USS Hickman County

USS Hickman County - LST 825
USS Hickman County LST-825 History

General History about the Hickman County
Detailed account of my time on board

This is a general history about the USS Hickman County (LST-825).

LST - 825 was laid down on 2 October 1944 at Evansville, Ind. by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co. and launched on 11 November 1944. Sponsored by Mrs. John Spindler and commissioned USS LST-825 at New Orleans on 8 December 1944 with Lt. Harry V. Hartsell in command.

After shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico, LST-825 loaded oil and cargo at New Orleans and sailed for the West Coast. She arrived at San Diego 30 January 1945, discharged her cargo and continued on to Seattle, arriving 4 February. Loading oil, ammunition and embarking troops, LST 825 sailed for the Pacific 26 February 1945. The momentous Pacific campaign was in full swing at Okinawa when LST-825 reached that rocky Japanese fortress via Pearl Harbor, Guam, Eniwetok, and Ulithi on 21 April to discharge troop reinforcements and cargo.

LST-825 retired to Saipan, where she loaded cargo and supplies for the famed Seabees and returned to Okinawa 26 June. A late July convoy took the LST to Iwo Jima with cargo and supplies, and she returned to Okinawa 4 September. Hostilities having ended on 15 August, LST-825 embarked troops and equipment of the 5th Army Air Force destined to participate in the occupation of Japan. Entering Tokyo Bay 25 September, she disembarked the occupation forces and their equipment and set course for Okinawa.

During November 1945, LST-825 completed a second Okinawa-Japan trip. On the 16th the landing ship embarked 514 enlisted men at Guam and sailed for the United States via Pearl Harbor as part of the "Magic Carpet" fleet bringing home veterans, arriving San Francisco 22 December. After a few months of tactical operations along the West Coast, LST-825 was decommissioned at Swan Island, Portland, Oregon, and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet 22 May 1946.

With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, LST-825 was recommissioned 3 November 1950 with Lt Thomas R Ashton in command. After training out of San Diego, LST-825 entered Pearl Harbor 8 April 1951 where she transported passengers and cargo among the Hawaiian Islands until returning stateside 1 July. On 17 September she returned to Hawaii and operated there until her return 18 December to San Diego. Departing San Diego 26 April 1952, the LST arrived at Yokosuka 11 June via Pearl Harbor and Midway. She made several cruises to the Korean coast to participate in tactical amphibious exercises and maneuvers of U.S. and Republic of South Korean troops. LST-825 also carried Communist prisoners of war from Korea to Japan. She returned to San Diego 5 March 1953, for scheduled amphibious landing exercises and fleet tactics along the western seaboard.

Her second Western Pacific cruise began on her departure from California 20 January 1954. Spring and early summer were spent in operations along the Japanese and Korean coasts as well as cargo duty between Eniwetok and Bikini. On 11 August 1954, LST-825 departed Yokosuka for French Indochina, where she assisted with the humanitarian "Passage to Freedom." When the French began to pull out of Indochina following their defeat by Communist rebels, over 800,000 North Vietnamese chose to forsake their homes and cast their lot with the southern half of their country rather than to live under communism.

Nearly 100 ships of the U.S. Navy under Rear Admiral Lorenzo S. Sabin helped transport the refugees in a mass exodus to freedom. In all, the U.S. Navy evacuated 310,848 North Vietnamese as well as 68,757 tons of cargo and over 8,000 vehicles. Hard-pressed and cramped sailors were rewarded when many of the 184 children born on the "Passage to Freedom" were named after U.S. ships and officers. As part of this humanitarian task force from 26 August to 5 October 1954, LST-825 made five trips from the Northern capital, Haiphong, to Southern ports with Vietnamese refugees and French troops and equipment. For an outstanding job done during this worthy cause, the ship was awarded the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation.

On 1 July 1955, the tank landing ship was redesignated "Hickman County" (LST-825) after counties in Kentucky and Tennessee. LST-825 returned to San Diego 27 November 1954, and operated out of there until decommissioned 20 September 1955, Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Hickman County was recommissioned in service at San Diego 22 March 1963 with Lt. Edward F. Powers in command. Assigned to LST Reserve Squadron 2, she reported to the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, Va., 19 June 1963, to conduct amphibious warfare training. For the next 2 years she underwent various phases of training in amphibious warfare.

In May 1965, the Dominican Republic crisis erupted and Hickman County sailed from Norfolk 8 May laden with supplies for the logistical support of the U.S. Armed Forces keeping the peace in that country. Hickman County remained in the Caribbean area as a standby ship supplying the United States contingency at the Dominican Republic until 15 July when it called at Puerto de Haina, Dominican Republic, to embark Army troops and sailed for Sunny Point, N.C., debarking them 22 July 1965. From 26 August until 9 December, the busy ship transferred military personnel and cargo between the United States and the Dominican Republic and acted as host to foreign ships at San Juan, P.R. On 10 December she arrived at Little Creek, Va., departing for Brooklyn, N.Y., 4 days later for overhaul. On 23 February 1966 the ship transited the Panama Canal, arriving at Pearl Harbor 19 March and departed Kaneahe Bay, Oahu, 4 April 1966 for the Western Pacific, where she was transferred to the Service Force, Pacific Fleet, for service in Vietnam. In November 1969, Hickman County was sold to the Philippine government, Renamed Cagayan (LT-86); Struck from the Naval Register 15 September, 1979; Final Disposition, unknown..

LST-825 earned one battle star for World War II service, two for the Korean War, and 10 for the Vietnam War and the Vietnam and Korean Presidential Unit Citations.

Awards earned during the Vietnam War: Combat Action Ribbon, (2) Meritorious Unit Commendation, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, RVN Civil Action Medal, First Class, with Palm, RVN Campaign Medal with 60's device and the Vietnam Service Medal with (10) Battle Stars.

Specifications, LST-511 Class Tank Landing Ship: Displacement 1,625 t.(fl), 3,640 t.(fl); Length 328'; Beam 50'; Draft unloaded, bow 2' 4" stern 7' 6", loaded bow 8' 2" stern 14' 1"; Speed 12k.; Complement 8-10 Officers, 89-100 Enlisted; Troop Capacity, approx. 130 officers and enlisted; Boats, 2 LCVP; Armament; one single 3"/50 gun mount, eight 40mm guns, twelve 20mm guns; Propulsion, 2 General Motors V12-567 Diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders.

This is a history of the activities of the Hickman County during the time that I was aboard. I compiled this from old letters that I had written to my girl friend during that time. That is a long time to hang on to a bunch of old letters which have been in my attic for many years. But I made that girl friend my wife after finishing my tour of Vietnam aboard the Hickman County and returned to the world to take a well deserved leave. We are now still happily married after more than 38 years.

Don Huddleston

Date

Port

Activities

06/07/68

Cat Lo

Cat Lo is a Coast Guard base on a river near Vung Tau. We flew from Saigon to Vung Tau then were brought here by truck. Have not been able to locate the Hickman County yet. We stayed here for a few days.

06/11/68

Subic Bay,PI

Just arrived from Vietnam and I'm staying in the Subic Bay Naval Station transit barracks. Waiting for the Hickman County to arrive, just missed it in Vung Tau. We experienced a minor earth quake early in the morning

06/15/68

Subic Bay,PI

The Hickman County finally arrived and today is my first day on board

06/18/68

Subic Bay,PI

Our days are spent Chipping and painting the deck and hull.

06/20/68

Subic Bay,PI

We brought some 50 caliber machine guns and flack vests on board. We also replaced the barrels on the 40MM guns.

06/22/68

Subic Bay,PI

We had a ships party Saturday Night at "Mom's" bar in Olongapo City.

06/28/68

Subic Bay,PI

Pulled out about 2:30 PM and anchored out in the bay. Came back in to another pier about 6:00 PM and loaded cargo.

06/29/68

Subic Bay,PI

Got underway for Chu Lai, South Vietnam this morning. Passed the aircraft carrier USS America on the way out of the bay as it was coming in.

06/30/68

At Sea

It's Sunday, we are at sea and it is very rough today. We held gunnery practice today and we shot the twin 40's. We burned up over 300 rounds just on the rear gun.

07/03/68

Chu Lai

Arrived Tuesday night. Worked past mid-night sanding and painting the main deck.

