LST-859 was laid down on 26 September 1944 at Seneca, III., by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 15 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Elsie M. Marcum; and commissioned on 6 January 1945, Lt. Daniel D. Kipnis in command.
During World War II, LST-859 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in June 1945. After the war, she performed occupation duty in the Far East until early December 1945. Following postwar operations with the Pacific Fleet, LST-859 saw extensive service during the Korean War. On 1 July 1955, the ship was redesignated Lafayette County (LST-859) (q.v.) after counties in Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, and Wisconsin: and a parish in Louisiana. Decommssioned on 15 August 1958, Lafayette County was transferred to the Republic of China Navy where she served as Chung Cheng (LST-224).
LST-859 received one battle star for World War II service and six battle stars for Korean service.
