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USS Windham County (LST-1170)
Encyclopedia
USS Windham County (LST-1170), previously USS LST-1170, was a United States Navy
landing ship tank (LST) in commission from 1954 to 1973 which saw service in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific and served in the Vietnam War.
, Wisconsin
. She was launched on 22 May 1954, sponsored by Mrs. Joseph McCarthy
, and commissioned
on 15 December 1954 with Lieutenant Commander
Max Wells in command.
at Virginia Beach
, Virginia
, in January 1955. Following shakedown and type training, she was renamed USS Windham County (LST-1170) on 1 July 1955 and spent much of July and August 1955 in more training exercises. She then helped to support Operation Caesar, an underwater surveillance project, which lasted through the end of 1955.
On 21 February 1956, Windham County reported to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
at Portsmouth
, Virginia, for overhaul and conversion.
From January 1957 to mid-March 1957, Windham County operated off the Virginia Capes
area. On 14 March 1957, after a brief stop at Davisville
, Rhode Island
, Windham County proceeded to the Caribbean
for operations off Barbados
. Upon returning to Little Creek on 1 April 1957, she operated from there until 2 May 1957, when she was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea
for a tour of duty with the United States Sixth Fleet. During the cruise, she made stops at Tangier
, Morocco
; Spain
; Malta
; Italy
; and Gibraltar
. She returned to Davisville on 1 October 1957, then headed for Little Creek, arriving there on 18 October 1957.
Windham County got underway for the Caribbean on 14 November 1957 for exercises. After returning to Little Creek on 26 November 1957, she ended 1957 undergoing routine upkeep.
and arrived at San Diego
, California
, on 27 January 1958. Following some four months of operations on the United States West Coast, she sailed for the Western Pacific (WestPac) on 6 June 1958, touched at Pearl Harbor
, Hawaii
, and arrived in Yokosuka, Japan
, for a six-month deployment. While lifting United States Marine Corps
units and cargo
, she visited Kure
, Kobe
, Yokohama
, and Sasebo
, Japan; Subic Bay
in the Philippines
; Okinawa; Formosa
; South Korea
; and Hong Kong
.
Windham County returned to San Diego on 10 December 1958. The ship engaged in three full-scale amphibious warfare
exercises the first half of 1959. She then operated along the southern California coast until 28 November 1959 when she headed north, arriving at San Francisco
, California, on 1 December 1959.
Following a two-month overhaul, Windham County returned to San Diego and spent the late winter and early spring of 1960 in intensive refresher training. The ship prepared for a change of her home port from San Diego to Yokosuka, where she was to become a unit of Landing Ship Tank Division 92 of Landing Ship Squadron 9. On 16 June 1960, the ship departed San Diego, and she arrived at Yokosuka on 19 July 1960.
In September 1960, Windham County received notice that she and landing ship tank USS Whitfield County (LST-1169)
would participate in a United Nations
troop lift from Malaya
to the Republic of the Congo
. The two ships rendezvoused at Okinawa, then on 26 September 1960 departed for Singapore
, where they arrived on 30 September 1960. Departing Singapore on 3 October 1960, the two ships arrived at Port Swettenham, Malaya, on 4 October 1960, where Windham County embarked 300 Malayan troops. The ships then steamed for 27 consecutive days, crossing the Indian Ocean
, rounding the Cape of Good Hope
on 22 October 1960, and navigating 82 nautical miles (150 kilometers) up the Congo River
, before arriving at Matadi
, Republic of the Congo, on 31 October 1960. They departed Matadi on 2 November 1960 and arrived at Cape Town
, South Africa
, on 11 November 1960. They then visited Singapore and Hong Kong before returning to Yokosuka on 20 December I960, where Windham County spent the rest of the year.
