USS ST Francis River 525

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U.S. Navy

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About USS ST Francis River 525

**USS St. Francis River (LSMR-525)** was a Landing Ship Medium (Rocket) commissioned by the United States Navy in the closing months of World War II. Laid down in 1945 and originally designated as LSMR-525, she was later named after the St. Francis River. The vessel served primarily in the Pacific theater, supporting amphibious operations with rocket fire. After World War II, she was decommissioned, then recommissioned for service during the Korean War, where she provided naval gunfire support and participated in various combat operations before being decommissioned again and ultimately struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

Unit Members

Crispin Avila

U.S. Navy

USS ST Francis River 525View Profile

Photos

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

FR Jose Ferrera III

U.S. Navy • 1981

About USS ST Francis River 525

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Name and Designation: USS St. Francis River (LSMR-525) was a Landing Ship Medium (Rocket), later redesignated as LFR-525, in the United States Navy. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on 14 May 1946, but placed in reserve shortly after due to the end of World War II. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, USS St. Francis River provided close-in rocket fire support for amphibious landings and troop operations along the Korean coast. • Vietnam War Contributions: During the Vietnam War, she supported riverine and coastal operations, offering fire support to American and South Vietnamese forces in the Mekong Delta region. • Namesake: The ship was named after the St. Francis River, which flows through Missouri and Arkansas, reflecting the Navy’s tradition of naming certain classes of ships after U.S. rivers. • Specialized Armament: As an LSM(R), the ship was equipped with rocket launchers capable of delivering massive barrages, making her a unique asset for amphibious assaults. • Redesignation: In 1969, she was redesignated as LFR-525 (Landing Fire Support Ship, River), emphasizing her riverine support role during the Vietnam conflict. • Humanitarian Efforts: Besides combat roles, the ship and her crew participated in various humanitarian missions, including assistance to local populations in Southeast Asia. • Awards: USS St. Francis River earned multiple battle stars for her service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, recognizing her combat effectiveness and crew valor. • Decommissioning and Fate: She was finally decommissioned on 7 October 1970 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register, ending a career that spanned over two major conflicts.