View source for BRP Sierra Madre

{{Short description|US/Philippine Navy tank landing ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Harnett County AGP-821.jpg
| Ship caption = USS ''Harnett County'' (AGP-821) in South Vietnamese waters, ''c.'' 1967–1970. Atop her flight deck is a [[Sikorsky H-34|Sikorsky H-34 Choctaw]] [[helicopter]] (left) and a Navy Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three (HAL-3) "Seawolf" [[UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1B Huey]] [[gunship]].
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{USN flag|1970}}
| Ship name = USS ''LST-821''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company, [[Evansville, Indiana]]
| Ship laid down = 19 September 1944
| Ship launched = 27 October 1944
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship commissioned = 14 November 1944
| Ship decommissioned = March 1946
| Ship renamed = USS ''Harnett County'' (LST-821), 1 July 1955
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = yes
| Ship namesake = [[Harnett County, North Carolina]]
| Ship recommissioned = 20 August 1966
| Ship decommissioned = 12 October 1970
| Ship in service = 
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship struck = 
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship reclassified = AGP-821, 1970
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship motto = 
| Ship nickname = 
| Ship honors = *1 [[battle star]] (World War II)
*9 battle stars, 2 [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citations]], 3 [[Navy Unit Commendation]]s (Vietnam)
| Ship fate = Transferred to South Vietnam, 12 October 1970
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = South Vietnam
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|South Vietnam|naval}}
| Ship name = RVNS ''My Tho''
| Ship namesake = [[Mỹ Tho]]
| Ship acquired = 12 October 1970
| Ship commissioned = 
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship struck = 
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship reclassified = 
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship identification = HQ-800
| Ship fate = Transferred to the [[Philippines]], 5 April 1976
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = Philippines
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Philippines|naval}}
| Ship name = BRP ''Sierra Madre''
| Ship namesake = [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre]]
| Ship acquired = 5 April 1976
| Ship commissioned = 
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship struck = 
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship reclassified = 
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship identification = LT-57
| Ship fate =
* Deliberately grounded 1999 at [[Second Thomas Shoal]] ([[South China Sea]]). Remains in commission as a forward outport.<ref>{{cite news|title=BRP Sierra Madre remains as PHL outpost in Ayungin Shoal despite sorry state|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353636/news/specialreports/brp-sierra-madre-remains-as-phl-outpost-in-ayungin-shoal-despite-sorry-state|access-date=19 May 2014|newspaper=GMA Online|date=22 March 2014}}</ref> 
* {{coord|9|47|27.4|N|115|51|23.7|E}}
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}}
| Ship displacement = *{{convert|1625|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} light
*{{convert|4080|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full
| Ship length = {{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = *''Unloaded'' :
*{{convert|2|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on}} forward
*{{convert|7|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} aft
*''Loaded'' :
*{{convert|8|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} forward
*{{convert|14|ft|1|in|m|abbr=on}} aft
| Ship depth = 
| Ship propulsion = 2 × [[General Motors]] [[EMD 567|12-567]] [[diesel engine]]s, two shafts, twin rudders
| Ship speed = {{convert|12|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = 
| Ship boats = 2 [[LCVP (United States)|LCVP]]s
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship troops = 16 officers, 147 enlisted men
| Ship complement = 7 officers, 104 enlisted men
| Ship armament = *1 × single [[3"/50 caliber gun]]
*8 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm guns]]
*12 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20&nbsp;mm]] guns
| Ship armor = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
'''BRP ''Sierra Madre'' (LT-57)''' is an {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}} that is an active duty<ref name="reutersPhilippinesReinforcing">{{cite web |author=Mogato |first=Manuel |date=14 July 2015 |title=Exclusive: Philippines reinforcing rusting ship on Spratly reef outpost – sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-philippines-shoal-exclu/exclusive-philippines-reinforcing-rusting-ship-on-spratly-reef-outpost-sources-idUSKCN0PN2HN20150714 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417124746/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-philippines-shoal-exclu/exclusive-philippines-reinforcing-rusting-ship-on-spratly-reef-outpost-sources-idUSKCN0PN2HN20150714 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=21 October 2018 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> commissioned vessel under the [[Philippine Navy]].<ref name="nytimesWarship">{{cite news |last1=Elemia |first1=Camille |title=How a Decaying Warship Beached on a Tiny Shoal Provoked China’s Ire |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/world/asia/philippines-sierra-madre-south-china-sea.html |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref name="abcFlashpointChinaPhilippines">{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Will |title=Why a dilapidated wreck has become a flashpoint for conflict between China and the Philippines |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-10/south-china-sea-wreck-sierra-madre-shipwreck-philippines-spratly/102710174 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=August 10, 2023}}</ref> 

