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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-97

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-97, 1 November 1944, LT. Herbert L. Eller USNR in command
  • During World War II LSM-97 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the:
  • Decommissioned, 20 May 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown)
  • Sold, 26 August 1947, to Pacific Boatbuilding Co., Seattle, WA, for conversion to a barge
  • Purchased by Tidewater Barge Line, Vancouver, WA., renamed Russell-27, used to haul wheat on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, presently in use as a tie-off barge
  • LSM-97 received 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
    LSM-97 78k LSM-97 pre-commissioning crew at Naval Amphibious Training Base, Little Creek, VA., October 1944. Edward Genthert to the USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-97 71k LSM-97 beached, at Iwo Jima, date unknown. Earl Campbell to the USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-97 90k LSM-97 beached, at Iwo Jima, date unknown. Leroy A. Woodman USS LSM-97 to the USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-97 54k ex LSM-97 renamed Russell-27 by Tidewater Barge Lines, now in use as a SPUD barge (tie-off barge). After nearly 50 years of service her Navy side number is still visible, March 2003. Photo by Ron Gray / Captain
    LSM-97 53k ex LSM-97 renamed Russell-27 by Tidewater Barge Lines, now in use as a SPUD barge (tie-off barge). Ex LSM-222 is tied astern of Russell-27 on the Columbia River, March 2003. Photo by Ron Gray / Captain
    The DANFS history extract for LSM-97 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
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS LSM / LSMR Association
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Ship Medium (LSM) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 10 September 2004