uss meeker cty lst980

• Namesake: USS Meeker County (LST-980) was named after Meeker County, Minnesota, as part of the US Navy tradition of naming tank landing ships after counties. • Construction: The ship was laid down on December 22, 1943, at the Boston Navy Yard and launched on February 10, 1944. • World War II Service: LST-980 participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy in June 1944, delivering troops, vehicles, and supplies onto the beaches under enemy fire. • Multiple Landings: Besides Normandy, LST-980 took part in additional operations in France, helping to transport reinforcements and materials essential to the Allied advance. • Postwar Decommissioning: After World War II, she was decommissioned in April 1946 and placed in reserve in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. • Reactivation and Cold War Service: The ship was recommissioned in 1963 and named USS Meeker County (LST-980) in 1955, serving during the Cold War era. • Vietnam War Involvement: USS Meeker County served in the Vietnam War, providing essential logistical support, including transporting troops and supplies to and from combat zones. • Ship Design: As an LST-542-class tank landing ship, Meeker County was designed to carry tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore without docks or piers, making her vital for amphibious operations. • Final Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned for the last time in December 1969 and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1975. • Fate: After her decommissioning, the USS Meeker County (LST-980) was sold for scrapping in 1975, ending her over 30 years of service to the US Navy.