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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Landing Craft Tank
LCT(5)-315

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Landing Craft Tank (Mark 5):
  • Laid down in September 1942, at Omaha Steel Works, Omaha, NE.
  • Launched in October 1942
  • Delivered and placed in service in November 1942
  • Loaded onto the main deck of USS LST-70 at New Orleans, LA.
  • During World War II LCT(5)-315 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Task Force Seventy-six:
    LCT Flotilla Eight,
     LCT Group 22,
     LCT Division 44
  • USS LST-70 arrived at Pago Pago, Harbor, Tutuila Islands, 22 August 1943 and launched LCT-315
  • -LCT-315 reported in convoy with USS Robin (ATO-140) 28 August from Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa to Funafuti Atoll
  • Reported at Funafuti Harbor by USS Regulus (AK-14), 26 October 1943.
  • Towed from Tarawa Atoll to Kwajalein Atoll, 29 February-4 March 1944, by USS LST-276
  • Towed from Kwajalein Atoll to Enewetok Atoll, 14-20 March 1944, by USS Kingfisher (ATO-135)
  • Destroyed, 13 March 1944, while unloading 150 tons of ammunition at Eniwetok Atoll, after catching fire and exploding. She was cast adrift from shore when the fire could not be controlled. All personnel were warned to leave the area and take cover. The fire ignited the ammunition and all persons within 500 yards of the resulting explosion were knocked off their feet, all buildings and tents leveled. 112 men were wounded, 10 critically, and 5 were killed.
  • Placed out of service, 23 March 1944
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 23 March 1944
  • Final Disposition, destroyed by explosion.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 285 t.(fl)
    Length 114' 2" (o.a.)
    Beam 32' 8"
    Draft
    limiting 3' 6"
    max.navigational 3' 6"
    Speed 10 kts.
    Range 700 nautical miles at 7 kts.
    Complement
    1 officer
    10 enlisted
    Cargo Capacity 150 short tons
    Armament
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    two .50 cal. machine guns
    Armor
    wheelhouse 2 1/2"
    gun shields 2"
    Fuel Capacity Diesel 80 Bbls
    Propulsion
    three Grey Marine 6-71 Diesel engines
    one Diesel-drive 20Kw 120V. D.C. Ships' service generator
    three propellers, 675shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LCT-129
    1018012902    		 277k LCT(5)-315 and LCT(5)-129 beached at Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands, while transporting personnel ashore from SS President Tyler, a War Shipping Administration (WSA) transport, 11 November 1943
    US National Archives Identifier # 193850599, US Army Air Corps photo # B-62879 AC    		 David Upton
    There is no DANFS history record for LCT(5)-315 available at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    World War II LCT Flotillas
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Craft Tank (LCT)Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 19 January 2024