Marker Monday: U.S.S. Harris County

Image Credit: David Seibert

This week’s #MarkerMonday remembers the Arctic expedition of the USNS Harris County in 1955 and 1956. Originally known as LST-822, the ship was commissioned November 23, 1944, and served in the Pacific theater during World War II and in the Korean War. Primarily used to transport military vehicles and troops during water-born invasions, LSTs (abbreviation for Landing Ship, Tanks), could sail directly on to the beach and unload vehicles and soldiers to support those already engaged in combat.  Following the post-War naming convention that saw LSTs commissioned with the names of U.S. counties and parishes, the ship was renamed USNS Harris County (T-LST-822) after counties in Georgia and Texas. It received orders to lead a re-supply mission to the Arctic Ocean in June 1955. She set sail from Seattle, Washington for Point Hope, Alaska on June 27, 1955. Harris County was a part of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), and participated in activities such as transporting materials needed to .

Explore the links below to learn more about USS Harris County (also referred to as USNS Harris County (T-LST-822)).

Full Marker Text

Dictionary of Naval Fighting Ships

Images of the Harris County in action can be reference through the Naval History and Heritage Command

NavSource Online (complete listing of ship’s history)