Summary
USS LST-543 was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship in commission from 1944 to 1946.
 LST-543 unloading at Mulberry off Normandy, France
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS LST-543 |
| Builder | Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana |
| Laid down | 6 December 1943 |
| Launched | 1 February 1944 |
| Sponsored by | Lieutenant, junior grade, Helen C. Hanson, USNR |
| Commissioned | 6 March 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 31 May 1946 |
| Stricken | 17 July 1947 |
| Honours and awards | 2 battle stars for World War II |
| Fate | Sold 5 December 1947 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | LST-542-class tank landing ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | |
| Propulsion | Two General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders |
| Speed | 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 x LCVPs |
| Troops | 140 officers and enlisted men |
| Complement | 8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men |
| Armament |
|
Construction and commissioning edit
LST-543 was laid down on 6 December 1943 at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 1 February 1944, sponsored by Lieutenant, junior grade, Helen C. Hanson, USNR, and commissioned on 6 March 1944.
Service history edit
During World War II, LST-543 initially was assigned to the European Theater of Operations and participated in Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, in June 1944.
LST-543 then was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations and took part in the assault on and occupation of Okinawa in May and June 1945.
Following the war, LST-543 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until early May 1946, when she returned to the United States.
Decommissioning and disposal edit
LST-543 was decommissioned on 31 May 1946 and stricken from the Navy List on 17 July 1947. She was sold to Bosey in the Philippines on 5 December 1947.
Honors and awards edit
LST-543 earned two battle stars for World War II service.
References edit
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive LST-543