USS LST-342

USS LST-342 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. LST-342 was laid down on 21 August 1942 by the Norfolk Navy Yard; launched on 8 November 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Philip H. Ryan; and commissioned on 31 December 1942.[2]

History
Name: USS LST-342
Builder: Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia
Laid down: 21 August 1942
Launched: 8 November 1942
Commissioned: 31 December 1942
Stricken: 28 July 1943
Honors and
awards:
Fate: Sunk, 18 July 1943
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement:
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
Length: 328 ft (100 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
Draught:
  • Unloaded :
  • 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) bow
  • 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) stern
  • Loaded :
  • 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) bow
  • 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) stern
Propulsion: 2 × 900 hp (671 kW) General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts
Speed: 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Range: 24,000 nmi (44,000 km) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) (fully loaded)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 LCVPs
Capacity: 1,600–1,900 short tons (1,500–1,700 t)
Troops: Approx. 150 officers and other ranks
Complement: 7 officers, 104 enlisted
Armament:

She was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation in July 1943. She was struck by a Japanese torpedo off the Solomon Islands on 18 July 1943 from the Japanese submarine Ro-106.[2] The resultant explosion broke the ship into two sections, with the stern sinking immediately, while the bow remained afloat and was towed to Purvis Bay (Tokyo Bay) off Florida Island and beached so that useable equipment could be salvaged. The bow was then abandoned.[1]

She was struck from the Navy list on 28 July 1943.[2] LST-342 earned one battle star and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.[1]

See also

References
  1. Photo gallery of USS LST-342 at NavSource Naval History Retrieved 12 July 2012
  2. "LST-342". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
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