About this Unit
USS Hampshire County (LST-819) was a tank landing ship of the United States Navy, commissioned in December 1944. She served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the Okinawa campaign and post-war occupation duties in Asia. After decommissioning in 1946, she was recommissioned for service during the Korean War, supporting amphibious operations and logistics. The ship was renamed USS Hampshire County in 1955 and later served in the Vietnam War before being struck from the Navy list in 1973.
Historical Facts
• World War II Service: USS Hampshire County (LST-819) was launched on October 25, 1944, and commissioned on November 22, 1944. She served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II.
• Landing Ship, Tank (LST): As an LST-542-class tank landing ship, she was designed to transport large amounts of vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto unimproved shores, a critical capability for amphibious assaults.
• Operation Olympic Preparations: LST-819 was scheduled to participate in Operation Olympic, the planned invasion of Japan. However, the war ended before the operation commenced, so she was reassigned to occupation duties.
• Post-War Occupation: After World War II, the ship was involved in occupation duties in the Far East, including transporting troops and equipment for the occupation forces in Japan and China.
• Korean War Reactivation: Decommissioned in 1946, LST-819 was placed in reserve until the outbreak of the Korean War, when she was recommissioned on September 18, 1950, to support United Nations operations.
• Renamed Hampshire County: On July 1, 1955, she was officially named USS Hampshire County, after counties in Massachusetts and West Virginia, becoming one of the few LSTs to receive a county name.
• Vietnam War Service: Hampshire County played a significant role during the Vietnam War, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies to various locations in South Vietnam and supporting riverine operations in the Mekong Delta.
• Gallant Actions: The ship earned multiple battle stars for her service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, reflecting her active and distinguished participation in combat and support missions.
• Humanitarian Missions: In addition to combat operations, Hampshire County participated in humanitarian missions, including transporting refugees and providing disaster relief in Southeast Asia.
• End of Service: The ship was decommissioned for the final time on September 2, 1971, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on September 15, 1974, marking the end of nearly three decades of versatile and dedicated service.
