USS LST 561

• USS LST-561 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II, part of the massive amphibious fleet that enabled Allied operations across the globe. • The ship was laid down on 24 February 1944 at Evansville, Indiana, by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Company, and launched on 18 April 1944. • USS LST-561 was commissioned on 8 May 1944, quickly entering service to support the ongoing war effort in Europe. • The vessel played a vital role in the invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon) in August 1944, transporting troops, tanks, vehicles, and supplies to the beaches under enemy fire. • LST-561 was designed with a large bow door and ramp, enabling tanks and vehicles to roll directly onto the shore—an innovation that made LSTs crucial to Allied amphibious operations. • On 19 August 1944, while participating in the Southern France invasion, the ship was struck by a torpedo from a German midget submarine off the coast, causing it to sink with the loss of seven crew members. • The sinking of LST-561 was one of the few instances where a U.S. LST was lost to enemy submarine action during the European campaign. • The ship received one battle star for its World War II service, honoring its role and sacrifice in the liberation of Southern France. • LST-561 is memorialized on several LST websites and in naval records as part of the "Gator Navy," the nickname given to the amphibious forces of WWII. • The story of LST-561 serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by support and logistics vessels, whose contributions and sacrifices were vital to the success of major Allied operations.