LST-553 was laid down on 24 January 1944 at Evansville, Ind., by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co.; launched on 16 March 1944; sponsored by Miss Agnes L. Maulding; and commissioned on 22 April 1944, Lt. John K. Alegeo in command.
During World War II, LST-553 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:
Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands-September and October 1944
Leyte landings-October and November 1944
Lingayen Gulf landings-January 1945
Zambales-Subic Bay-January 1945
Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto-April through June 1945
Following the war, LST-553 conducted minesweeping operations in the waters surrounding the Japanese home islands as well as occupation duty in the Far East until early February 1947. She was decommissioned on 13 February 1947 and transferred to the U.S. Army at Yokohama, Japan. On 25 April 1947, the ship was struck from the Navy list.
LST-553 earned five battle stars for World War II service.