On 4 January 1961, Windham County stood out to sea to carry Marine Corps troops from Iwakuni, Japan, to Naval Air Station Cubi Point
, the Philippines. During February 1961, she carried another group of Marines from Okinawa to Numazu, Japan. On 24 March 1961, she began a period of shuttling Marines and equipment between Yokosuka and Okinawa which lasted until early in May 1961. She then participated in Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
(SEATO) Operation Pony Express on North Borneo
in Indonesia
. Upon the completion of this mission, she returned via Subic Bay to Yokosuka, where she arrived on 9 June 1961.
On 1 August 1961, Windham County entered the Ship Repair Facility, Yokosuka, for an overhaul. Beginning on 23 October 1961, she conducted a three-week underway training period, and, on 20 November 1961, she commenced two weeks of amphibious training with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. She then spent the remainder of 1961 at Yokosuka undergoing upkeep.
Windham County sailed on 25 January 1962 for Numazu, Japan, to embark Marines. She took them to Okinawa, before visiting Hong Kong and Subic Bay. Shortly thereafter, she took part in SEATO Operation Tunlungan at Mindoro
, the Philippines, and then reembarked participating troops for transport to Naha and Iwakuni, Japan.
Windham, County visited Bangkok
, Thailand
, in June 1962 and in late July 1962 went to Inchon, South Korea, to pick up United States Army
troops bound for Pohang
, South Korea. Upon completion of that task, she returned to Yokosuka. Runs to Numazu and Naha with troops in October 1962 preceded her return to Yokosuka for upkeep. December 1962 brought her independent ship's exercises and Marine troop lifts from Numazu to Naha.
On 3 January 1963, Windham County got underway for Hong Kong, where she served as a station ship and did much to promote the People-to-People Program. She returned to Yokosuka in February 1963, but left on 2 March 1963 to lift Marines to Taiwan
and then spent the rest of March and most of April 1963 in upkeep in Yokosuka. From May through September 1963, Windham County underwent an overhaul which began in Sasebo and was completed at Yokosuka. October and November 1963 were devoted to underway and refresher training. On 5 December 1963, she headed for Okinawa for type training and a troop lift back to Japan. After unloading her passengers at Numazu, she returned to Yokosuka on 18 December 1963 for an inspection and upkeep period.
Windham County sailed on 2 January 1964 for South Korea to participate in Operation Firehouse, a cold-weather amphibious assault exercise conducted at Chumunjin, South Korea. Late in January 1964 she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep and left on 26 February 1964 to take part in Operation Backpack, a joint American-Taiwanese practice amphibious assault which took place at Che Cheng, Taiwan. She returned to Yokosuka on 26 March 1964 and, from April until June 1964, conducted lifts and training exercises which took her to Taiwan; Iwakuni, Japan; Okinawa; and Hong Kong. On 17 June 1964, Windham County took on Republic of Korea Army
students and carried them to Pusan, South Korea, to observe a demonstration of amphibious and beachhead
staging techniques.
occurred in early August 1964, resulting in a rapid buildup of American forces in South Vietnam
and in nearby waters. Windham County loaded Marines and proceeded to the South China Sea
, where she remained on station from 16 August 1964 to 28 September 1964 and spent 56 continuous days at sea. Windham County returned to Yokosuka on 19 October 1964. She visited Beppu, Japan, from 19 November 1964 to 23 November 1964 and participated in a variety of People-to-People Program activities. She proceeded to Iwakuni, Japan, for special operations which kept her busy until the latter part of December 1964, when she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep.
During January 1965, Windham County was in Yokosuka for upkeep and type training. On 6 February 1965, she left for training at Pohang
, South Korea, but was diverted to Okinawa on 8 February 1965 in a general alert of United States Seventh Fleet
forces. From March through May 1965, she was involved in shuttles of personnel and cargo from Okinawa to Danang, South Vietnam. On 31 May 1965, she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep. Windham, County departed Yokosuka on 23 June 1965 and participated in various lift operations between Okinawa and South Vietnam. Beginning on 5 September 1965, she commenced an overhaul at Yokosuka. Leaving the shipyard
on 12 October 1965, Windham County was engaged in personnel- and cargo-carrying missions along the coast of South Vietnam before returning to Yokosuka on 10 December 1965 for upkeep.
