USS LST-29

USS LST-29 approaches a pontoon causeway at Kwajalein, soon after the Island's capture in February 1944.
History
United States
Name	LST-29
Builder	Dravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Laid down	8 January 1943
Launched	17 May 1943
Sponsored by	Mrs. C. F. Lockton
Commissioned	10 July 1943
Decommissioned	11 March 1946
Stricken	8 May 1946
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-29 Code letters: NFFQ
Honors & awards	4 × battle stars
Fate	Sold, 17 June 1946
General characteristics [1]
Type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full load 2,160 long tons (2,190 t) landing
Length	328  ft (100  m) oa
Beam	50 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	2 × 900  hp (670  kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,700  shp (1,300  kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Range	24,000 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
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	13 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	Varied, ultimate armament 2 × twin 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns 4 × single 40 mm Bofors guns 12 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons
Service record
Part of:	LST Flotilla 3
Operations:	Gilbert Islands operation Battle of Tarawa (28 November–8 December 1943) Marshall Islands operation Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls (31 January–8 February 1944) Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll (17 February–2 March 1944) Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Guam (21 July–5 August 1944) Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto (3–22 May 1945)
Awards:	American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal

USS LST-29 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used exclusively in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

Construction

LST-29 was laid down on 8 January 1943, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation; launched on 17 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. C. F. Lockton; ^[2] and commissioned on 10 July 1943. ^[1]

Service history

During World War II, LST-29 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the Gilbert Islands operation during the battle of Tarawa in November and December 1943; the Marshall Islands operation during the occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in January and February 1944, and the occupation of Eniwetok Atoll in February March 1944; the Marianas operation during the capture and occupation of Guam in July and August 1944; and the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May 1945. ^[2]

Postwar career

LST-29 was decommissioned on 11 March 1946, and was struck from the Navy list on 8 May 1946. On 17 June 1946, she was sold to the Foss Launch & Tug Company, of Seattle, Washington. ^[2]

Awards

LST-29 earned four battle stars for her World War II service. ^[2]

References

1. Navsource 2014.
2. DANFS 2015.

Bibliography

• "LST-29". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2017. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
• "USS LST-29". NavSource. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2017.