BRP Laguna

BRP Laguna (LS-501) is an LST-1-class tank landing ship currently under the Philippine Navy. She was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976.^[1]

BRP Laguna (LS-501)
History
United States
Name	LST-230
Laid down	10 June 1943
Launched	12 October 1943
Commissioned	3 November 1943
Honours & awards	2 battle stars
Fate	Transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976
Philippines
Name	BRP Laguna
Namesake	Laguna
Acquired	13 September 1976
Identification	LT-501 (September 1976–April 2016) LS-501 (April 2016–present)
Status	in active service
General characteristics
Class & type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded : 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft Loaded : 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Depth	8 ft (2.4 m) forward 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion	2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 or 6 LCVPs
Troops	Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men
Complement	8–10 officers, 100–115 enlisted men
Armament	5 × 40 mm guns 6 × 20 mm guns 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns 4 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns

Formerly known as USS LST-230, She was built for the United States Navy during World War II. LST-230 was laid down on 10 June 1943 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. The vessel was launched on 12 October 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Lottie Reeks. LST-230 was commissioned on 3 November 1943. She was previously known as BRP Laguna (LT-501) prior to a classification change implemented by the Philippine Navy starting in April 2016

Service history

During World War II, LST-230 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. Following the war, LST-230 performed occupation duty in the Far East in September 1945 and March 1946. LST-230 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 4 March 1946 and was transferred to the Shipping Control Authority, Japan, on 31 March 1952, where she operated as T-LST-230. T-LST-230 was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976, operating as BRP Laguna (LT-501).In 2023 LS501’s recent deployment in the WESCOM JOA is its first after five long Years in Port due to Repair and Maintenance.

Wish come True - WESCOM delivers KM450 Truck to Marines in Coron

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs