Name USS LST-473 Laid down 10 July 1942 Struck 17 April 1946 Construction started 10 July 1942 Length 100 m | Ordered as S3-M2-K2 Commissioned 16 March 1943 Identification Call sign NGGV Launched 9 December 1942 Builder Vancouver | |
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USS LST-473 was a U.S. Navy amphibious warship, a LST-1-class tank landing ship, that saw action during World War II.
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LST-473 was laid down on 10 July 1942 at Kaiser Inc. Vancouver, Washington and launched on 9 December 1942. She was commissioned on 16 March 1943.
Service history
During World War II, LST-473 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations: the landings at Lae (September 1943); the landings at Leyte (October 1944); the landings at Lingayen Gulf (January 1945); the Zambales-Subic Bay operations (January 1945) and landings at Mindanao Island (April 1945).
″On September 4, 1943, the USS LST 473 was operating as part of General Douglas MacArthur's VII Amphibious Force off the eastern coast of New Guinea. Allied forces were "leap-frogging" around Japanese strongholds in an attempt to isolate and neutralize them. LST 473 was one of six LSTs and four destroyers on their way to reinforce an Australian assault force east of Lae when they were attacked by 12 Japanese torpedo planes and 15 dive bombers. During the air attack, a Japanese torpedo plane launched 2 torpedoes toward LST 473. Before the helmsman could react and maneuver the ship clear, 2 bombs hit the upper deck and quickly engulfed the pilot house in flames. Although mortally wounded by the bombs, Seaman First Class Johnnie David Hutchins grabbed the helm and steered the ship out of the path of the torpedoes. He died clinging to the helm, giving his last ounce of strength to save his shipmates. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. For valor and courage above and beyond the call of duty, Seaman First Class Hutchins was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
7 other crew members were killed in action and another 14 were wounded in this attack. In addition to the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross was awarded to S1c Frederick L. Erickson of Iowa, the Silver Star was awarded to Ensign J. K. Hayes, of Missouri and CPhM Nelson Tudor, of Kentucky. Ensign J. W. Triplitt, of Texas, F1c Sylvester L. Modglin, of Missouri and Eddie A. Huntsman, of Texas received a Letter of Commendation. LST 473 survived this attack but was without power. The destroyer USS Conyngham(DD 371) valiantly went to her aid. She helped her with her dead and wounded and circled her all night to protect her from enemy subs. The USS LST 454 also heroically assisted her. The 454 tied the 473 to her side and towed her to Morobe Bay, New Guinea where the troops and cargo onboard were taken off. LST 473's dead were then buried just outside Morobe Bay. The 473 and LST 471(also damaged in the attack) were towed to Australia for repairs. It took one year to repair LST 473. She then returned to combat in the Pacific Theater. She went on to fight in four other major engagements: Leyte landings, Lingayen Gulf landings, Zambales-Subic Bay and the Mindanao Island landings.″
LST-473 returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 18 March 1946. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 17 April, before being sold on 21 April 1948 to Hughes Bros Inc, New York for scrap.
LST 473's crew was awarded more decorations for individual heroism than any other LST crew that saw action in World War II. LST-473 earned five battle stars for her gallant service in World War II.
Shipmates Killed in Action on Sept. 4, 1943. Assault on Lae, New Guinea
Lt.(jg) Wallace M. Bonaparte, Berkeley, CA; QM2c Charles L. Booth, Chinouatangue, VA; PhM2c John M. Carimi, New Orleans, LA; SF2c James M. Dodero, Brockton, MA; SK2c George E. Eklund; Burien, WA; EM2c Mark A. Hovenkamp, Fort Worth, TX; S1c Johnnie D. Hutchins; Lissie/Eagle Lake, TX; MoMM2c Howard Stark, Portland, OR