USS Stark County

USS Stark County (LST-1134) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Royal Thai Navy as HTMS Pangan (LST-13) (เรือหลวงพงัน).

Construction and commissioning
LST-1134 was laid down on 18 December 1944 at Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, Seneca, illonois. Launched on 16 March 1945 and commissioned on 7 April 1945.

Service in United States Navy
She was commissioned too late to see service in World War II but was assigned to occupation service in the Far East from 15 September 1945 to 4 January 1946.

During the Korean War, she participated in the invasion of Inchon from 13 to 17 September 1950.

On 1 July 1955, she was given the name USS Stark County.

She was decommissioned on 16 May 1966 and transferred to the Royal Thai Navy.

LST-1134 earned three battle stars for Cold War service.

Service in Royal Thai Navy
She was renamed HTMS Pangan (LST-13) once acquired by the navy. She was homeported in Phra Samut Chedi alongside HTMS Lanta and HTMS Chang.

The ship was retired from the Royal Thai Navy in 2008 and used as a training ship alongside other LSTs.

She arrived in Koh Phangan on 21 January 2011 to be converted into museum ship.

Awards
LST-1134 have earned the following awards:


 * American Campaign Medal
 * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
 * World War II Victory Medal
 * Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
 * National Defense Service Medal
 * Korean Service Medal (3 battle stars)
 * United Nations Service Medal
 * Republic of Korea War Service Medal (retroactive)