USS LST-222

	RPS Mindoro Occidental (LT-93)
History
United States
Name	LST-222
Builder	Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca
Laid down	16 March 1943
Launched	17 August 1943
Sponsored by	Mrs. Ruth Clydedale
Commissioned	10 September 1943
Decommissioned	February 1946
Reclassified	LST(H)-222, 15 September 1945; Q044, February 1946; T-LST-222, 31 March 1952;
Stricken	15 July 1972
Identification	Callsign: NPMS; ;
Honors and; awards	See Awards
Fate	Transferred to Philippines, 15 July 1972
Philippines
Name	Mindoro Occidental
Namesake	Mindoro Occidental
Acquired	15 July 1972
Commissioned	15 July 1972
Identification	Hull number: LT-93
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load ; 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing;
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft; Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft;
Installed power	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines; 1,700 shp (1,300 kW);
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears; 2 × Propellers;
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing ; craft carried	2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity	2,100 tons oceangoing maximum; 350 tons main deckload;
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament; 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns ; 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns; 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons;

USS LST-222 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Philippine Navy as RPS Mindoro Occidental (LT-93).^[1]

Construction and career

LST-222 was laid down on 16 March 1943 at Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca, Illinois. Launched on 17 August 1943 and commissioned on 10 September 1943.^[2]

Service in the United States Navy

During World War II, LST-222 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater. She then participated in the Invasion of Normandy from 6 to 25 June 1944.

She participated in the occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls from 31 January to 8 February 1944 and also the occupation of Saipan from 15 to 24 June 1944. Tinian capture and occupation from 24 to 28 July 1944. Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September 14 October 1944

On 15 September 1945, she was converted into a Landing Ship, Tank (Hospital) and was reclassified LST(H)-222.

She assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 17 October 1945 to 5 February 1946.

She was decommissioned in February 1946 and came under the Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP), redesignated Q044.

Transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952, and placed in service as USNS T-LST-222.

LST-222 was struck from the Navy Register on 15 July 1972 and transferred to the Philippines.

Service in the Philippine Navy

She was acquired by the Philippine Navy on 15 July 1972 and renamed RPS Mindoro Occidental (LT-93).

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.^[3]

On 11 January 1981, BRP Mindoro Occidental carried relief goods to Samar after a tropical storm had hit the area.^[4]

She was possibly sold as scrap in the early 1990s.

Awards

LST-222 have earned the following awards:

American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 battle stars)
Navy Occupation Medal (with Asia clasp)
World War II Victory Medal

Citations

^ "Tank Landing Ship LST". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
^ "LST-222". NHHC. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
^ goriob (22 October 2004), 1974 RPS Mindoro Occidental (LST 93), retrieved 14 September 2021
^ GorioB (22 December 2011), 1981 0113 BRP Mindoro Occidental, retrieved 14 September 2021