USS Chittenden County (LST-561)

USS Chittenden County (LST-561), originally USS LST-561, was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Later named for Chittenden County, Vermont, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Forward port quarter view of USS Chittenden County (LST-561) in the Mare Island channel, 9 April 1957. Chittenden County was under repair at Mare Island from 31 January to 9 April
History
United States
Name: USS LST-561, later USS Chittenden County
Namesake: Chittenden County, Vermont
Builder: Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana
Laid down: 24 February 1944
Launched: 25 April 1944
Sponsored by: Miss Marie Meier
Commissioned: 15 May 1944
Decommissioned: 30 April 1946
Recommissioned: 18 September 1950
Decommissioned: 2 June 1958
Renamed: USS Chittenden County (LST-561), 1 July 1955
Stricken: 27 June 1958
Honours and
awards:
Fate: Sunk as a target, 21 October 1958
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 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:
Troops: 16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement: 7 officers, 104 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

LST-561 was laid down on 24 February 1944 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company; launched on 25 April 1944. sponsored by Miss Marie Meier; and commissioned on 15 May 1944.

Service history

During World War II, LST-561 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. She was decommissioned on 30 April 1946.

Due to the outbreak of the Korean War, the ship was recommissioned on 18 September 1950 and assigned to Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. She participated in the United Nations effort in Korea and performed services in the Far East, the Arctic, and off the United States West Coast. On 1 July 1955 she was redesignated USS Chittenden County (LST-561). The tank landing ship was decommissioned again on 2 June 1958.

Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 27 June 1958, Chittenden County was sunk as a target south of Oahu, Hawaii on 21 October 1958.

LST-561 earned one battle star for World War II service and two for Korean War service.

References
  • This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
  • "LST-561". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 11 May 2007.
  • "LST-561 Chittenden County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 11 May 2007.

See also


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