USS LST-447: American Landing Ship Tank

USS LST-447 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

Construction

LST-447 was laid down on 10 July 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 967, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 22 September 1942; and commissioned on 13 December 1942.

Service History

During the war, LST-447 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She took part in the consolidation of the southern Solomons in June 1943; the occupation and defense of Cape Torokina November and December 1943; the Green Islands landing February 1944; the Hollandia operation in April 1944; the assault and occupation of Guam July and August 1944; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto April 1945.

The tank landing ship was sunk off Okinawa on 7 April 1945, following a kamikaze attack. She was struck from the Navy list on 2 June 1945.

Commanding Officers
LT. Stormes, Frank H., USNR	13 December 1942 - 31 October 1943
LT. Jungerheld, Edward L., USNR	31 October 1943 - 29 January 1944
LT. Pekelder, Theodore, USNR	29 January 1944 - 28 July 1944
LT. Schmitz, Paul J.,USNR	28 July 1944 - 7 April 1945

Honors and Awards

LST-447 earned five battle stars for her World War II service.

Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Campaign and Dates	Campaign and Dates
Consolidation of the Solomon Islands Consolidation of the southern Solomons, June 1943	Hollandia operation 21 to 28 April 1944
Treasury-Bougainville operation Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina, 11 November and 3 to 4 and 15 December 1943	Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 July to 5 August 1944
Bismarck Archipelago operation Green Islands landings, 15 to 19 February 1944	Okinawa Gunto operation Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 2 April to 8 May 1945

 

USS LST-447 unloading supplies at Bougainville, date unknown. [USMC]

USS LST-447 and USS LST-446 beached at Townsville, Australia. June 1943.

USS LST-447 participated in "Operation Chronicle" the Woodlark Island landing in June, 1943. It transported Argus Unit 1 (Fighter Director Radar Unit) from Townsville Australia to Woodlark. Photo date and place unknown.

USS LST-447 underway off Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944, during AA practice with towed sleeve prior to the invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

Japanese suicide plane attack on USS LST 447 in action at Kerama Retto, Ryukyu Islands. Photographed by Photographer’s Mate First Class C.C. Lecmill, 6 April 1945, based on board USS Tulagi (CVE 72).

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 at Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, 11 February 1944 receiving barrage balloon from LST FLOT 5 barrage balloon unit and underway for the 15 February 1944 invasion of Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

On the morning of 15 February 1944 USS LST-447 is approaching the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea), prior to the landings. The Invasion convoy is under Japanese air attack by Aichi D3A type 99 (Val) dive bombers. One aircraft shotdown is seen as a bright flame on the horizon about two miles away. One bomb landed 200 yards off the starboard quarter of USS LSt-447 as seen by the spray from the blast. The New Zealand troops aboard carried with them portable 40mm and 50 cal AA mounts used in the defense of the ship during the attack. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]

USS LST-447 on the beaches of the Green Islands (Papua New Guinea). Landing troops and equipment of the New Zealand 3rd Division, 15 February 1944. [Frame images from a short film named "LSTs Leave Kukum Beach, Guadalcanal, Land On Green Is" National Archives ID 76049, Local ID 428-NPC-1527]