Note:

LST stands for Landing Ship Tank. A common nickname was Large Slow Target. With the ship's slow speed (12 knots max) and her valuable cargo of troops, tanks, and ammo, she was an attractive target for the Japanese planes. She had only one big gun.

USS LST-284 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May and June 1945. She performed occupation duty in the Far East until early November 1945. LST-284 earned three battle stars for World War II service.

Source for the following Timeline: Earl Blair, Submitted by Ralph Gallagher USCG Ret. USS LST-284 http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/16/160284h1.htm

TIMELINE - 1945

MARCH

The 284 was made ready for sea. After a successful full-power speed run in New York harbor, the 284 passed through the New York Narrows on 16 February 1945 and headed south for Norfolk, VA. There, moored alongside Pier 4, Naval Operating Base, tons of ammunition were loaded on the tank deck. The last shell was loaded on 6 March 1945, and on the morning of 7 March 1945, the 284 joined a convoy bound for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On 14 March 1945, the 284 arrived in Cuba and after a few hours, the 284 joined another convoy bound for Cristobol, Canal Zone, a four day voyage.

On 21 March 1945, the 284 headed through the locks of the Panama Canal and dropped anchor in the Pacific Ocean that same evening.

APRIL

The following morning, in convoy, with USS LST 970, the 284 proceeded to San Diego, CA, arriving there on 3 April 1945. After a mere 48 hours, the 284 departed for Pearl Harbor, Oahu, HI, in convoy with USS LST 1012 and USS YMS 404.

After arriving at Pearl Harbor on 15 April 1945, the 284 was directed to anchor in Kaneohe Bay. After seven days availability to effect minor repairs and to take on provisions and supplies, the 284 headed west for Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands as a part of Task Organization 13.11.2.

MAY

The 284 dropped anchor at Eniewtok on 4 May 1945 and took on more fuel. On 6 May 1945, the 284 sailed for Guam where port officials at Apra directed her to Ulithi in the western Carolinas together with USS LST 970 which had also been detached from the previously mentioned task organization.

On 12 May 1945, the 284 arrived in Ulithi and took aboard a cargo of smoke pots. On 12 -14 May, the LST-284 survived Japanese Air Raids.

JUNE

On 15 May 1945, the 284 departed in convoy for Kerama Retto in the Ryukyu Islands. The 284 remained there from 21 May to 1 July 1945 while issuing both smoke pots and ammunition to combatant vessels. The 284 also assisted in generating smoke at night and survived numerous air raids. While at Kerama Reno, the LCT 560 was launched which cleared the main deck.

JULY - AUGUST

After departing from Kerama Retto, the 284 joined a convoy enroute to San Pedro Bay, Leyte, and arrived there on 6 July 1945. Additional ammunition was dispensed at Leyte and the cargo of shells and powder was loaded aboard fleet ships. Finally rid of this potentially dangerous cargo on 29 August 1945, the 284 was ready for further assignment.

On 10 August, during a movie at 20:15 named "Animal Kingdom", "Word came over Radio of Japan offering to Surrender. I couldn't hardly see the Movies, so Overcome with emotion and joy. I wondered if you had heard that wonderful news too. The Rockets, Flares, and Shell Bursts, like a 4th of July Celebration." - PHM1-C Kenton Marble

Captain D.F.J. Shea together with his flotilla staff came aboard on 17 August 1945, and in consequence, the 284 was again designated a flag ship, this time in connection with Flotilla 36. Before returning to sea, however, the 284 received some repairs from the USS Dixie (AD 14) and from 31 August to 4 September 1945.

SEPTEMBER

From San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippines, the 284 sailed independently for Manila Bay, Luzon, and arrived there on 5 September 1945. Later that afternoon, the 284 departed for Batangas Bay, Luzon and arrived there the following morning. After loading Army vehicles and personnel, the 284 sailed for Tokyo Bay on 12 September 1945. Enroute there as convoy guide, the 284 was forced to reverse course in order to avoid a typhoon. This adverse weather caused a two day loss of time.

On 23 September 1945, the 284 arrived in Tokyo Bay, Japan and unloaded her cargo the following day.

On 26 September 1945, LST- 284 is the first ship to leave Tokyo Bay, Japan unescorted. Thereafter, the 284 set out for Buckner Bay, Okinawa, where she dropped anchor on 30 September 1945.

OCTOBER

With sufficient points for discharge, Lt. Thomas B. Brooks, the 284's commanding officer, was relieved of command on 1 October 1945 and Lt. Robert L. Whiteside became the new skipper. As convoy guide, the 284 headed a group of LSTs to Naha Ko, Okinawa. From Naha Ko, the 284 proceeded to Hagushi to load on 3 October 1945.

Again, crowded with vehicles and personnel, the 284 returned to Yokohama, Japan, on 13 October 1945, and unloaded her cargo the following morning. On 16 October 1945, she moored alongside merchant ship SS Norman J. Coleman and took on a Navy cargo in addition to 1,000 bags of Army mail destined for Okinawa.

On 17 October 1945, the 284 left Tokyo Bay for Buckner Bay. She arrived there on 21 October 1945. After unloading this cargo, the 284 circled the island of Okinawa and departed for Hagushi. On 26 October 1945, another load of Army vehicles and personnel were loaded and transported to Yokohama on 4 November 1945.

NOVEMBER

This shuttle complete, the 284 departed for Guam on 7 November 1945 in convoy with the USS LST 730 and arrived there on 13 November 1945. On the following afternoon, flying the homeward bound pennant, the 284 departed, unescorted and independently for Pearl Harbor. The 284 arrived at Pearl Harbor on 28 November 1945. To that date, the 284 had covered 49,490 nautical miles.

USS LST 284 was decommissioned on 13 March 1946 and sold on 11 December 1947 for scrap after traveling a total of 58,895 nautical miles.

Kenton Maurice Marble