History of The USS Monmouth County (LST-1032)

August 17, 2000

From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” (1969) Vol. 4, p.416

LST-1032 was named for a County in New Jersey. Displacement: 2,366 t. Length: 328′ Beam: 50′ Draft: 14’1″ Speed: 11.6 k. Complement: 119 Armament: (8) 40mm; (12) 20mm Class: LST-511.

LST-1032 was laid down 9 June 1944, by the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass.; launched 9 July 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Jennie M. Kneeland, and commissioned 1 August 1944, Lt. J. M. Medina in command. Following shakedown, LST-1032 departed New York, 8 September 1944, for the west coast, arriving at San Diego, 4 October. Continuing on to Hawaii, she embarked troops there and sailed 23 January 1945 to take part in the assault on Iwo Jima. While debarking marines there, on 20 February, an enemy shell struck her bow, killing one marine and wounding nine. Despite this, rough seas, and stiff Japanese opposition, she completed debarking her troops and supplies on the 22d, and proceeded to Saipan. She next sailed from Saipan to take part in the Okinawa invasion, arriving off that island 1 April. Discharging her cargo and men, she departed for Saipan, returning to Okinawa 30 May with more supplies.

LST-1032 then steamed to the Philippines, arriving San Pedro Bay 15 June. Until Japan’s surrender, she ferried troops and munitions among the Philippines, with two additional runs to Okinawa. Then she carried occupation troops to the Japanese home islands until 19 November, when she sailed for the United States, arriving San Francisco 30 December. Sailing to the east coast, LST-1032 anchored off Little Creek, Va., 15 April 1946, and joined the Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, with which she operated for the next 9 years. She joined expeditions to Greenland in 1951 and 1952, and took part in training exercises in the Caribbean.

The ship was named USS Monmouth County (LST-1032) 1 July 1955, decommissioned 14 October 1955, and berthed in the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She transferred to the Philadelphia Group in August 1961, and re-commissioned 28 May 1963 as a unit of Reserve LST Squadron 2, based at Little Creek, Va. She was placed into full commission 21 December 1965, participating in the Dominican Republic crisis, again demonstrating the Navy’s vital role in keeping the peace in a troubled world.

In 1966, USS Monmouth County (LST-1032) sailed to assist the people of South Vietnam in their struggle against Asian communism. Assigned to the Service Force, Pacific Fleet, she operated between the Demilitarized Zone and the Mekong Delta, carrying foodstuffs, ammunition, and construction equipment. Following a visit to the Republic of China in February 1967, she returned to Vietnam waters, where she served until May 1970, offering hope and support to the people of Vietnam.

Awards earned during the Vietnam War: Navy Unit Commendation, (1) Meritorious Unit Commendations (2), RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, RVN Civil Action Medal, First Class, with Palm, RVN Campaign Medal with 60’s device and the Vietnam Service Medal with (11) Battle Stars.

[MONMOUTH COUNTY was stricken on 12 August 1970.] “Jane’s Fighting Ships 1975-76,” p.487. Transcribed by Michael Hansen mhansen2@home.com