Windham County departed on 6 January 1966 for Naha, Okinawa, and carried out numerous shuttles along the South Vietnamese coast. She arrived in Yokosuka on 5 June 1966 for hull
repairs and, on 1 August 1966, commenced regular yard overhaul in Yokosuka. She began sea trials on 7 December 1966 and ended 1966 with type training and upkeep.
On 4 September 1967, Windham County departed Manila and proceeded to Danang. Upon completion of several missions, she received upkeep in Subic Bay. After departing that base on 4 October 1967, she returned, via Okinawa, to Yokosuka for a short upkeep period. She departed on 29 October 1967 and headed back to South Vietnam. She stopped briefly at Naha en route and also was diverted from her planned course to evade Typhoon Emma
but finally reached Danang on 9 November 1967. From the 10 November 1967 to 16 November 1967, she supported Operation Badger Hunt and then moved to Due Pho to conduct salvage operations for landing ships tank USS Clarke County (LST-601)
and USS Iredell County (LST-839)
, which had run aground there. After Iredell County had been pulled free, Windham County escorted her to Danang. Windham County then returned to Due Pho to provide a ready helicopter
for subsequent operations. During the remainder of her deployment to South Vietnam, she spent most of her time carrying troops, equipment, and mail to support operations ashore. On 27 December 1967, she was detached from these duties and proceeded to Japan.
, Taiwan, on 29 January 1968 to support Exercise Former Champ, a joint United States-Taiwanese amphibious exercise. While in Taiwan, she also participated in amphibious Exercise Final Round. Upon completing these, she headed for Yokosuka on 5 April 1968 and arrived there on 10 April 1968. She promptly began a cycle of upkeep, type training, and inspection.
On 6 June 1968, Windham County left Yokosuka to return, via Okinawa, to South Vietnam to serve as a support ship for Task Group (TG) 117.2 in the Mekong Delta
. She arrived at Wunder Beach, South Vietnam, on 17 June 1968 and unloaded 152 jeep
s there before moving on to Vung Tau
, which she reached on 20 June 1968 and where she began almost two months of duty supporting riverine warfare operations. On 15 August 1968, she set out for Thailand. After a five-day visit to Bangkok, she headed for Japan. However, Typhoon Wendy
prevented her from stopping at Okinawa, and she proceeded to Yokosuka for a period of upkeep, arriving on 24 August 1968. She again departed Yokosuka on 3 October 1968 to return to South Vietnam. After several weeks of action, she reported to Subic Bay on 14 November 1968 for upkeep. She left the Philippines on 5 December 1968 and arrived at Yokosuka on 13 December 1968.
Windham County began 1970 in preparation for overhaul at Yokosuka, which was completed on 7 April 1970. She sailed on 13 April 1970 for South Korea to take part in Operation Golden Dragon
, a joint American-South Korean amphibious exercise. She returned to Yokosuka on 5 May 1970 for upkeep and training. She left Yokosuka on 30 May 1970 and proceeded to the Philippines, arriving at Subic Bay on 13 June 1970 to begin exercises and upkeep. After a brief trip to Hong Kong, she returned to Yokosuka on 20 August 1970. From August through early December 1970, she was involved in shuttles between Okinawa and Japan and routine upkeep and inspection. On 12 December 1970, she got underway for South Vietnam.
Windham County remained in the combat zone for the rest of 1970 and through 23 February 1971, when she was relieved and returned to Yokosuka, arriving on 12 March 1971. From then through 29 July 1971, Windham County was involved in routine shuttles between Okinawa, Numazu, Subic Bay, and Yokosuka. On 29 July 1971, she arrived in South Vietnam and engaged in various operations off the coast. On 7 September 1971, she was relieved and returned to Yokosuka, arriving there on 27 September 1971 to begin a period of restricted availability. Beginning on 9 November 1971, she made several shuttles to Okinawa and Numazu and went to Hong Kong. She was relieved on 17 December 1971 and returned to Yokosuka on 23 December 1971, remaining there for the rest of the year.
