USS Garfield County (LST-784) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

History
United States
NameUSS LST-784
BuilderDravo Corporation, Pittsburgh
Laid down18 June 1944
Launched29 July 1944
Commissioned1 September 1944
DecommissionedMarch 1946
RenamedUSS Garfield County (LST-784), 1 July 1955
Honours and
awards
2 battle stars (World War II)
FateUnknown
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 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
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 LCVPs
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament

LST-784 was laid down on 18 June 1944 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 29 July 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Michael Ruzic; and commissioned on 1 September 1944.

Service history

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During World War II, LST-784 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima in February and March, 1945 and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April through June, 1945. Following the war, LST-784 performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-September 1945. She was decommissioned in March 1946 and assigned to the Columbia River Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. On 1 July 1955, the ship was redesignated USS Garfield County (LST-784). Her final fate is unknown.

LST-784 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

See also

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References

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

  • "LST-784". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
  • "LST-784 Garfield County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 15 June 2007.