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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Lost to enemy action, 21 June 1945

USS LSM-59


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Victor - Echo - November
 NVEN
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (19 February 1945 and 21 June 1945
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 7 July 1944, at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, TX.
  • Launched, 29 July 1944
  • Commissioned USS LSM-59, 23 August 1944, LT. D.C. Hawley, USNR, in command
  • During World War II, USS LSM-59 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 19 to 16 March 1945     		Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 21 May to 21 July 1945
  • Final Disposition, sunk, 21 June 1945, by Japanese Kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa while escorting hulk of decommissioned USS Barry (APD-29)
    USS 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 USS 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)
  • USS 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).
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LSM-59 57k USS LSM-59 off the invasion beach at Iwo Jima. Note the explosion of the enemy shell close aboard on the starboard beam, circa 9 February 1945. Paul Burket and Ron MacKay Jr.
    LSM-59 58k USS LSM-59 underway with bow doors open, off the invasion beaches at Iwo Jima. The anchored transport in the background is USS Bayfield (APA-33), circa February 1945. John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
    LSM-59 110k USS LSM-59 crew at special sea and anchor detail as she is either getting underway or mooring, date and location 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.
    LSM-59 90k USS 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.
    LSM-59 85k USS LSM-59 moored with another LSM, date and location 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.
    LSM-59 43k Medals and ribbons of Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59 John M. Cason for his father Ens. Charles E. Cason, USNR USS LSM-59, 1945.
    The DANFS history extract for USS LSM-59 is from LSM-LSMR Amphibious Forces, Vol. II. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, © 1997. (ISBN 1-56311-389-9).
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last updated 20 February 2009