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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS LST-874

International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Victor - Victor NIVV

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

RFS Chélif (L9006)

International Radio Call Sign:
Foxtrot - Alpha - Charlie - Lima FACL

542 Class Tank Landing Ship:

Laid down, 16 October 1944, at Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co., Evansville, IN.

Launched, 25 November 1944

Commissioned USS LST-874, 18 December 1944, LT. Walter S. Grimala USNR, in command

During World War II USS LST-874 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
LST Flotilla Thirty-One, CAPT. H. S. Covington USN (22);
LST Group Ninety-One, CDR. Jesse Hogan Motes Jr. USN (31);
LST Division One Hundred Eighty-One and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
Okinawa Gunto operation; Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 18 April to 30 June 1945

Following World War II USS LST-874 was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal
20 September to 3 October 1945
15 October to 5 November 1945
13 to 21 November 1945
20 December 1945 to 4 January 1946

Decommissioned, 29 May 1946

Struck from the Naval Register, 3 July 1946

USS LST-874 earned one battle star for World War II service

Sold to Donald Pl Loker, 8 June 1948

Resold to the Republic of France in 1948, commissioned RFS Chélif (L9006)

Decommissioned and disposed of by the French Navy, dates unknown

Specifications:

Displacement

1,625 t.(lt)

4,080 t.(fl) (sea-going draft w/1675 ton load)

2,366 t. (beaching displacement)

Length 328' o.a.

Beam 50'

Draft

light 2' 4" fwd, 7' 6" aft

sea-going 8' 3" fwd, 14' 1" aft

landing 3' 11" fwd, 9' 10" aft (landing w/500 ton load)

limiting 11' 2"

maximum navigation 14' 1"

Speed 11.6 kts. (trial)

Endurance 24,000 miles @ 9kts. while displacing 3960 tons

Complement

13 officers

104 enlisted

Troop Accommodations

16 officers

147 enlisted

Boats 2 LCVP

Cargo Capacity (varied with mission - payloads between 1600 and 1900 tons)

Typical loads

One Landing Craft Tank (LCT), tanks, wheeled and tracked vehicles, artillery, construction equipment and military supplies. A ramp or elevator forward allowed vehicles access to tank deck from main deck

Additional capacity included sectional pontoons carried on each side of vessel amidships, to either build Rhino Barges or use as causeways. Married to the bow ramp, the causeways would enabled payloads to be delivered ashore from deeper water or where a beachhead would not allow the vessel to be grounded forward after ballasting

Armament (varied with availability when each vessel was outfitted. Retro-fitting was accomplished throughout WWII. The ultimate armament design for United States vessels was

