USS LST-476

USS LST-476 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

USS LST-476, in a floating dry dock, c. 1945, location unknown. Note the movie screen on the starboard side of the main deck.
History
United States
Name	LST-476
Ordered	as a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 996
Builder	Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No. 4, Richmond, California
Cost	$1,711,380.19
Yard number	31
Way number	1
Laid down	5 August 1942
Launched	10 October 1942
Sponsored by	Mrs. D.T. Williams
Commissioned	4 April 1943
Decommissioned	12 February 1946
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-476 Code letters: NGKX
Honors and awards	5 × battle stars
Fate	assigned to Commander Naval Forces Far East
Japan
Name	Q053
Operator	Shipping Control Authority for Japan
In service	12 February 1946
Out of service	date unknown
Stricken	31 October 1947
Fate	transferred to Maritime Administration (MARAD), 20 April 1948
United States
Operator	MARAD
Fate	Sold for scrapping, 1 June 1948
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 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	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,700 shp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	24,000 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
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons
Service record
Part of:	LST Flotilla 5
Operations:	Gilbert Islands operations (21 November–8 December 1943) Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls (2–8 February 1944) Battle of Hollandia (21–26 April 1944) Capture and occupation of Guam (21 July–15 August 1944) Cape Sansapor operation (4–10 August 1944)
Awards:	American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Asia Clasp

Construction

LST-476 was laid down on 5 August 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 996, by Kaiser Shipyards, Yard No. 4, Richmond, California; launched on 10 October 1942, sponsored by Mrs. D.T. Williams; and commissioned on 4 April 1943.

Service history

During the war, LST-476 was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She took part in the Gilbert Islands operation, December 1943; the Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in February 1944; the Battle of Hollandia in April 1944; the Battle of Guam in July and August 1944; and the Battle of Sansapor in August 1944.

Post-war service

Following the war, LST-476 performed occupation duty in the Far East until February 1946. Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 12 February 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 31 October 1947. On 1 June 1948, the ship was sold to the Puget Sound Bridge & Dredging Company, Seattle, Washington.

Honors and awards

LST-476 earned five battle stars for her World War II service.

Bibliography

• "LST-476". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 1 February 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
• "Kaiser Permanente No. 4, Richmond CA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
• "USS LST-476". Navsource.org. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
• "MC-996". Retrieved 19 November 2017.

External links

• Photo gallery of USS LST-476 at NavSource Naval History