; Doyle, SFI; Warrick, SFP3; St. Dennis, FN; Hudson, FA.

Ens. G.G.Gregory Zawislak Supply Officer

Ensign Gregory Zawislak, USNR, grad-uated from Lewis College, Lockport, Illinois, in January 1963, and received his com-mission from OCS on June 28, 1963. Ens. Zawislak is the ship's supply officer.

What is the purpose of the Supply Department aboard any Navy vessel? As a staff department, the Supply Department exists to SUPPORT that part of the organiza-tion directly concerned with operating and fighting, by rendering certain services to the ship and its personnel. These services are: GENERAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPLY To supply the various ship's departments with general and technical materials and services according to their needs within space, monetary, and other limitations. GENERAL MESS To feed personnel aboard a well balanced diet by proper planning, preparation, and service of meals within the daily allowances authorized by the Navy Ration Law. SHIP'S STORE To enable the crew to purchase personal necessities and a few luxury items and to provide a recreation fund through ship's store profits.

Supply Department

Front Row (left to right) ENS. G.G. Zawislak; Manning, SK3; Kries, CSI; May, SN; Rigg, SN; Malroy, CS2; Garcia, SKI; Bebout, Back Row (left to right) Gebhart, SH2; Bethea, SA; Daniels, SN; Little, SA; Robinson, TN. Not Pictured, Johnson, SD3; Miller, CS3; Walters, SN; Gross, SD3.

Polk County Becomes LST (R) for Rescues in Mid-Pac

Polk County helps Felix lll Complete Trip

Polk County Helps Felix III Complete Trip The tank landing ship USS POLK COUNTY (LST 1084), on temporary duty with the Pacific Service Force in Hawaii, helped complete an 11 year old dream January 15. The ship rescued 61 year old Felix Noble and his sailing ship Felix III, helping him finish a 76 day sailing trip from San Diego to Hawaii. The Polk County was enroute from Kawaihae to Pearl Harbor when she was contacted by a Coast Guard rescue plane about 15 miles northwest of Upolu Point, Hawaii. The plane had spotted Mr. Noble's boat in dis-tress about three miles off Upolu Point. High winds and heavy seas hampered the rescue, but after an hour Polk County put a line across to Felix III and took her in tow. When the line was secured, Noble was invited aboard Polk County for a hot meal and some human companionship, which he had lacked for 51 days. He gracefully declined and dogged-ly remained aboard his boat, determined to complete all of his 2,200 mile "sailing cruise. On November 1 Mr. Noble, with a 15 year old boy as his companion, left San Diego in his home made sail boat, bound for the Hawaiian Islands. After being at sea for nearly a month, his companion became homesick and was picked up by a U.S. destroyer and returned to San Diego, but Felix Noble chose to continue the trip alone. On November 25 the Felix III lost her rudder. Shortly there-after she lost her centerboard. But Felix Noble continued his trip. With only a sextant, a watch, and a seaman's eye to guide him, he was bound for0 the Hawaiian Islands.

The picture at the left shows the sec-ond craft rescued by the tank landing ship USS POLK COUNTY (LST 1084) while under the operational control of COM-SERVPAC in the Hawaiian area. On a trip from Kahoolawe to Pearl Harbor, Polk County sighted a small boat in distress. Maximo Celes and a friend were fishing when their motor quit. They dropped anchor but lost it and had been adrift for two days when they were sighted by the Polk County. They were taken in-'tow and delivered to Honolulu Harbor entrance where they were turned over to a Coast Guard boat for entry into the small boat basin.

Polk County of the Past

LST 108LST 1084 at Launching4 at Launching
The picture at left shows the launch-ing of LST 1084 at the American Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania. As the picture shows, no gun mounts were in place and there was no mast in-stalled. The top-side configuration of the ship bears little resemblance to the USS POLK COUNTY (LST 1084) of today.

Polk County before FRAM

This picture shows the LST 1084 about 6 years after launching. However this was about 4 years before th FRAM overhaul which was to give the POLK COUNTY a facelift. Changes of note are the replacement of the mast with the newer tripod type, elimination of the 20mm gun mount shown on the forward portion of the superstructure, and the enlargement of the 03 deck for use as a conning station.

