USS LST-263

USS Benton County (LST-263) was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for nine counties of the United States, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

USS Benton County (LST-263)
LST-263 at anchor in Naples Bay, Italy as part of the assault group, date unknown.
History
United States
NameUSS LST-263
BuilderAmerican Bridge Company, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Laid down7 September 1942
Launched27 February 1943
Commissioned30 June 1943
Decommissioned29 May 1946
Honors and
awards		2 battle stars (WWII)
RenamedUSS Benton County, 1 July 1955
NamesakeBenton County
Stricken1 November 1958
FateUnknown
General characteristics
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 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)
Depth8 ft (2.4 m) forward, 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried		Two or six LCVPs
Troops14–16 officers, 131–147 enlisted men
Complement7–9 officers, 104–120 enlisted men
Armament
  • 2 × twin 40 mm gun mounts w/Mk.51 directors
  • 4 × single 40 mm gun mounts
  • 12 × single 20 mm gun mounts

LST-263 was laid down on 7 September 1942 at Ambridge, Pennsylvania by the American Bridge Company; launched on 27 February 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Charles G. Baumgartner; and commissioned on 30 June 1943.

Service history

During World War II, LST-263 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in Convoy UGS-37[1] in April 1944 and the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. She was decommissioned on 29 May 1946 and assigned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. On 1 July 1955 the ship was redesignated USS Benton County (LST-263); she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 November 1958. Her final fate is unknown.

LST-263 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
  • "LST-263". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  • "LST-263 Benton County". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
Specific
  1. "Tank Landing Ship LST".
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