USS LST-487

USS LST-487 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II.

Forward port quarter view of USS LST-487, off Mare Island, 14 August 1945.
History
United States
NameLST-487
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 1007[1]
BuilderPermanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California
Yard number42[1]
Laid down2 January 1943
Launched23 January 1943
Commissioned27 April 1943
Decommissioned15 March 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards		 5 × battle stars
FateSold for merchant service conversion, 20 February 1948
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 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
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 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
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Service record
Part of:
  • LST Flotilla 5 (1943–1944)
  • LST Flotilla 13 (1945)
Operations:
Awards:

Construction

LST-487 was laid down on 2 January 1943, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1007, by Kaiser Shipyards, Yard No. 4, Richmond, California; launched on 23 January 1943; and commissioned on 27 April 1943,[1][2]

Service history

During World War II, LST 487 was assigned to the Asian/Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the Capture and occupation of Saipan in June and July 1944; the Tinian capture and occupation in July 1944; the Capture and occupation of southern Palau Island in September and October 1944; the Lingayen Gulf landing in January 1945; and the Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May 1945.[3]

Battle of Saipan

At Saipan, she discharged vehicles and personnel for the attacking waves against the beach "Yellow Two". While on station, she received casualties from the beaches for treatment or burial. She suffered air attacks on 17 and 24 June, in which she was undamaged.[4]

Battle of Tinian

At Tinian, she discharged LVTs and troops to the beaches of Tinian. She remained on the beach throughout the day of 25 July, performing recovery operations.[4]

Post-war service

Following the war, LST-487 performed occupation duty in the Far East from 15 October, until 3 November 1945.[2] Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 15 March 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 1 May 1946. On 20 February 1948, the ship was sold to Brown & Root, of Houston, Texas, for merchant service.[3]

Awards

LST-487 earned five battle stars for World War II service.[3]

  • LST-487 Looking aft
    LST-487 Looking aft
  • Manning the 20mm on LST-487
    Manning the 20mm on LST-487
  • Image from a landing craft of LS-487 during the invasion of Saipan
    Image from a landing craft of LS-487 during the invasion of Saipan
  • Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the Invasion of Saipan. The island is covered in smoke from shelling
    Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the Invasion of Saipan. The island is covered in smoke from shelling
  • Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the invasion of Saipan
    Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the invasion of Saipan
  • LST-487 on commissioning day in Richmond CA
    LST-487 on commissioning day in Richmond CA
  • LST-487 pulling up alongside 564 at sea to exchange movies and records. Taken from 564.
    LST-487 pulling up alongside 564 at sea to exchange movies and records. Taken from 564.
  • LST-487 crew searching for a Japanese pilot in the water
    LST-487 crew searching for a Japanese pilot in the water
  • Small boat from LST-487 accepting a sick man from a destroyer
    Small boat from LST-487 accepting a sick man from a destroyer
  • Church services aboard LST-487 in 1943
    Church services aboard LST-487 in 1943
  • LST-487 Looking aft
    LST-487 Looking aft
  • Deck of LST-487 while it is in a convoy on the way to Luzon Philippines
    Deck of LST-487 while it is in a convoy on the way to Luzon Philippines
  • Manning the 20mm on LST-487
    Manning the 20mm on LST-487
  • Image from a landing craft of LS-487 during the invasion of Saipan
    Image from a landing craft of LS-487 during the invasion of Saipan
  • Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the Invasion of Saipan. The island is covered in smoke from shelling
    Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the Invasion of Saipan. The island is covered in smoke from shelling
  • Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the invasion of Saipan
    Landing craft from LST-487 launched during the invasion of Saipan
  • LST-487 pulling up alongside 564 at sea to exchange movies and records. Taken from 564.
    LST-487 pulling up alongside 564 at sea to exchange movies and records. Taken from 564.
  • LST-487 crew searching for a Japanese pilot in the water
    LST-487 crew searching for a Japanese pilot in the water
  • Small boat from LST-487 accepting a sick man from a destroyer
    Small boat from LST-487 accepting a sick man from a destroyer
  • Church services aboard LST-487 in 1943
    Church services aboard LST-487 in 1943

Notes
    Citations
    1. Kaiser No. 4 2014.
    2. Navsource 2014.
    3. DANFS.
    4. Boyt 1990.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

    • "LST-487". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 3 February 2017.Public Domain 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 3 February 2017.
    • "USS LST-487". Navsource.org. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
    • Boyt, Wilbur (1990). History of U.S. Navy Ship L.S.T 487 WW2.


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