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
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History | |
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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 |
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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 |
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Construction and commissioning
editLST-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
editDuring 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
editLST-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
editLST-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