USS LST-342
Encyclopedia
USS LST-342 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship
built for the United States Navy
during World War II. LST-344 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.
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. 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.
She was struck from the Navy list on 28 July 1943. LST-342 earned one battle star and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.
Tank landing ship
Landing Ship, Tank was the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore....
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. LST-344 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.
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. 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.
She was struck from the Navy list on 28 July 1943. LST-342 earned one battle star and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.