07/04/68

Da Nang

We left Chu Lai this morning and are underway for Da Nang. Arrived at Da Nang about 10 PM. There are no fire works like the 4th of July in a war zone. Worked until midnight securing everything and unloading cargo

07/05/68

Thon My Thuy

Left Da Nang about noon and got underway for Thon My Thuy 19 miles south of the DMZ. Arrived about mid-night and anchored out. I stood roving patrol on the main deck after we anchored and shot at a few water snakes.

07/06/68

Thon My Thuy

We went in to marry up to a floating causeway (see stories) in the morning. We are taking on a cargo of trucks and trailers and about 10 Army personnel. A few of us went ashore to bring sandbags aboard to place around our machine gun mounts.

07/07/68

At Sea

Heading south to Vung Tau. We've been working every night 'til mid-night chipping, sanding and painting plus standing night watches. I think that the Captain wants to make the ship look good for the new Captain that will be taking over soon.

07/08/68

Vung Tau

It is Monday and we anchored out in the harbor about 8:30 this morning and have been painting all day. We got underway about 10 PM.

07/09/68

Can Tho

We steamed along the coast all night. Hit the mouth of the river about 8:30 in the morning and arrived at Can Tho about 2 PM.

07/10/68

Can Tho

We didn't stay long, were already on our way back to Vung Tau this afternoon.

07/11/68

Saigon

Were tied up to the Newport pier now. The trip up the Saigon River from Vung Tau took 6 hours. We're taking on cargo.

07/12/68

Saigon

The new captain came aboard but the change of command will not take place until Monday.

07/13/68

Saigon

We had a personnel inspection today in our dress whites. I went into Downtown Saigon on liberty.

07/15/68

Can Tho

We got here late and are anchored in the Bassac River at Can Tho. Today I found out that I am supposed to take charge of the Boatswain locker.

07/16/68

Can Tho

Beached early in the morning then set up a large tent on the beach for a ship's picnic. Held a change of command ceremony at 11:30, then the party began. After all of the vehicles and barbed wire on the main deck had been unloaded I was injured in an accident with the truck ramp. We raised it to start unloading the tank deck and I stepped onto it to set the locking pins and It fell with me standing on top of it.

07/17/68

Can Tho

Spent the night in the Hospital and got out this morning. The cargo should all be offloaded today and then we will head for Vung Tau tomorrow morning.

07/19/68

Vung Tau

Arrived last night and anchored out. Beached early this morning.

07/20/68

Vung Tau

We are taking on cargo of cement, ammo and barrels of oil.

07/21/68

Vung Tau

We are anchored out in the Vung Tau harbor. Got underway for Can Tho at 11 PM, we should be at the mouth of the river about 8 or 9 am.

07/22/68

Can Tho

We arrived about 1:00 PM and anchored out in the river. We have to wait until the tides are right before we can beach. We finally beached about 5:00 PM and they started unloading the cargo.

07/23/68

Can Tho

They are still unloading cargo but it is going slow because of the rains. An Australian landing ship was getting underway upstream from where we are beached and the current caught them and carried them into us doing some damage to our stern.

07/25/68

Can Tho

They finished unloading the cargo this morning and have been cleaning up the mud and cement from the tank deck. We should get into Vung Tau late tomorrow night and will probably head for Saigon Saturday morning. We are scheduled to only be in Saigon for one day and then go back to Vung Tau.

07/27/68

Vung Tau

Just beached this morning.

07/29/68

Vung Tau

All of the cargo has been loaded. We should be getting underway tomorrow morning. Were carrying about 740 pallets of cement and some concertina wire.

07/30/68

Vung Tau

We were suppose to leave this morning but the high tide, our engines full astern, a bull dozer on our bow and a tug pulling on our stern could not get us off the ramp. We tried again at 4:30 this afternoon and finally made it. Anchored in the Vung Tau harbor over night and got underway at 6 am.

07/31/68

Dong Tam

Arrived at Noon and anchored in the River. The LST ramp is being repaired. Docked at the ramp about 6 PM. Beer call (San Miguel). Some Army guy stopped by at beer call with a pet monkey.

08/01/68

Dong Tam

The Army is unloading the cement cargo and making a big mess. They punched holes in the bags of cement with their forklifts and the tank deck is covered with it.

