"LST-348" joined the Italian Campaign of World War II by July 1943 deploying supplies and reinforcements throughout North Africa and Italian coastline in support of the Allied invasion of Sicily. In September 1943, the ship supported Operation Avalanche, the landings at Salerno. On January 22, 1944, "LST-348" was assigned to support the Anzio beachhead. In late January, the ship was heavily attacked by Axis aircraft while operating around the beachhead, resulting in several near misses. After moving further south, the ship came under heavy bombardment from shore-based artillery before being relieved by "LST-377" in early February.