History of USS LST 375
LST 375 was laid down on 25 November 1942 at Quincy, MA, by the Bethlehem Steel Co. She was launched on 28 January 1943. She was sponsored by Mrs. Frederick C. Sachse and commissioned on 2 February 1943.
During World War II, LST 375 was assigned to the European Theater of War with the Amphibious Forces. She saw action in the Invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the Salerno landings in September 1943 and the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944.
During the Invasion of Sicily, LST 375 small boat officer Ensign John Joseph Parle, USNR, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. During World War II, the U.S. Navy awarded only 57 Medals of Honor.
During the Salerno landings, LST 375 was damaged by German coastal artillery batteries as well as a 500 lb. aerial bomb. 26 men were wounded and 1 was killed in action. S1c Bailey was mortally wounded from an artillery burst while operating as a pointer on a 20 mm. anti-aircraft gun on the port side. LST 494 sustained 38 different types of damage from enemy fire during the Salerno campaign.
During the Normandy Invasion, LST 375 carried 501 officers and men of the "V" Corps, Headquarters Company. They made the initial assault on Omaha Beach. On June 7th, LST 375 received on board casualties and survivors from the USS Susan B. Anthony (8 officers and 62 men) and the USS LCT 294 (2 officers and 9 men).
LST 375 served in the Pacfic Theater at the end of the war and performed Occupation Duty in the Far East in January and February 1946. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 18 July 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 10 June 1947. On 31 December 1948 she was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Co. Bethlehem, PA and was subsequently scrapped.
LST 375 proudly earned 3 battle stars for World War II service.
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