Brief History of USS LST 173 - by Andy Swenson (MoMM3)

Brief History of USS LST 173
by Andy Swenson (MoMM3)
Submitted January 20, 1999

The USS LST 173 was built by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company of Evansville, Indiana. The keel was laid December 24, 1942, launched April 24, 1943, and placed in reduced commission June 13, 1943. Departed from Evansville, Indiana June 15, 1943 and arrived in New Orleans June 18, 1943. Reported for shakedown and duty June 24, 1943.

On June 15, 1943, LST 173 was assigned to Flotilla Four, Group 12, Division 23 then sailed down the Ohio river into the Mississippi River to New Orleans. When arriving in New Orleans the mast and two new screws were installed because of damage due to flood waters (many trees, dead animals, and building floated along side the ship). The river pilot guided the LST past shore lines and hazardous places. At the time of repairs we also took on ammunition, fuel, oil, water, and supplies.

We continued our journey into the Gulf of Mexico and on to Panama City, Florida where we spent a few weeks in St. Andrews Bay getting familiar with the ship and duties. From here we sailed to Little Creek, Virginia. More anti aircraft guns were installed as well as boat davits for the LCVP boats. We had many maneuvers at Virginia Beach. One foggy night, while in the Chesapeake Bay (August 12, 1943), we collided with a tanker, the USS Mariposa (Mattaponi?). During exercises outside Rhode Island Sea Bee Base, the stern anchor was released too soon and was lost, but retrieved later by small boats.

Before departing for North Africa more structural additions were made to LST 173. More fuel was added and a LCT was loaded on the main deck. The tank deck was loaded with Army vehicles. We left the Little Creek area in mid March for North Africa. We sailed in a slow convoy with 80 merchant vessels, 34 U.S. Naval ships which included LST's 27, 28, 32, 74, 140, 141, 173, 174, 177, 178, 210, 262, 265, 266, 519, 525, 526, 538, and 539 sailing for the Strait of Gibraltar, about 3600 to 3800 miles away in stormy weather.

Entering the Strait of Gibraltar on the morning of March 30, 1944, we were joined by the British anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Colombo and several patrol craft including a U.S. mine sweep the AM 116 Speed because of the German submarines or "Wolfpack" in the area. The convoy continued to Bizerte, Tunisia. German reconnaissance planes were sighted in the afternoon on March 31, 1944 observing us. At 0400 hours on April 1, 1944 the convoy was attacked by thirty or more German aircraft using very bright flares to illuminate the ships. I am not sure how many enemy planes were destroyed but one German hit the water off port side, exploding and spewing shrapnel on the LST 173 and causing slight damage to the LCT on deck.

We arrived in Bizerte, Tunisia on April 3, 1944 where the LCT was launched along with Army troops and supplies. A few days later the LST 173 sailed to Pozzuoli, Italy, not far from Naples.

In the middle of April 1944, LST 173 began runs to the Anzio beach head with troops, trucks, tanks, heavy weapons, and supplies. On returning trips to Bizerte, Tinus, or Algeria we transported German prisoners. While making landings at Anzio, our biggest concern were the two railroad guns hidden in the tunnels in the hillside ("Anzio Annie") and the 88's dropping around us.

In August 1944 the LST 173 weigh anchor in Naples Bay and sailed in convoy to become involved in the invasion of Southern France (August 15, 1944 - Operation Dragoon). Leaving the area the convoy was greeted by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with his famous V for victory sign. The LST 173 was one of the ships in the first column of the invasion. Here again, LST 173 made many trips between Southern France, Bizerte, Tunisia and Pozzuoli, Italy.

After supporting the invasion of Southern France, LST 173 was transferred to the United Kingdom on December 24, 1944, and later returned to U.S. custody at Norfolk, Virginia on April 3, 1946. She was sold to Luria Brothers & Co., of Philadelphia, Pa., on 22 October 1947, for scrap hull. Stricken from the Navy Register on June 19, 1946.