USS LCI(L)-449 was an built for the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. Like most ships of her class, she was not named and was known only by her designation.

The ship was laid down on 17 June 1943 by New Jersey Shipbuilding of Barber, New Jersey

Barber, New Jersey

Barber was a community in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It was active during World War II in building and decommissioning ships for the U.S. Navy. One of the primary ship builders during World War II was the New Jersey Shipbuilding Company. The town also housed the American Smelting and Refining...

, launched on 14 August 1943 and commissioned as USS LCI(L)-449 on 25 August 1943.

World War II, 1943–1946

Assigned to LCI Flotilla 3 LCI(L)-449 took part in the occupation of Kwajalein

Battle of Kwajalein

The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...

 and Majuro Atolls, from 31 January to 8 February 1944, receiving the Navy Unit Commendation

Navy Unit Commendation

The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...

.

On 16 June 1944 her designation changed to LCI(G)-449 (Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat)), with the replacement of her five 20 mm guns with two 40 mm guns, four 20 mm guns, six .50 cal. machine guns and ten MK.7 rocket launchers, to provide close-in fire support

Fire support

Fire support is long-range firepower provided to a front-line military unit. Typically, fire support is provided by artillery or close air support , and is used to shape the battlefield or, more optimistically, define the battle...

.

In this new role LCI(G)-449 took part on the capture and occupation of Saipan

Battle of Saipan

The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...

, 20 June to 16 July 1944, of Guam, 17 to 21 July 1944, and of Tinian

Battle of Tinian

The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July 1944 to 1 August 1944.-Background:...

, 24 July to 1 August 1944.

At the invasion of Iwo Jima

Battle of Iwo Jima

The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...

 on 17 February 1945, while shelling enemy positions in support of Underwater Demolition Team

Underwater Demolition Team

The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...

 swimmers, the ship was heavily damaged by Japanese counter-fire and went out of control. Despite very serious wounds the ship's commanding officer, Rufus G. Herring

Rufus G. Herring

Rufus Geddie Herring was a United States Naval Reserve officer and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...

, took the helm, rallied his men, and kept the ship in action. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," he was awarded the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

, while the ship was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

LCI(G)-449 then took part in the Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto

Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...

 in April 1945.

Decommissioning and disposal

LCI(G)-449 was decommissioned and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group, in January 1946 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register

Naval Vessel Register

The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...

 that year. On 3 May 1948 she was transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal.