LST-26
LST-26 was laid down on 16 November 1942 at Pittsburgh, Pa., by the Dravo Corp.; launched on 31 March 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Mathilda B. Coulter; and commissioned on 7 June 1943.
During World War II, LST-26 served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater and took part in the following operations:
Bismarck Archipelago operation:
(a) Cape Gloucester, New Britain-December 1943 and January 1944
Hollandia operation-April and May 1944 Western New Guinea operations:
(a) Toem-Wakde-Sarmi area operation-May 1944
(b) Biak Island operation-May and June 1944
(c) Noemfoor Island operation-July 1944
(d) Cape Sansapor operation-July and August 1944
(e) Morotai landings-September 1944
Leyte landings-October and November 1944
Consolidation of the southern Philippines:
(a) Mindanao Island landings-March 1945
She saw service in China from 3 to 10 October 1945.
Following the war, LST-26 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early November 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissionedon 1 April 1946. She was struck from the Navy list on 8 May 1946 and was sold to Arctic Circle Exploration, Seattle, Wash., on 17 June 1946 to be converted for merchant service.
LST-26 earned five battle star for World War II service.
