USS Jerome County (LST-848)

• World War II Service: USS Jerome County (LST-848) was a tank landing ship commissioned in December 1944, serving in the Pacific Theater during the final months of World War II. • Okinawa Campaign: She participated in the Battle of Okinawa, arriving in April 1945 to deliver troops and vital equipment under the threat of kamikaze attacks. • Post-War Occupation Duties: After Japan’s surrender, LST-848 was involved in occupation duties, transporting personnel and supplies to support the stabilization of post-war Japan. • Decommissioning and Reserve: The ship was decommissioned in July 1946 and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, where she remained for over a decade. • Reactivation for Korean and Vietnam Era Needs: Renamed USS Jerome County (LST-848) in 1955, she was recommissioned in June 1960 to serve new roles amid Cold War tensions. • Vietnam War Service: Jerome County was deployed multiple times to Vietnam, transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies for riverine and amphibious operations in the Mekong Delta. • Operation Market Time: She participated in Operation Market Time, a U.S. Navy effort to interdict the flow of supplies to the Viet Cong by sea. • Humanitarian Missions: The ship also provided humanitarian assistance, including medical aid and disaster relief, to local populations in Southeast Asia during her deployments. • Final Decommissioning: USS Jerome County was finally decommissioned on 14 September 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. • Transfer to Vietnam: After decommissioning, she was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Navy and renamed RVNS Nha Trang (HQ-505), where she continued to serve until the fall of South Vietnam in 1975.