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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LSM-543


USS LSM-543 was transferred to Venezuela and named Roques
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
  • Laid down (date unknown) at Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, TX.
  • Launched (date unknown)
  • Commissioned USS LSM-543, 28 December 1945, LTjg. David R. McClay, USNR in command
  • Decommissioned, 20 May 1946, at Green Cove Springs FL.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Florida Group, Green Cove Springs
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Transferred, 15 July 1959, to Venezuela and named Roques
  • Decommissioned by Venezuelan Navy, 6 November 1965
  • Final Disposition, scrapped in 1986
    Specifications:
    Displacement 520 t.(light), 743 t. (landing) 1,095 t.(fully loaded)
    Length 203' 6" ovl.
    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 Accommodations 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-538 63k LSM-543 in column, leading LSM-538 enroute from Little Creek, VA., to Green Cove Springs, FL., to begin the process of "mothballing" for possible future use. Ships are off Cape Hatteras, NC., 9 February 1946. Photo was taken from LSM-538 Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D. LT. USN Ret. Commanding Officer USS LSM-538 January-May 1946
    LSM-543 96k A column of LSMs led by LSM-543 approaching a lift bridge across the St. John's River, Jacksonville, FL., 10 February 1946. Ships were enroute from Little Creek, VA., to Green Cove Springs, FL. for "mothballing" for possible future use. Photo was taken from LSM-538. Raymond A. Biswanger, Jr., Ph.D. LT. USN Ret. Commanding Officer USS LSM-538 January-May 1946
    LSM-558 90k 19 LSMs at Green Cove Springs, FL., date unknown. Ships present and identifiable are:
    Front Row-LSM-558, LSM-539, LSM-543 and LSM-544
    Second Row-?, LSM-413, LSM-542 and LSM-540
    Third Row- ?, ?, LSM-555 and ?.    		 Al Edwards LSM-343 to the USS LSM / LSMR Association
    The DANFS history extract for LSM-543 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
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 10 September 2004