Polk County Commanding Officers

LT L. E. Prehen LTJG M. B. McKaig LT W. A. Wintter LT F. S. Howland LT P. W. Ozab LT G. A. Harper Feb. 1945-Oct. 1945 Oct. 1945-Aug. 1946 Nov. 1950-Jun. 1952 Jun. 1952-May. 1953 May. 1953-Dec. 1953 Dec. 1953-Sep. 1955 LT R. E. Weeks LCDR J. R. Gross LCDR W. R. Shafer .LCDR C. S. Wallace LCDR R. M. McClenahan LTA. F. Ensley Sep. 1955-Jan. 1958 Jan. 1958-Apr. 1959 Apr. 1959-Jul. 1960 Jul. 1960-Dec. 1962 Dec. 1962-Feb. 1964 Feb. 1964-

On February 28, 1965 the USS SNOHOMISH COUNTY will complete twenty years of continuous active service with the United States Navy. She was built by the Chi-cago Bridge and Iron Company, Shipbuilding Division at Seneca, Illinois, in 1944-45 and on February 9, 1945 was put into the waters of the Illinois River to await a crew. She was commissioned on February 28, 1945 at the Algiers Naval Repair Station, New Orleans, Louisi-ana. After completion of shake-down training, USS LST-1126, as she was known until 1955 when she was given a name, sailed for San Diego to become part of the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force. Since 1945 the Snohomish County; has had twelve commanding officers; has made eight deployments to the Western Pacific; has made three trips for the Dew Line Re-Supply Expedition; has participated as a part of JOINT TASK FORCE EIGHT in preparation for atomic tests in the South Pacific; has completed two tours of Mid-Pacific; and since 1959 has participated in five large-scale Amphibious Operations. In recognition of her service the Snohomish County has been awarded the China Service Medal and the Na-tional Defense Medal. The Snohomish County is presently undergoing a FRAM Mark II Overhaul at the Long Beach Naval Ship-yard in preparation for another busy year with the Amphibious Forces.

Commanding Officer
LT William J. Barbour, Jr., first entered the Naval Service in April of 1944 and subsequently served as an Aviation Electronicsman with var-ious flight squadrons and aboard the USS ORIS-KANY (CVA34). LT Barbour was graduated from Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge, New Jer-sey and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Barbour, Sr. of Colonia, New Jersey. LT Barbour received his commission through OCS Class 27B in June of 1956. After commis-sioning he served aboard the USS BENNINGTON (CVA-20), USS MIDWAY (CVA-41), and as Gun-nery Officer and Operations Officer aboard the USS GREGORY (DD-802). After leaving the GRE-GORY, LT Barbour served as Safety Officer at the Naval Administrative Unit, Lake Mead Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. In April, 1963 he was ordered to the USS PAGE COUNTY as Command-ing Officer and in May was transferred to the USS SNOHOMISH COUNTY. LT Barbour is the recipient of the Good Con-duct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Married to the former Miss Eula Mae Waldon of Walnut, Mississippi, LT and Mrs. Barbour and their four children make their home in San Diego at 3510 Mt. Aclare Avenue.

Executive Officer
LTJG Roger N. Kammerdeiner, a graduate of The United States Naval Academy, Class of 1962 is a native of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania and the son of Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Kammerdeiner. LTJG Kammerdeiner attended Har-Brack High School and Grove City College prior to entering the Naval Academy. After graduation from the Naval Academy LTJG Kammerdeiner was ordered aboard the USS HERMITAGE (LSD-34) where he served as Assist-ant MPA, CIC Officer, First Division Officer and Personnel Officer. He was detached from the USS HERMITAGE in May of 1964 and reported aboard the USS SNOHOMISH COUNTY as Execu-tive Officer 1. June 1964. LTJG Kammerdeiner is married to the former Miss Joann B. Lyons of Washington, Pennsyl-vania and they are the parents of two children, Carol Jean and Roger N., II.

