Landing Ship Medium.


LSM (Landing Ship Medium) were part of the WWII Amphibious Pacific Force. The Navy possessed a variety of ships that served a variety of functions:

LCI (landing craft infantry)
LCU (landing craft utility)
LCM (landing craft mechanized)
LCVP (landing craft vehicle, personell)
LCT (landing craft tank)

LSM's were designed to transport tanks and other vehicles along with personnel over long distances at sea. Upon arriving at their destination they were designed to land personnel and equipment directly on the beach

558 were built during World War II. They were 203 feet long, 36-foot beam, and a had a crew of 53. They could travel 3000 miles on one fill-up of diesel fuel. To get an idea of their relative size to other vessels, see these ship silhouettes

They officer and crew were trained at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Norfolk, Virginia

(Click for an closeup on my grandfather, he is in the center of the closeup)

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