Windham County departed Yokosuka in early February 1972 to resume her shuttle operations between Japan, Okinawa, and South Vietnam. In October 1972 she visited Singapore and Bangkok; in November 1972 she stopped in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She returned to Yokosuka in December 1972.
service, Windham County received three Navy Unit Commendation
s, three Meritorious Unit Commendation
s, and 11 battle stars. The battle stars were for:
under the Security Assistance Program began. She was decommissioned
on 1 June 1973 and turned over to the Turkish Navy for use as a training ship. She was renamed Turkish Republic Ship (TCG) Ertugrul (L401).
The United States Navy finally struck Windham County name from the Navy List
on 6 August 1989.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
landing ship tank (LST) in commission from 1954 to 1973 which saw service in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific and served in the Vietnam War.
Construction and commissioning
USS LST-1170 was laid down on 21 April 1953 by the Christy Corporation, Sturgeon BaySturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a city in and the county seat of Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,437 at the 2000 census. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula.-Geography:Sturgeon Bay is...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. She was launched on 22 May 1954, sponsored by Mrs. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy
Joseph Raymond "Joe" McCarthy was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957...
, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 15 December 1954 with Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Max Wells in command.
Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean service
LST-1170 joined the United States Atlantic Fleet at her home port, Naval Amphibious Base Little CreekNaval Amphibious Base Little Creek
The Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek is the major operating base for the Amphibious Forces in the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet. The base comprises four locations in three states, including almost 12,000 acres of real estate. Its Little Creek location in Virginia Beach, Virginia totals...
at Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, in January 1955. Following shakedown and type training, she was renamed USS Windham County (LST-1170) on 1 July 1955 and spent much of July and August 1955 in more training exercises. She then helped to support Operation Caesar, an underwater surveillance project, which lasted through the end of 1955.
On 21 February 1956, Windham County reported to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
at Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
, Virginia, for overhaul and conversion.
From January 1957 to mid-March 1957, Windham County operated off the Virginia Capes
Virginia Capes
The Virginia Capes are the two capes, Cape Charles to the north and Cape Henry to the south, that define the entrance to Chesapeake Bay on the eastern coast of North America....
area. On 14 March 1957, after a brief stop at Davisville
Davisville, Rhode Island
Davisville, Rhode Island was the former home of the U.S. Navy SeaBees. It was located at Quonset Point on Narragansett Bay, an area now included in the town of North Kingstown. The Navy acquired the property in 1939 and built Naval Air Station Quonset Point...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Windham County proceeded to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
for operations off Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. Upon returning to Little Creek on 1 April 1957, she operated from there until 2 May 1957, when she was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
for a tour of duty with the United States Sixth Fleet. During the cruise, she made stops at Tangier
Tangier
Tangier, also Tangiers is a city in northern Morocco with a population of about 700,000 . It lies on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel...
, Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
; Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
; Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
; Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
; and Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. She returned to Davisville on 1 October 1957, then headed for Little Creek, arriving there on 18 October 1957.
Windham County got underway for the Caribbean on 14 November 1957 for exercises. After returning to Little Creek on 26 November 1957, she ended 1957 undergoing routine upkeep.
Pacific service
In January 1958, Windham County transited the Panama CanalPanama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
and arrived at San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, on 27 January 1958. Following some four months of operations on the United States West Coast, she sailed for the Western Pacific (WestPac) on 6 June 1958, touched at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, and arrived in Yokosuka, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, for a six-month deployment. While lifting United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
units and cargo
Cargo
Cargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
, she visited Kure
Kure, Hiroshima
is a city in Hiroshima prefecture, Japan.As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 240,820 and a population density of 681 persons per km². The total area is 353.74 km².- History :...
, Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
, Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, and Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
, Japan; Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
; Okinawa; Formosa
Formosa
Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...
; South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
; and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Windham County returned to San Diego on 10 December 1958. The ship engaged in three full-scale amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
exercises the first half of 1959. She then operated along the southern California coast until 28 November 1959 when she headed north, arriving at San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, California, on 1 December 1959.
