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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

LST-1181 Sumter

Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Zulu - Golf - Whiskey
USS Sumter (LST-1181) was transferred to the Republic of China and renamed Chung Ping (LST-233)
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
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 Sumter (LST-1181) participated in the following campaign:
    Vietnamese Counteroffensive - Phase VII
    22 May to 18 June 1971
    19 to 21 June 1971
    Vietnamese Ceasefire Campaign
    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
  • Final Disposition, leased to the Republic of China, renamed 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
  • Sumter earned two campaign stars for service during the Vietnam War
      Sumter is the third ship of the twenty ship Newport tank landing ship class, which replaced the traditional bow door design LST. Two derrick arms support a thirty-ton, 112-foot bow ramp for the unloading of tanks and other vehicles ashore, additionally, amphibious vehicles can be launched from the tank deck via the ship's stern gate and the ship's flight deck can accommodate most Navy helicopter types.
    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 20 kts.
    Complement 14 Officers, 15 CPO, 226 Enlisted
    Troop Accommodations 18 Officers, 21 SNCO 268 Enlisted
    Boats two 36' LCPL
    Aircraft flight deck one spot
    Armament
    (As Built) two twin 3"/50 gun mounts
    (Upgraded, Armament; 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
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Sumter 36k Sumter (LST-1181) underway, date and place unknown. Adrian A. Anderson
    Sumter 20k Sumter (LST-1181) at anchor, date and place unknown. Adrian A. Anderson
    Sumter 50k Sumter (LST-1181) at anchor, date and place unknown. Adrian A. Anderson
    Sumter 33k Sumter (LST-1181) at anchor, date and place unknown. Adrian A Anderson
    Sumter 53k Sumter (LST-1181) conducting amphibious exercises, date and place unknown. Adrian A Anderson
    Sumter 50k Sumter (LST-1181) conducting amphibious exercises, date and place unknown. Adrian A Anderson
    Sumter 49k Sumter (LST-1181) conducting amphibious exercises, date and place unknown. Adrian A Anderson
    Sumter 145k Sumter (LST-1181) underway, date and place unknown. LST Home Port web site
    Sumter 47k Sumter (LST-1181) underway, date and place unknown. LST Home Port web site
    Sumter 91k Sumter (LST-1181) underway, date and place unknown. Richard Leonhardt
    Manitowoc 15k Transfer ceremony of Manitowoc (LST-1180) and Sumter (LST-1181) from the US Navy to the Republic of China at NAB Little Creek, VA., 8 May 1997. LST Home Port web site
    View the two Sumter (LST-1181)
    DANFS history entries located at the US Naval Historical Center web site
    Sumter and
    Sumter (LST-1181)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Sumter (LST-1181)
    Mobile Riverine Force Association
    LST Home Port
    State LST Chapters
    United States LST Association
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Tank Landing Ship (LST) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2006 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 27 May 2005