View source for USS Luzerne County

{{Short description|U.S. Naval ship built during World War II}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
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{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = [[Image:Luzerne County LST-902.jpg|300px|USS Luzerne County (LST-902) underway on the Mekong River, Vietnam, 1968]]
| Ship caption = USS ''Luzerne County'' (LST-902) underway on the [[Mekong River]], Vietnam, 1968
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = United States
| Ship flag = {{USN flag|1969}}
| Ship name = USS ''LST-902''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = [[Dravo Corporation]], [[Pittsburgh]]
| Ship laid down = 5 November 1944
| Ship launched = 16 December 1944
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship commissioned = 15 January 1945
| Ship decommissioned = 3 August 1946
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = yes
| Ship recommissioned = 18 January 1952
| Ship decommissioned = 30 November 1955
| Ship renamed = USS ''Luzerne County'' (LST-902), 1 July 1955
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = yes
| Ship recommissioned = 15 April 1963
| Ship decommissioned = 12 August 1970=
| Ship out of service = 
| Ship reclassified = 
| Ship struck = 12 August 1970
| Ship reinstated = 
| Ship homeport = 
| Ship motto = 
| Ship nickname = 
| Ship honors = *2 [[battle star]]s (Korea)
*10 [[campaign star]]s (Vietnam)
| Ship fate = Barge in Mexico
| Ship notes = Everything above her deck like her bridge have been removed in Mexico, 2007.
}}
{{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 troops = Approximately 130 officers and enlisted men
| Ship complement = 8–10 officers, 89–100 enlisted men
| Ship armament = *8 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm guns]]
*12 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm guns]]
| Ship armor = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
'''USS ''Luzerne County'' (LST-902)''' was an {{sclass|LST-542|tank landing ship}} built for the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Named after [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]], she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as ''LST-902'' by the [[Dravo Corporation]] of [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania on 5 November 1944; the ship was launched on 16 December 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Michael Grom; and commissioned at [[Algiers, Louisiana]] on 15 January 1945.

==World War II==
After shakedown off the Florida coast, ''LST-902'' departed [[New Orleans]] on 16 February for the Pacific. She reached [[San Pedro, Los Angeles]], on 13 March; thence, steaming via San Francisco, she arrived [[Maui]], [[Hawaiian Islands]] on 31 March. She participated in amphibious training during the next two months. After embarking troops and loading cargo, she cleared [[Pearl Harbor]] on 18 June for the western Pacific. ''LST-902'' touched at [[Eniwetok]] and [[Saipan]] before arriving [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] on 28 July as part of a 70-ship convoy. She discharged troops and cargo and on 5 August departed for Saipan where she remained until following the [[Surrender of Japan|Japanese surrender]].

She sailed to the Philippines early in September and during the rest of the month operated in Leyte Gulf and along the western coast of Luzon. Departing Subic Bay on 4 October, she carried occupation troops to Japan where she arrived at Yokohama on 17 October. Between 28 October and 4 November ''LST-902'' steamed to Guam where she embarked 603 war veterans before sailing for the United States. She touched at Pearl Harbor on 27 November, and arrived San Diego on 14 December. After sailing to San Francisco the 19th, she underwent a three-month overhaul before sailing for the Columbia River on 25 April 1946. During the next three months she based at [[Astoria, Oregon|Astoria]] and [[Portland, Oregon]] and at [[Vancouver, Washington]]. She decommissioned at Portland on 3 August 1946 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

==Korean War==
''LST-902'' recommissioned at Astoria on 18 January 1952. After completing shakedown and training operations along the Pacific coast, she departed San Diego for the Far East on 31 July. Steaming via Pearl Harbor and Midway, she reached Yokosuka, Japan, on 15 September and began supply runs in support of American naval and military operations in Korea. She operated along the Japanese coast and between Japanese and South Korean ports to bolster the movement of men and supplies to the war-torn peninsula.

