USS ''LST-851'' was an ''LST-542''-class

tank landing ship A Landing Ship, Tank (LST) is a ship first developed during World War II (1939–1945) to support amphibious operations by carrying tanks, vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto a low-slope beach with no docks or piers. The shallow d ...

in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

History

''LST-851'' was laid down on 10 August 1944 at

Seneca, Illinois Seneca is a village in LaSalle and Grundy counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 2,353 at the 2020 census, down from 2,371 at the 2010 census. The LaSalle County portion of Seneca is part of the Ottawa, IL Micropolitan St ...

, by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 8 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Gertrude B. Van Trigt; and commissioned on 30 November 1944. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, ''LST-851'' was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of

Okinawa most commonly refers to: * Okinawa Prefecture, Japan's southernmost prefecture * Okinawa Island, the largest island of Okinawa Prefecture * Okinawa Islands, an island group including Okinawa itself * Okinawa (city), the second largest city in th ...

Gunto in May 1945. Following the war, the ship performed occupation duty in the Far East until mid-October 1945. She returned to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and was decommissioned on 24 April 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 8 May that same year. On 30 September 1946, ''LST-851'' was sold to the Northwest Merchandising Service, Seattle, Wash. ''LST-851'' earned one

battle star A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the eight uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or service period. T ...

for World War II service.

Argentine service

The final disposition is uncertain, but it is likely that ''LST-851'' went to Argentina, where she was redesignated ARA ''BDT-1'' (Buque Desembarco de Tanques), and later redesignated ''Q41''.ArmadaArgentina
/ref> Some confusion exists concerning whether ''BDT-1'' was ''LST-851'' or ''LST-875''; however, sources indicate that ''LST-875'' went to the Philippines.

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:LST-0851 LST-542-class tank landing ships World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Ships built in Seneca, Illinois 1944 ships LST-542-class tank landing ships of the Argentine Navy