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USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123)
Encyclopedia
USS Sedgwick County (LST-1123) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship
in the United States Navy
. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after World War II
, she survived long enough to be named. On 1 July 1955, all LSTs still in commission were named for US counties or parishes; LST-1123 was given the name Sedgwick County, after counties in Colorado
and Kansas
.
LST-1123 was laid down on 1 November 1944 at Seneca, Illinois
, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
; launched
on 29 January 1945, sponsored by Miss Betty Lou Bailey; and commissioned
on 19 February 1945, Lt. (jg.) John H. Cleaque III, USNR, in command.
, and sailed for the Pacific
on the 29th. She arrived at San Diego in mid-April; transported rescue boats to San Francisco; and departed the latter port on the 22nd loaded with LVT
s, vehicles, and fuel oil. On 2 May, she arrived at Pearl Harbor
; offloaded her cargo; and then commenced amphibious exercises. On 2 June, with Army Quartermaster Corps and Navy Construction Battalion
personnel and cargo embarked, she sailed for the Marshall Islands
, Marianas, and Ryukyus.
Arriving off Okinawa on 28 July, she remained there until after the Japanese surrender, then returned to the Marshalls and Marianas. During September, she carried occupation troops from the latter islands to Kyūshū
, Japan
. Then, in late October and early November, she performed a similar service for units moving from the Philippines
to Honshū
.
On 9 November 1945, LST-1123 departed Honshu and sailed east. Steaming via the Marianas and the Hawaiian Islands
, she arrived at San Francisco on 8 January 1946; underwent overhaul at Seattle; then commenced operations out of San Diego. For the next four years, the LST continued to ply the waters off the west coast, primarily in the California
area, but with occasional cargo and training operations in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters.
In 1950, LST-1123 participated in the filming of the 1951 movie Halls of Montezuma
, starring Richard Widmark
. She appeared in the film.
crossed the 38th Parallel
and pushed south to occupy most of the Republic of Korea (ROK). By the end of July, the LST had returned to San Diego; loaded Construction Battalion equipment at Port Hueneme; and sailed west.
At Yokosuka by the end of August, she shifted to Kobe
; and, on 10 September, sailed for the embattled Korean peninsula to participate in the amphibious landing at Inchon. On the afternoon of the 15th, she anchored off Blue Beach and began launching LVTs under protective fire from the covering force. Then, she remained in the Inchon area into October, shuttling passengers and cargo from transports and cargo ships in the harbor.
On 15 October, she departed Inchon. Ten days later, she arrived off Wonsan
and, as the 1st Marine Division was landed administratively on the Kalma peninsula, commenced shuttle operations similar to those at Inchon. From 1 November until 3 November, she transported ROK Marines to, and landed them at, Kosong
; then shifted back to Wonsan.
By the 18th, U.S. Marines had reached the Chosin Reservoir; ROK forces were moving on Chongjin
; and U.S. Army units were pushing toward North Korea's northern borders. Hungnam
had been chosen as a new supply center, and LST-1123 was ordered to carry tanks and other vehicles to that port.
On 28 November, she headed back to Japan, whence she returned to the west coast of Korea. From 5 December 1950 until 7 January 1951, she remained in the Inchon area, then carried troops and cargo to Taechon
. At mid-month, she returned to Yokosuka. In February, she carried POW's from Pusan to Koje Do. In March, she continued operations in the Pusan area and, in early April, she returned to Yokosuka, whence she got underway for California on the 25th.
Arriving at San Diego on 23 May, LST-1123 conducted local operations through the remainder of the year. During the winter of 1952, she underwent overhaul at San Francisco; and, on 26 May, got underway to return to the Far East. On 30 June, she arrived at Yokosuka; shifted to Sasebo
at the end of the month; and, by 2 August, was back in Pusan harbor to start her second tour in the Korean combat zone.
