USS Greer County (LST-799) - Korean War

Korean War

Following the outbreak of war in Korea in the summer of 1950, LST-799 recommissioned at Yokosuka, Japan on 26 August 1950. On 5 September she departed with a cargo of ammunition and provisions, arriving at Pusan, Korea two days later. There she loaded a tank unit of the U.S. 5th Marines and sailed for the landings at Inchon, which turned the tide of the conflict. General MacArthur summed up the success of the 15 September assault: "The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly than this morning." After the Inchon landings, LST-799 sailed for Wonsan, arriving there on 25 October.

During December an overhaul was interrupted to participate in the evacuation of American and South Korean troops at Hungnam. On 24 December she embarked final covering elements of the U.S. 3rd Division, and sailed for Pusan arriving the 27th. In early 1951, she completed overhaul and was equipped with helicopter landing facilities. Assigned as a mine squadron flagship, she performed logistic support for minesweepers off the Korean east coast. She remained off Korea until September 1952; and, in addition to logistics, performed helicopter rescue operations, engaged in the coastal blockade, and participated in the Wonsan Harbor Control System. Following extended overhaul at Long Beach, California, LST-799 returned to the Western Pacific on 9 April 1953. She resumed duties out of Wonsan as a Mine Squadron flagship. After the armistice, she continued evacuation and training in the Far East, until sailing for the United States late in November 1953. From 1954 to 1956, LST-799 made two cruises to the Western Pacific. On 1 July 1955, she was named USS Greer County (LST-799). Upon return from her 1956 cruise, she became flagship of Mine Squadron 7 operating along the West Coast.