USS LST-4
 USS LST-4 approaches the shore at Yellow Beach, Pampelonne Bay, France, 16 August 1944. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 
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| Name: | USS LST-4 |
| Builder: | Dravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Laid down: | 4 July 1942 |
| Launched: | 9 October 1942 |
| Sponsored by: | Mrs. John (Jennie) Bartolo |
| Commissioned: | 14 February 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | 23 December 1944, at Bizerte, Tunisia |
| In service: | 24 December 1944, as HM LST-4 |
| Out of service: | Early 1946, returned to US custody |
| Struck: | 19 June 1946 |
| Honors and awards: | 4 battle stars (WWII) |
| Fate: | Sold for scrap, 10 September 1947, at Baltimore, Maryland |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | LST-1-class tank landing ship |
| Displacement: |
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| Length: | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam: | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft: | Varied, depending on load |
| Speed: | 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried: | 6 LCVP |
| Capacity: | between 1600 and 1900 tons |
| Troops: | 14 officers, 131 enlisted men |
| Complement: | 129 officers and enlisted men |
| Armament: |
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USS LST-4 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation. LST-4 served in the Mediterranean and was awarded four battle stars for her services. After decommissioning, she was loaned to the Royal Navy as HM LST-4 until post-war when she was returned to the US Navy, decommissioned, and sold at public auction for scrapping.
Construction
LST-4 was laid down on 4 July 1942 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation; she was launched on 9 October 1942, sponsored by Mrs. J. Bartolo; and commissioned on 14 February 1943.
World War II service
Mediterranean operations
LST-4 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations for which she received battle stars:
- Sicilian occupation - July 1943.
- Salerno landings - September 1943.
- West coast of Italy operations - Anzio-Nettuno advanced landings - January and February 1944; June 1944.
- Invasion of southern France - August and September 1944.
Decommissioning
LST-4 was decommissioned sometime in 1944 and was placed on loan in December 1944 with the British Navy as HM LST-4 for the duration of the war.
Service under British command
HM LST-4 was commissioned 24 December 1944, at Bizerte. Despite striking a mine 14 January 1945, while on passage between Taranto and Piraeus, she was able to stay afloat until temporary repairs could be made in Greece and more substantial repairs made at Malta 10 to 24 October 1945.
In early 1946, her wartime Mediterranean operations completed, she sailed for the United States. During the transit she lost one of her screws and had to be towed by another LST to Norfolk, Virginia, where she was returned to the US Navy.
Post-war decommissioning and disposal
LST-4 was struck from the Navy list on 19 June 1946. On 10 September 1947, she was sold to the Boston Metals Company, of Baltimore, Maryland, for scrap.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- USS LST-4 (1943-1947)
- NavSource Online: LST-4
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