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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Sumter (LST-1181)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Zulu - Golf - Whiskey NZGW

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation
Second Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation - Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (3) - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Lebanon)
Third Row - National Defense Service Medal - Vietnam Service Medal (2) - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

USS Sumter (LST-1181) was transferred to the Republic of China and renamed ROCS Chung Ping (LST-233)

LST-1179 Newport Class Tank Landing Ship:

Laid down, 14 November 1967, at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA.

Launched, 13 December 1969

Commissioned, USS Sumter (LST-1181), 20 June 1970, CDR. James C. Hayes in command

During the Vietnam War USS Sumter (LST-1181) participated in the following campaign:

**Vietnam War Campaigns**
Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII 22 May to 18 June 1971 19 to 21 June 1971	Vietnamese Ceasefire 27 April to 31 May 1972 22 May to 18 June 1972 11 to 14 July 1972 1 August to 2 August 1972

Decommissioned, 30 September 1993, and leased to the Republic of China, renamed ROCS Chung Ping (LST-233)

Struck from the Naval Register and simultaneously sold to the Republic of China, 29 September 2000

Current Disposition, active in the Republic of China Navy

USS Sumter earned two campaign stars for Vietnam War service

Sumter

Specifications:
Displacement 5,190 t.(lt), 8,550 t.(fl)
Length 522' 3" (ovl)
Beam 69' 9 1/2" (max)
Draft max forward (fl) 13' 6", max aft (fl) 16' 3" 15'
Speed 27 kts. max.
Complement

14 Officers

15 CPO

226 Other Enlisted
Troop Accommodations

18 Officers

21 SNCO

268 Other Enlisted
Boats

three 36' LCVPs

one 36' LCPL
Aircraft

flight deck one spot
Armament

As Built

two twin 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts

Upgraded

two .25mm chain guns

six .50 cal machine guns

one 20mm Phalanx (CIWS)
Propulsion

six 16 cylinder Electro Motive Engines (EMD 645 E-5) diesel engines

two shafts, three engines per shaft, shaft horsepower 15,000

two controllable reversible pitch propellers, twin rudders

Three EMD 12 Cylinder 645 E-2 Generator sets, 1200 KW

one 800 hp variable thrust bowthruster

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
36k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** underway, date and location unknown.	Adrian A. Anderson
20k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Adrian A. Anderson
50k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Adrian A. Anderson
33k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	Adrian A Anderson
53k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** conducting amphibious exercises, date and location unknown.	Adrian A Anderson
50k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** conducting amphibious exercises, date and location unknown.	Adrian A Anderson
49k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** conducting amphibious exercises, date and location unknown.	Adrian A Anderson
145k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** underway, date and location unknown.	LST Home Port web site
47k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** underway, date and location unknown.	LST Home Port web site
91k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** underway, date and location unknown.	Richard Leonhardt
80k	*USS Sumter* (LST-1181)** moored at Harborside, Norfolk, VA., date unknown.	David LaPell
15k	Transfer ceremony of *USS Sumter* (LST-1181) and USS Manitowoc (LST-1180)** from the US Navy to the Republic of China at NAB Little Creek, VA., 8 May 1997.	LST Home Port web site