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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM(R) / LFR-515 Owyhee River

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - Sierra - Xray
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal
LSM(R)-501 Class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket):
  • Laid down, 21 April 1945, at Brown Ship Building Co, Houston, TX.
  • Launched, 19 May 1945
  • Commissioned USS LSM(R)-515, 16 July 1945, at Galveston, TX., LT Frederick A. Lovell, USNR in command
  • Named USS Owyhee River LSM(R)-515, 1 October 1955
  • Decommissioned, 16 November 1955, at Orange, TX.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet
  • Reclassified Inshore Fire Support Ship (LFR-515), 1 January 1969
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1973
  • Final Disposition, sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), 16 May 1974, to Majid Karoon, Maritime Shipping Co., Ltd., Tehran, Iran, scrapped between 1989 ant 1991
    Specifications:
    Displacement 758 t.(light), 993 t. (attack) 1,175 t. (fully loaded)
    Length 206' 3" o.a.
    Beam 34' 6"
    Draft light, 5' 4" (mean), attack 6' 9" (mean), fully loaded 7' 9" (mean)
    Speed 13 kts.
    Complement 6 officers, 137 enlisted
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    two twin 40mm gun mounts
    four twin 20mm gun mounts
    ten twin continuous loading 5" SS rocket launchers
    four 4".2 mortars
    Armor 10-lb. STS on conning station, pilot-house, radio room, radar plot, and rocket control, 10-lb. ASPP around 40 and 20mm gun mounts and directors
    Propulsion two General Motors (non-reversing with airflex clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm, twin screws, Endurance, 3,000 miles @ 13kts
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Owyhee River 93k LSM(R)-515 firing her rockets during a Midshipman Training Cruise, August 1948. Photo was taken from Taconic (AGC-17).
    US Navy photo # USN 705982.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 95k LSM(R)-515 underway off San Diego, CA., June 1954.
    Photo by Oather Morper.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 87k LSM(R)-515 underway, date and place unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 75k LSM(R)-515 moored pierside at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, 1 September 1952.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 74k President Eisenhower visits LSM(R)-515 moored pierside at Santee Dock, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, 17 May 1953. At left, VADM C.Turner Joy, Superintendent of the Naval Academy, LT. C.B. Hood USNR, Executive Officer LSM(R)-515, center LT. J.A. Bell Commanding Officer LSM(R)-515 and at right is the President.
    US Navy photo # NH 68544 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center     		USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 91k LSM(R)-515 underway in the Chesapeake Bay off Bloodsworth Island, MD., laying a smoke screen, date unknown.
    US Navy photo # USN 445519.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 91k LSM(R)-515 underway in Anna Bay at Curacao, Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean, early-1950s.
    US Navy photo # NH 84998 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy D.M. McPherson, 1976.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 99k LSM(R)-515 logo displayed on the side of the 5'/38 gun mount, date unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 48k LSM(R)-515 moored pierside, Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, VA., date unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Owyhee River 143k LSM(R)-515 underway, view looking forward toward the bow from the bridge, date unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    View the Owyhee River LSM(R)/LFR-515
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS LSM / LSMR Association
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2007 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 20 April 2007