ENS James L. Oliver received his commission in May, 1963, graduat-ing in Class 64 from OCS. He is presently serving as First Lieutenant having previously been Assistant Gunnery Officer. ENS Oliver is a native of Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of Transylvania College.

ENS William F. Dupin received his commission through the ROC Pro-gram in June, 1963. He is presently serving as Supply Officer. ENS Dupin is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a graduate of Oregon State Uni-versity.

Lieutenant. ENS Jurika ENS William K. Jurika received his commission in June, 1963, graduating in Class 65 from OCS. He is presently serving as Assistant Lieutenant. ENS Jurika is a Native of Sarasota, Florida, and a grad-uate of the University of Denver.

ENS O. J. Humphrey, III, received his commission upon graduation from the University of Washington in June, 1963. He is presently serv-ing as Communications Officer. ENS Humphrey is a native of Seattle, Washington.

ENS Peter C. Meyers received his commission in November, 963, graduating in Class 64-2 from OCS. He is presently serving as Main Propulsion Assistant. ENS Meyers is a native of Tucson, Arizona and a graduate of the University of Arizona.

Deck First Division

L to R. Johnson, BM1; Mandrel I, SN; Claypool, SA; Dryburgh, SN; Henderson, SA; R. Johnson, SN; Hughes, SN; Church, BM3.

The Deck Department is responsible for the supervision of all decks, seamanship operations, and ordnance and armament equipment of the ship, and for the procurement, handling, stowage, and issue of ammunition and pyrotechnics. In the overall mission of the LST, the Deck Department plays a major role.

L to R: Currie, SA; Bishop, SN; Davis, SN; Wilson, SN. Absent from photo: Sibert, SN; Shaw, SN; Wert, BM2; Lankford, SN: Geist, SN; Franklin, SA; Clark, SN.

L to R. Tyler, FTGSN; Walters, SN; Pauley, SN; Mead, FTG2; North, FTG2. Absent from photo, Wright, GMG2; Pinterich, GMG2; Morse, SN; Carter, FTGSN; Lawson, GMSN

Gunnery Division

Engineering
The Engineering Department is responsible for the opera-tion, care and maintenance of the vessel's main propulsion plant, auxiliary machinery, and piping systems; for the control of dam-age; for the operation and maintenance of electric power gen-erators and distribution systems, for repairs to the ship's hull; and for repairs to material and equipment of other departments which are beyond the capacity of the other departments but within the capacity of the Engineering Department.

L to R, front row, Henderson, SFM3; Kyle, EN1; Dykes, EN3; Ziermann, DC3. Back row, Couch, EN2; Henning, SFP2; Lass, EN2; Howard, EN3.

L to R, front row. Rodriguez, EMFN; Look, ENI; Stroud, EMI. Back row, Cobb, FN; Hillin, FA; Mitchell, IC2; Cruson, FN. Absent from photo, Seavers, EM2; Quebodeaux, FN; Georgianna, EMFN; Etesse, EN3; Holloway, FN; Hooser, EM3; Miller, EM2; Moore, FA; Robinson, BT3.

Operations
The Operations Department is charged with the responsi-bility for performing those functions which will provide the Com-manding Officer with the information necessary to enable him to fight his ship to the maximum of her capacity.

L to R, Armstrong, RM3; Hobbs, ET3; Miller, RM3; Pedroza, RD2. Absent from photo, Whitehead, QMI; Dionne, RM1; Bolt, SM1; Cobb, SM2; Quevedo, QM2; Meldrum, SM3; Luhman, RD3; Rivera, ET3; Minor, RM3; Fuller, PN3; Needham, SN; Suit, SN; Hilsabeck, SA; Kimber, SA.

Supply
The basic function of the Supply Department is for the pro-curement, receipt, stowage, custody, issue, and accounting for all supplies and equipage required aboard. In addition supply renders barber, laundry and ship's store services.

