LST 838

Built by American Bridge Company at the Ambridge Manufacturing Plant in Ambridge, PA. Launched November 8, 1944. Commissioned USS LST-838 on December 4, 1944. During World War II, USS LST-838 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Participated in the Okinawa Gunto operation (Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, April 1 to 3, 1945). Following World War II USS LST-838 was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods: September 6 to 23, 1945 and October 29 to November 9, 1945. Decommissioned on August 7, 1946, at Vancouver, WA. Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Named USS Hunterdon County (LST-838) on July 1, 1955. Recommissioned on September 10, 1966, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. Reclassified Patrol Craft Tender (AGP-838), date unknown. During the Vietnam War USS Hunterdon County participated in the following campaign: Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase III (July 5 to December 7, 1967); Tet Counteroffensive (February 15 to April 1, 1968); Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase IV (April 2 to June 30, 1968); Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase V (July 1 to November 1, 1968); Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase VI (November 2, 1968 to February 22, 1969); Tet 69/Counteroffensive (February 23 to April 11, 1969 and May 10 to June 8, 1969); Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 (June 9 to October 20, 1969); Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 (January 11 to April 30, 1979); Sanctuary Counteroffensive (May 1 to June 17, 1970); and Vietnamese Counteroffensive – Phase VII (July 14 to December 24, 1970 and January 27 to March 31, 1971). During the Vietnam War USS Hunterdon County (LST-838 / AGP-838) served continuously in country and in contiguous waters, with the exception of overhaul periods, from late 1967 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.) Decommission and struck from the Naval Register and transferred to Malaysia on August 1, 1971, under the Security Assistance Program, renamed Sri Langkawi (A-1500). USS LST-838 earned one battle star for World War II service and ten campaign stars as Hunterdon County for Vietnam War service. Final Disposition, scrapped in the 1980s.