LST-448 was laid down on 10 July 1942 at Vancouver, Wash., by Kaiser, Inc.; launched on 26 September 1942; and commissioned on 23 December 1942.
During World War II, LST-448 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the consolidation of the southern Solomons in June 1943 and the Vella Lavella occupation in October 1943. The tank landing ship was damaged by Japanese dive bombers off Vella Lavella, Solomons, on 1 October, suffering some casualties among her embarked New Zealand troops. The LST was taken under tow by tug Bobolink but sank while underway on 5 October south of Vella Lavella. She was struck from the Navy list on 26 October 1943.
LST-448 earned two battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.
25 October 2005
