USS Chase County (LST-532)

USNS Chase County (T-LST-532) underway in Saipan Lagoon, Pacific Trust Territories, 1971
History
Name: USS LST-532, later USS Chase County
Namesake: Chase County, Kansas, and Chase County, Nebraska
Builder: Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana
Laid down: 24 September 1943
Launched: 28 November 1943
Commissioned: 20 January 1944
Decommissioned: 8 June 1955
In service: 15 April 1967
Out of service: 10 June 1973
Renamed: USS Chase County (LST-532), 1 July 1955
Reclassified: USNS Chase County (T-LST-532), 15 April 1967
Struck: 10 June 1973
Honours and
awards:		 1 battle star (World War II)
Fate: Transferred to Singapore, 1973
Singapore
Acquired: 1973
Fate: Unknown
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-491-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
Length: 328 ft (100 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
Draft:
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 LCVPs
Troops: Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men
Complement: 16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Armament:
  • 2 × twin 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk.51 directors
  • 4 × single 40 mm gun mounts
  • 12 × single 20 mm gun mounts

USS Chase County (LST-532) was an LST-491-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Kansas and Nebraska, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-532 was laid down on 24 September 1943 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 28 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Fred M. Wyatt; and commissioned on 20 January 1944 with Lieutenant Marinus Pilkington in command.

Service history

During World War II, LST-532 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. She loaded troops and equipment including vehicles at Polgwidden (a.k.a. Trebah) Beach, Helford River, near Falmouth, Cornwall, England on 1 June 1944. This location was the most westerly embarkation site for this operation and the distance that they had to travel to rendezvous with the rest of the OP. NEPTUNE fleet meant that these personnel then spent the next 5 days aboard this flat bottomed vessel in the terrible weather conditions that delayed the OP.OVERLORD landings until 6 June.

Footage taken by a US Army Film Unit on 1 June 1944 showing this vessel (and LSTs 533 and 27) loading at this venue exist and public access of 'proof' quality video showing this original footage can be viewed on line for free at 'Critical Past'. (N.B.- I have no personal connection with this company - but this categorically verifies this information above and beyond all other sources.)

Following the War, she operated with the Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ship was decommissioned on 8 June 1955 and renamed USS Chase County (LST-532) on 1 July 1955.

On 15 April 1967 she was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and served as USNS Chase County (T-LST-532) until struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 10 June 1973. Transferred to the Republic of Singapore in 1973, her final fate is unknown.

LST-532 earned one battle star for World War II service.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

See also

LST-310 (2nd LST from the right) along with other ships putting cargo ashore on one of the invasion beaches, at low tide during the first days of the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. Among identifiable ships present are LST-532 (in the center of the view); LST-262 (3rd LST from right); LST-533 (partially visible at far right); and LST-524. Note the barrage balloons overhead and Army "half-track" convoy forming up on the beach.
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