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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LST-455 / ARL-41 Achilles

USS Achilles (ARL-41) was transferred to the Republic of China and renamed Hsing An 5, salvaged by Peoples Republic of China and renamed Taku San

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 3-12 Sept. 43, 12 Nov. 44, 19 Jun 45) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3) - World War II Victory Medal - Philippines Liberation Medal
Personnel Awards

Navy Cross
Lt. E.A. Peterson USNR C.O., 12 Sept 43
Purple Heart
12 Sept 43 - 18-KIA, 11-WIA, 6-MIA
12 Nov 44 - 19-KIA 28-WIA 18-MIA

LST-1 Class Tank Landing Ship / Achelous Class Landing Craft Repair Ship:

Laid down, 3 August 1942, at Kaiser, Inc. Vancouver, WA.

Launched, 17 October 1942

Commissioned USS LST-455, 30 January 1943, at Vancouver, WA.

Converted to a Landing Craft Repair Ship in Australia in 1943

Named USS Achilles (ARL-41), 21 August 1944

Decommissioned, 19 July 1946

Struck from the Naval Register, 28 August 1946

Final Disposition, transferred under Lend-Lease to the Republic of China, 8 September 1947, renamed Hsing An, 5 November 1947

Run aground and abandoned by Nationalist forces in 1949

Salvaged by Communist Chinese forces and renamed Taku San

Final Disposition, fate unknown

LST-455 earned one battle star as LST-455 and two battle stars as Achilles (ARL-41) for World War II service

LST Specifications;
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)
Armament

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

4 - Single 40MM gun mounts

6 single 20MM gun mounts
Propulsion two General Motors 12-567, 900hp diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders

ARL Specifications:
Displacement 2,125 t.(lt) 4,100 t.(fl)
Length 328'
Beam 50'
Speed 11 Kts.
Complement 252
Boats 2 LCVP
Armament

1- 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount

2- 40mm gun mounts

2- 20mm gun mounts
Propulsion two General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
80k	*LST-455* departing Mare Island Navy Yard, 7 March 1943. *LST-455* was under repairs at the yard from 24 February to 7 March 1943. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 1641-43	Darryl Baker
73k	*LST-455* departing Mare Island Navy Yard, 7 March 1943. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 1642-43	Darryl Baker
62k	Bow on view of *LST-455* with *LCT-82* loaded on her main deck makes her way down the Mare Island Channel, 21 March 1943. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 1889-43	Darryl Baker

View the LST-455 / Achilles (ARL-41)
DANFS history located at the US Naval Historical Center web site

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
LST Home Port
State LST Chapters
United States LST Association

Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page

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Last Updated 26 January 2007