Originally known as '''USS ''LST-821''''', it was renamed to '''USS ''Harnett County'' (LST-821/AGP-281)''',  built for the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. She was named for [[Harnett County, North Carolina]] and was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. She served the United States Navy in World War II and the [[Vietnam War]]. She was transferred to [[South Vietnam]]'s [[Republic of Vietnam Navy]], which named her '''RVNS ''My Tho'' (HQ-800)'''.

After the Vietnam War, ''Harnett County'' was transferred to the Philippine Navy, which named her ''BRP Sierra Madre''. In 1999, the Philippine government deliberately had her run aground on [[Second Thomas Shoal|Ayungin Shoal]] in the [[Spratly Islands]] to serve as an outpost of the [[Philippine Marine Corps]] to affirm the Philippines' [[exclusive economic zone]] amid its [[Philippines and the Spratly Islands#Other islands and reefs|dispute with China over the Spratly Islands]], and she still serves such function {{as of|2024|lc=on}}.

==United States Navy==
USS ''LST-821'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 19 September 1944 at [[Evansville, Indiana]] by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company. The ship was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 27 October 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Hugh Robertson, Sr.. ''LST-821'' was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 22 November 1944.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-11-19 |title=The Measure of the Sierra Madre |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/february/measure-sierra-madre |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}</ref>

=== World War II ===
During World War II, ''LST-821'' was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater, spending most of the remainder of World War II ferrying supplies around Western Pacific ports like [[Enewetak Atoll|Eniwetok]], [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]], [[Iejima]], [[Ulithi]], and [[Guam]] in advance of the planned [[Operation Downfall|invasion of the Japanese home islands]]. ''LST-821'' earned one [[battle star]] for her World War II service. Following Japan's surrender in September 1945, the ship supported the occupation of the country. On 11 December she sailed back to the United States where she was decommissioned and placed into reserve on 8 July 1946.<ref name=":0" />

On 1 July 1955 all remaining LSTs were given names of [[County (United States)|U.S. counties]]; ''LST-821'' was named USS ''Harnett County'' (LST-821).<ref name=":0" />

=== Vietnam War ===
[[File:UH-1E HAL-4 LST-821 Oct1967.jpg|left|thumb|A [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1E "Huey"]] lands on the flight deck of ''Harnett County'' in the [[Mekong Delta]] in October 1967.]]
Recommissioned on 20 August 1966 at the [[Mare Island Navy Yard]], [[Vallejo, California]],{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} ''Harnett County'' saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. Along with the other tank landing ships ''[[USS Garrett County|Garrett County]], [[USS Hunterdon County|Hunterdon County]],'' and ''[[USS Jennings County|Jennings County]], Harnett County'' was updated to be a floating base in the Mekong Delta as part of the [[Mobile Riverine Force]]. As part of this refit, the ship was equipped with a landing area and maintenance facilities for [[Bell UH-1 Iroquois|UH-1B Seawolf]] gunships, [[Patrol Boat, River|patrol boat]] (PBR) mooring facilities, and more modern communications equipment. The ship would support ten PBRs and two gunships, and could provide close fire support with its 40mm guns. ''Harnett County'' reported for this role on 12 January 1967 and was redesignated as [[Patrol Craft Tender]] (AGP-821) for the duration of its service, until late 1969. On 12 October 1970, the ship was decommissioned in Guam.<ref name=":0" />

Over the course of her service in Vietnam, the crew of ''Harnett County'' was awarded two [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citations]] for "extraordinary heroism" and "superb" performance. The ship also received an additional nine battle stars and three [[Navy Unit Commendation]]s.<ref name=":0" />

