USS LST - 512 USS " Burnett County " ( LST - 512 ) was an built for the United States Navy during World War II . Named for Burnett County , Wisconsin , she was the only U . S . Naval vessel to bear the name . LST - 512 was laid down on 22 July 1943 at Seneca , Illinois by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company ; launched on 10 December 1943 ; and conducted her trial runs in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers . Sponsored by Mrs . Gerry DeWane , she was sent to New Orleans , Louisiana for her final fitting out and was commissioned on 8 January 1944 . Service history . LST - 512 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June , 1944 . In October 1945 , a severe storm in the English channel broached the ship on the beach , " breaking her back . " She was towed to England for temporary repairs , made by welding railroad iron alongside the damaged keel , then returned to the United States where it was repaired and outfitted to do a war bond tour in the Great Lakes , Mississippi and Ohio Rivers . Leaving Norfolk , VA in April , 1945 , the ship sailed to Miami , FL , where soil and palm trees were loaded aboard to create a Pacific Island Jungle on a portion of the tank deck . It then moved to New Orleans , and was in that city on VE Day , May 8 , 1945 . It then began the journey up the Mississippi River to the Illinois River , and was the first LST to make the trip up both those rivers , and was the first and only LST to return to the inland shipyard ( Seneca , IL ) where it was built . It arrived in Chicago , IL on May 21 , 1945 , for additional preparation for the tour . The tour commenced in Detroit , MI . on June 12 . Displays on the tank deck included a Pacific Island jungle complete with enemy snipers concealed in trees , a map with miniature models of LST ' s making amphibious landings in the Pacific , a captured Kamikaze " Baka " plane , and film footage of the war in the Pacific . Visitors could also look into the engine rooms , and tour crew quarters . On the main deck were displays of US armor , vehicles and artillery alongside captured Japanese artillery and vehicles . In addition to the static displays , the ship gave live demonstrations of amphibious landings , which included simulated bombardment and air strikes , followed by Marines landing in LCVP ' s and Amtracs . Once the landing zone was " secured " , the ship would approach the beach and offload additional Amtracs , tanks and vehicles . Invasions were demonstrated in several cities , including Detroit , Rochester , Buffalo , Cleveland , Toledo , Duluth , Milwaukee , and Chicago . The ship was returning from Duluth and was passing through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste . Marie , MI on V - J Day . The tour concluded on January 13 , 1946 , in New Orleans . During the tour , over two million visitors came aboard . On 28 March 1947 was decommissioned and assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet . On 1 July 1955 the ship was redesignated USS " Burnett County " ( LST - 512 ) , and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 February 1957 . LST - 512 received one battle star for World War II Service . On 11 October 1957 she was sold to Peru . Renamed BAP " Paita " ( LT - 35 ) , and commissioned in the Peruvian Navy . Employed as a training ship for the Peruvian Naval Academy . Later renumbered DT - 141 . Deleted 1983 . 4 . History of USS LST 512 ; uncopyrighted booklet prepared by crew members during World War II Bond Tour .