USS LST-865

USS LST-865 was a LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Philippine Navy as RPS Albay (T-39).

Construction and career
LST-865 was laid down on 19 October 1944 at Jeffersonville Boat and Machine Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana. Launched on 22 November 1944 and commissioned on 16 December 1944.

Service in the United States Navy
During World War II, LST-865 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater. She was assigned to occupation and Far East from 3 September to 15 December 1947.

She was decommissioned on 30 Decommissioned 1947.

LST-865 was struck from the Navy Register on 22 January 1948 and transferred to the Philippines.

Service in the Philippine Navy
She was acquired by the Philippine Navy on 30 December 1976 and renamed RPS Albay (T-39).

During the Korean War, RPS Cotabato (T-36), RPS Pampanga, RPS Bulacan, BRP Albay, and BRP Misamis Oriental had been sent to transport Filipino soldiers to and from Korea for five years. Albay and Bulacan conducted anti-aircraft and anti-submarine drills with a U.S. Navy submarine which surfaced next to Albay. Both ships then anchored at the Port of Busan, 12 days after they departed Manila. She made trips from 1953 to 1954 carrying troops to and back from Korea.

On 19 April 1974, a 20-day marathon on bicycles named Tour of Luzon-Visayas with 200 participants boarded the ship at South Harbor in order to continue the marathon in Tolosa.

RPS Albay, Bulacan and Misamis Oriental were all mothballed in 1979.

Awards
LST-865 have earned the following awards:


 * American Campaign Medal
 * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1 battle star)
 * World War II Victory Medal
 * Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
 * China Service Medal (extended)