USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192)

• Commissioning and Class: USS Spartanburg County (LST-1192) was a Newport-class tank landing ship, commissioned into the United States Navy on 1 September 1971. • Unique Bow Ramp: Unlike previous LSTs, the Newport-class featured a 112-foot aluminum bow ramp, allowing vehicles and cargo to be offloaded directly onto a beach without the need for port facilities. • Named for a County: The ship was named after Spartanburg County, South Carolina, following the tradition of naming LSTs after U.S. counties. • Vietnam War Era: Although commissioned after the main combat operations, LST-1192 was part of the modernization effort during the Vietnam War, replacing aging World War II-era LSTs. • Support in Lebanon: The vessel participated in the U.S. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in the early 1980s, supporting Marine landings during the Lebanese Civil War. • Caribbean Operations: USS Spartanburg County was involved in numerous Caribbean training operations and exercises, including joint training with allied nations. • Operation Urgent Fury: The ship contributed support to Operation Urgent Fury, the 1983 invasion of Grenada, by transporting troops and equipment. • Decommissioning and Transfer: The ship was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy on 1 September 1994 and was transferred to the Malaysian Navy, where she was renamed KD Sri Selangor (A 1504). • Length and Speed: At 522 feet long, the Newport-class LSTs could reach speeds up to 20 knots, far faster than their World War II predecessors. • Legacy and Honors: USS Spartanburg County received multiple awards during her service, including the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, reflecting her diverse operational history.