USS LST-450

Summary

USS LST/LST(H)-450 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II.

USS LST-450 c. 1944, probably during the Marianas operation.
History
United States
NameLST-450
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 970[1]
BuilderPermanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California
Yard number154[1]
Laid down10 July 1942
Launched4 October 1942
Commissioned6 January 1943
Decommissioned8 April 1946
ReclassifiedLanding Ship Tank (Hospital) LST(H)-450, 15 September 1945
Stricken17 April 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards
3 × battle stars
FateSold for scrapping, 16 April 1948
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 13
Operations:
Awards:

Construction edit

LST-450 was laid down on 10 July 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 970, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 4 October 1942; and commissioned on 6 January 1943.[3][2]

Service history edit

During World War II, LST-450 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following operations: the capture and occupation of Saipan in June and July 1944; the capture and occupation of Tinian in July 1944; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto April 1945.[3]

Post-war service edit

Following the war, LST-450 was redesignated LST(H)-450 on 15 September 1945. She performed occupation duty in the Far East until early December 1945. Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 8 April 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 17 April that same year. On 16 April 1948, the ship was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Co., of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and subsequently scrapped.[3]

Awards edit

LST-450 earned three battle stars for World War II service.[3]

Notes edit

Citations

Bibliography edit

Online resources

  • "LST-450". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2 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 2 April 2017.
  • "USS LST-450". Navsource.org. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2017.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of USS LST-450 at NavSource Naval History