USS Windham County (LST-1179)

• Namesake: USS Windham County (LST-1179) was named after multiple Windham Counties in the United States, specifically honoring counties in Connecticut, Vermont, and later West Virginia. • Class and Construction: She was the lead ship of the Windham County-class (also known as the De Soto County-class) tank landing ships. Constructed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, her keel was laid in September 1956. • Commissioning: The ship was commissioned into the U.S. Navy on 17 May 1957, joining the Atlantic Fleet. • Vietnam War Service: Windham County saw extensive service in the Vietnam War, transporting marines, soldiers, and equipment in numerous amphibious and logistical operations from 1965 to 1973. • Unique Bow Design: As an LST, she featured a distinctive bow door and ramp, allowing tanks and vehicles to drive directly onto shore, a key advantage in amphibious assaults. • Goodwill and Humanitarian Missions: Beyond combat, Windham County participated in humanitarian missions and goodwill visits, visiting ports in Asia, the Pacific, and Australia. • Diverse Missions: The ship was part of Operation "Bar Frost" in the Arctic and participated in numerous amphibious exercises with allied navies, reflecting her versatility. • Rescue Operations: Windham County was involved in rescuing Vietnamese refugees, known as "boat people," fleeing after the fall of Saigon in 1975, providing assistance and supplies. • Decommissioning and Transfer: She was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in 1973 and transferred to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, where she served as JS Shiretoko (LST-4003) until 2001. • Award Record: For her service, Windham County earned multiple campaign and service medals, including the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, reflecting her active and varied career.