USS LST-449

Summary

USS LST-449 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

USS LST-449, loading equipment and supplies from a Guadalcanal beach for her journey north to Bougainville Island, in November 1943, soon after Marines landed there.
History
United States
NameLST-449
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 969[1]
BuilderKaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington
Yard number153[1]
Laid down10 July 1942
Launched30 September 1942
Commissioned31 December 1942
Decommissioned16 March 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards
5 × battle stars
FateSold , 27 January 1947
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Service record
Part of: LST Flotilla 5
Operations:
Awards:

Construction edit

LST-449 was laid down on 10 July 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 969, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 30 September 1942; and commissioned on 31 December 1942.[3]

Service history edit

During the war, LST-449 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She took part in the consolidation of the southern Solomons in April 1943; the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina November and December 1943; the assault and occupation of Guam July 1944; the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima in February 1945; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto April 1945.[3]

Post-war service edit

Following the war, LST-449 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early November 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 16 March 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 28 March, that same year. On 27 January 1947, the tank landing ship was sold to a private purchaser for scrapping.[3]

Honors and awards edit

LST-449 earned five battle stars for her World War II service.[3]

Notes edit

Citations

Bibliography edit

Online resources

  • "LST-449". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 1 April 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Kaiser Vancouver, Vancouver WA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  • "USS LST-449". Navsource.org. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2017.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of USS LST-449 at NavSource Naval History