USS LST-482

USS LST/LST(H)-482/Branch County (LST-482) was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Later renamed for Branch County, Michigan, she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name.

History
United States
NameLST-482
Orderedas a Type S3-M-K2 hull, MCE hull 1002[1]
BuilderPermanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California
Yard number37[1]
Laid down14 September 1942
Launched17 December 1942
Commissioned20 March 1943
Decommissioned23 February 1946
ReclassifiedLanding Ship Tank (Hospital) LST(H)-482, 15 September 1945
Identification
Honors and
awards		 6 × battle stars
Fateassigned to Commander Naval Forces Far East
Japan
OperatorShipping Control Authority for Japan
In service23 February 1946
Out of serviceunknown
RenamedQ072
Fatereturned to USN
United States
NameQ072
Renamed
  • LST-482, 11 March 1952
  • Branch County, 1 July 1955
NamesakeBranch County, Michigan
Stricken11 August 1955
FateSunk as target, March 1956
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeLST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement
  • 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load
  • 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft
  • Full load: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
  • Landing at 2,160 t: 3 ft 11 in (1.19 m) forward; 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) aft
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range24,000 nmi (44,000 km; 28,000 mi) at 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) while displacing 3,960 long tons (4,024 t)
Boats & landing
craft carried		2 or 6 x LCVPs
Capacity
  • 2,100 tons oceangoing maximum
  • 350 tons main deckload
Troops16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament
Service record
Part of: LST Flotilla 3
Operations:
Awards:

Construction

LST-482 was laid down on 14 September 1942, under Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1002, by Kaiser Shipyards, Yard No. 4, Richmond, California; launched on 17 December 1942; and commissioned on 20 March 1943.[1][3]

Service history

During World War II, LST-482 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following operations: the Gilbert Islands operation in November and December 1943; the Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in January and February 1944; the Battle of Hollandia April 1944; the Battle of Guam July 1944; the Battle of Leyte landings October 1944; and the Lingayen Gulf landings January 1945.[3]

Post-war service

Following the war, LST-482 was redesignated LST(H)-482 on 15 September 1945. She performed occupation duty in the Far East in November and December 1945. Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 23 February 1946 and redesignated LST-482 on 6 March 1952. The tank landing ship was subsequently renamed USS Branch County (LST-482) on 1 July 1955. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 11 August 1955. In early March, 1956 the ship was sunk by naval gunfire and submarine-launched torpedoes in an exercise off San Diego, California.[3]

Awards

LST-482 earned six battle stars for World War II service.[3]

Notes
    Citations
    1. Kaiser No. 4 2014.
    2. Navsource 2014.
    3. DANFS.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

    • "LST-482". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2 February 2017.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
    • "Kaiser Permanente No. 4, Richmond CA". ShipbuildingHistory.com. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
    • "USS LST-482". Navsource.org. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
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