L to R. Ungoco, SK2; Lanini, SN; Romero, SKI; Deroche, SN; Insanto, SD2. Absent from photo; Kelley, HM1; Zike, CSI; Sellers, SH2; Salamat, SK2; Barton, SD3; Billips, CS3; Best, SK3; Kochan, SN; Christ-opher, TN.

EVERETT, WASHINGTON, COUNTY SEAT OF SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WASHINGTON

USS Stone County (LST 1141)

USS LST 1141 was commissioned on 1 May 1945. USS LST 1141 was in the process of loading in Guam for Operation Comet at the close of World War II; and therefore, did not take part in any war action. The next assignment took LST 1 141 to the Western Pacific where she participated in original experiments in the use of the LST for helicopter mothership opera-tions off China Coast. In 1949 the ship was decom-missioned and placed in inactive status in the Pacific Reserve Fleet at San Diego. Upon the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, the ship was recommissioned in 1950. LST 1141 participated in various troop landing exercises, hauling cargo from Japan to Korea. Early in 1953 she operated as a minesweep replenishment ship and a helicopter base in the enemy-held harbor of Wonsan, Korea. Shortly after the Korean War came to a close, the ship was assigned to Operation Big Switch, concerned with the transporting of Korean prisoners-of-war from prison compounds in Kojo, Korea, to Inchon, Korea. The ship also carried Chinese Communists from Chojo Do, Korea, to Inchon, Korea, where they were offered their choice of Communism or life in Formosa. Early in 1955 the ship deployed to Japan for operations with the Seventh Fleet. Under the command of the Seventh Fleet, the ship assisted in the evacuation of the Tachen Islands and, as a result, was commended by Yu-Ta Woi, Minister of Defense for the Republic of China. On 9 July 1955, USS LST 1 141 was named USS STONE COUNTY (LST 1141) in honor of the Stone Counties of Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi. After 1955, USS STONE COUNTY (LST 1141) participated in various operations and exercises, and in 1961 went through Mark II Fram. In the fall of 1960 when the ship was coming back from a Mid-Pac deployment they had temporary engine and shaft casualties. This forced the crew to rig sails out of the cargo hatch canvas in order to keep the ship from being carried aimlessly at the mercy of the sea., It was a strange sight to see an LST coming into San Diego Bay under sail.

Commanding Officer
LIEUTENANT T. J. BEALL, U.S.N.

Lieutenant Beall entered the Navy as a seaman recruit in 1949. As a yeoman, he served aboard USS ASKARI (ARL-30), USS LST 901, and U.S. NAVY Recruit Station, Kansas City, Missouri. By 1953 he became a first class petty officer. He received his commission upon graduating from Officers Candi-date School, Newport, Rhode Island, in 1956. His first duty station as an officer was as Operations Officer on USS RICHARD B. ANDERSON (DD781). In 1959, Lieutenant BEALL went to USS LEADER (MSO-490) as Executive Officer. Duty as officer-in charge of Personnel Accounting Machine Installation Eighth Naval District, came next in 1961 and came to USS STONE COUNTY in Sept. of 1963.

Executive Officer
LIEUTENANT F. J. SMITH, U.S.N.

Lieutenant SMITH enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and was first assigned to USS ALABAMA (BB-60). As boatswain's mate, he served with the Tacoma Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, on the USS BALTIMORE (CA-61), USS KEYWADIN (ATA-213), USS MANLY (DD-940), and with Allied Naval Forces, Central Europe, located at Fontainebleau, France. While in France he was advanced to chief petty officer. Lieutenant SMITH received his commission as an officer in January 1960 and was then assigned to Key West Test and Evaluation Detachment as Small Craft and Repair Officer. In 1962 he went to USS NOBLE (APA-218) as Assistant First Lieutenant and Ship's Boatswain. He came to the USS STONE COUNTY in December 1963.

Operations Department

MR. ROBERT SMITH majored in agriculture at Texas A & M. In the summer of 1962 he entered OCS and upon graduation reported aboard the USS STONE COUNTY. He has served as Communications Officer and is presently Operations Officer. Mr. Smith is married and comes from Fate, Texas.

