USS LST-345 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy during World War II.
History
LST-345 was laid down on 17 October 1942 at the Norfolk Navy Yard; launched on 15 December 1942; sponsored by Mrs. John B. Brown; and commissioned on 21 January 1943.
LST-345 departed US shores for northern Africa on 1 May 1943.
During World War II, LST-345 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations:
- Sicilian occupation – July 1943
- Salerno landings – September 1943
- Invasion of Normandy – June 1944
While operating out of Bizerte, Tunisia, LST-345 was exposed to German air raids every night for three months. Sailing to Britain from the Mediterranean, LST-345 encountered a Nazi Wolf pack in the Atlantic. LST-345 made 56 cross-channel voyages between Britain and France in support of the Allied offensive in Europe.
Decommissioned on 5 December 1945 and struck from the Naval Register on 3 January 1946, she was sold on 23 March 1948 to the Ships & Power Equipment Co. of Barber, New Jersey for scrap.
LST-345 earned three 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 LST-345 at NavSource Naval History
- George Henderson, Valley Patriot, Andover, North Andover
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