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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS LSM-249

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Victor - Echo - Kilo
NVEK

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from 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)

USS LSM-249 was transferred to the Republic of China

LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:

Laid down, 21 August 1944, at Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Pedro, CA.

Launched, 15 October 1944

Commissioned USS LSM-249, 30 November 1944, LT. Irvin E. Ayer USNR in command

During World War II USS LSM-249 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
LSM Flotilla Eight, CDR. H. Doe USN (23);
LSM Group Twenty-Two, LCDR. N.E. Fryer Jr. USN (38);
LSM Division Forty-Four and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
Okinawa Gunto operation Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 to 3 April 1945

Following World War II USS LSM-249 was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

Navy Occupation Service Medal	China Service Medal (extended)
20 September to 6 October 1945	6 May to 17 June 1946
19 October to 16 November 1945

Decommissioned, 17 June 1946 and transferred the same day to the Republic of China

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Final Disposition, fate unknown

USS LSM-249 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" (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 twin 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

Fuel Capacity

Diesel 1,225 Bbls

Troop Accommodations

2 officers

46 enlisted

Armor 10-lb. STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning station

Endurance 4,900 miles @ 12kts.(928 tons displacement)

Propulsion

two General Motors (model GM 16-278A, reversible with hydraulic clutch) Diesel engines, direct drive with 1,440 BHP each @ 720rpm
Ship's Service Generators
two Diesel-drive 100Kw 450V A.C.
one Diesel-drive 20Kw 120V D.C.

twin propellers, 2,800shp

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
65k	USS LSM-249, USS LSM-367, USS LSM-289 and USS LSM-369 approaching the beachhead at Okinawa, circa 1 to 3 April 1945.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
62k	USS LSM-249 and USS LSM-367 beached at Okinawa, circa 1 to 3 April 1945.	USS LSM / LSMR Association
69k	USS LST-1138 anchored at Wakayama, Japan, circa 20 September 1945. In the background is a group of LSMs which includes USS LSM-249. Photo was taken from USS LST-649.	Steve Mair for his father LTjg. Alexander C. Mair, USNR USS LST-649 Engineering Officer.

Commanding Officers
01	LT. Ayer, Irvin E., USNR	30 November 1944 - November 1945
02	LT. Chadburne, Merle J., USNR	November 1945 - 17 June 1946


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler

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

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 3 June 2022