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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-59

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (19 February 1945 Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima and 21 June 1945 - Okinawa Gunto)
Bottom Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)- World War II Victory Medal
Individual Awards

Purple Heart (2-KIA, 8-wounded, Okinawa)

LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:

Laid down (date unknown) at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, TX.

Launched (date unknown)

Commissioned USS LSM-59, 23 August 1944, LT. D.C. Hawley, USNR, in command

During World War II LSM-59 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the:

Iwo Jima operation;
(a) Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 19 February to 16 March 1945
Okinawa Gunto operation;
(a) Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 21 May to 21 June 1945

Final Disposition, sunk, 21 June 1945, by Japanese Kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa while escorting hulk of decommissioned Barry (APD-29)

LSM-59 lost an engine due to artillery or mortar fire at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa she was used in a decoy plan to

lure suicide planes into burned out ships. LSM-59 acted as escort while Lipan (ATF-85) towed the decoy Barry.

The plan worked, but unfortunately there were two suicide planes, one striking the decoy and one sinking LSM-59.

Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)

LSM-59 earned two battle star for World War II service

Specifications:
Displacement 520 t.(light), 743 t. (landing) 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
Length 203' 6" oa
Beam 34' 6"
Draft light, 3' 6" forward, 7' 8" aft, fully loaded, 6' 4" forward, 8' 3" aft
Speed 13.2 kts. (max.), (928 tons displacement)
Complement 5 officers, 54 enlisted
Armament one single bow mounted 40mm gun, four single 20mm gun mounts
Vehicle/Boat Capacity 5 medium or 3 heavy tanks, or 6 LVT's, or 9 DUKW's
Troop Capacity 2 officers, 46 enlisted
Armor 10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station
Propulsion two Fairbanks Morse (model 38D81/8X10, reversible with hydraulic clutch) diesels. Direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm, twin screws, Endurance, 4,900 miles @ 12kts.(928 tons displacement).

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
58k	*LSM-59* underway with bow doors open, off the invasion beaches at Iwo Jima. The anchored transport in the background is Bayfield (APA-33), circa February 1945.	John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
110k	*LSM-59* crew at special sea and anchor detail as she is either getting underway or mooring, date and place unknown. Ensign Charles E. Cason to the right of the 40mm bow gun mount.	John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
90k	*LSM-59* officers, Left to Right, Unknown, Lt.(jg) J.D. Wyker, Ensign C.S. Bramley, CO Lieut. D.C. Hawley, Ensign E.H. Rogers Jr., Ensign C.E. Cason	John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
85k	*LSM-59* moored with another LSM, date and place unknown. Ens. Charles E. Cason USNR standing in the 40mm bow gun tub.	John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
43k	Medals and ribbons of Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR *LSM-59*	John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.

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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