USS Holmes County

• USS Holmes County (LST-836) was a tank landing ship (LST) built for the United States Navy during World War II, launched on 11 October 1944. • The ship was originally named LST-836 and wasn’t given the name "Holmes County" until 1 July 1955, honoring counties in Florida, Mississippi, and Ohio. • World War II Service: LST-836 participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from April to June 1945, one of the largest amphibious operations in history. • After WWII, she performed occupation duty in the Far East, including service in China until mid-February 1946. • Korean War: The ship was recommissioned in 1950 and provided logistical support during the Korean War, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies. • In 1952, LST-836 supported the famous “Operation Big Switch,” aiding in the exchange of prisoners of war between North and South Korea. • Vietnam War: Holmes County made multiple deployments to the Vietnam theater, transporting cargo, Marines, and Army personnel, and even supporting riverine operations in the Mekong Delta. • The ship earned one battle star for WWII service, five for the Korean War, and seven for the Vietnam War, a testament to her long and varied combat record. • In 1971, she was decommissioned and transferred to the Royal Thai Navy, where she served as HTMS Lanta (LST-4) until 2008. • The USS Holmes County’s legacy endures: She was among the few LSTs to serve actively in three major conflicts (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) and was one of the last of her class to remain in service internationally.