USS LST 637
From Our Contribution
 LST 637 fully loaded at Morotai about to sail for Tarakan. AWM photo | |
 photo from "Pictorial History of Australia at War 39-45" | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | USS LST 637 |
| Owner | US Navy |
| Builder | Chicago Bridge & Iron Coy, Seneca, Illinois. |
| Launched | 18 Aug 1944 |
| Completed | 4 Sep 1944 |
| In service | 5 Sep 1944 |
| Out of service | 29 Mar 1946 |
| Fate | Sold Dec 1947 and scrapped. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing Ship Tank |
| Tonnage | 1,625 tons |
| Length | 328 feet (100m) |
| Beam | 50 feet (15.24m) |
| Depth | 3 feet 11 inches (1.20m) forward, 9 feet 10 inches (2.83m) rear when landing with 500 ton load |
| Propulsion | twin props 1,700 HP |
| Speed | 11.6 knots |
| Capacity | crew of 117 & 163 passengers |
Contents
Remarks
Assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theatre after launching she was to participate in the Lingayen Gulf landings from 4 - 18 Jan 1945 (US); the Visayan Island landings (US) on 18 Mar and from 29 Mar to 5 Apr 1945; the Tarakan island operation (Australian army) 27 Apr to 5 May 1945; and the landing at Brunei Bay 10 to 12 Jun 1945 (Australian army).
Following the completion of hostilities, LST 637 continued to work with Occupation forces until 30 Oct 1945. Decommissioned on 29 Mar 1946, she was struck from the Naval Register on 5 Jun 1946, before being sold and scrapped in 1947.
Battle Honours
- Luzon
- Borneo
- Southern Philippines