USS LST-285

USS LST-285 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship in commission from 1943 to 1947. She saw action in Europe during World War II.

LST-285 moored at the artificial harbor at Normandy in June 1944
History
United States
Name	USS LST-285
Builder	American Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Laid down	16 August 1943
Launched	24 October 1943
Sponsored by	Mrs. R. A. Shaw
Commissioned	13 December 1943
Decommissioned	27 June 1947
Stricken	1 August 1947
Honours & awards	2 battle stars for World War II service
Fate	Sold for scrapping 26 March 1948
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: Bow: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Stern: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Loaded : Bow: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) Stern: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Propulsion	2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	Two to six LCVPs
Troops	approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted
Armament	5 × 40 mm gun mounts 6 × 20 mm gun mounts 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns 4 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns

Construction and commissioning

LST-285 was laid down on 16 August 1943 by the American Bridge Company at Ambridge, Pennsylvania. She was launched on 24 October 1943, sponsored by Mrs. R. A. Shaw, and commissioned on 13 December 1943.

World War II European Theater operations

During World War II, LST-285 was assigned to the European Theater of Operations. She participated in the Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, and in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944.

Decommissioning and disposal

Upon her return to the United States, LST-285 was decommissioned on 27 June 1947 and stricken from the Navy List on 1 August 1947. On 26 March 1948, she was sold to the Kaiser Company, Inc., of Seattle, Washington, for scrapping.

Awards

LST-285 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• Photo gallery of USS LST-285 at NavSource Naval History

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs