From Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. VIII, 1981, pp. 529-530.
Counties in Maine, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia..
(LST-1175: dp. 3,560; l. 445'; b. 62'; dr. 18'; s. 17 k.; cpl. 170; trp. 410; a. 6 3"; cl. Suffolk County)
York County (LST-175) was laid down on 4 June 1956 at Newport News, Va., by Newport News Shipbuilding
and Drydock Co.; launched on 5 March 1957; sponsored by Mrs. William C. France; and commissioned on 8 November
1957, Lt. Comdr. Warren M. Scofer in command.
The new tank landing ship then was fitted out and underwent ready-for-sea trials at Port Everglades, Fla., and
conducted shakedown training out of her home port, Little Creek, Va., which she completed on 17 May 1958. She conducted
various operations in the Virginia area until 15 July when all training was cancelled due to the crises in Lebanon;
and York County prepared for extended operations. However, the Lebanon crisis lessened; and the ship proceeded
to Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, for amphibious exercises.
On 7 August, York County returned to her home port and began preparations for a regularly scheduled deployment
to the Mediterranean. She arrived at Gibraltar in late September 1958; then visited Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, and
Italy. She returned to Little Creek on 25 March 1959. However, the ship recrossed the Atlantic to hold leading
roles in two major amphibious exercises "Tralex 3-59" and "Tralex 4-59" which were conducted
off the coast of Spain.
In November, York County entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. for maintenance and upkeep. She
next departed the east coast of the Untied States on 11 January 1960 for her second Mediterranean deployment. Following
her arrival back at her home port on 15 June, York County participated in "Tralex 1-60" and "Lantphibex
500/61" in the area of Vieques, Puerto Rico. In July, she proceeded to Baltimore for an overhaul by the Maryland
Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.
Upon emerging from the yard, the ship conducted refresher training before deploying to the Caribbean towards the
end of November for training operations with other amphibious ships. She returned to Little Creek on 19 January
1961. The next major exercise, "Solant Amity III," started on 17 April and took York County 27,000
miles in an effort to establish greater understanding between the peoples of the United States and southern Africa.
The ship cruised along both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of Africa and visited 12 ports in 10 countries
and received some 23,000 visitors.
After a short midshipman cruise in early November 1961, York County headed for the Caribbean where she participated
in Exercise "Phiblex 4-61" before returning to Little Creek in January 1962 for leave and upkeep. On
26 February, she conducted a two-week reserve cruise off the coast of Florida.
On 15 May, York County sailed for the Mediterranean where she conducted practice and demonstration landings
and participated in the Navy's "People to People" program. York County returned home on 19 October
and made a one-day turnaround to take part in the Cuban blockade. It was not until 5 December 1962 that the ship
finally returned to the Hampton Roads area for leave and upkeep, followed by a four-month yard and drydock period
at Jacksonville, Fla., and six weeks of selected underway training exercises.
In July of 1963, York County revisited the Caribbean and transported the highly publicized Puerto Rican
National Guard from Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Isla de Vieques. While in the West Indies, she also patrolled off Haiti,
ready to evacuate American civilians if the civil disorders in that island required such action. Fortunately, tension
eased, and York County returned to Little Creek on 4 October. A visit to Portland, Maine, from 9 to 11 November,
preceded a short trip to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, to transport the men and equipment of Military Construction
Battalion 7. York County returned on 25 November and finished the year undergoing tender availability and
upkeep.
For the early part of 1964, York County worked at Vieques, Puerto Rico, and Onslow Beach, N.C. She took
part in the Naval Academy's Memorial Day ceremonies at Annapolis, Md. During June and July, York County
received alterations at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. On 13 August, the ship lifted the 3rd LAAM Battalion to Vieques
and reembarked the unit on 17 September for the return passage. Ten days later, she returned to Little Creek and
commenced preparations for an overseas exercise.
On 7 October 1964, York County got underway to join in Operation "Steel Pike I," the largest joint
amphibious operation held since World War II. The ship returned home on 28 November 1964 and operated locally into
the following spring.
On 30 April 1965, York County sailed for the Dominican Republic and transported marines and equipment to
Port Haina. She conducted surveillance duties during the crisis in that nation before returning to Norfolk on 7
June and remaining in the Virginia capes-Hampton Roads area for most of the summer.
>From September until December 1965, York County was deployed to the Caribbean and participated in numerous
amphibious assault exercises and a major fleet exercise, "Phibaswex/Meblex 2-65."
York County was in her home port from 1 January 1966 until 24 January for leave and upkeep. She transported
general cargo to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, then embarked marines and equipment for delivery to Cherry Point,
N.C., before returning to Little Creek on 9 February.
>From 18 February through 18 April 1966, York County underwent preparations for overhaul and tender availability.
Following this, she traveled to New York City for independent ship exercises, returning home on 26 April. In May,
the ship hosted the Swedish ambassador and the Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Officers. York County
received her overhaul in two parts. The first was accomplished at the Key Highway floating drydock of Bethlehem
Steel Corp., Baltimore, Md.; the second part was completed 30 September at Horne Bros. Shipyard, Newport News,
Va.
