LST-353 was laid down on 15 July 1942 at the Charleston Navy Yard; launched on 12 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Estelle Lynette Cushman; and commissioned on 27 November 1942, Lt. L. E. Reynolds, Jr., USNR, in command.
During World War II, LST-353 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:
Consolidation of southern Solomons-June 1943 New Georgia Group operation:
(a) New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation-July 1943
(b) Vella Lavella occupation-August 1943
Occupation and defense of Cape Torokina-November 1943
On 21 May 1944, she was sunk by internal explosion while moored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and struck from the Navy list on 18 July 1944.
LST-353 earned three battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.
