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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-157


USS LSM-157 was transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan), renamed Mei Lo (242)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
  • Laid down, 19 May 1944, at Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.
  • Launched, 19 June 1944
  • Commissioned USS LSM-157, 8 August 1944, LTjg. Howard E. Fleming, USNR, in command
  • During WWII LSM-157 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the:
  • Decommissioned, 12 June 1946, and loaned to the Republic of China the same day, renamed Mei Lo (242)
  • Permanently transferred to the Republic of China, and Struck from the Naval Register, 7 February 1948
  • Escaped to Taiwan, October 1949
  • Seriously damaged, 8 September 1958, by hostile Communist action off Quemoy Island in the Formosa Straits
  • Final Disposition, destroyed in September 1958 by Communist Chinese artillery fire
  • LSM-157 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 General Motors (non-reversible with airflex 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
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    USS LSM-157
    LSM-157 81k LSM-157 launching, 19 June 1944 at US Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-157 74k LSM-157 after being launched, 19 June 1944 at US Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-157 71k LSM-157 underway in Charleston Harbor, date unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-157 56k LSM-157 beached, date and place unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-157 56k LSM-157 beached at Ie Shima, date unknown. USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-173 100k LSM-173 and LSM-157 at Tientsin, China. The ship transported US Marines to rescue allied POWs and take the surrender of the Japanese garrison, 1 October 1945.
    Photo from "Life" Magazine, 12 November 1945.     		USS LSM / LSMR Association
    LSM-157 49k LSM-157, LSM-470, LSM-390 and YOG-52 during China Service, circa 30 September 1945 to 12 June 1946. Bill Brinkley and the USS LSM-LSMR Association
    LSM-157 49k LSM-157 underway, date and place unknown.. Hugh L. Hudson, Jr., RM/2c, USS LSM-467, USS LSM-49, from the Gordon D. Dorian, RM2/c, USS LSM-377 collection.
    Mei Lo (242)
    LSM-157 12k The hulk of ex-LSM-157 which was in service as the Republic of China Ship Mei Lo (242) lies abandoned on the beach at Jinmen, China after being hit by Communist Chinese artillery, 8 September 1958. Photo from Republic of China Navy web site Karl Lemmerman
    View "The History of the U.S.S. LSM-157" Booklet
    The DANFS history extract for LSM-157 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 29 November 2004