MR. ARNOLD E. AHRENS attended Rice University where he majored in Accounting and Economics. Mr. Ahrens was a NROTC Contract student and received his commission in June of 1963. He is presently serving as Communications Officer aboard the USS STONE COUNTY. His home is in Houston, Texas.

MR. F. MICHAEL SPRITZER graduated from Kansas State College of Pittsburg, Kansas with a major in Business Admin-istration. In 1962 he joined the Naval Reserve and upon college graduation attended OCS. He is Assistant Communications Officer aboard the USS STONE COUNTY. Mr. Spritzer is from Frontenac, Kansas. He is married and has one child.

Operations Department

Front: Davis, R.J., Harlan, M.G. Jr., Gates, R.L., Farr, P.M., Crawford, M.L., Cherry, R., Smith, T.B., Humphrey, G.R. Back: Tassia, V.S.Jr., Summers, L., Fechtner, J.D., Lytle, L.B., Schwalbe, C.E., Flater, T.N.

Deck Department
MR. RUDY J. ROY majored in Sociology at the University at Oxford. Mr. Roy was a NROTC Regular student and received his commission in May 1963. Aboard the USS STONE COUNTY he has served as Assistant First Lieutenant and is presently First Lieutenant. He is from Oxford, Mississippi and is married.

MR. ALLEN R. TEMPLEMAN graduated from Ohio University where he majored in Political Science and Economics. In Septem-ber of 1963 he went to OCS and is presently Gunnery Officer aboard the USS STONE COUNTY. He is from Bay Village, Ohio.

MR. LARRY F. GERMANN attended Oregon State University where he majored in Business Administration. He was a NROTC Regular student and received his commission in June of 1964. Mr. Germann is Assistant First Lieutenant aboard the USS STONE COUNTY. He is married and is from Vancouver, Washington.

Deck Department
Front: Shipp, E.A., Daksiewicz, A.A., Sales, M., Wasson, J.W., Blackwell, N.E., Milbrant, M.E., Simmons, P.C. Middle: Hopkins, R.C., Witowski, P.F., Chapman, T.L., Pearson, R.T., Amsler, J.P., Gies, W.F., Malas, J.R. Back: Jones, W.W., Kwiatkowski, E.S., Dicristino, J.J., Farr, R.R., Moore, J.L., Matos, J.D., Banuet, A.C., Alvarez, R.

Engineering Department
MR. A. DAVID LEONE graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania with an Industrial Engineering degree. In October 1961 he entered OCS and upon graduation reported aboard the USS STONE COUNTY where he is now Engineering Officer and Senior Watch Officer. He is married and has one child. He is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

MR. BRIAN C. FANSLOW graduated from Politechnic Institute of Brooklyn in Metallurgical Engineering. In February of 1964 he entered OCS and came aboard the USS STONE COUNTY in September where he serves as Damage Control Assistant. He is from Stewart Manor, New York.

Engineering Department

Front: Roma, B.P., Appel, J.A., Welby, K.F., Nesmith, A.L., Sanchez, R.R., Kennedy, J.T., Powers, J.C., Sharp, J.N. Back: Jackson, J.L., Snell, T.I., Allen, W.C., Carter, T.E., Herring, F.G. Jr., Kopp, D.L., McClure, R.L.

Supply Department
MR. JAMES R. SPAHR attended Pennsylvania State where he majored in Business Administration. In September of 1963 he entered OCS and upon graduation reported aboard the USS STONE COUNTY where he is Supply Officer. He is from Tarentum, Pennsylvania.

ENS. J.R. Spahr Supply Officer

Supply Department

Front: Pruit, A.P., Slier, B.G., Lamberson, T.A., Stewart, J. Jr., Gale, A.M., Pruett, D.D., Gimlin, L.C., Ferguson, G.G. Back: Opilla, A.L., Bolles, C.S., Dejong, G.L., Soraparu, J.K., Profeta, J.M. Jr., Manzon, T.N., Cabanting, E.C.

