HISTORY OF USS LST 317

The preliminary plans initially called for an LST 280' in length; but in January 1942, the Bureau of ships discarded these drawings in favor of specifications for a ship 290' long. Within a month, final working plans were developed which further stretched the overall length to 328' and called for a 50-foot beam and minimum draft to 3'9.5". The LST could carry a 2,100 ton load of tanks and vehicles. The larger dimensions also permitted the designers to increase the width of the bow door opening and ramp from 12' - 14' and thus accommodate most Allied vehicles. The keel of the first LST was laid down on June 10, 1942 at Newport News, VA. The need for LST's was urgent and the program enjoyed a high priority throughout the war. In some instances, heavy industry plants such as steel fabrication yards were converted for LST construction. This posed the problem of getting the completed ships from the inland building yards to deep water. The chief obstacle were bridges. The Navy successfully undertook the modification of bridges and, through a "Ferry Command" of Navy crews, transported the newly constructed ships to coastal ports for fitting out. Of the 1,051 LST's built during World War II, 5 major inland builders constructed 670. By 1943, the construction time for an LST had been reduced to 4 months. From their combat debut in Solomons, throughout the war, LST's demonstrated a remarkable capacity to absorb punishment and survive despite the losses in proportion to their number and the scope of their operation. Although the LST was considered a valuable target by the enemy, only 26 were lost due to enemy action.

USS LST-317 was built by the New York Naval Yard. She was laid down October 15, 1942; launched and sponsored by Mrs. Florence Whitehouse on January 28, 1943. LST-317 was placed in commission February 6, 1943.

The First Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Bernard Berner.

Following fitting out, she was made ready for sea. She departed for Little Creek, VA, for shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay. Upon completion of shakedown, she underwent minor repairs and upkeep and made ready for transit to the European theater of war. Soon she loaded cargo for her transit across the Atlantic for North Africa. Following her arrival, she formed up in convoy for the invasion of Sicily. USS LST-317 arrived off Corona, Sicily August 9, 1943. Her sister ship, USS LST-318, was bombed and sank by German aircraft. However, USS LST-317 made it ashore, discharging her troops and equipment. She soon retracted and arrived back in Bizerte.

On September 4, 1943, she loaded combat troops for the next campaign that was to take place September 5, but through some freak happening, the USS LST-317's stern anchor cable got tangled up in the screw and the equipment was unloaded and placed on board the USS LST-313. USS LST-317 finally got her cable out of the screw and soon, following the landing of troops, she was underway for Salerno, arriving September 9, 1943. Following the discharging of her cargo and troops, she was underway September 21, 1943. She made runs from Tripoli to Salerno, Italy and on October 8, 1943 arrived at Toranto, Italy. She made 2 trips to Toranto. On October 22, she arrived back in Bizerte and on November 19, 1943 she moved into Naples, Italy.

Following some repairs and upkeep, she commenced getting ready for her next invasion in Normandy. While in England, USS LST-317 made practice runs in beaching. Finally, D-Day arrived and the largest force of ships started across the channel. USS LST-317 arrived June 6 at Omaha Beach. Following discharging of troops and equipment, she returned to Weymouth Harbor, England, loading cargo once more. She made around 40 runs back to France before being relieved. She returned to the United States for much needed repairs, but she was placed out of commission May 18, 1945 and struck from the Navy Register March 12, 1946. She was sold January 22, 1947 to A. G. Schoonmaker.

USS LST-317 earned 3 battle stars for her World War II services.

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