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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LCS(L)(3)-55 / LSSL-55


Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Victor - Tango - Mike
 NVTM
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
LCS(L)(3)-1 Class Landing Craft Support (Large)(Mark3):
  • Laid down, 31 July 1944, at Albina Engine and Machine Works Inc., Portland, OR.
  • Launched, 2 September 1944
  • Commissioned USS LCS(L)(3)-55, 30 September 1944
  • During World War II LCS(L)(3)-55 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater LCS(L) Flotilla Three, Group Seven and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 15 February to circa 1 March 1945     		Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 April 1945

  • Following World War II LCS(L)(3)-55 performed occupation duty in the Far East
  • Decommissioned (date unknown)
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet
  • Reclassified Landing Ship Support Large USS LSSL-55, 28 February 1949
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Final Disposition, sold to Dulien Steel Products, Seattle WA for scrapping, 29 December 1950
  • LCS(L)(3)-55 earned two battle stars for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 250 t (lt), 387 t (fl)
    Length 158' 6" o.a
    Beam 23' 3"
    Draft loaded, 4' 9" fwd, 6' 6" aft
    Speed 16.5k max at 650 shaft rpm, 14.5kts at 585 shaft rpm
    Armor 10-lb STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning tower
    Complement 6 Officers, 65 Enlisted
    Propulsion 8 GM diesels, 4 per shaft, BHP 1,600, twin variable pitch propellers; Endurance 5,500 miles at 12kts at 45" pitch (350 tons dspl.)
    Fuel/Stores 76 tons fuel oil, 10 tons fresh water, 6 tons lubrication oil, 8 tons provisions and stores at full load
    Fresh Water Capacity Distill up to 1,000 gals. per day
    Armament bow gun, one single 40mm gun mount, additional guns 2 twin 40mms 4 single 20mms, 4 .50 cal MGs, ten MK7 rocket launchers
    Specifications Sources:
    Baker, A.D. III. Allied Landing Craft of World War II. Annapolis: United States Naval Institute Press, 1989. 47
    Lawley, George & Sons Corporation. Instructions for LCS(L)(3) Class
    Lawley, George & Sons Corporation. Original Plans of LCS(L)(3)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LCS(L)(3)-51 11k LCS(L) Group Seven at Pearl Harbor prior to deployment to Iwo Jima, circa December 1944-January 1945. From left to right:
    LCS(L)(3)-35
    LCS(L)(3)-34
    LCS(L)(3)-51
    LCS(L)(3)-32
    LCS(L)(3)-56
    LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)(3)-33
    LCS(L)(3)-5?
    LCS(L)(3)-53
    and Group flag ship LCS(L)(3)-31.    		 Michael Hollis for his father LTjg. Jack D.Hollis, USS LCS(L)(3)-31 and LCS(L) Group Seven staff.
    LCS(L)(3)-51 24k LCS(L) Group Seven at Pearl Harbor prior to deployment to Iwo Jima, circa December 1944-January 1945. From left to right:
    LCS(L)(3)-51
    LCS(L)(3)-32
    LCS(L)(3)-56
    LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)(3)-33
    LCS(L)(3)-5?
    LCS(L)(3)-53
    and Group flag ship LCS(L)(3)-31.    		 Michael Hollis for his father LTjg. Jack D.Hollis, USS LCS(L)(3)-31 and LCS(L) Group Seven staff.
    LCS(L)-55/56 44k LCS(L)(3)-55 and LCS(L)(3)-56 strafing the beach at Iwo Jima, 14 February 1945
    National Archives photo    		 National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Courtesy John Palco
    LCS(L)(3)-52 75k LCS(L)(3)-55 in action off Okinawa while on picket duty at Radar Station No.10. Guns # 1 and # 2 firing at during a kamikaze attack, May 1945. Submitted by John Carmony, Courtesy Lou Plant SM1/c USS LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)(3)-52 26k A mine blown up by LCS(L)(3)-55 while operating off Okinawa, date unknown. Submitted by Mike Hollis, Courtesy Lou Plant SM1/c USS LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)(3)-52 110k LCS(L)(3)-55 underway at Wakayama, Japan in September 1945. Submitted by Mike Hollis, Courtesy Lou Plant SM1/c USS LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)(3)-52 30k LCS(L)(3)-55 at anchor off Wakayama, Japan in September 1945. Submitted by Mike Hollis, Courtesy Lou Plant SM1/c USS LCS(L)(3)-55
    LCS(L)-55 60k LCI(L)(3)-55 passes under the Golden Gate Bridge at San Francisco as she returns home, circa late 1945, early 1946. National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Courtesy John Palco
    View the History of LCS(L)(3)-55 as provided by the National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Other Crew Contact and Reunion Information
    National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    John Rooney, Secretary
    2 Emery Lane, Phoenixville, PA, 19460
    Phone 610-935-0902
    E-mail John Rooney
    Additional Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Additional Resources
    Rielly, Robin L. Mighty Midgets at War: The Saga of the LCS(L) Ships from Iwo Jima to Vietnam. Central Point, Oregon: Hellgate Press, 2000. (ISBN 1-55571-522-2)
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Craft Support (LCS(L) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 18 January 2008