Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

APM-8 / LSD-8 White Marsh


USS White Marsh (LSD-8) was transferred to the Republic of China and renamed ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (5) - World War II Victory Medal
Bottom Row - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Philippines Liberation Medal
Ashland Class Dock Landing Ship:
  • Originally authorized as (APM-8), a Mechanized Artillery Transport
  • Reclassified as Landing Ship Dock (LSD-8), 1 July1941
  • Laid down. 7 April 1943, at Moore Drydock Co. Oakland, CA.
  • Launched, 19 July 1943
  • Commissioned USS White Marsh (LSD-8), 29 January 1944, CDR. George H. Eppelman, USNR, in command
  • During World War II White Marsh (LSD-8) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Saipan
    15 to 22 June 1944
    		 Luzon operation
    Lingayen Gulf landings
    9 to 10 January 1945
    Western Caroline Islands operation
    Capture and occupation of Southern Palau Islands
    Angaur - 16 to 21 September 1944
    Ulithi Atoll - 23 to 25 September 1944
    		 Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto
    21 March to 30 May 1945
    Leyte operation
    Leyte landings
    San Pedro Bay - 20 October 1944
    Dulag - 5 November 1944
    		 .

  • Decommissioned in March 1946, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Norfolk Group
  • Recommissioned, 8 November 1950, CDR. C. B. Bright in command
  • Decommissioned, September 1956, and transferred to operational control of MSTS
  • Placed in service as USNS White Marsh (T-LSD-8)
  • Placed out of service (date unknown)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 15 April 1976
  • Transferred, on loan, to Taiwan, November 1960, renamed ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191)
  • Permanently transferred to Taiwan, 1 January 1977, ex-White Marsh (LSD-8) served in the Nationalist Chinese Navy until replaced by ex-Comstock (LSD-19) in 1984
  • Final Disposition, scrapped in 1985
  • White Marsh earned five battle stars for her World War II service
    Specifications: (as reported by Office of Naval Intelligence, 7 April 1944)
    Displacement 4,032 (light draft), 7,930 (seagoing - loaded)
    Length 457' 9" o.a.
    Beam 72"
    Draft 8' 2 ½" fwd, 10' ½" aft (light draft); 15' 5 ½" fwd, 16' 2" aft (seagoing loaded)
    Speed 17 knots maximum (design speed)
    Endurance 8,000 miles @ 15 knots
    Crew Complement 17 officers, 237 men; Landing Craft: 6 officers, 30 men
    Troop Complement 22 officers, 218 men
    Well Deck Capacity (varies with mission)
  • 3 LCT (Mk V or VI) each w/ 5 medium tanks or
  • 2 LCT (Mk III or IV) each w/ 12 medium tanks or
  • 14 LCM (Mk III) each w/ 1 medium tank or 1, 500 long tons cargo or
  • 47 DUKW or
  • 41 LVT or
  • Any combination of landing vehicles and landing craft up to capacity
    Armament
  • 1 - 5"/.38 caliber Dual Purpose single barrel mount in open tub (w/director)
  • 2 - 40MM quad barrel Anti-Aircraft mounts (w/directors)
  • 2 - 40MM twin barrel Anti-Aircraft mounts (w/directors)
  • 16- 20MM single barrel Anti-Aircraft mounts (local control)
    Aircraft (still in commission in late 40's or early 50's) were fitted/retro-fitted with a prefabricated steel grated "Portable Deck" suspended between the wing walls and supported by removable I-beam girders. The aft end of the portable deck contained a wooden helicopter platform, enabling the ship to land and launch 1 helicopter at a time. Stowage of helicopters was limited to capacity of the portable deck installed for the mission. Aircraft servicing was limited to re-fueling. With portable deck and aircraft platform installed, the Landing ship, dock was still capable of transporting, launching and repairing smaller amphibious craft and vehicles up to the size of a Landing craft, utility (LCU) in their well decks.
    Propulsion
  • 2 - Babcock and Wilcox Boilers, D Type, 2 Drum, Single Furnace, Single Uptake,
    Oil Fired
  • 2 - Skinner Uni-Flow reciprocating engines
  • Twin screws
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS White Marsh (LSD-8)
    White Marsh 32k White Marsh (LSD-8) date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    White Marsh 212k White Marsh (LSD-8) at anchor while lowering one of her boats, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" Magazine, November 1955.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    White Marsh 59k White Marsh (LSD-8) in the harbor at Malta, circa 1952.
    US Navy photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191)
    White Marsh 46k ex White Marsh (LSD-8) underway while in Republic of China service as ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191), circa 1965. .
    White Marsh 35k ex White Marsh (LSD-8) while in Republic of China service as ROCS Chung Cheng (LSD-191), at anchor, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    View the White Marsh (LSD-8)
    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
    The LSD's of the US Navy
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Mechanized Artillery Transport (APM) Photo Index Back To The Dock Landing Ship (LSD) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 27 April 2007