USS LST-724
LST-542-class tank landing ships
 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Laid down | 20 July 1944 |
| Launched | 29 August 1944 |
| Commissioned | 22 September 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 26 June 1946 |
| Stricken | 31 July 1946 |
| Fate | Sold, 23 September 1947 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 4,080 tons (full load) |
| Length | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draught | 2.3 ft (0.70 m) (lt.) to 8.25 ft (2.51 m) (f.) |
| Propulsion | two General Motors 12-567, 900hp diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Boats & landing craft carried | two LCVP |
| Complement | 7 officers, 104 enlisted |
| Armament | 20 mm and 40 mm gun mounts |
USS LST-724 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II for the task of landing troops and supplies on enemy beachheads.
World War II service
LST-724 was laid down on 20 July 1944 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co.; launched on 29 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Frances M. Lively; and commissioned on 22 September 1944.
Iwo Jima
LST-724 participated in the assault on Iwo Jima, landing at the beach closest to Mount Suribachi. LST-724 was below Mount Suribachi when the marines took it on 23 February 1945, and its crew witnessed the famous raising of the U.S. flag as captured by Marine photographer Joe Rosenthal.
Landing operations at Okinawa
During World War II, LST-724 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from April through June 1945. In preparation for the assault on Okinawa, LST-724 was damaged in a kamikaze attack on 31 March 1945 at 25°59'N, 127°50'E, but was still able to participate in the landing as scheduled.
End-of-war operations
Following the war, she performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until late March 1946.
Post-war decommissioning
LST-724 returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 26 June 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 31 July that same year. On 23 September 1947, the ship was sold to William E. Skinner, New York, New York.
Military awards and honors
LST-724 earned two battle stars for World War II service at Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links
- USS LST-724
- NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - LST-724
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LST-542-class tank landing ships
LST-542 – LST-599 | |
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LST-600 – LST-699 | |
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LST-700 – LST-799 | |
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LST-800 – LST-899 | |
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LST-900 – LST-999 | |
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LST-1000 – LST-1099 | |
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LST-1100 – LST-1152 | |
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Other operators | |
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 Argentina (merchant marine) |
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| Argentine Navy |
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 Brazilian Navy |
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 Chilean Navy |
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 Republic of China Navy |
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 People's Liberation Army Navy |
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 Ecuadorian Navy |
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 French Navy |
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 German Navy |
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 Hellenic Navy |
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 Indonesian Navy |
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 Imperial Iranian Navy |
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 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
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 Republic of Korea Navy |
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 Royal Malaysian Navy |
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 Mexican Navy |
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 Royal Netherlands Navy |
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 Philippine Navy |
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 Republic of Singapore Navy |
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 Royal Thai Navy |
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 Turkish Naval Forces |
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 Royal Navy (United Kingdom) |
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 United States Army |
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 Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela |
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 Republic of Vietnam Navy |
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 Vietnam People's Navy |
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- Preceded by: LST-491 class
- Followed by: Talbot County class
