USS LST-353

LST-353 LST-353 unloading in the Solomons, June 1943
History
Name:	USS LST-353
Builder:	Charleston Navy Yard
Laid down:	15 July 1942
Launched:	12 October 1942
Commissioned:	27 November 1942
Struck:	18 July 1944
Honours and awards:	3 battle stars and Navy Unit Commendation (WWII)
Fate:	Sunk, 21 May 1944
General characteristics
Class & type:	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement:	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full
Length:	328 ft (100 m)
Beam:	50 ft (15 m)
Draft:	Unloaded: Bow: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Stern: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Loaded : Bow: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) Stern: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Depth:	8 ft (2.4 m) forward 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion:	2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed:	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried:	Two or six LCVPs
Troops:	approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement:	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted
Armament:	5 × 40 mm gun mounts 6 × 20 mm gun mounts 2 × .50-cal machine guns 4 × .30-cal machine guns

USS LST-353 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. It was destroyed on 21 May 1944 when an explosion on its deck sparked the West Loch Disaster in Pearl Harbor naval base.

Construction and service

LST-353 was laid down on 15 July 1942 at the Charleston Navy Yard; launched on 12 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Estelle Lynette Cushman; and commissioned on 27 November 1942 with Lieutenant L. E. Reynolds, Jr., USNR, in command. During World War II, LST-353 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the consolidation of the southern Solomons (June, 1943); the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation (July, 1943); the Vella Lavella occupation (August, 1943); and the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina (November, 1943).

Loss

Main article: West Loch Disaster

On 21 May 1944 she was sunk by internal explosion while moored in West Loch at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 18 July 1944.

Five other LSTs were so damaged from the fire caused by the explosion that they too sank, including LST-43, LST-69, LST-179, and LST-480. Two others were severely damaged. In all 163 sailors were killed; 396 wounded.

LST-353 earned three battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.

References

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

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs
• List of United States Navy losses in World War II