On 13 October 1966, the ship reloaded ammunition and received refresher training out of Little Creek until 16 November.
During the remainder of the month, the ship received new cryptographic equipment and was refueled prior to deployment.
York County sailed for the West Indies on 28 November and conducted amphibious exercises and training in
the Caribbean for five months. She returned to Little creek, Va., on 6 May 1967 and underwent tender availability.
In June, the ship successfully passed a nuclear technical proficiency inspection; acted as a setting for a training
film; and transported a Marine Corps engineering company to Vieques Island and back. From 5 to 21 July, York
County participated in the anti-submarine Exercise "Plumb Bob III."
During August, York County supported LVT training for Marine Corps reservists and provided control ship
duty for drones. She spent September and October in restricted availability and on standby duty, ready to support
NASA operations. On 31 October, York County got underway for the middle Atlantic where she served as a recovery
ship for the Apollo IV space shot. On 15 December 1967, the ship underwent tender availability which lasted through
the end of the year.
On 17 January 1968, York County got underway from Little Creek; stopped briefly at Morehead City, N.C.,
later that day; and then headed for the Caribbean. While in the West Indies, she visited Vieques, Puerto Rico;
Kingston, Jamaica; and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The ship returned to Little Creek on 15 February, resumed operations
in the Virginia capes area, and took part in the Apollo VI recovery training exercises.
On 13 June 1968, York County departed Onslow Beach, N.C., for exercises in waters off Puerto Rico. During
the cruise she visited Vieques Island, Puerto Rico; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; St. Croix, Virgin Islands; and San Juan
and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. York County arrived back at Little Creek on 3 August and conducted various
exercises and operations in the Virginia area into autumn.
On 25 October 1968, York County got underway for a deployment to the Caribbean which lasted into February
1969. She returned to Little Creek on the 19th of that month and began a period in port which lasted into May.
On 12 May, the ship began another brief Caribbean cruise to take part in Exercise "Exotic Dancer." After
stops at Ponce and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands, she participated in a simulated
blockade in her part of the exercise. She returned home via San Juan, Roosevelt Roads, and Ponce, Puerto Rico,
and reached Little Creek on 9 June. But for a special amphibious exercise at Onslow Beach, N.C., from the 23rd
to the 28th, the ship spent the remainder of June and most of July at Little Creek.
On 22 July, York County departed Little Creek; crossed the Atlantic; and joined the Mediterranean Ready
Amphibious Force. After making several successful landings throughout the Mediterranean and enjoying liberty in
many ports, York County returned to Little Creek on 12 December 1969.
York County entered Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Company's yard on 20 January 1970 for an overhaul.
By 10 August, the ship was ready for sea. she conducted various exercises in the South Carolina operating area.Then,
from 2 to 17 September, she prepared for a deployment with the 6th Fleet.
The next day, the ship sailed for the Mediterranean, and she transited the Strait of Gibraltar on 29 September.
On 9 October, York County conducted Exercise "Deep Express" at Alexandroupolis, Greece. She visited
several ports in Greece and Spain before returning to Little Creek on 17 November. The ship finished out the year
1970 at Little Creek undergoing tender availability.
On 18 January 1971, the ship got underway for Vieques Island, Puerto Rico, to participate in the "Firex"
exercises. She continued to operate in the Caribbean until 22 February when she arrived at Miami for two days of
liberty. the ship returned to Little Creek on 27 February and immediately went alongside Amphion (AR-13)
for tender availability which lasted until 17 March.
After completing fire-fighting training in Philadelphia, York County remained at Little Creek until 25 April
except for loading ammunition and gasoline at Craney Island, Va. During this time, the crew prepared the ship for
Exercise "Exotic Dancer," which commenced on 26 April and lasted through 14 May 1971. Upon her return
home, York County operated in the Virginia coastal area and got ready for a month-long cruise in the Caribbean.
York County returned to Virginia on 6 August for tender availability followed by type training exercises.
On 9 September, the ship was again deployed to the Caribbean and returned to Little Creek on 28 October where she
spent 1971.
She spent January 1972 preparing for an upcoming Caribbean and eastern Pacific cruise. On the last day of the month,
York County got underway for the Canal Zone. She left Cristobal on 8 February and, for the first time in
her history, transited the Panama Canal and entered the Pacific.
Following operations off the coast of Panama, York County reentered the Atlantic; proceeded to Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba; spent two days there; then moved to the Bahamas to onload dredging equipment at Andros Island before
returning to Little Creek on 20 March 1972. She remained at Little Creek until 12 April when she sailed for Wilmington,
N.C., for the annual Azalea Festival.
>From 18 April to 8 May 1972, the ship remained in port at Little Creek; and on 9 May, she got underway for Exercise
"Exotic Dancer V." She returned to her home port on 24 May. York County was decommissioned there
on 17 July 1972 and transferred to the Italian government. She served the Italian Navy as Nave Caorle
(L-8991) into 1979.
Transcribed by Richard H. Bouchard.