USS LST-446

USS LST-446, launching at Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington, 18 September 1942. The pilothouse and smoke stack belong to the paddle-wheel tug at the LSTs stern.
History
United States
Name	LST-446
Ordered	as a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 966[1]
Builder	Kaiser Shipbuilding Company, Vancouver, Washington
Yard number	150[1]
Laid down	15 June 1942
Launched	18 September 1942
Commissioned	30 November 1942
Decommissioned	13 July 1946
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-446 Code letters: NDWO
Honors and awards	6 × battle stars
Fate	Sold 10 February 1947
United States
Operator	Suwannee Fruit & Steamship Company, Jacksonville, Florida
Refit	converted to commercial service
Status	fate unknown
General characteristics [2]
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,700 shp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity	2,100 tons oceangoing maximum 350 tons main deckload
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons
Service record
Part of:	LST Flotilla 5
Operations:	Consolidation of the southern Solomons (11 March–20 April 1943) New Georgia Campaign New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation (13–14, 24–25 July and 4–7 August 1943) Vella Lavella occupation (13–19 August 1943) Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina (11 November, 3–4 and 15 December 1943) Bismarck Archipelago operation (15–19 February 1944) Assault and occupation of Guam (21–28 July 1944) Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto (1–3 April 1945)
Awards:	Navy Unit Commendation American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Asia Clasp

USS LST-446 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

LST-446 was laid down on 15 June 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 966, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 18 September 1942; and commissioned on 30 November 1942.^[1][3]

During the war, LST-446 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She took part in the consolidation of the southern Solomons from March through April 1943; the New Georgia Campaign which included the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation in July and August 1943, and the Vella Lavella occupation in August 1943; the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina November and December 1943; the Green Islands landing February 1944; the assault and occupation of Guam July 1944; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto April 1945. ^[3]

Following the war, LST-446 performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-December 1945. Upon her return to the United States, the tank landing ship was decommissioned on 13 July 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 8 October 1946. On 10 February 1947, she was sold to the Suwannee Fruit & Steamship Co., of Jacksonville, Florida, for conversion to merchant service.^[3]

LST-446 earned six battle stars for her World War II service.^[3]

Citations

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