USS LST-119

History
United States
Name	USS LST-119
Builder	Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Launched	28 July 1943
Commissioned	1 September 1943
Decommissioned	13 May 1948
Stricken	19 June 1946
Honours and awards	2 battle stars (WWII)
Fate	Sold, 17 May 1948
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded: Bow: 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) Stern: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) Loaded : Bow: 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) Stern: 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Propulsion	2 General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	Two to six LCVPs
Troops	approx. 140 officers and enlisted
Complement	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted
Armament	5 × 40 mm gun mounts 6 × 20 mm gun mounts 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns 4 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns

USS LST-119 was a LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was designed to carry troops and military equipment to the shores of the battle front and quickly deliver her cargo. She served in the Pacific Ocean and post-war returned home with two battle stars to her credit.

LST-119 was laid down on 12 May 1943 at Jeffersonville, Indiana, by the Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co.; launched on 28 July 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Gilbert Coughlin; and commissioned on 1 September 1943.

During World War II, LST-119 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:

• Marshall Islands operation: Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, January and February 1944.
• Marianas operation: Capture and occupation of Saipan, June and July 1944.

Upon her return to the United States, LST-119 was decommissioned on 13 May 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 19 June 1946. On 17 May 1948, she was sold to Robert H. Beattie, Oil Transport Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, for conversion to non-self-propelled operation.

LST-119 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

• Gallant Bess, a film about a horse rescued in World War II in which LST 119 appears.

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

• NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - LST-119
• LST 119 website