World War II
Following shakedown off Florida, LST-819 loaded cargo, then departed New Orleans on 18 December for the Pacific. After a brief stop at San Diego and Pearl Harbor, the tank landing ship arrived Tulagi on 23 February 1945. During the next month she shuttled cargo throughout the Pacific, then ammunition for the Okinawa invasion. Arriving on 2 April, one day after the initial landing, LST-819 prepared to unload her cargo under heavy enemy air attack. Remaining off the island for the next three weeks, she assisted in the effort as the Japanese made an attempt to stop the American thrust toward Japan. For the rest of the war she continued transport and cargo operations in the vicinity of Okinawa. After V-J Day, she operated with the occupation forces in Okinawa and Japan, then sailed for the United States in mid-November, arriving San Francisco on 6 January 1946. Later that month she sailed to Astoria, Oregon, was decommissioned there and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
LST-819 received one battle star for World War II service.
Read more about this topic: USS Hampshire County (LST-819)
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