2 - Twin 40MM gun mounts w/Mk. 51 directors

4 - Single 40MM gun mounts

12 single 20MM gun mounts

Fuel Capacity

Diesel 4,300 Bbls

Propulsion

two General Motors 12-567A, 900hp Diesel engines

single Falk Main Reduction Gears

three Diesel-drive 100Kw 230V D.C. Ship's Service Generators

two propellers, 1,700shp

twin rudders

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
USS LST-874
	50k	USS LST-874 at anchor, location unknown, circa 1945.	Wes Stone, Lusby, MD. -"In memory of the men of the USNATB, Solomons, MD."
	36k	USS LST-874 approaching the Golden Gate Bridge from seaward, circa 1946.	Wes Stone, Lusby, MD. -"In memory of the men of the USNATB, Solomons, MD."
	49k	USS LST-874 nested at anchor off Naval Station Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA., 22 February 1946.	Wes Stone, Lusby, MD. -"In memory of the men of the USNATB, Solomons, MD."
RFS Chélif (L9006)
	53k	Ex-*LST-874* in French service as *RFS Chélif* (K08)** leaving Toulon, France in September 1949. Note pre-NATO side number.	Robert Hurst
	53k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at anchor off the Vietnam coast during the French-Indochina War, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	53k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at anchor off the Vietnam coast during the French-Indochina War, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	62k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway the coast of Vietnam during the French-Indochina War, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	69k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at anchor in Along Bay, Vietnam during the French-Indochina War, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	66k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** beached with bow doors open and ramp down, in Vietnam during the French-Indochina War, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	79k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** quayside at Saigon, Indo-China in 1950. Photo from Marine Nationale.	Robert Hurst
	64k	The crew of *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** celebrate the Feast sainte Barbe aboard ship while at sea, 1950.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	104k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway off the coast of Indochina with French Foreign Legion troops in 1951 during the French-Indochina War.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	64k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at Saigon embarking little Wessels "crabes" of the first foreign cavalry régiment, for operations during the French-Indochina War, 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	64k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)**'s commanding officer, Capitaine de Corvette Rozé.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	62k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** launching amphibious vehicles, off the coast of Vietnam during the French-Indochina War.	André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	66k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** launching amphibious vehicles, off the coast of Vietnam during the French-Indochina War.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	81k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** crews berthing compartment, 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	78k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** lower right corner of photo at Saigon, 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
	205k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** moored at Saigon near the Majestic Hotel, circa 1951.	Jean Lectone boatswain.
	39k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway off the Vietnam coast in 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Michel Marie for his father Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	53k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** embarking a tank during the French-Indochina War, 1952, place unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	45k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway (possibly on the Makong River while transporting equipment and supplies during the French-Indochina War, 1952.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	91k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** crew photo while in Vietnam circa 1952.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	58k	Aboard *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at Haiphong, French-Indochina, 1952, left to right; LV Saint-Denis, Cap. tiraill morocains, OE Gury, EV2 Villars, EV2 D. Martin, Lt legionnaire.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy denis Martin RFS Chélif
	74k	Aboard *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway, 1951, location unknown, EV1 Teissier.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	74k	Aboard *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** March 1953, Saigon, French-Indochina: seated; OE Blanc, Cdt. Razilly, LV Saint Denis, standing; OE Gury, EV2 D. Martin, EV2 Villars, EV2 Bachhelot.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	66k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** gunners, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	61k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** gunners, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	54k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** gunners, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	106k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** guard of honor, Haiphong, 1952.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	125k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** crew member getting a haircut on the dock, probably at Haiphong, 1952.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	58k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway on the Saigon River, French-Indochina, date unknown. EV2 D. Martin and unknown gunner standing in one of the ships 20mm gun tubs.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	62k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** crew assemble on the main deck after off-loading, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	148k	Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand on deck with *Alto* the *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** crews dog, Vietnam, 1953.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	87k	Embarking Viet Minh prisoners of war aboard *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** during the French Indo-China War, circa 1953-54.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	166k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** transporting troops during the French Indo-China War, circa 1952-54.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	94k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006) arrives in Along Bay, North Vietnam with troops to be transported home on the transport Pasteur**, circa 1953-54.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	70k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** approaches the French aircraft carrier RFS Arromanches to replenish ammunitions in Along bay during the Battle for Dien Bien Phu in 1954.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	57k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** nameboard, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	55k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** beached at Tourane, near Saigon, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	67k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** offloading four Sherman tanks at Haiphong, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	67k	*RFS <Chélif* (L9006)** beached at Saigon while loading a tank destroyer, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	67k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** off Cap Saint Jacques alongside an unidentified vessel, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	63k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** officers and men relaxing aboard ship in 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	63k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** officers and men relaxing aboard ship in 1951.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	81k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** sailors buying from local fishermen, circa 1950-52.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
1016087474	238k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** beached in Indochina in 1952.	Jacques Druel
	127k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** in drydock at Uraga, Japan, 1954.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
	81k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006) EV Martin and four crew members at Uraga, Japan while Chélif** was in drydock.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	80k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006) officers and crew at Uraga, Japan while Chélif** was in drydock.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
	94k	RFS Chélif (L9006) and RFS Bonifacio embarked a regiment of French Foreign Légionaries at Corsica to attack rebel held Bizerte, Tunisia in August 1961. After entering the harbor at Bizerte and beaching *Chélif* disembarked her troops and unloaded half-tracks and trucks.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	61k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at Bizerte, Tunisia in August 1961. French troops wait for equipment to be unloaded before debarking the ship.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	48k	French troops go over the side of *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** while loading an LCVP, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	72k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** disembarking amphibious tanks, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	65k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** finishes disembarking amphibious tanks, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	57k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** officers and warrant officers on the ramp after unloading vehicles and troops at Bizerte, Tunisia, August 1961.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	46k	Equipment and troops unloaded from *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at Brizete, Tunisia in August 1961 ready to deploy.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	58k	Army forces deploy after disembarking from *RFS Chélif* (L9006)** at Brizete, Tunisia in August 1961 ready to deploy.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
	112k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006), center, in Papeete harbor, French Polynesia, summer 1966. The three ships on the right are French-built LSTs Bâtiment de Débarquement de Chars (BDC), Trieux, Dives, Argens** ( Named for rivers in France).	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo
1016087475	242k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** participating in an underway replenishment, date and location unknown.	Jacques Druel
	108k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006), center, in Papeete harbor, French Polynesia, summer 1966. The three ships on the right are French-built LSTs Bâtiment de Débarquement de Chars (BDC), Trieux, Dives, Argens** ( Named for rivers in France).	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo
	70k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** beached in Tahiti in 1967.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Jean-Pierre Van Godtsenhoven RFS Chélif
	127k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** unloading supplies for the weather station at Reao Atoll, Tuamotu Group, French Polynesia in November 1967. Photo by Roger Tanguy	André Pilon
	71k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** football team on the beach at Totegegie, Gambier Islands, French Polynesia in 1967-68. Photo by Roger Tanguy	André Pilon
	67k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** unloading a tractor at Tuamotu Islands atoll, 1967-68. Photo by Roger Tanguy	André Pilon
1016087476	132k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** underway near Toulon, date unknown	Jacques Druel
	168k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** outbound to sea from Toulon with a group apprentice sailors on board, date unknown,	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy enseigne de vaisseau Robert Badier, RFS Chélif
	67k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** moored, date and location unknown.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Jean-Pierre Van Godtsenhoven RFS Chélif
	90k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** medallion with Vietnam dragon.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
	91k	*RFS Chélif* (L9006)** trident insignia.	Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo.f

USS LST-874
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	LT. Grimala, Walter S., USNR	18 December 1944 - 3 July 1945
02	LT. Spencer, Jesse E. USNR	3 July 1945 - 29 January 1946
03	LTjg. Fisher, Howard J., USNR	29 January 1946 - 29 May 1946


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
The USS LST Ship Memorial
LST Home Port
State LST Chapters
United States LST Association
adeau au CHELIFF history of Cheliff, from "Blue Collars", Journal of the French Navy, No. 1087 of May 24, 1969

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 27 October 2023