USS LST-550

USS LST-550 was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship in commission from 1944 to 1946. She also served in a non-commissioned status with the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550) from 1952.

History
United States
Name: USS LST-550
Builder: Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana
Laid down: 13 November 1943
Launched: 9 March 1944
Sponsored by: Mrs. Henry D. Hoover
Commissioned: 10 April 1944
Decommissioned: 13 January 1946
In service: In non-commissioned service with Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550) from 31 March 1952
Stricken: 1 November 1973
Honors and
awards:		 Two battle stars for World War II
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light
  • 3,640 long tons (3,698 t) full
Length: 328 ft (100 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
Draft:
  • Unloaded 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) bow; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) stern
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Installed power: 1,800 horsepower (1.34 megawatts)
Propulsion: Two 900-horsepower (0.67-megawatt) 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: Approximately 130 officers and enlisted men
Complement: 8-10 officers, 89-100 enlisted men
Armament:

Construction and commissioning

LST-550 was laid down on 13 November 1943 at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 9 March 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Henry D. Hoover, and commissioned on 10 April 1944 with Lieutenant V. A. Meehan, USNR, in command.

Service history

Commissioned service

During World War II, LST-550 initially was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. She participated in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, in August and September 1944.

LST-550 subsequently was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where she took part in the assault on and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in June 1945.

Following the war, LST-550 performed occupation duty in the Far East until late December 1945, when she returned to the United States.

LST-550 was decommissioned on 13 January 1946.

Non-commissioned service in Military Sea Transportation Service

On 31 March 1952, LST-550 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service, where she served in a non-commissioned status as USNS LST-550 (T-LST-550).

Final disposition

USNS LST-550 was stricken from the Navy List on 1 November 1973. Her ultimate fate awaits further research.

Honors and awards

LST-550 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

References
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