==Republic of Vietnam Navy==
[[File:DiSD4 03 07.jpg|alt=View looking forward from the bridge of the HQ-800 with many refugees and tents visible on deck.|thumb|''My Tho'' carrying Vietnamese refugees to [[Subic Bay]] after the [[Fall of Saigon]]|left]]
The United States transferred ''Harnett County'' to the [[Republic of Vietnam Navy]] under the [[Foreign Military Sales|Security Assistance Program]] on 12 October 1970 and renamed RVNS ''My Tho'' (HQ-800). ''My Tho'' would continue to serve in the riverine war until April 1975. At that point, the [[fall of Saigon]] was seen as inevitable.<ref name=":0" />

During the fall of the South Vietnamese capital, ''My Tho'' was fully loaded with more than 3,000 refugees from the city and set sail downriver towards the sea. She joined a fleet of other South Vietnamese ships to rendezvous with [[USS Kirk|USS ''Kirk'']] (DE-1087). The situation aboard the ship was desperate, with food and medical supplies running so low that a helicopter left the ship and landed aboard ''Kirk'' in order to resupply. The flotilla arrived at [[Subic Bay]] in the [[Philippines]] where the refugees were disembarked. In exchange for the assistance in harboring the South Vietnamese, the United States brokered an agreement by which it would ensure that all operable ships moored at Subic Bay would transfer ownership to the Philippines.<ref name=":0" />

==Philippine Navy==
The ship sat moored at Subic Bay for nearly a full year. The Philippine Navy officially acquired the ship on 5 April 1976 and renamed her BRP ''Dumagat'' (AL-57). She was quickly renamed again to BRP ''Sierra Madre'' (LT-57) after the [[Sierra Madre (Philippines)|Sierra Madre mountain range]]. The ship continued to operate as an amphibious transport for the next decades through the 1990s.<ref name=":0" />

=== Spratly Islands dispute ===
{{Main|Spratly Islands dispute}}
In 1999, the Philippine Navy intentionally ran her aground on the [[Second Thomas Shoal]] in order to maintain the Philippines' territorial claim in the area. Since then a detachment of [[Philippine Marine Corps|Filipino marines]] have been continuously stationed on board ''Sierra Madre'' to provide a military presence at the site. The Chinese coast guard frequently patrols the area and attempts to prevent the monthly resupply of these Filipino marines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cupin |first=Bea |date=2024-03-12 |title=DFA fumes as China makes public ‘sensitive details,’ including Duterte-era deal |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/dfa-statement-article-china-reveals-sensitive-details-including-duterte-administration-deal/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Rappler}}</ref> In 2013, ''[[The New York Times]]'' visited the site and reported on the life of the handful of marines stationed there, and the vessel's role in the [[geopolitics]] of the South China Sea. It was inferred that ''Sierra Madre'' would never sail again, but had gained importance due to her role as an outpost in the [[Spratly Islands dispute]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A Game of Shark and Minnow |access-date=25 October 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/27/south-china-sea/ |work= The New York Times|date=24 October 2013 |last1=Himmelman |first1=Jeff |last2=Gilbertson |first2=Ashley }}</ref>
[[File:CCGV 5201 Shadowing of BRP Malapascua.jpg|left|thumb|A [[China Coast Guard]] (foreground) vessel off [[Second Thomas Shoal]], where BRP ''Sierra Madre'' (background) was grounded.]]
On 11 March 2014, the Philippine government protested to the Chinese [[chargé d'affaires]] in Manila that the Chinese Coast Guard had on 9 March prevented two civilian vessels hired by the Philippine Navy from exchanging personnel on, and delivering supplies to the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>[http://globalnation.inquirer.net/100173/dfa-issues-protest-on-chinas-expulsion-of-ph-ships-2 "Philippines protests Ayungin Shoal incident"], ''Inquirer'', accessed 13 March 2014.</ref> This was the first time that Chinese forces had interfered with resupply. On 13 March, the Philippines conducted an aerial resupply mission to the marines.<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/philippines-drops-food-to/1033960.html "Philippines drops food to troops after China 'blockade'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313182424/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/philippines-drops-food-to/1033960.html |date=13 March 2014 }}, ''Channel News Asia'', accessed 13 March 2014.</ref> On 1 April 2014, the Philippine Navy succeeded in getting a fishing boat with resupply and replacement marines past the Chinese blockade.<ref>[http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140401000062&cid=1101 "Philippine sailors gloat as China fails to block Sierra Madre supply run"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407130608/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140401000062&cid=1101 |date=7 April 2014 }}, ''China Times''.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/103076/afp-uses-couriers-to-foil-china-spies |title=AFP uses couriers to foil China spies |last1=Dizon |first1=Nikko |date=29 April 2014 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref>

