USS LST-554

Summary

USS LST-554 was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship in commission from 1944 to 1946.

History
United States
NameUSS LST-554
BuilderMissouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana
Laid down30 January 1944
Launched18 March 1944
Sponsored byMrs. T. R. Davis
Commissioned27 April 1944
Decommissioned20 July 1946
Stricken25 September 1946
Honors and
awards
Four battle stars for World War II
FateSold for scrapping 29 March 1948
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full load
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Unloaded 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Installed power1,800 horsepower (1.34 megawatts)
PropulsionTwo 900-horsepower (0.67-megawatt) General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 x LCVPs
Troops140 officers and enlisted men
Complement8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men
Armament

Construction and commissioning edit

LST-554 was laid down on 30 January 1944 at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 18 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. T. R. Davis, and commissioned on 27 April 1944.

Service history edit

During World War II, LST-554 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She participated in the capture and occupation of the southern Palau Islands in September and October 1944. She then took part in the Philippines campaign, participating in the Leyte landings in October and November 1944 and the Lingayen Gulf landings in January 1945. She then participated in the assault on and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April 1945.

Following the war, LST-554 returned to the United States.

Decommissioning and disposal edit

LST-554 was decommissioned on 20 July 1946 and stricken from the Navy List on 25 September 1946. On 29 March 1948, she was sold to Kaiser Shipyards, of Vancouver, Washington, for scrapping.

Honors and awards edit

LST-554 earned four battle stars for her World War II service.

References edit