USS LST-906 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

Construction

LST-906 was laid down on 24 January 1944, at Hingham, Massachusetts, by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard; launched on 11 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Henry Levine; and commissioned on 27 April 1944.[4][2]

Service history

LST-906 during Invasion of Southern France, Toulon, August 1944

During World War II, LST-906 was assigned to the European Theatre.[4]

USS LST-906, with US Army Air Force L-4 Grasshopper on her flight deck being prepared for take-off. Note additional L-4 type aircraft stowed alongside the deck.

While in the Mediterranean, Seabees converted LST-906 into a makeshift aircraft carrier sporting a custom-built mesh airstrip above deck. She was the base for six USAAF L-4B "Grasshoppers" flown as artillery spotters for the US 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of southern France in September 1944.[2] LST-906 was one of six LSTs to be converted. The others being LST-16, LST-158, LST-337, LST-386, and LST-525.[3]

While at anchor at Leghorn, Italy, heavy seas on 18 October 1944 caused LST-906 to drag anchor and run aground. On 6 December a storm caused further damage to the still-grounded ship.[5]

The ship was decommissioned on 20 May 1945, struck from the Navy list on 22 June 1945, and sold for scrap soon thereafter.[4]

Awards

LST-906 earned one battle star for World War II service.[4]

Notes

Citations

  1. ^ Bethlehem-Hingham 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Navsource 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Rottman & Bryan 2005, p. 47.
  4. ^ a b c d DANFS.
  5. ^ Cressman 2000.

Bibliography

Online resources

Printed resources

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_LST-906
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