USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123) - Vietnam War Service

Vietnam War Service

Sedgwick County remained berthed at San Diego until recommissioned on 4 June 1966. Assigned to Landing Ship Squadron 3 and homeported at Guam, she was ordered west in November for her first tour in her third western Pacific war. On her arrival in Vietnamese waters, Sedgwick County began carrying troops, cargo, and ammunition to Allied forces on the coast and in the Mekong Delta area. In late December 1966 and early January 1967, she supported operation "Deck House V" in the Delta area; then, from 2 to 13 January, she again conducted shuttle runs between Da Nang, Chu Lai, and Cua Viet. At mid-month, she headed for home; but, on 20 February, she departed Guam and headed west again. Early March was spent at Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and, on the llth, the LST returned to Da Nang to resume shuttle runs. Continuing resupply operations into April, she was back at Guam from 3 May to 5 June; but, by mid-June, she was again off the Vietnamese coast.

On the 12th, Sedgwick County arrived at Vung Tau, whence she resupplied ships conducting Operation Market Time. On 8 July, she anchored in Subic Bay for two weeks rest, then returned to Da Nang and cargo runs for the Naval Support Activity there. Her duties were interrupted at the end of August for a call at Hong Kong. She then returned to Subic Bay and Da Nang, resumed resupply shuttle operations, and continued them until late in December.

Christmas 1967 was spent at Kaohsiung; but with the new year, 1968, the LST returned to Vietnam. During January, she resupplied Cua Viet. Upkeep at Subic and a call at Hong Kong took her into February; and, at mid-month, she began supporting riverine forces from Vung Tau.

On 4 April, the LST returned to Guam for overhaul. In June, she conducted exercises in Japanese waters. In July, she returned to the Philippines; and, on 18 August, she resumed support of Market Time activities in South Vietnam as CTU 115.3.9. Relieved by Litchfield County in late September, Sedgwick County moved north to Da Nang; loaded a causeway section; then steamed for Subic and Guam. Arriving on 17 October, she sailed for Da Nang on 20 November to shuttle cargo to Cua Viet and Tan My. In late December, she headed for Hong Kong, thence, at the end of the year, continued on to Sasebo, Japan, for an extended upkeep period.

In mid-April 1969. Sedgwick County returned to South Vietnam and began a tour as support and re-supply LST for the Naval Support Activity, Saigon. During June and early July, she was in the Philippines; and, on 13 July, she returned to Da Nang to join in operations to redeploy Marines from Vietnam. On 6 August, she completed her second run from Vietnam to Okinawa; and, on the 8th, she headed for Guam.

Arriving on the 14th, Sedgwick County prepared for inactivation. She was decommissioned on 6 December 1969; and, in 1970, preparations were made to tow her to Vallejo, California, for berthing with the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island. She was struck from the Navy list on 15 March 1975 and transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy on 7 October 1976 where she served as KD Rajah Jarom (A-1502).

LST-1123 earned six battle stars for the Korean War and six battle stars and one award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the Vietnam War.