Name USS LST-4 Commissioned 14 February 1943 Launched 9 October 1942 | Laid down 4 July 1942 Construction started 4 July 1942 Length 100 m | |
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Sponsored by Mrs. John (Jennie) Bartolo Decommissioned 23 December 1944, at Bizerte, Tunisia In service 24 December 1944, as HM LST-4 | ||
USS LST-4 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation. LST-4 served in the Mediterranean and was awarded four battle stars for her services. After decommissioning, she was loaned to the Royal Navy as HM LST-4 until post-war when she was returned to the US Navy, decommissioned, and sold at public auction for scrapping.
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Construction
LST-4 was laid down on 4 July 1942 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation; she was launched on 9 October 1942, sponsored by Mrs. J. Bartolo; and commissioned on 14 February 1943.
Mediterranean operations
LST-4 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the following operations for which she received battle stars:
Decommissioning
LST-4 was decommissioned sometime in 1944 and was placed on loan in December 1944 with the British Navy as HM LST-4 for the duration of the war.
Service under British command
HM LST-4 was commissioned 24 December 1944, at Bizerte. Despite striking a mine 14 January 1945, while on passage between Taranto and Piraeus, she was able to stay afloat until temporary repairs could be made in Greece and more substantial repairs made at Malta 10 to 24 October 1945.
In early 1946, her wartime Mediterranean operations completed, she sailed for the United States. During the transit she lost one of her screws and had to be towed by another LST to Norfolk, Virginia, where she was returned to the US Navy.
Post-war decommissioning and disposal
LST-4 was struck from the Navy list on 19 June 1946. On 10 September 1947, she was sold to the Boston Metals Company, of Baltimore, Maryland, for scrap.