Following a two-month overhaul, Windham County returned to San Diego and spent the late winter and early spring of 1960 in intensive refresher training. The ship prepared for a change of her home port from San Diego to Yokosuka, where she was to become a unit of Landing Ship Tank Division 92 of Landing Ship Squadron 9. On 16 June 1960, the ship departed San Diego, and she arrived at Yokosuka on 19 July 1960.
In September 1960, Windham County received notice that she and landing ship tank USS Whitfield County (LST-1169)
USS Whitfield County (LST-1169)
USS Whitfield County , previously USS LST-1169, was a United States Navy landing ship tank in commission from 1954 to 1973 which saw service in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific and saw action in the Vietnam War....
would participate in a United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
troop lift from Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
to the Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
. The two ships rendezvoused at Okinawa, then on 26 September 1960 departed for Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, where they arrived on 30 September 1960. Departing Singapore on 3 October 1960, the two ships arrived at Port Swettenham, Malaya, on 4 October 1960, where Windham County embarked 300 Malayan troops. The ships then steamed for 27 consecutive days, crossing the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, rounding the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
on 22 October 1960, and navigating 82 nautical miles (150 kilometers) up the Congo River
Congo River
The Congo River is a river in Africa, and is the deepest river in the world, with measured depths in excess of . It is the second largest river in the world by volume of water discharged, though it has only one-fifth the volume of the world's largest river, the Amazon...
, before arriving at Matadi
Matadi
Matadi is the chief sea port of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capital of the Bas-Congo province. It has a population of 245,862 . Matadi is situated on the left bank of the Congo River from the mouth and below the last navigable point before rapids make the river impassable for a...
, Republic of the Congo, on 31 October 1960. They departed Matadi on 2 November 1960 and arrived at Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, on 11 November 1960. They then visited Singapore and Hong Kong before returning to Yokosuka on 20 December I960, where Windham County spent the rest of the year.
On 4 January 1961, Windham County stood out to sea to carry Marine Corps troops from Iwakuni, Japan, to Naval Air Station Cubi Point
Naval Air Station Cubi Point
U.S. Naval Air Station Cubi Point was a United States Navy aerial facility located at the edge of Naval Base Subic Bay and abutting the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.- History :...
, the Philippines. During February 1961, she carried another group of Marines from Okinawa to Numazu, Japan. On 24 March 1961, she began a period of shuttling Marines and equipment between Yokosuka and Okinawa which lasted until early in May 1961. She then participated in Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was an international organization for collective defense in Southeast Asia created by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, or Manila Pact, signed in September 1954 in Manila, Philippines. The formal institution of SEATO was established on 19 February...
(SEATO) Operation Pony Express on North Borneo
North Borneo
North Borneo was a British protectorate under the sovereign North Borneo Chartered Company from 1882 to 1946. After the war it became a crown colony of Great Britain from 1946 to 1963, known in this time as British North Borneo. It is located on the northeastern end of the island of Borneo. It is...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Upon the completion of this mission, she returned via Subic Bay to Yokosuka, where she arrived on 9 June 1961.
On 1 August 1961, Windham County entered the Ship Repair Facility, Yokosuka, for an overhaul. Beginning on 23 October 1961, she conducted a three-week underway training period, and, on 20 November 1961, she commenced two weeks of amphibious training with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. She then spent the remainder of 1961 at Yokosuka undergoing upkeep.
Windham County sailed on 25 January 1962 for Numazu, Japan, to embark Marines. She took them to Okinawa, before visiting Hong Kong and Subic Bay. Shortly thereafter, she took part in SEATO Operation Tunlungan at Mindoro
Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
, the Philippines, and then reembarked participating troops for transport to Naha and Iwakuni, Japan.
Windham, County visited Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, in June 1962 and in late July 1962 went to Inchon, South Korea, to pick up United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
troops bound for Pohang
Pohang
Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River...
, South Korea. Upon completion of that task, she returned to Yokosuka. Runs to Numazu and Naha with troops in October 1962 preceded her return to Yokosuka for upkeep. December 1962 brought her independent ship's exercises and Marine troop lifts from Numazu to Naha.
