USS LST-713

Summary

USS LST-713 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II.

History
United States
NameUSS LST-713
BuilderJeffersonville Boat & Machine Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Laid down3 June 1944
Launched11 July 1944
Commissioned7 August 1944
Decommissioned20 June 1946
Stricken31 July 1946
Honors and
awards
2 battle stars (World War II)
FateSold for scrapping, 21 May 1948
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
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
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 × LCVPs
Troops8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men
ComplementApproximately 130 officers and enlisted men
Armament

The ship was laid down on 3 June 1944 at the Jefferson Boat & Machine Company in Jeffersonville, Indiana; she was launched on 11 July 1944 and commissioned on 7 August 1944.

Some of the last known photographs of LST-713 were taken in February 1945, where she appears in three photographs that were taken off to coast of Iwo Jima, Japan during the invasion.

Service history edit

During World War II, LST-713 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. She participated in two operations: the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945, and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, which took place from April to June 1945. Following the war, LST-713 performed occupation duty in the Far East until February 1946.

She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 20 June 1946, and struck from the Navy List on 31 July that same year. On 21 May 1948, the ship was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and subsequently scrapped.

Awards edit

USS LST-713 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

1 Combat Action Ribbon

1 American Campaign Medal

2 Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns Medal

1 World War 2 Victory Medal

1 Navy Occupation Medal

References edit