USS Tioga County (LST 1158)

The "TIGER" was originally christened U.S.S. LST 1158 after her construction by Bath Iron Works on 11 April 1953 by Mrs. Joseph A. CALAGHAN, wife of the Chief of Staff of the First Naval District. After operating the remainder of the year with the Amphibious Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet she proceeded to her new home port of San Diego, California via the Panama Canal, which she transited on 15 January 1954. Upon arrival in San Diego, she joined the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet as Flagship of Commander Landing Ship Squadron THREE. The rest of 1954 and early 1955 was spent in local operations, including a cruise to Hawaii. Saturday 2 July 1955 was a monumental day in the history of the ship, when she was rechristened U.S.S. TIOGA COUNTY after counties in both New York and Pennsylvania. Since then TIOGA has been on three extended voyages, twice to WESTPAC in January 1957 and October 1959, and once to the Aleutian Islands in August 1961. Additional cruises have carried her back to the Hawaiian Islands on three other occasions, the latest being March 1964. The ship has a unique and most noteworthy reputa-tion of having contributed the sum of $1158.00 to the United Fund, matching her hull number as a goal for five consecutive years. Since 1960 the ship has been awarded three Battle Efficiency "E's," three Engineering "E's," One Communications "C," One Operations "E," and three Amphibious Assault Awards.

Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander VOGEL is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. From his commission-ing in 1949 until 1954, LCDR VOGEL served in the U.S. Merchant Marine. In July of that year he went on active duty in the U.S. Navy, and until December 1955, he served as Operations Officer aboard the USS KERMIT ROOSEVELT (ARG-16). From January of 1956 until June 1957 he was with the Second and Sixth Fleet as Opera-tions Officer aboard the U.S.S. MISSISSINEWA (AO-144). At the completion of this duty, Mr. VOGEL reported to the General Line School at Monterey for ten months of in construction. From July 1958 until July 1960 he was Opera-tions Officer aboard the USS CUNNINGHAM (DD-752) which was serving in the First and Seventh Fleets. In August 1960 he was assigned to the Staff of Commander Amphibious Force, Pacific Fleet. From August 1962, until June 1963, LCDR VOGEL attended the Naval War Col-lege, Newport, Rhode Island. In September 1964, he was selected for the rank of Commander. Lieutenant Commander VOGEL is married and father of five girls.

Executive Officer
Lieutenant Loren M. RICE enlisted on 5 March 1943 as Seaman Apprentice and received basic training until 9 June 1943 at the USNTC Great Lakes, Illinois. From 9 June 1943 until 20 December 1943, LT RICE served with the Beach Crew, servicing PBY's, at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. During the period December 1943 to May 1944, he underwent training as Naval Air Combat Crewman at the Naval Air Gunnery.School, Pur-cell, Oklahoma and the Naval Air Station, Fort Lauder-dale, Florida. During 1945 while. serving as Torpedo Bomber Air Crewman, LT RICE was involved in action over Okinawa and was awarded the highly coveted Air Medal. From November 1945 until September 1946 Mr. RICE was assigned as Shore Patrol for Eleventh Naval District. From September 1951 through March 1954 he was attached to VP-772 and VP-17. Again when duty called, LT RICE, whose actions were in the highest tra-ditions of the Naval Service was awarded for the second time the Air Medal for duty over Korea. On 15 Septem-ber 1963, LT RICE reported to the USS TIOGA COUNTY ([.51-1 158)for duties as Executive Officer.

Deck Division

L-R Goble, BM2; Quarles, SN; Lyons, SN; Peterson, SN; Davis, SN; Hovland, SN; Shaw, SN; Swanson, SN; Whigham, SA; Skomal, SN; James, SN; Burten, SN; Romero, SN; Brown, SA; Torres, SN; Sacramone, SN; Polhemus, BMSN; Moore, BM3.

L-R Hogan, BM2; Gowen, SN; Cornett, SN; Galinski, SA; Eckhoff, SA; McBee, SN; Moore, SN; McGinnis, SN; Pastora, SN; Hermans, SN; Mongeau, SN; Shoaf, SA; Taylor, SN; Chambers, SN; Kline, SN; Arentz, SN.

