USS Coconino County (LST-603), originally USS LST-603, was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II and in commission from 1944 to 1955 and from 1966 to 1969. Named after Coconino County, Arizona, she was the only U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name.

USS LST-603
History
United States
NameUSS LST-603
BuilderChicago Bridge & Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down5 November 1943
Launched14 March 1944
Commissioned5 April 1944
Decommissioned12 May 1955
Recommissioned8 June 1966
Decommissioned1969
RenamedUSS Coconino County (LST-603), 1 July 1955
Honors and
awards
FateTransferred to South Vietnam, 4 April 1969
South Vietnam
NameRVNS Vung Tau (HQ-503)
Acquired4 April 1969
FateUnknown
VietnamSocialist Republic of Vietnam
Acquired30 April 1975
IdentificationHull symbol: HQ-503
FateActive in service as of 2003
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 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
Troopsapprox. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement8–10 officers, 100–115 enlisted sailors
Armament

LST 603 featured in a WW2 movie the LST story produced by the coast guard.[1]

Construction and commission

edit

LST-603 was laid down on 5 November 1943 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. Her Ship naming and launching was on 14 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Etla N. Hobart, and commissioned on 5 April 1944.

First period in commission, 1944–1955

edit

During World War II, LST-603 was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. She participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August and September 1944.

Following the war, she served in the Amphibious Force, United States Atlantic Fleet, including one deployment to the Mediterranean in 1950. She was decommissioned on 12 May 1955. On 1 July 1955, while out of commission, she was renamed USS Coconino County (LST-603).

Second period in commission, 1966–1969

edit

Coconino County was recommissioned on 8 June 1966 for Vietnam War service, and operated in the Vietnam theater from 1966 until she was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Navy on 4 April 1969.

South Vietnamese service

edit

In South Vietnamese service, she served as RVNS "Vung Tau" (HQ-503). South Vietnam collapsed in April 1975, where she was taken over by the Vietnam People's Navy and continues to be used as a training vessel.

Capture by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

edit

Captured by the North Vietnamese around the time of the fall of Saigon, the ship was placed in service with the Vietnamese People's Navy

Awards and honors

edit

LST-603 received one battle star for World War II service, and Coconino County received six campaign stars and two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for Vietnam War service.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ LST STORY - Landing Ship Tanks 8023a, retrieved 18 October 2023

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