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'''Addison County''' LST-31 was laid down on 2 February 1943 at Pittsburgh, Pa., by the Dravo Corp.; launched on 5 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Maurice Endres; accepted by the Navy and placed in reduced commission on 10 July 1943; and sailed to New Orleans where she was placed in full commission on 21 July 1943, Lt. John D. Schneidau, Jr., USNR, in command.

'''Addison County''' LST-31 was laid down on 2 February 1943 at [[Pittsburgh]], Pa., by the Dravo Corp.; launched on 5 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Maurice Endres; accepted by the [[Navy]] and placed in reduced commission on 10 July 1943; and sailed to [[New Orleans]] where she was placed in full commission on 21 July 1943, Lt. John D. Schneidau, Jr., USNR, in command.

The new tank landing ship got underway on 29 July for Panama City, Fla., where she conducted a series of beaching exercises. LST-31 returned to New Orleans on 7 August to take on cargo for transportation to the Pacific. After a brief port call at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the vessel transited the Panama Canal on 24 August and joined the Pacific Fleet. She then continued on to San Diego, Calif., where she arrived on 13 September.

The new tank landing [[ship]] got underway on 29 July for Panama City, Fla., where she conducted a series of beaching exercises. LST-31 returned to New Orleans on 7 August to take on cargo for transportation to the Pacific. After a brief port call at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the vessel transited the Panama Canal on 24 August and joined the Pacific Fleet. She then continued on to San Diego, Calif., where she arrived on 13 September.

After participating in beaching exercises in the San Diego area, the ship stopped at Port Hueneme and at San Francisco, Calif., to take on cargo. She left the west coast on 15 October bound for Hawaii, reached Pearl Harbor on the 25th, and began unloading. When this task was completed, LST-31 again weighed anchor on 5 November and shaped a course for the Gilbert Islands. As a member of 5th Amphibious Force, the ship was slated to take part in the assault on Makin Island.

After participating in beaching exercises in the San Diego area, the ship stopped at Port Hueneme and at San Francisco, Calif., to take on cargo. She left the west coast on 15 October bound for Hawaii, reached Pearl Harbor on the 25th, and began unloading. When this task was completed, LST-31 again weighed anchor on 5 November and shaped a course for the Gilbert Islands. As a member of 5th Amphibious Force, the ship was slated to take part in the assault on Makin Island.

LST-31 arrived off Makin on the 20th and began discharging troops and cargo ashore. She remained off that atoll until 3 December, when she got underway to return to Pearl Harbor. Shortly after her arrival, the vessel entered the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for repairs and alterations. While her engines were being overhauled, additional 40-millimeter and 20-millimeter guns were installed. The yard period ended in early January 1944, and the refurbished vessel then took part in training exercises off Maui in preparation for the forthcoming invasion of the Marshall Islands.

LST-31 arrived off Makin on the 20th and began discharging troops and cargo ashore. She remained off that atoll until 3 December, when she got underway to return to [[Pearl Harbor]]. Shortly after her arrival, the vessel entered the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard for repairs and alterations. While her engines were being overhauled, additional 40-millimeter and 20-millimeter guns were installed. The yard period ended in early January 1944, and the refurbished vessel then took part in training exercises off Maui in preparation for the forthcoming invasion of the Marshall Islands.

The tank landing ship left [[Pearl Harbor]] on 19 January and set a course for Kwajalein. She anchored off that atoll on 1 February and began discharging her cargo in support of operations in the Marshalls. On 12 February, the ship began embarking troops for the invasion of Eniwetok and, five days later, sortied with LST Group 8. She beached at Eniwetok on the 20th and began landing her soldiers and discharging cargo ashore. LST-31 remained there until 20 March, when she got underway for Hawaii. She stopped en route at Kwajalein and Tarawa to take on cargo and passengers and finally reached Pearl Harbor on 15 April.

The tank landing ship left [[Pearl Harbor]] on 19 January and set a course for Kwajalein. She anchored off that atoll on 1 February and began discharging her cargo in support of operations in the Marshalls. On 12 February, the ship began embarking troops for the invasion of Eniwetok and, five days later, sortied with LST Group 8. She beached at Eniwetok on the 20th and began landing her soldiers and discharging cargo ashore. LST-31 remained there until 20 March, when she got underway for Hawaii. She stopped en route at Kwajalein and Tarawa to take on cargo and passengers and finally reached Pearl Harbor on 15 April.

On 30 November, LST-31 was assigned to duty in Japan with the 5th Fleet, Amphibious Group 11, LST Flotilla 35. However, these orders were superseded late in December; and the ship was slated for decommissioning. She was scheduled to be turned over to the Japanese merchant marine to be manned by a Japanese crew under American control for use in repatriating Japanese citizens and shuttling supplies between Japanese ports. After the ship was stripped of all armament and other wartime equipment, LST-31 was decommissioned on 8 January 1946 and transferred to the Japanese.

On 30 November, LST-31 was assigned to duty in Japan with the 5th Fleet, Amphibious Group 11, LST Flotilla 35. However, these orders were superseded late in December; and the ship was slated for decommissioning. She was scheduled to be turned over to the Japanese merchant marine to be manned by a Japanese crew under American control for use in repatriating Japanese citizens and shuttling supplies between Japanese ports. After the ship was stripped of all armament and other wartime equipment, LST-31 was decommissioned on 8 January 1946 and transferred to the Japanese.

The vessel operated under Japanese control into May 1948. She left Yokohama on the 3d of that month and shaped a course for the west coast of the United States. The tank landing ship was later berthed in the Seattle area. On 1 July 1955, LST-31 was named Addison County. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 11 August 1955, and she was subsequently sunk as a target.

The vessel operated under Japanese control into May 1948. She left [[Yokohama]] on the 3d of that month and shaped a course for the west coast of the United States. The tank landing ship was later berthed in the Seattle area. On 1 July 1955, LST-31 was named Addison County. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 11 August 1955, and she was subsequently sunk as a target.

Addison County earned five battle stars for her World War II service.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a2/addison_county.htm]</ref>

Addison County earned five battle stars for her World War II service.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a2/addison_county.htm]</ref>