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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LCS(L)(3)-57 / LSSL-57


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



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (Okinawa, 12 April 1945)
Second Row - Presidential Unit Citation - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

USS LSSL-57 was transferred to Japan and named Kiku
LCS(L)(3)-1 Class Landing Craft Support (Large)(Mark3):
  • Laid down, 15 August 1944, at Albina Engine and Machine Works Inc., Portland OR.
  • Launched, 14 September 1944
  • Commissioned USS LCS(L)(3)-57, 30 October 1944, LT. H. L. Smith, in command
  • During World War II LCS(L)(3)-57 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater LCS(L) Flotilla Three, Group Seven and participated in the following campaign:
  • Decommissioned (date unknown)
  • Redesignated Landing Ship Support Large USS LSSL-57, 28 February 1949
  • Transferred to Japan Self-Defense Force 14 January 1953, named Kiku
  • Returned to US custody 27 March 1958
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Final Disposition, recommended for use as a target, sunk by gunfire circa October 1958
  • LCS(L)-57 earned one battle star 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 3"/50 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)-57 50k LCS(L)3-57 at Kerama Rhetto, April 1945, after being hit by Kamikaze
    A US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives    		 National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    LCS(L)-57 21k LCS(L)3-57 at Kerama Rhetto, April 1945, after being hit by Kamikaze Michael Hollis for his father LTjg. Jack D.Hollis, USS LCS(L)(3)-31 and LCS(L) Group Seven staff
    LCS(L)-28/76/57 144k Homeward bound, right to left;
    LCS(L)-57
    LCS(L)-76,
    LCS(L)-28 preparing to get underway at Saipan, 29 December 1945    		 National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Courtesy Ken Krayer
    LCS(L)(3)-57 79k LCS(L)3-57 underway, date and location unknown. National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    View the History of LCS(L)(3)-57 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 20 April 2007