USS LST-492

	USS LST-492 beached, probably in Italy, date unknown.
History
United States
Name	LST-492
Builder	Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana
Laid down	3 August 1943
Launched	30 September 1943
Commissioned	8 December 1943
Decommissioned	17 June 1946
Stricken	23 June 1947
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-492; Code letters: NPBF; ;
Honors and; awards	3 × battle stars (WWII)
Fate	Sold to Green's Bayou Transporters, 24 February 1948
United States
Owner	Green's Bayou Transporters, Houston, Texas
Acquired	24 February 1948
Refit	converted to non-self propelled operations
Fate	Unknown
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-491-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,625 long tons (1,651 t) (light); 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) (full (seagoing draft with 1,675 short tons (1,520 t) load); 2,366 long tons (2,404 t) (beaching);
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward; 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft; Full load: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) forward; 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft; Landing with 500 short tons (450 t) load: 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	6 x LCVPs
Capacity	1,600–1,900 short tons (3,200,000–3,800,000 lb; 1,500,000–1,700,000 kg) cargo depending on mission
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;

USS LST-492 was an LST-491-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

Construction and commissioning

LST-492 was laid down on 3 August 1943, at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company; launched on 30 September 1943; sponsored by Mrs. John A. Spruill; and commissioned on 8 December 1943.^[2]

Service history

During World War II, LST-492 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944, and the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. She was then assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and took part in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May and June 1945.^[2]

Following the war, LST-492 performed occupation duty in the Far East until December 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 17 June 1946, and struck from the Navy list on 23 June 1947.^[2]

On 24 February 1948, the LST-492 was sold to Green's Bayou Transporters, Houston, Texas, for non-self-propelled operation.^[2]

Honors and awards

LST-492 earned three battle stars for World War II service.^[2]

Bibliography