08/02/68

Dong Tam

We have been taking on cargo and were suppose to get under way today. A truck being loaded cut a cable to the bow ramp. We had to use a temporary rig to raise the ramp.

08/04/68

Can Tho

We left Dong Tam yesterday morning. We are carrying some army personnel who let us shoot their M-16's from mount 42 when we were going up the river. Arrived at Can Tho about 6:30 PM and anchored in the river.

08/05/68

Can Tho

Beached at noon today. Replaced the broken cable on the bow ramp. We are unloading cargo but are not going to take on any.

08/08/68

Vung Tau

Tied up to one of the piers. Leaving for Vinh Long at 4:00 am tomorrow.

08/10/68

Vinh Long

We beached yesterday afternoon and had beer call last night. We almost drowned a few Army guys and some small kids when we beached with all of the water that we pushed up on the beach. Some of the kids hung around for beer call. We talked to them and took their pictures. We gave them candy, cigarettes and beer but they seemed to like the empty beer bottles more.

08/12/68

Vung Tau

We’re on our way back to Vung Tau. We should arrive about midnight and will anchor out. We are going to make a boat run to pick up the mail and drop off two guys that are leaving the ship. We should get underway for Subic Bay tomorrow morning. We are running low on fresh water again and will have to rig up a fire hose in the showers to bath. When we get out to sea that means that we will be bathing with salt water and will have to use shampoo to get any lather.

08/26/68

Subic Bay

We just left Subic Bay about 7:00 PM and are on our way to Guam.

08/27/68

At Sea

We are going thru the straits just below Luzon and we passed a Submarine. We should be in Guam in about a week.

08/29/68

At Sea

The new crew's lounge was just finished today and we had a grand opening party. We had a barbecue and some of the guys dressed up like girls and put on a show.

08/30/68

At Sea

It's Friday and we had a personnel inspection today.

09/02/68

Guam

We arrived in Guam today about 1:00 PM. The weather got very rough about 2 hours before we arrived which made docking and tieing up a real challenge. A truck was waiting at the pier with all our mail.

09/09/68

Guam

Because of the repair work to take place aboard the Hickman County, we moved into barracks on the base today but we still have to work and stand watches aboard ship.

09/13/68

Guam

The Hickman County was moved into a floating dry dock today for the repair work.

09/15/68

Guam

We had a ships party at Gab Gab Beach. Beer, burgers, baseball and swimming. Our deck dept. challenged the engineering dept. to a game of softball and we won.

10/03/68

Guam

A new seaman that just came on board tried to commit suicide by swallowing a bottle of aspirin.

10/04/68

Guam

While I was standing in the serving line at the mess hall two women working the serving line got into a fight and started swinging at each other with big serving ladles. Funniest thing I've ever seen.

10/07/68

Guam

A first class signalman named McGuire from El Paso,Tx that just came on board last week, being a little too drunk and wandering around lost, got hit by a car. He is in the hospital in serious condition.

10/21/68

Guam

We are being threatened by a typhoon and everyone has to return to the ship. We have no engines, no generators and no anchor so we have to secure the ship to the pier.

10/22/68

Guam

The storm passed. We lucked out and did not get a direct hit.

10/24/68

Guam

We have packed up all our gear and moved back on to the ship.

10/27/68

Guam

We are threatened by another typhoon. It came close but we lucked out again and did not get a direct hit.

10/31/68

Guam

I was assigned as a driver for entourage of two Admirals, 6 Captains, 1 Lt and two civilians, one a retired Admiral. They are here to tour the base. We picked them up at the NAS drove them to the officers barracks and officers club.

11/01/68

Guam

We picked up the entourage this morning and began the tour of the base. They included a visit on board the Hickman County in their tour.

11/10/68

Guam

It Sunday and there is another Typhoon headed for us. That is 4 in a row for the last four weeks in a row.

11/12/68

Guam

We watched the movie "The Graduate" tonight but there were a lot of problems and it took forever to get through it. One of the Bosun Mates (Asberry) was harassing the projector operator and they got into a fight which didn't help.

11/16/68

Guam

We were suppose to get underway this morning for sea trials but our generators are out so we had to move to another pier to have them repaired. We finally got underway this afternoon and did make it back, but it is after dark and we don't have lights now.

