USS LST-696 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. LST-696 was laid down on 25 February 1944 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Company; launched 25 April 1944; and commissioned 25 May 1944.[2]

Officers of LST-696 in September 1945
Officers of LST-696 in September 1945

Personal Photo by George Calvert, Seaman First Class, LST696

History
United States
NameUSS LST-696
BuilderJeffersonville Boat and Machine Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Laid down25 February 1944
Launched25 April 1944
Commissioned25 May 1944
Decommissioned16 July 1946
Stricken28 August 1946
Honors and
awards
3 × battle stars
FateSold for scrapping, 19 May 1948
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeLST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draught
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) bow
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) stern
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) bow
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) stern
Propulsion2 × 900 hp (671 kW) General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts
Speed12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) (fully loaded)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 LCVPs
Capacity1,600–1,900 short tons (1,500–1,700 t)
TroopsApprox. 150
Complement7 officers, 104 enlisted
Armament

Service history

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During World War II, LST-696 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and earned three battle stars for World War II service.[1]

Following the war LST-696 performed occupation duty in the Far East until April 1946. She was decommissioned on 16 July 1946, and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 28 August 1946. She was sold for scrapping on 19 May 1948, to the Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Photo gallery of USS LST-696 at NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 12 July 2012
  2. ^ a b "LST-696". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2012.