Shuttle runs to Japan and to Pongam Do occupied the first part of the month. She then returned to Japan and, into October, conducted training exercises. On 10 October, she sailed for Korea. On the 15th, she participated in an amphibious feint at Kojo
; and, on the 17th, she returned to Japan. By the 20th, she was back at Inchon, whence, into late November, she carried ammunition to U.N.-held offshore islands.
LST-1123 spent December at Yokosuka; and, in January 1953, she steamed back to Inchon. From there she sailed to Pusan; made cargo runs to Kojo Do and back to Inchon; then proceeded to Yokosuka, whence she sailed for San Diego, arriving there on 5 March.
For the remainder of 1953, LST-1123 operated off the west coast. In January 1954, she again sailed for the Far East. She delivered landing craft and vehicles to Yokosuka in late February; conducted amphibious exercises in the Volcano Islands
in March, off Korea in April, and in Japanese waters in July. During those months and through September, she also carried cargo between Japanese and Korean ports. In October, she sailed for home.
After her arrival on 10 November, LST-1123 operated off the west coast into 1955. That spring, she began inactivation at Astoria
; and, in the summer, she returned to San Diego. Named Sedgwick County on 1 July 1955, she was decommissioned on 9 September and berthed with the Reserve Fleet.
, she was ordered west in November for her first tour in her third western Pacific war. On her arrival in Vietnam
ese waters, Sedgwick County began carrying troops, cargo, and ammunition to Allied forces on the coast and in the Mekong Delta
area. In late December 1966 and early January 1967, she supported operation "Deck House V" in the Delta area; then, from 2 to 13 January, she again conducted shuttle runs between Da Nang
, Chu Lai
, and Cua Viet. At mid-month, she headed for home; but, on 20 February, she departed Guam and headed west again. Early March was spent at Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and, on the llth, the LST returned to Da Nang to resume shuttle runs. Continuing resupply operations into April, she was back at Guam from 3 May to 5 June; but, by mid-June, she was again off the Vietnamese coast.
On the 12th, Sedgwick County arrived at Vung Tau
, whence she resupplied ships conducting Operation Market Time
. On 8 July, she anchored in Subic Bay
for two weeks rest, then returned to Da Nang and cargo runs for the Naval Support Activity there. Her duties were interrupted at the end of August for a call at Hong Kong
. She then returned to Subic Bay and Da Nang, resumed resupply shuttle operations, and continued them until late in December.
Christmas 1967 was spent at Kaohsiung; but with the new year, 1968, the LST returned to Vietnam. During January, she resupplied Cua Viet. Upkeep at Subic and a call at Hong Kong took her into February; and, at mid-month, she began supporting riverine forces from Vung Tau.
On 4 April, the LST returned to Guam for overhaul. In June, she conducted exercises in Japanese waters. In July, she returned to the Philippines; and, on 18 August, she resumed support of Market Time activities in South Vietnam as CTU 115.3.9. Relieved by Litchfield County in late September, Sedgwick County moved north to Da Nang; loaded a causeway section; then steamed for Subic and Guam. Arriving on 17 October, she sailed for Da Nang on 20 November to shuttle cargo to Cua Viet and Tan My. In late December, she headed for Hong Kong, thence, at the end of the year, continued on to Sasebo, Japan, for an extended upkeep period.
In mid-April 1969. Sedgwick County returned to South Vietnam and began a tour as support and re-supply LST for the Naval Support Activity, Saigon. During June and early July, she was in the Philippines; and, on 13 July, she returned to Da Nang to join in operations to redeploy Marines from Vietnam. On 6 August, she completed her second run from Vietnam to Okinawa; and, on the 8th, she headed for Guam.
Arriving on the 14th, Sedgwick County prepared for inactivation. She was decommissioned on 6 December 1969; and, in 1970, preparations were made to tow her to Vallejo, California
, for berthing with the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island
. She was struck from the Navy list on 15 March 1975 and transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy
on 7 October 1976 where she served as KD Rajah Jarom (A-1502).
LST-1123 earned six battle stars for the Korean War and six battle stars and one award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation
for the Vietnam War.
in 1 August 1976, and renamed KD Raja Jarom (A-1502). She was still in service as a stationary tender through 1999.
