USS LSM-135 was a LSM-1-class landing ship medium built for the United States Navy during World War II. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

History
United States
NameUSS LSM-135
BuilderCharleston Navy Yard
Laid down13 March 1944
Launched23 April 1944
Commissioned31 May 1944
Honors and
awards
3 battle stars (World War II)
FateSunk by kamikaze attack off Okinawa, 25 May 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeLSM-1-class landing ship medium
Displacement
  • 520 long tons (528 t) light
  • 743 long tons (755 t) landing
  • 1,095 long tons (1,113 t) full
Length203 ft 6 in (62.03 m) o/a
Beam34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Draft
  • Light :
  • 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) forward
  • 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) aft
  • Full load :
  • 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) forward
  • 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) aft
Propulsion2 × Fairbanks Morse (model 38D81/8X10, reversible with hydraulic clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 bhp (1,070 kW) each at 720 rpm, twin screws
Speed13.2 knots (24.4 km/h; 15.2 mph) (928 tons displacement)
Range4,900 nmi (9,100 km) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph) (928 tons displacement)
Capacity5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
Troops2 officers, 46 enlisted
Complement5 officers, 54 enlisted
Armament6 × single 20 mm AA gun mounts
Armor10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station

She was laid down on 13 March 1944, at the Charleston Navy Yard, launched on 23 April 1944, and commissioned as USS LSM-135 on 31 May 1944.

Service history

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Philippines

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LSM-135 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the Leyte operation, which included Leyte landings, 20 October 1944, and Ormoc Bay landings, 7 to 8 December 1944. She also participated in additional Philippine landings at Luzon and at Lingayen Gulf on 9 January 1945.

Okinawa, kamikaze strike

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LSM-135 participated in the Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in April and May 1945. While operating at Okinawa she was sunk by kamikaze attack off the Ryukyu Islands, 25 May 1945 at approximately 0830 hours. LSM-135 had only been in service 11 months and 25 days. At the time of her sinking LSM-135 was picking up survivors from the minesweeper Spectacle (AM-305) when it also was hit by kamikaze attack and burst into flames. The destroyer escort Fleming (DE-32) rescued twenty survivors of the high speed transport Bates (APD-47), which was sinking from two kamikaze hits, and eleven survivors from LSM-135.

LSM-135 was struck from the Naval Register (date unknown).

Final Disposition, hulk donated, 10 July 1957, to the Government of the Ryukyu Islands, fate unknown.

LSM-135 earned three battle stars for World War II service

See also

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References

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  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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