USS LST-388 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II.[1]

USS LST-388 in Normandy on 12 June 1944
History
United States
NameLST-388
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding, Virginia
Laid down20 June 1942
Launched28 September 1942
Sponsored byMrs. Barbara Ann Besse
Commissioned20 November 1942
Decommissioned1 February 1947
Stricken25 February 1947
Identification
Honors and
awards
See Awards
FateScrapped, 7 April 1948
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament

Construction and career

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LST-388 was laid down on 20 June 1942 at Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia. Launched on 28 September 1942 and commissioned on 20 November 1942.[2]

During World War II, LST-388 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle theater but later changed to Asiatic-Pacific theater. During the North African occupation, Tunisian operations, she took part from 8 November 1942 to 9 July 1943. She take part in the Sicilian occupation in Italy from 9 to 15 July 1943 and the Salerno landings from 9 to 21 September of the same year.

She then participated in the Invasion of Normandy from 6 to 25 June 1944.

She participated in the Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946 and took on an important role as a general supply, provisions, hospital, and recreation.

She was decommissioned on 1 February 1947.

Transferred to the United States Maritime Administration to await her fate.

LST-388 was struck from the Navy Register on 25 February 1947 and scrapped by Bethlehem Steel Company on 7 April 1948.[1]

Awards

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LST-388 have earned the following awards:

Citations

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  1. ^ a b "Tank Landing Ship LST-388". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ "LST-388". NHHC. Retrieved 11 November 2021.

Sources

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