Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Naval History Division • Washington

USS Kane County (LST-853)

During World War II, LST-853 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May and June 1945. Following the war, the ship performed occupation duty in the Far East until early December 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned July 24, 1946 and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

On July 1, 1955, she was redesignated Kane County (LST-853) (q.v.) after counties in Illinois and Utah. Kane County was transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy on December 22, 1958 where she served as Su Yong (LST-813).

LST-853 earned one battle star for World War II service.

Counties in Illinois and Utah.

LST-542)

LST-853 was laid down by Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., Seneca, Ill., 30 August 1944; launched 17 November; sponsored by Mrs. Ellen Scott DeCoursey; and commissioned 11 December, Lt. Charles B. Salsbury in command.

After shakedown off Florida, LST-853 departed New Orleans for the Pacific 19 January 1945. She loaded troops and equipment on the West Coast before steaming from Seattle 10 March. Sailing via Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Guam, she arrived Saipan 25 April. The landing ship embarked units of the 1878th Engineer Aviation Battalion, then sailed on the 27th for Okinawa. Arriving 6 days later in the midst of enemy air raids, LST-853 discharged men and equipment on this strategic base which lay at the gateway to Japan.

She returned Saipan 24 May and, during the remaining months of the war, shuttled troops and equipment among the Marianas, Philippines, and Okinawa staging areas for the planned invasion of Japan. The enemy's acceptance of Allied peace terms obviated an invasion, so LST-853 then operated in the Far East, transporting occupation forces until early December.

Arriving Saipan 13 December, she embarked veterans of the Pacific fighting in the Marianas and sailed for the United States in January 1946. After arrival on the West Coast, LST-853 then sailed to Astoria, Oreg.; and decommissioned at Vancouver, Wash., 24 July. While berthed in the Columbia River with the Pacific Reserve Fleet, she was named Kane County 1 June 1955.

Under provisions of the Military Assistance Program, she was transferred to the Republic of Korea 22 December 1958, and served the ROK Navy as Su Yong (LST-813).

LST-853 received one battle star for World War II service.