USS LST-451
USS "LST-451" was a United States Navy used in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. Construction. "LST-451" was laid down on 20 July 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 971, by Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington; launched on 6 October 1942; and commissioned on 21 January 1943, with Lieutenant Harry Swartz, USNR in command. Service history. During the war, "LST-451" was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations.To start she made runs to the Aleutian islands delivering materials to the Army's 18th Combat Engineers and the 45th Naval Construction Battalion. In February gale  force winds broke her mooring lines and she was holed and beached at Lash Bay, Tanaga Island in the Aleutians. Seabees from CB 45 worked 24-hour shifts over five days to save her and the 800-ton oil cargo. They got her patched sufficiently for the USS Ute to tow her to a repair facility. She took part in the capture and occupation of Saipan in June and July 1944; the Tinian capture and occupation in July 1944; the Battle of Leyte landings October 1944; the Lingayen Gulf landings January 1945; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto  April 1945. Post-war service. Following the war, "LST-451" performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-February 1946. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 22 July 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 25 September, that same year. On 11 December 1947, the tank landing ship was sold to the Learner Co., Oakland, California, and subsequently scrapped. Honors and awards. "LST-451" earned five battle stars for her World War II service. Bibliography. Online resources External links.