LST 661

Built by American Bridge Company at the Ambridge Manufacturing Plant in Ambridge, PA. Launched March 30, 1944. Commissioned USS LST-661 on April 28, 1944. During World War II USS LST-661 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Participated in the Western Caroline Islands operation (Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, Peleliu, September 6 to October 14, 1944). USS LST-661 earned one battle star for World War II service. Following World War II USS LST-661 was assigned to Occupation service for the following periods: September 2 to October 25, 1945; December 18, 1945 to January 1, 1946; February 29 to March 9, 1946; and March 24 to April 6, 1946. USS LST-661 transported LCT-858 to Western Caroline Islands for the attack on the Palau Islands. USS LST-661 was assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.2.5 (Target Vessels – Landing Craft Units – LST Group 9 (LST GRU 9) for Operation Crossroads the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946. Decommissioned on August 29, 1946. Final Disposition, considered unsalvageable and destroyed at Bikini on September 13, 1948.