Departing Yokosuka on 27 April 1953, ''LST-902'' steamed via Pearl Harbor to the west coast where she arrived San Diego on 23 May. Between 31 July and 25 August she carried elements of the [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]] to Japan; and, after returning to San Diego on 2 October, underwent overhaul at Alameda the remainder of the year.

''LST-902'' departed San Diego on 27 March 1954 to resume duty in the Far East. She arrived Yokosuka on 26 April and over the next five months operated on supply and training runs out of Yokosuka to Okinawa, South Korea, and Japanese coastal ports. On 8 October she sailed for [[French Indochina]] where she arrived [[Hai Phong]] on 17 October to support the French withdrawal and "[[Operation Passage to Freedom]]" from North Vietnam. Between 21 October and 11 November she completed four runs out of Hai Phong, carrying French troops and equipment to [[Da Nang]] and [[Saigon]]. After steaming to the Philippines in mid-November, she departed Subic Bay for Japan on 5 December and reached Yokosuka via Hong Kong the 22nd.

The veteran LST cleared [[Tokyo Bay]] on 17 January 1955. After arriving San Diego on 13 February, she operated along the Pacific coast during the next four months, and from 24 to 30 June she steamed to Seattle, Washington. Named '''USS ''Luzerne County'' (LST-902)''' on 1 July, she underwent deactivation overhaul; and, after sailing to Astoria, Oregon, on 29 August, she decommissioned there on 30 November to rejoin the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

==Dominican Republic==
''Luzerne County'' recommissioned in reserve at [[Stockton, California]] on 29 March 1963 for activation prior to service with the Atlantic Fleet. She joined the active list on 15 April and, following shakedown and type training out of San Diego, she departed for the east coast on 24 May and reached [[Little Creek, Virginia]] on 19 June. Assigned to ResLSTRon 2, ''Luzerne County'' trained Naval Reserve units out of Little Creek during the rest of 1963 and throughout 1964. This important duty sent the LST on training and readiness cruises along the Atlantic coast from Long Island Sound to the [[Straits of Florida]].

After completing a run to Florida waters and back early in 1965, she joined naval forces operating to stabilize a [[1965 United States occupation of the Dominican Republic|crisis in the Dominican Republic]]. On 10 May ''Luzerne County'' steamed to Norfolk where she embarked troops and loaded equipment for shipment to the Dominican Republic. Departing 12 May, she reached [[Puerto de Andres]] on 19 May and debarked units of peacekeeping force. She returned to Little Creek, on 26 May. During the remainder of the year she made numerous runs between the United States and the Dominican Republic, shuttling troops, support equipment, and military cargo from [[Southport, North Carolina]], to Santo Domingo and to [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]. She completed her final run from Santo Domingo to Southport on 14 December and reached Little Creek two days later.

==Vietnam War==
[[Image:Clive Steele AV-1356 with Luzerne County LST-902.jpg|thumb|300px|The ex-[[USS LSM-547|LSM-547]] in Australian service as [[AV1356 Clive Steele|AV1356 ''Clive Steele'']] with USS ''Luzerne County'' (LST-902) and an unidentified LST beached at a ramp in South Vietnam, ''c.'' 1969.]]
Late in December ''Luzerne County'' was assigned to duty in the Pacific in support of naval operations in Southeast Asia. Departing Norfolk on 19 January 1966, she loaded an [[Landing Craft Utility|LCU]] at Charleston; transited the [[Panama Canal]] on 1 February; touched at Pearl Harbor and Subic Bay; and arrived Saigon on 21 April. There she offloaded the LCU before steaming to Da Nang the next day. During the next two weeks she operated in the South China Sea and took part in freeing SS ''Excellency'', an American merchant freighter, from a reef on [[Triton Island]] in the Paracels. Although damaged during salvage operations, ''Luzerne County'' carried the merchantman's cargo of ammunition to [[Bangkok]], Thailand, where she arrived on 16 May; thence, she steamed to [[United States Fleet Activities Sasebo|Sasebo, Japan]] for repairs and overhaul. Departing Sasebo on 2 July, ''Luzerne County'' resumed supply runs to South Vietnamese ports in support of the American war effort. During July, August, and September she carried military stores from Okinawa to [[Nha Be District|Nhà Bè]], [[Vũng Tàu]], and [[Nha Trang]], and during the next two months she hauled cement from [[Kaohsiung|Kaohsiung, Taiwan]] to [[Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm|Phan Rang]]. After departing [[Cam Ranh Bay]] on 26 November, she returned to Sasebo via Okinawa on 13 December.

