LST-794 (Gibson County)
From Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,
Vol. III (1977), pp. 95
Counties in Indiana and Tennessee.
(LST-794, dp. 1,625; l. 328'; b. 50', dr. 11'; s. 11.6 k.; cpl. 119; a: 8
40mm., 12 20mm.; cl. LST-511)
LST-794 was laid down by Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., 12 July 1944;
launched 16 September; sponsored by Mrs. B. H. Gommel and commissioned 16
October 1944, Lt. W. C. Cain, USCGR, in command.
Following shakedown, LST-794 departed New Orleans 15 November, en
route to the Pacific. After embarking Army and Navy passengers at Pearl Harbor,
she steamed to the New Hebrides, arriving Espiritu Santo 16 January 1945.
Proceeding to the Russell Islands, she debarked passengers and cargo before
sailing to Guadalcanal for assignment. During the next 4 weeks she transported
troops and cargo between Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands.
As the invasion of Okinawa approached, LST-794 engaged in intensive
amphibious exercises in the Solomons, then steamed for the Ulithi staging
area. After taking on marines and vehicles, the landing ship departed Ulithi
25 March, and 1 week later arrived off Okinawa. On 1 April her troops stormed
ashore in small boats and LVT's as the Marines established a beachhead in
the emperor's private sea. She remained in the assault area until 11 April
when she sailed to Saipan for reinforcements.
For the rest of the war, LST-794 transported troops and cargo to Okinawa
and the Philippines. Following the victorious conclusion of the war, she
remained in the Far East, assisting the occupation forces in Japan, Korea
and Okinawa. Returning to the United States in early 1946, LST-794
decommissioned 9 July 1946 and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet, berthed
in the Columbia River.
Named Gibson County 1 July 1955, she was used as a target and sunk
by the submarine Rasher (SS 269) off the west coast of the United States
on 23 May 1959.
LST-794 received one battle star for World War II service.