USS LSM 168

• USS LSM-168 Launch: The USS LSM-168 was a Landing Ship Medium (LSM), launched on 12 November 1944 by the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois. • PACIFIC THEATER SERVICE: The vessel served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, primarily supporting amphibious operations by transporting troops, vehicles, and supplies directly onto shore. • Okinawa Campaign: USS LSM-168 participated in the Okinawa campaign, one of WWII’s largest and bloodiest amphibious assaults, supporting the landing and resupply of Allied forces. • Battle Honors: The ship earned one battle star for its World War II service, recognizing its involvement in significant combat operations. • Ship Class: As an LSM-1 class vessel, LSM-168 was designed for shallow draft and beach landings, capable of carrying tanks, vehicles, and troops directly onto unprepared beaches. • Post-War Service: After the war, LSM-168 supported occupation duties in the Far East, helping with the transportation of personnel and equipment during the initial stages of Allied occupation of Japan. • Decommissioning: USS LSM-168 was decommissioned on 25 August 1946, less than two years after her commissioning, as the Navy rapidly downsized following WWII. • Fate: The ship was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 29 October 1946, and her ultimate fate is not well documented, which is common for many LSM-class vessels. • Crew Stories: Crew members of LSM-168, like those on many amphibious ships, faced the dangers of kamikaze attacks, rough sea landings, and the logistical challenges of supplying troops under fire. • Legacy: Though not as famous as larger warships, LSM-168 and her class played a crucial role in the success of amphibious operations in the Pacific, helping to shape the outcome of the war and set the standard for future landing craft designs.