LST-555 was laid down on 5 February 1944 at Evansville, Ind., by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 22 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. R. E. Sharp; and commissioned on 28 April 1944.
During World War II, LST-555 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
Zambales-Subic Bay-January 1945
Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto-April through June 1945
The ship was badly damaged as a result of grounding off Wakayama, Japan, on 18 September 1945. Following the war, LST-555 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early January 1946. She was decommissioned on 6 January 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 21 January that same year. Her hulk was destroyed by gunfire on 26 January 1946.
LST-555 earned four battle stars for World War II service.
