USS Churchill County (LST-583)

The USS "Churchill County" (LST-583) was an sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Churchill County, Nevada, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as "LST-583" on 18 May 1944 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 5 July 1944; sponsored by Mrs. D. C. Hollis; and commissioned on 2 August 1944 with Lieutenant Philip E. Acker, USNR, in command. During World War II, LST-583 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: Lingayen Gulf landing (January, 1945); Zambales-Subic Bay (January, 1945); and Mindanao Island landings (March and April, 1945). Following the War, LST-583 performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-December, 1945. She was decommissioned in March, 1946. The tank landing ship was named USS "Churchill County" (LST-583) on 1 July 1955. The ship was recommissioned on 1 November 1960 and performed services for Commander, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet, until she was again decommissioned in September, 1968. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register 15 September 1974, she was sold for scrapping by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) 1 August 1975. However, the ship was acquired by Minerve Shipping & Trading Corporation, S.A. of Panama and renamed "Petrola" 131 "circa" 1976-1977. Her final fate is unknown. LST-583 earned three battle stars for World War II service.

References

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* cite web|title=LST-583 "Churchill County"|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160583.htm|accessdate=May 27|accessyear=2007

External links

* [http://www.hullnumber.com/commands1.php?ct=OG&st=LST&hn=583&n1=USS&n2=CHURCHILL&n3=COUNTY&n4=&n5= LST-583 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com]

ee also

* List of United States Navy LSTs