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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
  • During World War II USS LST-874 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates
    Okinawa Gunto operation;
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from April through June 1945
  • Following World War II USS LST-874 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early January 1946
  • Decommissioned, 29 May 1946
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 3 July 1946
  • 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
  • USS LST-874 earned one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications: (as reported by Office of Naval Intelligence-1945)
    Displacement 1,625 t.(lt), 4,080 t.(fl) (sea-going draft w/1675 ton load)
    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)
    Speed 12 kts. (maximum)
    Endurance 24,000 miles @ 9kts. while displacing 3960 tons
    Complement
    7 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
    Propulsion two General Motors 12-567, 900hp diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS LST-874
    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."
    LST-874 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."
    LST-874 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)
    LST-874 53k Ex-LST-874 in French service as RFS Chélif (K08) leaving Toulon, France in September 1949. Note pre-NATO side number. Robert Hurst
    LST-874 53k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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.
    LST-874 53k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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.
    LST-874 62k RFS Chélif (L-9006) underway the coast of Vietnam during the French-Indochina War, 1950. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 69k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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.
    LST-874 66k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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.
    LST-874 64k The crew of RFS Chélif (L-9006) celebrate the Feast sainte Barbe aboard ship while at sea, 1950. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 104k RFS Chélif (L-9006) underway off the coast of Vietnam, 1951 during the French-Indochina War. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 64k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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.
    LST-874 64k RFS Chélif (L-9006)'s commanding officer, Capitaine de Corvette Rozé. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 62k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 66k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 81k RFS Chélif (L-9006) crews berthing compartment, 1951. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 78k RFS Chélif (L-9006) lower right corner of photo at Saigon, 1951. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 83k RFS Chélif (L-9006) underway with French Foreign Legion troops 1951. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (canonnier) James Leconte.
    LST-874 39k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 53k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 45k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 91k RFS Chélif (L-9006) crew photo while in Vietnam circa 1952. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
    LST-874 58k Aboard RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 74k Aboard RFS Chélif (L-9006) underway, 1951, location unknown, EV1 Teissier. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 74k Aboard RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 66k RFS Chélif (L-9006) gunners, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 61k RFS Chélif (L-9006) gunners, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 54k RFS Chélif (L-9006) gunners, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 106k RFS Chélif (L-9006) guard of honor, Haiphong, 1952. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 125k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 58k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 62k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 148k Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand on deck with Alto the RFS Chélif (L-9006) crews dog, Vietnam, 1953. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
    LST-874 87k Embarking Viet Minh prisoners of war aboard RFS Chélif (L-9006) during the French Indo-China War, circa 1953-54. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
    LST-874 166k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 94k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 70k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 57k RFS Chélif (L-9006) nameboard, circa 1950-52. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 55k RFS Chélif (L-9006) beached at Tourane, near Saigon, circa 1950-52. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 67k RFS Chélif (L-9006) offloading four Sherman tanks at Haiphong, circa 1950-52. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 67k RFS <Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 67k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 63k RFS Chélif (L-9006) officers and men relaxing aboard ship in 1951. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 63k RFS Chélif (L-9006) officers and men relaxing aboard ship in 1951. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 81k RFS Chélif (L-9006) sailors buying from local fishermen, circa 1950-52. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy EV denis Martin RFS Chélif
    LST-874 127k RFS Chélif (L-9006) in drydock at Uraga, Japan, 1954. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Plachon-Audebrand RFS Chélif
    LST-874 81k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 80k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 94k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 61k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 48k French troops go over the side of RFS Chélif (L-9006) while loading an LCVP, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
    LST-874 72k RFS Chélif (L-9006) disembarking amphibious tanks, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
    LST-874 65k RFS Chélif (L-9006) finishes disembarking amphibious tanks, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
    LST-874 57k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 46k Equipment and troops unloaded from RFS Chélif (L-9006) at Brizete, Tunisia in August 1961 ready to deploy. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
    LST-874 58k Army forces deploy after disembarking from RFS Chélif (L-9006) at Brizete, Tunisia in August 1961 ready to deploy. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (baker) Andre Guyot RFS Chélif
    LST-874 112k RFS Chélif (L-9006), 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
    LST-874 108k RFS Chélif (L-9006), 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
    LST-874 70k RFS Chélif (L-9006) beached in Tahiti in 1967. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Jean-Pierre Van Godtsenhoven RFS Chélif
    LST-874 168k RFS Chélif (L-9006) 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
    LST-874 67k RFS Chélif (L-9006) moored, date and location unknown. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (radio) Jean-Pierre Van Godtsenhoven RFS Chélif
    LST-874 90k RFS Chélif (L-9006) medallion with Vietnam dragon. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo Courtesy Quartermaster (carpenter) Remy Marie RFS Chélif
    LST-874 91k RFS Chélif (L-9006) trident insignia. Submitted by André Pilon Quartermaster (signalman) RFS Golo.f
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