L-R Connell, GM2; Conner, GM2; Moore, SN; Luse, FTG2; Swearengen, SN; Rivera, GMG3; Gardner, FTG3; Tedder, GMG3.

Gunnery Division

Engineering Department

L-R Cheatham, EN2; Maguire, EN3; Hutchison, FN Drahos, ENFN; Duncan, FA; Robinson, SA; Schwartz, FA; McPherson, FN; Juarez, FA; Turnbough, FN; Hunter, ENFN; Miller, FA; Haynes, FN; Greider, EN3; Michell, EN1; Bailey, EN3.

L-R Adams, FN; Molina, FA; Miller, EM1; Loper, EMFN; Pierce, SF1; Haynos, EM3; Warrenbrown, EM2; Ferguson, FN; Scarborough, EN3; Sims, DC3; Davis, FN; Anderson, EN3; Rief, FA; Stanford, SFM3; Cluck, IC3; Moses, EMFN.

L-R Voorhees, YN2; Mongeau, SN; Veronneau, QM1; Mashore, QM3; Tardif, SA; Walker, PN2; Lincoln, SN; Page, SM1; Haight, RD3; Albright, ETR3; Capps, QM3; Foley, RD2; Hartman, SM2; Rosa, SN; Donworth, SN; Zumdahl, SN; Schwab, RM2; Dolecki, RMSN.

Operations Department

L-R Culver, SKI; Boggess, SN; Robledo, CS3; Calapan, SD3; Ross, CS2; Gayoso, TN; Anaya, SN; Balaoing, SD2; Goodman, SN; Francisco, SK3; Peterson, SK3; Miller, SN; Mayes, SH3; Matlock, SH2; Norton, SN; Delby, SN; Fenner, DK3; Meria, TN; Duchesne, SN.

Bibliography
Carter, Worrall Reed; Beans, Bullets, and Black Oil; Government Printing; Wash-ington; 1951. Carter, Worral Reed, and Duval, Elmer Ellesworth; Ships, Salvage and Sinews of War; Government Printing; Washington; 1954. Churchill, Winston S.; Memoirs of The Second World War; Houghton Mifflin Com-pany; Boston; 1959. Maund, L. E. H.; Assault from the Sea; Methuen & Company, LTD.; London; 1949. Morison, Samuel Eliot; History of United States Naval Operations in World War II; vols. II, VI, VIII, XI, XIV; Little, Brown and Company; 1947. Norman, Albert; Operation Overlord; The Military Service Publishing Company; Harrisburg; 1952. Vagts, Alfred; Landing Operations; The Military Service Publishing Company; Harrisburg; 1946. Wheeler, Richard; "The First Flag-Raising on Iwo Jima;" American Heritage; June 1964. Whitehouse, Arch; Amphibious Operations; Doubleday & Company; New York; 1963.

Credits
Created, Researched and Edited by: LTJG W. M. McINTYRE, USNR. U.S.S. FLOYD COUNTY (LST 762): ENS J. A. CASTIN, USNR; ENS D. B. PARK, USNR; JIMENEZ, B. F., HM1, USN. U.S.S. KEMPER COUNTY (LST 854): ENS S. G. HOY, USN; SMITH, W. E., HM1. USN. U.S.S. PAGE COUNTY (LST 1076): LTJG D. JULIAN, USNR; ENS JACOBS, USNR. U.S.S. POLK COUNTY (LST 1084): ENS C. G. MARTINACHE, USNR. U.S.S. SNOHOMISH COUNTY (LST 1126): LTJG W. S. VERDELL, USN; ENS J. L. OLIVER, USNR. U.S.S. STONE COUNTY (LST 1141): ENS L. F. GERMANN, USN. U.S.S. TIOGA COUNTY (LST 1158): ENS T. A. KOPFLER, USNR; FOX, ENC; ROSA, SMSN; DONWORTH, SN; SHAW, SN. Photographs published in sections of the L.S.T. history, pages 10 through 25, are official Navy Department photographs.

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