LST 1082

Built by American Bridge Company at the Ambridge Manufacturing Plant in Ambridge, PA. Launched January 26, 1945. Commissioned USS LST-1082 on February 7, 1945. During World War II, USS LST-1082 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Participated in the Okinawa Gunto operation (Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, June 8 to 30, 1945). Following World War II USS LST-1082 was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East for the following periods: September 8 to October 1, 1945; October 15 to 28, 1945; and November 10 to December 10, 1945. Decommissioned on August 7, 1946, at Astoria, OR. Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Columbia River Group, Astoria. Recommissioned at Astoria, September 6, 1950, LCDR. John E. Chadwick, USNR, in command. During The Korean War USS LST-1082 participated in the following campaigns: First UN Counter Offensive (March 10 to 20, 1951); Communist China Spring Offensive (April 28 to May 1, 1951 and May 9 to 12, 1951); and Korean Defense Summer-Fall 1952 (May 13 to 17,1952; June 2 to 6, 1952; June 13, 1952; August 11, 1952; August 27 to September 4, 1952; September 20 to 23, 1952; and October 17 to 18, 1952). Named USS Pitkin County (LST-1082) on July 1, 1955. Decommissioned on September 1, 1955, at San Diego, CA. Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Flee, San Diego Group Recommissioned on July 9, 1966, at Long Beach CA., LT. C. E. Quarles in command. During the Vietnam War USS Pitkin County (LST-1082) served continuously in country and in contiguous waters, with the exception of overhaul periods, from late 1968 to early 1971 participating in the following campaigns. (Dates listed do not include underway transit times within the contiguous waters along the Vietnam coast as defined by the US Navy and so specified by the Vietnam Service Medal.): Vietnam Counteroffensive – Phase II (December 22 to 23, 1966; February 13 to 20, 1967; and February 26 to April 15, 1967); Vietnam Counteroffensive – Phase III (June 17 to July 21, 1967; September 13 to October 5, 1967; October 21 to 25, 1967; and December 8, 1967 to January 17, 1968); Tet Counteroffensive (February 3 to 5, 1968 and February 12 to 17, 1968); Vietnam Counteroffensive – Phase IV (April 15 to May 7 ,1968 and May 29 to June 30, 1968); ietnam Counteroffensive – Phase V (October 9 to November 1, 1968); Vietnam Counteroffensive – Phase VI (November 2 to 24, 1968; December 6 to 24, 1968; January 3 to 4, 1969; January 6 to 7, 1969; January 10 to 11, 1969; January 16, 1969; and January 19 to 23, 1969); Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 (July 1, 1969; August 1, 1969; August 5, 1969; August 7 to 8, 1969; August 10 to 11, 1969; August 13 to 16, 1969; August 27, 1969; September 25 to 26,1969; September 28, 1969; and October 20 to 21, 1969); Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 (November 3 to 5, 1969; November7 to 9, 1969; November 21 to 23, 1969; November 29 to 30, 1969; February 23 to 25, 1970; and February 28 to March 1, 1970); Sanctuary Counteroffensive (June 1 to 3, 1970); and Vietnam Counteroffensive – Phase VII (November 20, 1970 to January 11, 1971 and March 1 to 4, 1971). Decommissioned, 1 September 1971. Struck from the Naval Register, 1 April 1975. USS LST-1082 earned one battle star for World War II service, three battle stars for Korean War service and as USS Pitkin County (LST-1082) ten campaign stars for Vietnam War service. Sold for scrapping, 19 December 1975, by DRMS (Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service). Resold to Max Rouse & Sons, Beverly Hills, CA. and taken in hand by Marine Industries, Tacoma, WA. for conversion for commercial use. Sold to Landing System Technology Pte. Ltd,, Singapore (Lauritz Kloster, Norway) in 1975 and renamed MV LST 4. Arrived at Piraeus, Greece having been acquired by Maritime & Commercial Co. Argonaftis S.A., Panama (Greek flag) and renamed Petrola 144, June 6, 1978. Entered service, October 26, 1980: Entered service. Arrived at the ship breakers at Gadani Beach, Pakistan for demolition, April 16, 1988.