USS LST‑380 was a United States Navy tank landing ship of the LST‑1 class that served during World War II. The vessel was constructed by the Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, laid down on 30 June 1942, launched on 8 September 1942, and commissioned on 30 September 1942.
Design and specifications
- Class and type: LST‑1‑class tank landing ship
- Displacement: Approximately 1,625 tons standard, 4,080 tons full load
- Length: 328 ft (100 m) overall
- Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
- Draft: 2 ft (0.6 m) forward, 7 ft (2.1 m) aft (light) ; 8 ft (2.4 m) forward, 14 ft (4.3 m) aft (full)
- Propulsion: Two General Motors 12‑567 diesel engines, two shafts, 1,700 bhp
- Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h)
- Complement: Approximately 104 officers and enlisted men
- Armament (typical for class): 1 × 3‑inch/50 caliber gun, 2 × 40 mm anti‑aircraft guns, 8 × 20 mm anti‑aircraft guns
Operational history
During World War II, LST‑380 operated in the European Theater of Operations. The ship participated in several major amphibious assaults, including:
- Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily) – July 1943
- Operation Avalanche (Invasion of Salerno, Italy) – September 1943
- Operation Overlord (Normandy Landings) – June 1944
In each operation, LST‑380 delivered tanks, vehicles, troops, and supplies directly onto hostile beaches, supporting Allied advances. After the Normandy campaign, the vessel continued logistical duties in the Atlantic and later transferred to the Pacific Fleet for post‑war occupation duties.
Post‑war status
LST‑380 was placed in reserve following the end of hostilities and was decommissioned on 27 August 1946. The ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 April 1949 and subsequently transferred to the United States Maritime Commission for disposal. The hull was sold for commercial service and operated under civilian ownership for a period before being scrapped in the early 1960s.
Legacy
As a representative example of the LST‑1 class, USS LST‑380 contributed to the development of modern amphibious warfare by demonstrating the effectiveness of large, ocean‑crossing landing ships capable of delivering heavy equipment directly onto unprepared shorelines. The vessel’s service in three distinct amphibious operations underscores the strategic value of LSTs in Allied World War II campaigns.