Tank landing ship
Landing Ship, Tank was the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore....
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Unlike many of her class, which received only numbers and were disposed of after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she survived long enough to be named. On 1 July 1955, all LSTs still in commission were named for US counties or parishes; LST-1123 was given the name Sedgwick County, after counties in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
LST-1123 was laid down on 1 November 1944 at Seneca, Illinois
Seneca, Illinois
Seneca is a village in LaSalle and Grundy counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,371 at the 2010 census.The LaSalle County portion of Seneca is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in Grundy County is part of the...
, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company , , known commonly as CB&I, is a large multinational conglomerate engineering, procurement and construction company. CB&I specializes in projects for oil and gas companies...
; launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 29 January 1945, sponsored by Miss Betty Lou Bailey; and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 19 February 1945, Lt. (jg.) John H. Cleaque III, USNR, in command.
World War II and post-war service
Completing shakedown toward the end of March, LST-1123 loaded cargo at Mobile, AlabamaMobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, and sailed for the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
on the 29th. She arrived at San Diego in mid-April; transported rescue boats to San Francisco; and departed the latter port on the 22nd loaded with LVT
LVT
LVT can refer to:* Land value tax* LVT, American indie rock band based out of Baltimore, MD* Landing Vehicle Tracked, an amphibious military vehicle.* Leasehold valuation tribunal, a form of legal hearing in England and Wales....
s, vehicles, and fuel oil. On 2 May, she arrived at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
; offloaded her cargo; and then commenced amphibious exercises. On 2 June, with Army Quartermaster Corps and Navy Construction Battalion
Seabee
Seabees are members of the United States Navy construction battalions. The word Seabee is a proper noun that comes from the initials of Construction Battalion, of the United States Navy...
personnel and cargo embarked, she sailed for the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
, Marianas, and Ryukyus.
Arriving off Okinawa on 28 July, she remained there until after the Japanese surrender, then returned to the Marshalls and Marianas. During September, she carried occupation troops from the latter islands to Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Then, in late October and early November, she performed a similar service for units moving from the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
to Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
.
On 9 November 1945, LST-1123 departed Honshu and sailed east. Steaming via the Marianas and the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
, she arrived at San Francisco on 8 January 1946; underwent overhaul at Seattle; then commenced operations out of San Diego. For the next four years, the LST continued to ply the waters off the west coast, primarily in the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
area, but with occasional cargo and training operations in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters.
In 1950, LST-1123 participated in the filming of the 1951 movie Halls of Montezuma
Halls of Montezuma (film)
Halls of Montezuma is a 1951 World War II war film starring Richard Widmark, Jack Palance and Karl Malden. The film, which is about U.S. marines fighting on a Japanese-held island, was directed by academy-award winner Lewis Milestone. It also starred Robert Wagner in his first credited screen role...
, starring Richard Widmark
Richard Widmark
Richard Weedt Widmark was an American film, stage and television actor.He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, Kiss of Death...
. She appeared in the film.
Korean War Service
In late June 1950, while LST-1123 was undergoing overhaul at San Francisco, the Army of North KoreaNorth Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
crossed the 38th Parallel
38th parallel north
The 38th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean...
and pushed south to occupy most of the Republic of Korea (ROK). By the end of July, the LST had returned to San Diego; loaded Construction Battalion equipment at Port Hueneme; and sailed west.
At Yokosuka by the end of August, she shifted to Kobe
Kobe
, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
; and, on 10 September, sailed for the embattled Korean peninsula to participate in the amphibious landing at Inchon. On the afternoon of the 15th, she anchored off Blue Beach and began launching LVTs under protective fire from the covering force. Then, she remained in the Inchon area into October, shuttling passengers and cargo from transports and cargo ships in the harbor.
On 15 October, she departed Inchon. Ten days later, she arrived off Wonsan
Wonsan
Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Notable people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.- History :The original name of...
and, as the 1st Marine Division was landed administratively on the Kalma peninsula, commenced shuttle operations similar to those at Inchon. From 1 November until 3 November, she transported ROK Marines to, and landed them at, Kosong
Kosong
Kosong is a kun, or county, in Kangwon province, North Korea. It lies in the southeasternmost corner of North Korea, immediately north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Prior to the end of the Korean War in 1953, it made up a single county, together with what is now the South Korean county of the...
; then shifted back to Wonsan.
By the 18th, U.S. Marines had reached the Chosin Reservoir; ROK forces were moving on Chongjin
Chongjin
Ch'ŏngjin is the capital of North Korea's North Hamgyŏng Province and the country's third largest city. From 1960 to 1967 and again from 1977 to 1985, Ch'ŏngjin was administered separately from North Hamgyŏng as a Directly Governed City...
; and U.S. Army units were pushing toward North Korea's northern borders. Hungnam
Hungnam
Hŭngnam was the third largest city in North Korea.It is a port city on the eastern coast, in South Hamgyong Province, on the Sea of Japan . The city covers an area of 250 square kilometers...
had been chosen as a new supply center, and LST-1123 was ordered to carry tanks and other vehicles to that port.
On 28 November, she headed back to Japan, whence she returned to the west coast of Korea. From 5 December 1950 until 7 January 1951, she remained in the Inchon area, then carried troops and cargo to Taechon
Taechon
Taechon, also spelled Thaechon, is a kun, or county, in central North Pyongan province, North Korea. It borders Taegwan and Tongchang to the north, Unsan and Nyongbyon to the east, Pakchon and Unjon to the south, and Kusong to the west....
. At mid-month, she returned to Yokosuka. In February, she carried POW's from Pusan to Koje Do. In March, she continued operations in the Pusan area and, in early April, she returned to Yokosuka, whence she got underway for California on the 25th.
Arriving at San Diego on 23 May, LST-1123 conducted local operations through the remainder of the year. During the winter of 1952, she underwent overhaul at San Francisco; and, on 26 May, got underway to return to the Far East. On 30 June, she arrived at Yokosuka; shifted to Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
at the end of the month; and, by 2 August, was back in Pusan harbor to start her second tour in the Korean combat zone.
Shuttle runs to Japan and to Pongam Do occupied the first part of the month. She then returned to Japan and, into October, conducted training exercises. On 10 October, she sailed for Korea. On the 15th, she participated in an amphibious feint at Kojo
Kojo
Kojo may refer to:* A variant for the Akan name for males born on Monday* The servant of Nandywog in Ruth Plumly Thompson's The Purple Prince of Oz* King Kojo, a novel by Ruth Plumly Thompson with illustrations by Marge...
; and, on the 17th, she returned to Japan. By the 20th, she was back at Inchon, whence, into late November, she carried ammunition to U.N.-held offshore islands.
LST-1123 spent December at Yokosuka; and, in January 1953, she steamed back to Inchon. From there she sailed to Pusan; made cargo runs to Kojo Do and back to Inchon; then proceeded to Yokosuka, whence she sailed for San Diego, arriving there on 5 March.
For the remainder of 1953, LST-1123 operated off the west coast. In January 1954, she again sailed for the Far East. She delivered landing craft and vehicles to Yokosuka in late February; conducted amphibious exercises in the Volcano Islands
Volcano Islands
The Volcano Islands is a group of three Japanese islands south of the Bonin Islands that belong to the municipality of Ogasawara...
in March, off Korea in April, and in Japanese waters in July. During those months and through September, she also carried cargo between Japanese and Korean ports. In October, she sailed for home.
After her arrival on 10 November, LST-1123 operated off the west coast into 1955. That spring, she began inactivation at Astoria
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
; and, in the summer, she returned to San Diego. Named Sedgwick County on 1 July 1955, she was decommissioned on 9 September and berthed with the Reserve Fleet.
