USS Calhoun County LAT 519

• USS Calhoun County (LST-519) Background: Originally commissioned as USS LST-519 during World War II, she was later renamed USS Calhoun County (LST-519) in 1955, honoring Calhoun counties in multiple states. • World War II Service: LST-519 participated in the D-Day landings at Normandy, supporting the Allied invasion by delivering tanks, vehicles, and troops onto the beaches. • Nicknamed "The Dump Ship": In the 1950s and 1960s, she became known for her role in disposing of surplus and obsolete munitions, nuclear waste, and other materials at sea, earning her the unofficial nickname. • Longest Continuously Commissioned LST: By the time of her decommissioning in 1963, she was the oldest and longest-serving LST in the US Navy. • Nuclear Waste Disposal: The Calhoun County was involved in the disposal of radioactive waste, including materials from the Manhattan Project and other nuclear programs, in the Atlantic Ocean. • International Missions: Besides Atlantic operations, she undertook missions to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and supported US military bases abroad. • Crew Superstitions: Sailors reportedly believed the ship was "jinxed" due to the hazardous nature of her cargo and missions, with various accidents and mishaps fueling these rumors. • Decommissioning and Final Fate: USS Calhoun County was decommissioned in November 1963 and subsequently sunk as a target off the Virginia Capes in 1964. • Medals and Honors: For her wartime service, she earned one battle star for her participation in the Normandy invasion. • Controversy and Legacy: In recent decades, declassified documents and media reports have highlighted the environmental and health impacts of her dumping operations, leading to renewed public and veteran interest in her story.