USS LST-345

USS LST-345 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy during World War II.

History
United States
Name: USS LST-345
Builder: Norfolk Navy Yard
Laid down: 17 October 1942
Launched: 15 December 1942
Commissioned: 21 January 1943
Decommissioned: 5 December 1945
Stricken: 3 January 1946
Honours and
awards:		 3 battle stars (WWII)
Fate: Sold for scrapping, 23 March 1948
General characteristics
Class and 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)
Propulsion: 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2-6 × LCVPs
Troops: approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement: 8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men
Armament:

History

LST-345 was laid down on 17 October 1942 at the Norfolk Navy Yard; launched on 15 December 1942; sponsored by Mrs. John B. Brown; and commissioned on 21 January 1943.

LST-345 departed US shores for northern Africa on 1 May 1943.

During World War II, LST-345 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations:

  • Sicilian occupation — July 1943
  • Salerno landings — September 1943
  • Invasion of Normandy — June 1944

While operating out of Bizerte, Tunisia, LST-345 was exposed to German air raids every night for three months. Sailing to Britain from the Mediterranean, LST-345 encountered a Nazi Wolf pack in the Atlantic. LST-345 made 56 cross-channel voyages between Britain and France in support of the Allied offensive in Europe.

Decommissioned on 5 December 1945 and struck from the Naval Register on 3 January 1946, she was sold on 23 March 1948 to the Ships & Power Equipment Co. of Barber, New Jersey for scrap.

LST-345 earned three battle stars for World War II service.

References
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