page_title: USS Mineral County (LST-988)
section_title: Cargo and personnel carrier, 1951–1957
hierarchical_section_title: USS Mineral County (LST-988) / Service history / Cargo and personnel carrier, 1951–1957
caption_attribution_description: English: LST 988 Blue Nose Certificate Granted to A.C. Boyan on 9 July 1952
context_page_description: USS Mineral County (LST-988) was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Mineral County, West Virginia, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
  Originally laid down as LST-988 at the Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts on 10 February 1944; the ship was launched on 12 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Winfred K. Buckmaster; and commissioned on 25 April 1944 with Lieutenant Charles E. Craig in command.
context_section_description: Shortly after her berthing at Green Cove Springs, the reopening of hostilities in Asia and high tension in Europe and the Middle East resulted in an increased demand for ships of her type. LST-988 was ordered reactivated. On 7 June 1951 she recommissioned, and 13 days later reported to ServLant for duty as a troop and cargo carrier. Her assignments during the next year took her as far east as the Mediterranean and as far north as sailing beyond the arctic circle on 9 July 1952. In May 1952 she was fitted out with a helicopter pad and then ordered to Iceland for special projects with the United States Air Force. Returning to Norfolk in September, she prepared for her first extended oversea deployment since World War II, six months with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, after which she resumed operations for the 2nd Fleet.
  In November 1953 she commenced work as cargo and personnel carrier, helicopter supply ship, and LORAC team unit for the Navy's Hydrographic Office, then engaged in scientific research in and resurvey of the Atlantic. Renamed USS Mineral County (LST-988) on 1 July 1955, she continued to serve the Hydrographic Office until the spring of 1957 when she was ordered to prepare for inactivation.
caption: LST 988 Blue Nose Certificate Granted to A.C. Boyan on 9 July 1952[2]
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