LST-697 was laid down on 6 March 1944 at Jeffersonville, Ind., by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co.; launched on 1 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Josephine B. Kieren; and commissioned on 30 May 1944, Ens. Lo Presti in command.
During World War II, LST-697 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:
Morotai landings-September 1944
Leyte landings-November 1944
Lingayen Gulf landing-January 1945
Visayan Island landings-March and April 1945
Tarakan Island operation-April and May 1945
Following the war, LST-697 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until mid-December 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 12 July 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 28 August that same year. On 14 October 1947, the ship was sold to William E. Skinner for scrapping.
LST-697 earned five battle stars for World War II service.