On 3 January 1963, Windham County got underway for Hong Kong, where she served as a station ship and did much to promote the People-to-People Program. She returned to Yokosuka in February 1963, but left on 2 March 1963 to lift Marines to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and then spent the rest of March and most of April 1963 in upkeep in Yokosuka. From May through September 1963, Windham County underwent an overhaul which began in Sasebo and was completed at Yokosuka. October and November 1963 were devoted to underway and refresher training. On 5 December 1963, she headed for Okinawa for type training and a troop lift back to Japan. After unloading her passengers at Numazu, she returned to Yokosuka on 18 December 1963 for an inspection and upkeep period.
Windham County sailed on 2 January 1964 for South Korea to participate in Operation Firehouse, a cold-weather amphibious assault exercise conducted at Chumunjin, South Korea. Late in January 1964 she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep and left on 26 February 1964 to take part in Operation Backpack, a joint American-Taiwanese practice amphibious assault which took place at Che Cheng, Taiwan. She returned to Yokosuka on 26 March 1964 and, from April until June 1964, conducted lifts and training exercises which took her to Taiwan; Iwakuni, Japan; Okinawa; and Hong Kong. On 17 June 1964, Windham County took on Republic of Korea Army
Republic of Korea Army
The Republic of Korea Army is the largest of the military branches of the South Korean armed forces with 520,000 members as of 2010...
students and carried them to Pusan, South Korea, to observe a demonstration of amphibious and beachhead
Beachhead
Beachhead is a military term used to describe the line created when a unit reaches a beach, and begins to defend that area of beach, while other reinforcements help out, until a unit large enough to begin advancing has arrived. It is sometimes used interchangeably with Bridgehead and Lodgement...
staging techniques.
Vietnam War service 1964-1966
On 21 July 1964, Windham County got underway for operations in Okinawan waters. While these exercises were still in progress, the Gulf of Tonkin IncidentGulf of Tonkin Incident
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, or the USS Maddox Incident, are the names given to two incidents, one fabricated, involving North Vietnam and the United States in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin...
occurred in early August 1964, resulting in a rapid buildup of American forces in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and in nearby waters. Windham County loaded Marines and proceeded to the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
, where she remained on station from 16 August 1964 to 28 September 1964 and spent 56 continuous days at sea. Windham County returned to Yokosuka on 19 October 1964. She visited Beppu, Japan, from 19 November 1964 to 23 November 1964 and participated in a variety of People-to-People Program activities. She proceeded to Iwakuni, Japan, for special operations which kept her busy until the latter part of December 1964, when she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep.
During January 1965, Windham County was in Yokosuka for upkeep and type training. On 6 February 1965, she left for training at Pohang
Pohang
Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River...
, South Korea, but was diverted to Okinawa on 8 February 1965 in a general alert of United States Seventh Fleet
United States Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is the United States Navy's permanent forward projection force based in Yokosuka, Japan, with units positioned near Japan and South Korea. It is a component fleet force under the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with...
forces. From March through May 1965, she was involved in shuttles of personnel and cargo from Okinawa to Danang, South Vietnam. On 31 May 1965, she returned to Yokosuka for upkeep. Windham, County departed Yokosuka on 23 June 1965 and participated in various lift operations between Okinawa and South Vietnam. Beginning on 5 September 1965, she commenced an overhaul at Yokosuka. Leaving the shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
on 12 October 1965, Windham County was engaged in personnel- and cargo-carrying missions along the coast of South Vietnam before returning to Yokosuka on 10 December 1965 for upkeep.
Windham County departed on 6 January 1966 for Naha, Okinawa, and carried out numerous shuttles along the South Vietnamese coast. She arrived in Yokosuka on 5 June 1966 for hull
Hull (watercraft)
A hull is the watertight body of a ship or boat. Above the hull is the superstructure and/or deckhouse, where present. The line where the hull meets the water surface is called the waterline.The structure of the hull varies depending on the vessel type...
repairs and, on 1 August 1966, commenced regular yard overhaul in Yokosuka. She began sea trials on 7 December 1966 and ended 1966 with type training and upkeep.
