USS Chase County (LST-532)

USS Chase County (LST-532) was an LST-491-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after counties in Kansas and Nebraska, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

LST-532 was laid down on 24 September 1943 at Evansville, Indiana by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 28 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Fred M. Wyatt; and commissioned on 20 January 1944 with Lieutenant Marinus Pilkington in command.

Service history
During World War II, LST-532 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. She loaded troops and equipment including vehicles at Polgwidden (a.k.a. Trebah) Beach, Helford River, near Falmouth, Cornwall, England on 1 June 1944. This location was the most westerly embarkation site for this operation and the distance that they had to travel to rendezvous with the rest of the OP. NEPTUNE fleet meant that these personnel then spent the next 5 days aboard this flat bottomed vessel in the terrible weather conditions that delayed the OP.OVERLORD landings until 6 June.

Footage taken by a US Army Film Unit on 1 June 1944 showing this vessel (and LSTs 533 and 27) loading at this venue exist and public access of 'proof' quality video showing this original footage can be viewed on line for free at 'Critical Past'. (N.B.- I have no personal connection with this company - but this categorically verifies this information above and beyond all other sources.)

Following the War, she operated with the Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ship was decommissioned on 8 June 1955 and renamed USS Chase County (LST-532) on 1 July 1955.

On 15 April 1967 she was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and served as USNS Chase County (T-LST-532) until struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 10 June 1973. Transferred to the Republic of Singapore in 1973, her final fate is unknown. LST-532 earned one battle star for World War II service.