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The USS York County began life as a Navy ship on the 8th of November 1957, and was built in Virginia by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. The York County served as a Navy ship until July 17, 1972 when it was decommissioned and transferred to the Italian government. On that date, the USS York County LST-1175 became the Nave Caorle L-9891 an Italian ship in their navy. After ten years as an Italian ship, it was eventually scrapped in Italy with much of the steel being recycled for the Holland cruise line. Here's a partial crew listing of people who served on the USS York County. We've also been asked by other LST members to list them on this page too! Let us know if you know someone that should be listed, you want to add some current information or if you don't see your name. Please contact Tim Cook (cookt@ohio.edu). Plank Owner Bill Evans DC3, sent us the original booklet of the York's Commissioning Ceremony listing the Officers and Chiefs that took her out on her maiden voyage. We've just added a Bill Evans page that includes his stories and pictures of the beginning of the York's life as a Navy ship. We're sorry to report that Cancer has taken the life of plank owner Bill Evans. His son writes: "My Dad passed away in his sleep Monday night", July 5th, 2010. In 1963 ENS Robert Green served on the York and is now cruising around the world. If you're interested in his trip or always wanted to do a high sea adventure or something like that, check out his travel site called Scallywag 2. I wonder if he ever worries about pirates, or being attacked? For all of us who served on her as a US Navy ship, she will always live in our hearts, thus a story page was created and dedicated to her memory. We would like to open up this page for your story while serving on this great ship. Read the stories of others which may bring back some memories for you too! In March of 1972, the USS York County sailed into Little Creek for the last time. Some of the officers including Carver Rudolph LTjg recorded the Special Sea and Anchor Detail from the sound powered 1JV circuit. He recently sent Ken Robinson an audio CD which we are sharing here in small bytes to help with downloading. The voice from the bridge is of R. Tameris LPN1. Cuts1 2 3 4 5 and 6. We hope these sounds bring back some memories for you. Thank You Mr. Rudolph The 1994 reunion was held in Norfolk VA. The 2007 reunion was held in Evansville, Indiana during LST Week. The 2008 reunion was held in York County, PA. The 2010 reunion was held in Muskegon, MI. The 2011 reunion was held in Jacksonville, FL Before attending any of our Reunions, you might consider ordering a York County Jacket, Hat or maybe both from Karen or John Schlagel RM2's business Backyard Stitches. Reunion Page During the month of April of "09", Verlyn Schalow, Tom McKenny and Larry Fisher went to Evansville to work on LST 325 doing maintenance and helping out the old ship during "Work Week" which is held each year. Also volunteering was Verlyn's friend Larry Dicks who was a destroyer GM. We the volunteers from the USS YORK COUNTY who often say "never volunteer", but in this case, we had a great time. Here's a history page detailing the USS York County as an American Ship. I would like to invite you to add a comment or story during your years while serving on the York. Here's another link to our story page. I served on the York County from 1962 to 1964 and was contacted by Ken Robinson after he found my Navy page by searching the WEB for anything he could find about the York County. Ken worked in the number three engine room with Leon Paradis (now deceased) during the years I was on the ship. I was contacted by Fredas Cook who was a signalman on the USS Grant County LST-1174. After seeing this page he wanted to share with us his pictures of the York as it approached his ship for a highline detail. We'd like to thank Fredas for his gift of images from the vantage point above his ships bridge. Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4, Pic 5, Pic 6. This image of the USS York County was sent to Ken from Minzie Leister taken by a friend during Helo operations. Here's a logo that can be used over your shirt pocket if you buy some iron_on transfer film at a craft or office supply store. A sad note about the passing of our Captain Robert P. Lenahan. Capt. Lenahan was Skipper on the York County from 24 July, 1964 to 3 October, 1966. For those who never served under Capt. Lenahan, you should know that under his leadership, the York County won the "Admiral Arleigh Burke Award" which is given to only one ship in the Atlantic fleet each year. The award was presented the same day the York County won the Battle Efficiency "E" Award and the day of the change of command ceremony honoring Lt. Cmdr. K. L. Wright Jr. who relieved Capt. Lenahan. We were all proud to serve under Lt. Cmdr. Lenahan. Capt. Lenahan passed away during surgery on 6 February 2006. His daughter Bernadette expressed her Thanks to Ken Robinson, who on behalf of all of the officers and crew, sent flowers and a card to the family. Here's a short movie clip of Capt. Lenahan receiving an award aboard the USS York County LST-1175. Note! We've added a faster loading 8mm video page during the mid sixties on the ship, look for the link at the bottom of the image listings. We'd also like to offer our thanks to Jim Marders who provided many of the images shown below. Thanks Jim! |