In September 2014, [[Rupert Wingfield-Hayes]], reporting for the [[BBC]], visited ''Sierra Madre'' which remained blockaded by the Chinese coastguard. At this time supplies for the garrison of 11 Filipino marines were dropped by air. The ship was described as in a poor condition: "The ship's sides are peppered with massive holes. Waves slosh through them right into the ship's hold."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/2014/newsspec_8701/index.html |title= China's Island Factory |publisher=BBC News |date=9 September 2014 |access-date=26 January 2015}}</ref>

In July 2015, [[Philippine Navy]] spokesman Colonel Edgardo Arevalo said that they were doing maintenance repair on the ship to ensure its minimum habitability.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Agence France-Presse |title=PH repairs crumbling South China Sea ship outpost |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126107/ph-repairs-crumbling-south-china-sea-ship-outpost |work=Inquirer |access-date=4 May 2016|date=15 July 2015}}</ref>

In November 2021, Chinese Coast Guard ships blocked two civilian boats resupplying the vessel.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-19|title=Chinese ships harass PH boats in Ayungin|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/11/18/news/china-coast-guard-blocks-ph-boats-in-disputed-sea/1822710|access-date=2021-11-23|website=The Manila Times|language=en}}</ref> 

On February 6, 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard used what the Philippines Navy described as a military grade laser to temporarily blind crew.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Feliz |date=2023-02-13 |title=Philippines Says Chinese Ship Flashed Military-Grade Laser to Disrupt Coast Guard Mission |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/philippines-says-chinese-ship-flashed-military-grade-laser-to-disrupt-coast-guard-mission-a7c2228 |access-date=2023-08-17 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> On 6 August 2023, Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannon at a Philippine Coast Guard ship resupplying the ''Sierra Madre''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philippines tells China it will not abandon post in disputed reef |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-philippines-south-china-sea-warship-water-cannon-3682521 |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> Increased encounters with Chinese patrols has coincided with a change in foreign policy from Philippines President [[Bongbong Marcos]] who has increased cooperation with the US military. In February 2023, he announced an expansion of the [[Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Feliz |title=Water Cannons and Lasers: South China Sea Standoff Around World War II-Era Ship Heats Up |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/china/water-cannons-and-lasers-south-china-sea-standoff-around-world-war-ii-era-ship-heats-up-6d24d8d0 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2023, repairs and retrofitting to the BRP ''Sierra Madre'' started. The Philippine government aimed to improve the living conditions inside the ship by repairing the existing sleeping quarters, adding a modern kitchen, and access to the internet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Vince |date=2023-10-20 |title=Repairs on BRP Sierra Madre start |url=https://manilastandard.net/news/314381977/repairs-on-brp-sierra-madre-start.html |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Manila Standard |language=en-US}}</ref>{{update after|2023|12}}<!-- and then what happened?  after Oct 2023.  Were the repairs made? -->

==Citations==
{{Commons category|LST-821 Harnett County (ship, 1944)}}
{{DANFS|https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/lst-821.html}}

{{reflist}}

==References==

* {{cite magazine|last=Bulban |first=Erwin J. | title=Navy Using Armed Helicopters in Vietnam|magazine=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]|date=20 May 1968|volume= 88|issue= 21 |pages= 69–76|url= http://archive.aviationweek.com/issue/19680520/#!&pid=69|url-access=registration }}
* {{cite web|title=LST-821 / AGP-821 ''Harnett County''|work=Amphibious Photo Archive|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160821.htm|access-date=15 June 2007}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite news |last=Elemia |first=Camille |date=2023-11-11 |title=How a Decaying Warship Beached on a Tiny Shoal Provoked China's Ire |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/world/asia/philippines-sierra-madre-south-china-sea.html |access-date=2023-11-12}}

{{Philippine Navy ships}}
{{LST-542 class tank landing ship|800}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sierra Madre}}
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Evansville, Indiana]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Vietnam War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Republic of Vietnam Navy]]
[[Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Philippine Navy]]
[[Category:Harnett County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships of the Philippine Navy]]