11/19/68

Guam

We got underway this morning and went out again today for more sea trials.

11/23/68

Guam

We got underway today (Saturday Morning)for Yokosuka Japan. We were suppose to leave yesterday but there was a threat of another Typhoon.

11/27/68

At Sea

We are one week out of Guam. Lost a generator and one main engine. We Rigged a 50-man tent as a sail to add power using the boom of the crawler crane as a mast. The wind changed during the night and we had to take the tent down. The weather has been rough and we had 6" of water sloshing around in the head and a foot of water in the tank deck.

11/30/68

Yokosuka Japan

Arrived at 1:30 am and anchored out. Docked the next morning at 6:00 am.

12/04/68

Yokosuka Japan

We had a ships party at the EM club.

12/21/68

At Sea

Just left Yokosuka, Japan headed to Da Nang South Vietnam. We are carrying a helicopter and some trucks. We will be spending Christmas at sea. We have to take a lot of shots to protect us before we get back in country.

12/30/68

Da Nang

We arrived late at night and just steamed around the harbor until we had a place to dock and then we went in about 2 am and had everything secured about 4 am.

12/31/68

Da Nang

It is Tuesday and a regular workday while the cargo is being off loaded. We left for Vung Tau late at night. New Years eve and New Years day will be regular full workdays.

01/02/69

Vung Tau

We beached this afternoon. The Commodore and his staff came aboard. The Captain and the Commodore inspected my Bos'n locker. We are taking on cargo, they loaded lumber on the main deck and oil, cokes and beer in the tank deck and should get underway for Dong Tam tomorrow.

01/04/69

Dong Tam

We traveled up the river at night and anchored out.

01/05/69

Dong Tam

It is Sunday and we went in this morning and married up to the ramp.

01/10/69

Vung Tau

We got here yesterday afternoon and anchored out. We came in and beached this afternoon.

01/12/69

Vung Tau

We have been loading lumber and cement There is a problem with one of our generators and we may be delayed leaving here while they try to find parts to fix it.

01/14/69

Vung Tau

We just got underway at noon and are on our way to Subic Bay to get the generators and a few other things fixed.

02/01/69

Subic Bay, PI

We've been trying to get underway for the last 4 days but we are having problems with the A/C generator. They are going to remove it to make repairs.

02/09/69

Subic Bay, PI

This morning we moved over to the NSD piers and they loaded a PDR on our main deck and we got underway about 4 in the afternoon

02/10/69

At Sea

We are on our way back to Vung Tau now. The Commodore is still aboard and we are playing wars games for him.

02/13/69

Vung Tau

We arrived last night and anchored out. We went in and beached this afternoon. Our trip from Subic Bay was shorter than expected.

02/16/69

Can Tho

Arrived last night and beached at night. It took 4 tries to get it right and we didn't’t secure until 10 PM. Beer call lasted all night and a lot of people got real messed up. Our only cargo is ammo this trip.

02/18/69

Can Tho

The ammo is all unloaded. We got underway at noon and are headed for Vung Tau. Should arrive there about mid-night and anchor out. We will pick up a pilot in the morning and head up the Saigon river for Saigon.

02/20/69

Saigon

Started taking on cargo of vehicles and building supplies about noon.

02/24/69

Can Tho

Beached late last night. They started unloading the cargo this morning.

02/26/69

Can Tho

Took on a load of old beat up trucks. Should leave about 10:30 tonight and will anchor out in the river for the night then head for Vung Tau in the morning.

03/03/69

Can Tho

We beached yesterday afternoon. We are carrying a big load this time.

03/05/69

Can Tho

They finished unloading the cargo. We will leave for Vung Tau in the morning.

03/15/69

Vung Tau

We anchored out in the harbor and tied up next to a cargo ship to take on ammo from the cargo ship. We will go in and beach later.

03/16/69

Vung Tau

We are going to get underway at 1 am.

03/17/69

Can Tho

We arrived at 5:30 PM and anchored in the river. We beached at 8 PM and finished everything about 10pm. We are carrying beer and ammo.

03/22/69

Vung Tau

We are carrying a tank deck full of cement. We had a hard time getting off of the beach and are now anchored in the Vung Tau harbor. We should be getting underway for Dong Tam in the morning.

