USS York County (LST-1175) was a De Soto County-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during the late 1950s.
Following her arrival back at her home port on 15 June, York County participated in "Tralex 1–60" and "Lantphibex 500/61" in the area of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
The next major exercise, "SoLant Amity III," started on 17 April and took York County 27,000 miles in an effort to establish greater understanding between the peoples of the United States and southern Africa.
After a short midshipman cruise in early November 1961, York County headed for the Caribbean where she participated in Exercise "Phiblex 4–61" before returning to Little Creek in January 1962 for leave and upkeep.
It was not until 5 December 1962 that the ship finally returned to the Hampton Roads area for leave and upkeep, followed by a four-month yard and drydock period at Jacksonville, Florida, and six weeks of selected underway training exercises.
While in the West Indies, she also patrolled off Haiti, ready to evacuate American civilians if the civil disorders in that island required such action.
A visit to Portland, Maine, from 9 to 11 November, preceded a short trip to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, to transport the men and equipment of Mobile Construction Battalion (MCB) 7.
On 13 August, the ship lifted the 3rd Marine Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion to Vieques and reembarked the unit on 17 September for the return passage.
She conducted surveillance duties during the crisis in that nation before returning to Norfolk on 7 June and remaining in the Virginia Capes-Hampton Roads area for most of the summer.
She transported general cargo to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, then embarked marines and equipment for delivery to Cherry Point, North Carolina, before returning to Little Creek on 9 February.
The first was accomplished at the Key Highway floating drydock of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland; the second part was completed 30 September at Horne Bros. Shipyard, Newport News.
In June, the ship successfully passed a nuclear technical proficiency inspection; acted as a setting for a training film; and transported a Marine Corps engineering company to Vieques Island and back.
During August, York County supported LVT training for Marine Corps reservists and provided control ship duty for drones.
On 17 January 1968, York County got underway from Little Creek; stopped briefly at Morehead City, North Carolina, later that day; and then headed for the Caribbean.
The ship returned to Little Creek on 15 February, resumed operations in the Virginia capes area, and took part in the Apollo 6 recovery training exercises.
After stops at Ponce and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix, Virgin Islands, she participated in a simulated blockade in her part of the exercise.
After completing fire-fighting training in Philadelphia, York County remained at Little Creek until 25 April except for loading ammunition and gasoline at Craney Island, Virginia.
Following operations off the coast of Panama, York County reentered the Atlantic; proceeded to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; spent two days there; then moved to the Bahamas to onload dredging equipment at Andros Island before returning to Little Creek on 20 March 1972.