USS LST496 was constructed on 24th August 1943 in Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co. She was launched on 22nd October, sponsored by Mrs. Fred McCutchan, and then commissioned on 27th December, with Lt. Stanley H. Koch, USNR, assuming command.
LST496 was deployed to the European theatre during World War II and played a role in the assault of Normandy in June 1944. The ship was deliberately destroyed by German mines near Omaha Beach in Normandy on 11 June 1944. LST-496 was removed from the Navy roster on 22 August 1944.
LST496 was awarded a single battle star in recognition of its service during World War II.
Specifications:
Displacement: 1,780 t.(lt)
4,080 t.(fl) (sea-going draft w/1675 ton load)
2,366 t. (beaching displacement)
Endurance: 24,000 miles @ 9kts. while displacing 3960 tons
Complement: 13 officers
104 enlisted
Troop Accommodations:
16 officers
147 enlisted
Boats: 2 LCVP
Cargo Capacity:(varied with mission – payloads between 1600 and 1900 tons)
Typical loads:
One Landing Craft Tank (LCT), tanks, wheeled and tracked vehicles, artillery, construction equipment and military supplies. A ramp or elevator forward allowed vehicles access to tank deck from main deck
Additional capacity included sectional pontoons carried on each side of vessel amidships, to either build Rhino Barges or use as causeways. Married to the bow ramp, the causeways would enabled payloads to be delivered ashore from deeper water or where a beachhead would not allow the vessel to be grounded forward after ballasting
Armament: varied with availability when each vessel was outfitted. Retro-fitting was accomplished throughout WWII. The ultimate armament design for United States vessels was:
2 x Twin 40MM gun mounts w/Mk. 51 directors
4 x Single 40MM gun mounts
12 x single 20MM gun mounts
Fuel Capacity: Diesel 4,300 Bbls
Propulsion: two General Motors 12-567A, 900hp Diesel engines
single Falk Main Reduction Gears
three Diesel-drive 100Kw 230V D.C. Ship’s Service Generators
two propellers, 1,700shp
twin rudders
History
LST-491 Class Tank Landing Ship:
Laid down: 24 August 1943, at Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co., Evansville, IN.
Launched, 22 October 1943.
Placed in reduced commission: 19 December 1943, for transit to her fitting out yard at New Orleans, LT Robert J. Gregory USNR in command.
Commissioned in full: USS LST-496, 27 December 1943, LT. Robert J. Gregory USNR in command.
During World War II: USS LST-496 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign – Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 11 June 1944.
Action: Sunk by enemy mines off Omaha Beach, Normandy, 11 June 1944.
Decommisioned: Struck from the Naval Register, 22 August 1944.
commendations: USS LST-496 earned one battle star for World War II service.
Commanding Officers
LT. Gregory, Robert J., USNR 19 December 1943 – February 1944
LTjg. Koch, Stanley H., USNR February 1944 – 11 June 1944 (KIA-11 June 1944)
