Actions

USS LST 637

From Our Contribution

USS LST 637
USS LST 637.jpg
LST 637 fully loaded at Morotai about to sail for Tarakan. AWM photo
USS LST 637-2.jpg
photo from "Pictorial History of Australia at War 39-45"
History
Name USS LST 637
Owner US Navy
Builder Chicago Bridge & Iron Coy, Seneca, Illinois.
Launched 18 Aug 1944
Completed 4 Sep 1944
In service 5 Sep 1944
Out of service 29 Mar 1946
Fate Sold Dec 1947 and scrapped.
General characteristics
Type Landing Ship Tank
Tonnage 1,625 tons
Length 328 feet (100m)
Beam 50 feet (15.24m)
Depth 3 feet 11 inches (1.20m) forward, 9 feet 10 inches (2.83m) rear when landing with 500 ton load
Propulsion twin props 1,700 HP
Speed 11.6 knots
Capacity crew of 117 & 163 passengers



Remarks

Assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theatre after launching she was to participate in the Lingayen Gulf landings from 4 - 18 Jan 1945 (US); the Visayan Island landings (US) on 18 Mar; from 29 Mar to 5 Apr 1945; the Tarakan island operation (Australian army) 27 Apr to 5 May 1945; and the landing at Brunei Bay 10 to 12 Jun 1945 (Australian army).


Following the completion of hostilities, LST 637 continued to work with Occupation forces until 30 Oct 1945. Decommissioned on 29 Mar 1946, she was struck from the Naval Register on 5 Jun 1946, before being sold and scrapped in 1947.

Battle Honours

  • Luzon
  • Borneo
  • Southern Philippines

Soldiers carried

Morotai to Tarakan 11 - 13 May 1945

Tarakan to Morotai 16 - 18 May 1945

Morotai to Labuan 7 - 10 June 1945