USS Stark County (LST 1134)

• Namesake: USS Stark County (LST-1134) was named after Stark County, which exists in three U.S. states: Illinois, North Dakota, and Ohio. • Ship Class: The vessel was a part of the LST-542-class tank landing ships, designed for amphibious warfare and capable of delivering tanks, vehicles, cargo, and troops directly onto shore. • Laid Down and Launched: USS Stark County was laid down on 8 January 1945 by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company in Seneca, Illinois, and launched on 4 April 1945. • World War II Service: Although built during World War II, Stark County was commissioned too late to see combat in the conflict, being commissioned on 28 April 1945. • Post-War Duties: After the war, LST-1134 was used to transport occupation forces and supplies, serving in the Far East and supporting the U.S. military’s postwar operations. • Korean War Service: The ship participated in the Korean War, transporting troops and equipment to and from conflict zones, and assisting in amphibious operations such as those at Inchon. • Renaming: On 1 July 1955, LST-1134 was officially given the name USS Stark County, after serving for a decade with only her hull number. • Decommissioning and Transfer: The ship was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy on 15 June 1960 and transferred to the Royal Thai Navy, where she was renamed HTMS Pangan (LST-3). • Service in Thailand: As HTMS Pangan, the former USS Stark County served for many years, playing a significant role in Thailand’s naval logistics and amphibious capabilities. • Legacy: The ship earned multiple campaign medals for her service, including the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal, reflecting a long and varied operational history in two different navies.