Summary
USS LST-550 was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship in commission from 1944 to 1946. She also served in a non-commissioned status with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550) from 1952.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS LST-550 |
| Builder | Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana |
| Laid down | 13 November 1943 |
| Launched | 9 March 1944 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Henry D. Hoover |
| Commissioned | 10 April 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 13 January 1946 |
| In service | In non-commissioned service with Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550) from 31 March 1952 |
| Stricken | 1 November 1973 |
| Honors and awards | Two battle stars for World War II |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | LST-542-class tank landing ship |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | |
| Installed power | 1,800 horsepower (1.34 megawatts) |
| Propulsion | Two 900-horsepower (0.67-megawatt) 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 | Approximately 130 officers and enlisted men |
| Complement | 8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men |
| Armament |
|
Construction and commissioning edit
LST-550 was laid down on 13 November 1943 at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 9 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Henry D. Hoover, and commissioned on 10 April 1944.
Service history edit
Commissioned service edit
During World War II, LST-550 initially was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. She participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August and September 1944.
LST-550 subsequently was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where she took part in the assault on and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in June 1945.
Following the war, LST-550 performed occupation duty in the Far East until late December 1945, when she returned to the United States.
LST-550 was decommissioned on 13 January 1946.
Non-commissioned service in Military Sea Transportation Service edit
On 31 March 1952, LST-550 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service, where she served in a non-commissioned status as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550).
Final disposition edit
USNS LST-550 was stricken from the Navy List on 1 November 1973. Her ultimate fate awaits further research.
Honors and awards edit
LST-550 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 USS LST-550