21°21′25.83″N157°59′49.98″W / 21.3571750°N 157.9972167°W /21.3571750; -157.9972167

LST-353 unloading in the Solomons, June 1943
History
United States
Name	USSLST-353
Builder	Charleston Navy Yard
Laid down	15 July 1942
Launched	12 October 1942
Commissioned	27 November 1942
Stricken	18 July 1944
Honours and awards	3battle stars andNavy Unit Commendation (WWII)
Fate	Sunk, 21 May 1944
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-classtank landing ship
Displacement	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded: Bow: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Stern: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Loaded : Bow: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) Stern: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Depth	8 ft (2.4 m) forward 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion	2General Motors12-567diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	Two or sixLCVPs
Troops	approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted
Armament	5 ×40 mm gun mounts 6 ×20 mm gun mounts 2 ×.50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns 4 ×.30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns

USSLST-353 was anLST-1-classtank landing ship built for theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II. It was destroyed on 21 May 1944 when an explosion on its deck sparked theWest Loch Disaster inPearl Harbor naval base.

LST-353 was laid down on 15 July 1942 at theCharleston Navy Yard; launched on 12 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Estelle Lynette Cushman; and commissioned on 27 November 1942. During World War II, LST-353 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the consolidation of the southernSolomons (June, 1943); theNew Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation (July, 1943); theVella Lavella occupation (August, 1943); and the occupation and defense ofCape Torokina (November, 1943).

On 21 May 1944 she was sunk by internal explosion while moored in West Loch atPearl Harbor, Hawaii and struck from theNaval Vessel Register on 18 July 1944.

Five other LSTs were so damaged from the fire caused by the explosion that they too sank, includingLST-43,LST-69,LST-179, andLST-480. Two others were severely damaged. In all 163 sailors were killed; 396 wounded.^[1]

LST-353 earned threebattle stars and theNavy Unit Commendation for World War II service.

• List of United States Navy LSTs
• List of United States Navy losses in World War II

 This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• "LST-353".Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved25 June 2007.
• "LST-353".Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved25 June 2007.

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