Vietnam War service 1967
Refresher training occupied January 1967, and Windham County sailed on 15 February 1967 for almost two months of operations off the coast of South Vietnam. On 15 April 1967, she headed for Okinawa and arrived at Naha on 20 April 1967. She returned to Yokosuka on 24 April 1967 but, after a month of upkeep, got underway again on 26 May 1967 to resume transport duties off South Vietnam. Windham County returned to Yokosuka on 20 July 1967 and entered normal upkeep. She departed on 9 August 1967 and, during the period of 19 August 1967 through 4 September 1967, was involved in Operation Schoolhouse Lift, delivering prefabricated structures to small villages throughout the Philippines.On 4 September 1967, Windham County departed Manila and proceeded to Danang. Upon completion of several missions, she received upkeep in Subic Bay. After departing that base on 4 October 1967, she returned, via Okinawa, to Yokosuka for a short upkeep period. She departed on 29 October 1967 and headed back to South Vietnam. She stopped briefly at Naha en route and also was diverted from her planned course to evade Typhoon Emma
1967 Pacific typhoon season
The 1967 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1967, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
but finally reached Danang on 9 November 1967. From the 10 November 1967 to 16 November 1967, she supported Operation Badger Hunt and then moved to Due Pho to conduct salvage operations for landing ships tank USS Clarke County (LST-601)
USS Clarke County (LST-601)
The USS Clarke County , originally USS LST-601, was a United States Navy built during World War II and in commission from 1944 to 1955 and again in the late 1960s. Named after Clarke County, Alabama; Clarke County, Georgia; Clarke County, Iowa; Clarke County, Mississippi; and Clarke County,...
and USS Iredell County (LST-839)
USS Iredell County (LST-839)
USS Iredell County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Iredell County, North Carolina, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....
, which had run aground there. After Iredell County had been pulled free, Windham County escorted her to Danang. Windham County then returned to Due Pho to provide a ready helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
for subsequent operations. During the remainder of her deployment to South Vietnam, she spent most of her time carrying troops, equipment, and mail to support operations ashore. On 27 December 1967, she was detached from these duties and proceeded to Japan.
Vietnam War service 1968
Windham County arrived in Yokosuka on 5 January 1968 and commenced a period of upkeep and inspections. She got underway for KaohsiungKaohsiung
Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...
, Taiwan, on 29 January 1968 to support Exercise Former Champ, a joint United States-Taiwanese amphibious exercise. While in Taiwan, she also participated in amphibious Exercise Final Round. Upon completing these, she headed for Yokosuka on 5 April 1968 and arrived there on 10 April 1968. She promptly began a cycle of upkeep, type training, and inspection.
On 6 June 1968, Windham County left Yokosuka to return, via Okinawa, to South Vietnam to serve as a support ship for Task Group (TG) 117.2 in the Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of . The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.The...
. She arrived at Wunder Beach, South Vietnam, on 17 June 1968 and unloaded 152 jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
s there before moving on to Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
, which she reached on 20 June 1968 and where she began almost two months of duty supporting riverine warfare operations. On 15 August 1968, she set out for Thailand. After a five-day visit to Bangkok, she headed for Japan. However, Typhoon Wendy
1968 Pacific typhoon season
The 1968 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1968, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December...
prevented her from stopping at Okinawa, and she proceeded to Yokosuka for a period of upkeep, arriving on 24 August 1968. She again departed Yokosuka on 3 October 1968 to return to South Vietnam. After several weeks of action, she reported to Subic Bay on 14 November 1968 for upkeep. She left the Philippines on 5 December 1968 and arrived at Yokosuka on 13 December 1968.