Vietnam War Service
Sedgwick County remained berthed at San Diego until recommissioned on 4 June 1966. Assigned to Landing Ship Squadron 3 and homeported at GuamGuam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, she was ordered west in November for her first tour in her third western Pacific war. On her arrival in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese waters, Sedgwick County began carrying troops, cargo, and ammunition to Allied forces on the coast and in the Mekong Delta
Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southwestern Vietnam of . The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.The...
area. In late December 1966 and early January 1967, she supported operation "Deck House V" in the Delta area; then, from 2 to 13 January, she again conducted shuttle runs between Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
, Chu Lai
Chu Lai
Chu Lai is a sea port, urban and industrial area in Dung Quat Bay, Núi Thành district, Quang Nam province of Vietnam. The city is served by Chu Lai Airport.-Vietnam War:...
, and Cua Viet. At mid-month, she headed for home; but, on 20 February, she departed Guam and headed west again. Early March was spent at Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and, on the llth, the LST returned to Da Nang to resume shuttle runs. Continuing resupply operations into April, she was back at Guam from 3 May to 5 June; but, by mid-June, she was again off the Vietnamese coast.
On the 12th, Sedgwick County arrived at Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
, whence she resupplied ships conducting Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time
Operation Market Time was the United States Navy’s effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War...
. On 8 July, she anchored in Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
for two weeks rest, then returned to Da Nang and cargo runs for the Naval Support Activity there. Her duties were interrupted at the end of August for a call at Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. She then returned to Subic Bay and Da Nang, resumed resupply shuttle operations, and continued them until late in December.
Christmas 1967 was spent at Kaohsiung; but with the new year, 1968, the LST returned to Vietnam. During January, she resupplied Cua Viet. Upkeep at Subic and a call at Hong Kong took her into February; and, at mid-month, she began supporting riverine forces from Vung Tau.
On 4 April, the LST returned to Guam for overhaul. In June, she conducted exercises in Japanese waters. In July, she returned to the Philippines; and, on 18 August, she resumed support of Market Time activities in South Vietnam as CTU 115.3.9. Relieved by Litchfield County in late September, Sedgwick County moved north to Da Nang; loaded a causeway section; then steamed for Subic and Guam. Arriving on 17 October, she sailed for Da Nang on 20 November to shuttle cargo to Cua Viet and Tan My. In late December, she headed for Hong Kong, thence, at the end of the year, continued on to Sasebo, Japan, for an extended upkeep period.
In mid-April 1969. Sedgwick County returned to South Vietnam and began a tour as support and re-supply LST for the Naval Support Activity, Saigon. During June and early July, she was in the Philippines; and, on 13 July, she returned to Da Nang to join in operations to redeploy Marines from Vietnam. On 6 August, she completed her second run from Vietnam to Okinawa; and, on the 8th, she headed for Guam.
Arriving on the 14th, Sedgwick County prepared for inactivation. She was decommissioned on 6 December 1969; and, in 1970, preparations were made to tow her to Vallejo, California
Vallejo, California
Vallejo is the largest city in Solano County, California, United States. The population was 115,942 at the 2010 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area on the northeastern shore of San Pablo Bay...
, for berthing with the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island
Mare Island
Mare Island is a peninsula in the United States alongside the city of Vallejo, California, about northeast of San Francisco. The Napa River forms its eastern side as it enters the Carquinez Strait juncture with the east side of San Pablo Bay. Mare Island is considered a peninsula because no full...
. She was struck from the Navy list on 15 March 1975 and transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy
Royal Malaysian Navy
The Royal Malaysian Navy is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD , which means Royal Ship.-Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve:...
on 7 October 1976 where she served as KD Rajah Jarom (A-1502).
LST-1123 earned six battle stars for the Korean War and six battle stars and one award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
for the Vietnam War.
KD Raja Jarom
The ship was transferred to the Royal Malaysian NavyRoyal Malaysian Navy
The Royal Malaysian Navy is the naval arm of Malaysian Armed Forces. All commissioned ships of the RMN have the prefix KD , which means Royal Ship.-Straits Settlement Naval Volunteer Reserve:...
in 1 August 1976, and renamed KD Raja Jarom (A-1502). She was still in service as a stationary tender through 1999.