USS LST-629

USS LST-629 originally was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship built during World War II and in commission from 1944 to 1946 and again in the late 1952. She was sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy and renamed RSS Excellence (L-202).[1][2]

USS LST-629 at anchor with flags, date and location unknown.
History
United States
Name: USS LST-629
Builder: Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois
Laid down: 13 April 1944
Launched: 8 July 1944
Commissioned: 28 July 1944
Renamed: USNS T-LST-629
Decommissioned: 4 March 1946
Recommissioned: 31 March 1952
Decommissioned: 15 June 1973
Fate: Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 5 December 1975
Singapore
Name: RSS Excellence
Namesake: Excellence
Acquired: 5 December 1975
Commissioned: 1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned: 1999
Homeport: Changi Naval Base, Singapore
Identification: L-202
Fate: Serving as a floating sea-defense barricade at Changi Naval Base.
Status: Decommissioned
General characteristics
Class and type: LST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length: 328 ft (99.97 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15.24 m)
Draught:
  • Bow 2'-4", stern 7'-6" (unloaded)
  • bow 8'-2", stern 14'-1" (unloaded)
Draft:
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Depth: 8' fwd; 14'-4" aft (full load)
Propulsion: Two General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 Two LCVPs
Troops: 16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement: 7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament:
  • 2× twin Bofors 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk.51 directors
  • 4× single Bofors 40 mm gun mounts
  • 12× single Oerlikon 20 mm cannon mounts
Aviation facilities: Deck as helipad

Construction and commissioning

USS LST-629 was laid down on 13 April 1944 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 8 July 1944 and commissioned on 28 July 1944 with a Lieutenant David C. Holly in command.[3][4]

Service in United States Navy

1940s

During World War II, LST-629 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and participated in Invasion of Lingayen Gulf from 8 to 18 January 1945. She also participating in the Mindanao Islands landing from 17 to 23 April 1945. LST-629 participated in Okinawa Gunto Operations, the invasion of southern Okinawa on 12 to 30 June 1945. LST-629 was assigned to China service from 20 to 26 December 1945 and was decommissioned on 4 March 1946, assigned for Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP) and redesignated as Q083.[5]

1950s-1960s

LST-629 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952 and redesignated as USNS T-LST-629.

Service in Republic of Singapore Navy

1970s

T-LST-629 was on loan since 1 July 1971 but finally sold to Singapore on 5 December 1975 and was renamed as RSS Excellence (L-202).[6]

1980s-1990s

RSS Excellence participated in Bedok Jetty exercise in late 1980s alongside her sister ship RSS Resolution (L-204). RSS Excellence and 4 of her sister ships were decommissioned in 1999 following the newly commissioned RSS Endurance (LS-207).

2000s-2010s

All four ex-US Navy LSTs are employed as floating sea-defense barricades for Changi Naval Base.[7][8]

  • USS LST-649 & RSS Excellence Gallery
  • RSS Excellence (L-202) beached at East Coast Park, next to Bedok Jetty on 30 August 1998.

Awards and honors

References
  1. "Tank Landing Ship LST". navsource.org. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  2. "USS LST 629 (LST 629) Crew List — Navybuddies.com Crew List - Reunite with old US Navy Buddies". USS LST 629 (LST 629) Crew List — Navybuddies.com Crew List - Reunite with old US Navy Buddies. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  3. "LST-629". public1.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  4. "USS LST-629 (LST-629) Crew Roster". www.hullnumber.com. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  5. "USS LST 629 (LST 629) of the US Navy - American Tank landing ship of the LST (Mk 2) class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net". uboat.net. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  6. "Histroy of L202". Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  7. Eric, Wertheim (30 March 2007). Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: US Naval Institute Press. p. 703. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  8. Decom LSTs as CNB floating defense barricade

Further Readings
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