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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-85

USS LSM-85 transferred to France redesignated L-9051 and later to South Vietnam named Ninh Giang (HQ-403), seized by North Vietnam

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal

LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:

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

Launched (date unknown)

Commissioned USS LSM-85, 12 October 1944, LTjg. Bruce G. Dodd, USNR in command

During World War II LSM-85 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the:

Okinawa Gunto operation;
(a) Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 25 March to 7 May 1945

Decommissioned, 30 July 1946

Laid up in the Reserve Fleet

Reactivated and transferred, 7 May 1954, to France designated L-9051

Returned and transferred in October 1956 to South Vietnam, renamed Ninh Giang (HQ-403)

Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)

Final Disposition, seized, 30 April 1975, by North Vietnam, last reported still active in Vietnamese Navy

LSM-85 earned one 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
USS LSM-85
	96k	*LSM-85* alongside another ship probably for refueling, date and place unknown.	Raymond G Gillis USS LSM-539
	104k	*LSM-85* preparing to cast off from another ship, date and place unknown.	Bill Brinkley and the USS LSM/LSMR Association
	90k	*LSM-85* after casting off from an unidentified ship she falls astern of the other ship as the latter picks up speed, date and place unknown.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
	60k	*LSM-85* underway, date and place unknown.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
	76k	*LSM-85* and *LSM-348* entering the Advanced Base Dock *ABSD-6* at Guam, Marianas, date unknown.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
	52k	*LSM-85* in San Francisco Bay, 1946. US Navy photo # NH 81019 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy D.M. McPherson, 1974.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
RFS L-9051
	55k	ex *LSM-85* in service as the French *L-9051*, 13 July 1954, place unknown.	.
Ninh Giang (HQ-403)
	50k	ex *LSM-85* in service as South Vietnamese Ninh Giang (HQ-403) beached, circa 1960s, place unknown. US Navy photo # NH 93785 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.	.
	16k	ex *LSM-85* in service as South Vietnamese Ninh Giang (HQ-403), date and place unknown.	.
	121k	ex *LSM-85* in service as South Vietnamese Ninh Giang (HQ-403)	© Richard Leonhardt
	174k	ex *LSM-85* in service as South Vietnamese Ninh Giang (HQ-403)	© Richard Leonhardt
	69k	ex *LSM-85* in South Vietnamese service as Ninh Giang (HQ-403), Nha Be, RVN, October 1971	© Richard Leonhardt