USS St. Clair County (LST-1096)

• World War II Construction: USS St. Clair County (LST-1096) was laid down on December 6, 1944, by the American Bridge Company in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, as part of the prolific LST (Landing Ship, Tank) program during World War II. • Rapid Launch: The ship was launched just over a month later, on January 13, 1945, highlighting the rapid wartime production capabilities of U.S. shipyards. • Commissioning: LST-1096 was commissioned on February 8, 1945, serving the U.S. Navy during the closing months of World War II. • Namesake: The ship was named after St. Clair County, Illinois, and St. Clair County, Michigan, a common tradition for LSTs to be named after U.S. counties. • PACIFIC THEATER DUTY: USS St. Clair County participated in occupation duties in the Far East, including service in Japan, China, and Korea after the end of World War II. • Postwar Decommissioning: She was decommissioned and placed in reserve on July 7, 1946, as part of the postwar drawdown of the U.S. fleet. • Korean War Reactivation: With the outbreak of the Korean War, LST-1096 was recommissioned on November 3, 1950, and returned to service with the Pacific Fleet. • Renaming: On July 1, 1955, the ship was officially named USS St. Clair County, moving from her original hull number designation to a formal name. • Vietnam War Service: During the Vietnam War, USS St. Clair County provided vital logistical support, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies to various locations in Southeast Asia. • Final Disposition: USS St. Clair County was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on September 15, 1974, and later sold for scrapping, ending nearly three decades of intermittent service.