USS Esmeraldo County (LST-761) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after an erroneous spelling of Esmeralda County, Nevada, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-761
History
United States
NameUSS LST-761
BuilderAmerican Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Laid down18 June 1944
Launched7 August 1944
Commissioned2 September 1944
Decommissioned16 July 1946
RenamedUSS Esmeraldo County (LST-761), 1 July 1955
Honours and
awards
1 battle star (World War II)
FateSunk as a target, 1959
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-761 was laid down on 18 June 1944 at Ambridge, Pennsylvania by the American Bridge Company; launched on 7 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. H. A. Brainerd; and commissioned on 2 September 1944.

Service history

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During World War II, LST-761 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima in February and March, 1945. The Coast Guard crew was removed in March, 1946 and the ship was assigned to the Columbia River Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet; she was decommissioned on 16 July 1946. On 1 July 1955 the ship was named USS Esmeraldo County (LST-761). Esmeraldo County was sunk as a target in 1959.

LST-761 earned one battle star 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-761". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  • "LST-761 Esmeraldo County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
 
LST-761 and LST-969 moored at pier side at San Diego, California on 4 October 1945.