Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Naval History Division • Washington

USS LST-738

LST-738 was laid down on 20 February 1944 at Pittsburgh, Pa., by the Dravo Corp., Neville Island; launched on 1 April 1944; sponsored by Mrs. John S. Mason; and commissioned on 9 May 1944, Lt. John T. Barnett, USNR, in command.

During World War II, LST-738 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the Leyte landings in October 1944 and the Mindoro landings in December that same year. On 15 December 1944, while off Mindoro, she was hit by a Japanese kamikaze plane and set ablaze. After attempts to control the fires were unsuccessful, LST-738 was sunk by the guns of other ships of the invasion fleet. She was struck from the Navy list on 19 January 1945.

LST-738 earned two battle stars for World War II service.


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