USS Mahnomen County (LST-912)

The USS Mahnomen County (LST-912) was a United States Navy tank landing ship that served during World War II and the Vietnam War. The vessel and her sister LSTs played a vital role in both conflicts, landing troops and equipment directly onto enemy beaches.

The USS Mahnomen County was built in 1944 by the Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard in Hingham, Massachusetts and commissioned on May 21, 1944. Shortly after her commissioning, the Mahnomen County entered the Atlantic Ocean for a brief training and shakedown cruise. Following this introductory cruise, the ship was assigned to the Pacific Theater where she joined the Navy’s island-hopping campaign.

World War II Service

The Mahnomen County and her crew wasted little time in preparing for their role in the Pacific Theater invasions. In late 1944, the vessel took part in the successful amphibious assault on Morotai Island. This invasion was followed by taking part in the battle for Leyte, which was also a success. In both battles, the Mahnomen County faced heavy enemy resistance and Japanese soldiers scored numerous small-arms strikes on the LST. These small-arms strikes may have damaged asbestos-containing materials and caused crewed members to be exposed to asbestos.

The ship experienced heavier damage in January 1945 when she was struck by a Japanese aircraft. The ensuing explosion undoubtedly disturbed asbestos onboard and crew members may have inhaled airborne asbestos fibers. Despite this setback, the LST continued sailing towards Japan. The Mahnomen County later participated in the invasions of Lingayen Gulf and the southern Philippines. By the time the Japanese surrendered in August 1945, the Mahnomen County had earned a total of four battle stars for her service in the Pacific.

Service After World War II

While most LSTs were decommissioned after World War II, the Mahnomen County found an active-duty role with the Atlantic Fleet. For the next 10 years, the LST deployed to the Caribbean and Mediterranean with the Navy’s 6th Fleet. On August 25, 1955, the ship was finally decommissioned and placed into the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

Service during the Vietnam War

In 1963, with tensions in Vietnam growing by the day, the Mahnomen County was reactivated and sent to the Pacific. The LST was eventually deployed to Southeast Asia in 1965. She arrived in Vietnam in early 1966 and served in the region for nearly two years, earning two more battle stars for her service. The LST’s time was cut short, however, as a storm drove her onto the coastal rocks near Chu Lai. The Navy decided to dispose of the LST at that location and after salvaging everything possible, she was destroyed by the Navy.

Asbestos Risks

Navy veterans are at a particularly high risk for developing an asbestos-related disease because the majority of ships that were constructed for World War II and after contained asbestos-laden materials. Shipyard workers faced their greatest risk of asbestos exposure while performing routine overhauls and upgrades for military ships. During these overhauls, materials made with asbestos were often torn apart and removed from the vessel, enabling asbestos fibers to become airborne.

The inhalation of asbestos fibers is one of the primary causes of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects about 3,000 Americans each year. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they typically become lodged in the lining of the lungs and remain there for several decades. Later in life, these fibers can cause irritations that have the potential to develop into cancerous mesothelioma tumors. Unfortunately, the severe latency period associated with this cancer often causes patients to become diagnosed during the advanced stages of development and at a time when treatment options are limited.

If you or a loved one have contracted or passed away from mesothelioma cancer after being exposed to asbestos, you may have legal options for compensation to help pay for treatments and other expenses. For more information about this and treatment options available for mesothelioma patients, please click here to receive a complimentary informational packet in the mail.

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Auxiliary Vessels Index