03/23/69

Dong Tam

We are married up to the LST ramp and they are unloading the cement.

03/26/69

Dong Tam

The Ammo dump on the other side of the turning basin was hit by mortors during the middle of the night. I was on watch when it started blowing up.

03/27/69

Vung Tau

We arrived yesterday evening and they are loading cement again.

03/30/69

Vinh Long

We were anchored in the Vung Tau harbor last night and beached at Vinh Long late today.

04/06/69

Nha Be

04/11/69

Vung Tau

It's Friday. I stayed on board tonight and stood someone else's watch for $5.00

04/13/69

Vinh Long

We got underway from Vung Tau last night and anchored out, then got underway for Vinh Long this morning. We are now anchored in the river near Vinh Long.

04/14/69

Vinh Long

Got underway at 5:30 this morning and tried to beach. We missed the ramp on the first try but hit a fuel barge, which put 3 holes in our port bow. We finally made it on the third try but there is so much mud built up against our bow that we couldn't open the bow doors. Had to dig out the doors with shovels, fire hoses and a bulldozer.

04/25/69

Vung Tau

We are loading our most common cargo - cement. We are supposed to get underway at 11:00 am tomorrow.

04/26/69

Vung Tau

We were suppose to get underway today at 11:00 but the tides are too low and we are stuck on the beach. We had two tugs pulling on our stern, two bulldozers pushing on our bow ramp, our engines in full reverse and could not get off of the beach. When one of the tugs parted a brand new 5" braided nylon towing hawser we finally decided to give up.

04/27/69

Vung Tau

We off loaded some of the cargo and moved to another ramp and will reload it. We will try to get underway tomorrow.

04/28/69

Vung Tau

We finally got underway. We plan to anchor in the river close to My Tho.

05/01/69

Vung Tau

We beached last night at 2:00 AM. Today they are loading pallets of cement. Tonight I am standing a cargo watch a BM2 (John Wofford) so he can go on liberty.

05/03/69

Vung Tau

The ramp in Vinh Long is occupied so we cannot leave here yet. We just got 5 new seamen on board today.

05/04/69

Vinh Long

We got underway from Vung Tau about 6:00 AM. We are anchored in the river at Vinh Long, they are doing some work on the beach area and we may be able to go in tomorrow morning.

05/08/69

Vung Tau

They got us unloaded in a hurry and we are back in Vung Tau, anchored out now. We are suppose to go to Saigon to pick up a priority cargo and should get underway about 6:00 AM tomorrow.

05/10/69

Saigon

I spent the afternoon in downtown Saigon.

05/15/69

Vung Tau

Arrived at 2:00 am and anchored out.

05/17/69

Vung Tau

I finally made BM3 and it’s retroactive to 4/16. We just got 4 new crew members, that makes 14 in the last 3 weeks. Last week we almost ran aground going up the river when we lost steering control going into a bend.

05/22/69

Vung Tau

All of the ramps were occupied so we tied up at the pier. During the night some VC swimmers tried to attach charges to the hull of our ship. We captured one swimmer and inspected the ship but no charges were found. Charges were found on a cargo ship tied up in front of the Hickman County.

05/23/69

Vung Tau

Moved to one of the ramps and started taking on cargo.

05/24/69

Vung Tau

Got underway for Vinh Long at 4:00 PM. Anchored at the mouth of the river for the night. Got underway at 6:00 am to head up the river for Vinh Long.

05/25/69

Vinh Long

Arrived at Vinh Long and anchored out. Beached at 3:00 PM and started unloading cargo. As we were coming up the river some F4’s were strafing the jungle and dropping bombs. They were only about a half-mile from our position on the river.

05/28/69

Vung Tau

We anchored out in the river last night near Vinh Long. Got underway this morning about 4:30AM for Vung Tau.

05/29/69

Vung Tau

Taking on a load of ammo. Plans are to get underway at 1:00 AM and head to Can To.

05/30/69

Vung Tau

Got underway at 1:00 AM and anchored out in the Vung Tau harbour. Got the day off today but planning to leave for Can Tho at 11:30 tonight. I will probably catch a flight out of Can Tho to Saigon to head for home. My tour here is just about over.

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