USS LST-734

USS "LST-734" was an "LST-542"-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-734" was laid down on 25 January 1944 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corp., Neville Island; launched on 4 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. W. P. Spofford; and commissioned on 22 April 1944.

During World War II, "LST-734" was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:

Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands — September and October 1944
Leyte landings—October and November 1944
Ormoc Bay landings—December 1944
Zambales - Subic Bay — January 1945Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto—April through June 1945

Following the war, "LST-734" performed occupation duty in the Far East until late December 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 7 May 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 5 June that same year. On 24 May 1948, the ship was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Co., of Bethlehem, Pa., and renamed "McWilliams". She was then transferred to the Argentine Navy, where she acquired the designation "BDT-14" (Buque Desembarco de Tanques), and was renamed ARA "Cabo San Vincente". She was retired in 1969.

LST-734 earned four battle stars for World War II service.

References

*cite book|author=Friedman, Norman |year=2002|title=US Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History|publisher= Naval Institute Press|id=ISBN 1-55750-250-1

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l23/lst-734.htm history.navy.mil: USS "LST-734"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160734.htm navsource.org: USS "LST-734"]