She returned to South Vietnam early in 1967, and during February, March, and April she shuttled cargo to South Vietnamese ports. She operated out of Sasebo during much of May, but on 4 June she returned to Da Nang. While at Da Nang, she was ordered to Triton Island to aid an American merchantman that had grounded on the islands surrounding reef. While working alongside, ''Luzerne County'' was damaged when a sudden swell caused the ships to roll together. As soon as possible, she sailed for Sasebo to undergo repairs. Upon completion of repairs, she spent the remainder of the year hauling supplies to Vietnam from Taiwan and Okinawa. Excluding periods of upkeep and refresher training, ''Luzerne County'' remained in this capacity until 1969.

During the first part of 1970, ''Luzerne County'' was part of [[Landing Ship Squadron 2]] ([[LANSHIPRON2]]) which in turn was part of the [[Mobile Riverine Force]]. Operating out of Vũng Tàu, her mission was "Armed Logistic Support" where she was utilized to resupply U.S. Army bases in the Mekong Delta. She had her last combat incident in April 1970, where she went to general quarters in response to hostile fire in the vicinity of [[Đồng Tâm Base Camp]]. This incident resulted in injury to one member of the crew. Later she went to Bangkok, Thailand before returning for one last mission in Vietnam.

''Luzerne County'' departed the Mekong Delta for Da Nang at the end of April 1970 along with the other three ships of [[LANSHIPRON2]], the {{USS|Monmouth County|LST-1032|6}}, {{USS|Iredell County|LST-839|}} and {{USS|Clarke County|LST-601|6}}.  All four ships then began a six-week voyage from Da Nang to Guam, Pearl Harbor, [[San Diego]] and finally to the mothball fleet in [[Vallejo, California|Vallejo]] after which they were removed from active service.

Decommissioned (date unknown), she was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] on 12 August 1970.

She was spotted in [[Northeastern Pennsylvania|North Eastern Pennsylvania]] in 2006 by locals. She was also spotted in [[San Diego]] near [[Ensenada, Baja California|Ensenada, Mexico]] area. All of the things above the ship's deck has been stripped and removed in Mexico as of 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dennis Oliver's Photos – The Mobile Riverine Force Association|url=https://www.mrfa.org/photos-poetry-and-stories/member-photos/dennis-olivers-photos/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

Her original 75-year-old bell now sits outside the front entrance of Building 15, Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Barstow, California where it has been there for past 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=For whom the bell tolls|url=http://www.mclbbarstow.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/9411/Article/1798581/for-whom-the-bell-tolls.aspx|website=Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

==Awards==

* [[Combat Action Ribbon]]
* [[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] with 2 awards
* [[American Campaign Medal]]
* [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal|Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]
* [[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War 2 Victory Medal]]
* [[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] with "Asia" clasp
* [[National Defense Service Medal]] with 2 awards
* [[Korean Service Medal]] with 2 awards
* [[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
* [[Vietnam Service Medal]] with 10 awards
* [[Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam)|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation]] with 7 awards
* [[United Nations Korea Medal|United Nation Service Medal]]
* [[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
* [[Korean War Service Medal|Republic of Korea War Service Medal]] (retroactive)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{DANFS}}
* {{cite web|title=''Luzerne County''|work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l33/luzerne_county.htm|access-date=1 August 2007}}
* {{cite web|title=LST-902 ''Luzerne County''|work=Amphibious Photo Archive
|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160902.htm|access-date=1 August 2007}}

{{LST-542 class tank landing ship|900}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Luzerne County (Lst-902)}}
[[Category:LST-542-class tank landing ships]]
[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Korean War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Vietnam War amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]
[[Category:Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Ships built in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Dravo Corporation]]