Vietnam War service 1969-1972
After a period of upkeep and inspections, Windham County departed Yokosuka on 10 March 1969 for South Vietnam. She spent the remainder of March, all of April, and the first part of May 1969 operating in the Mekong Delta. She departed on the 10 May 1969 and returned, via Subic Bay and Hong Kong, to Yokosuka on 1 June 1969. She left Japan on 23 July 1969 and set a course for South Vietnam.Windham County began 1970 in preparation for overhaul at Yokosuka, which was completed on 7 April 1970. She sailed on 13 April 1970 for South Korea to take part in Operation Golden Dragon
Operation Golden Dragon
Operation Golden Dragon was a combined United States-South Korea military naval training exercise in February 1973.-See also:*USS Caliente...
, a joint American-South Korean amphibious exercise. She returned to Yokosuka on 5 May 1970 for upkeep and training. She left Yokosuka on 30 May 1970 and proceeded to the Philippines, arriving at Subic Bay on 13 June 1970 to begin exercises and upkeep. After a brief trip to Hong Kong, she returned to Yokosuka on 20 August 1970. From August through early December 1970, she was involved in shuttles between Okinawa and Japan and routine upkeep and inspection. On 12 December 1970, she got underway for South Vietnam.
Windham County remained in the combat zone for the rest of 1970 and through 23 February 1971, when she was relieved and returned to Yokosuka, arriving on 12 March 1971. From then through 29 July 1971, Windham County was involved in routine shuttles between Okinawa, Numazu, Subic Bay, and Yokosuka. On 29 July 1971, she arrived in South Vietnam and engaged in various operations off the coast. On 7 September 1971, she was relieved and returned to Yokosuka, arriving there on 27 September 1971 to begin a period of restricted availability. Beginning on 9 November 1971, she made several shuttles to Okinawa and Numazu and went to Hong Kong. She was relieved on 17 December 1971 and returned to Yokosuka on 23 December 1971, remaining there for the rest of the year.
Windham County departed Yokosuka in early February 1972 to resume her shuttle operations between Japan, Okinawa, and South Vietnam. In October 1972 she visited Singapore and Bangkok; in November 1972 she stopped in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She returned to Yokosuka in December 1972.
Vietnam War awards
For her Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
service, Windham County received three Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
s, three Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
s, and 11 battle stars. The battle stars were for:
- Vietnam Defense 3 August 1965-8 August 1965, 19 August 1965-24 August 1965, and 31 October 1965-11 December 1965
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive 16 January 1966-22 February 1966, 6 March 1966-11 March 1966, and 21 March 1966-23 March 1966
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase II 14 April 1967-16 April 1967
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase III 29 June 1967-7 July 1967 and 8 November 1967-4 December 1967
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase IV 15 June 1968-30 June 1968
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase V 1 July 1968-19 August 1968
- TetTetTet can mean:*Tết or Tết Nguyên Đán, the Vietnamese new year**Tet Offensive, a military campaign that began in 1968*Têt in Roussillon, France*Equal temperament, abbreviated as 12-TET, 19-TET and so on...
69 Counteroffensive]] 1 May 1969-13 May 1969 - Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969 5 August 1969-5 October 1969
- Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 20 November 1968-27 November 1969
- Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase VII 14 December 1970-26 February 1971
- Consolidation I 28 July 1971-9 September 1971
- Consolidation II 27 February 1972-29 March 1972
- Vietnam Ceasefire 30 March 1972-3 May 1972, 4 September 1972-9 October 1972, and 17 October 1972-16 November 1972
Decommissioning and transfer to Turkey
After Windham County returned to Yokosuka in December 1972, an intensive period of preparation for her transfer to the Turkish NavyTurkish Navy
The Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
under the Security Assistance Program began. She was decommissioned
Ship decommissioning
To decommission a ship is to terminate her career in service in the armed forces of her nation. A somber occasion, it has little of the elaborate ceremony of ship commissioning, but carries significant tradition....
on 1 June 1973 and turned over to the Turkish Navy for use as a training ship. She was renamed Turkish Republic Ship (TCG) Ertugrul (L401).
The United States Navy finally struck Windham County name from the Navy List
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
on 6 August 1989.