USS LST-26

USS LST-26 was a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship used exclusively in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.

Construction and commissioning
LST-26 was laid down on 16 November 1942 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation. She was launched on 31 March 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Mathilda B. Coulter, and commissioned on 7 June 1943 with Lieutenant Raymond B. Newell, USCGR, in command.

Service history
During the war, LST-26 was manned by the United States Coast Guard. She served exclusively and extensively in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from December 1943 until October 1945.

LST-26 sailed from Galveston, Texas, on 24 July 1943, with Convoy HK 111 heading for Key West, Florida, where she arrived on 28 July.

Bismarck Archipelago operation
LST-26 participated in the Cape Gloucester landings, New Britain at the end of December 1943 and January 1944.

Hollandia and Western New Guinea operations
LST-26 remained busy participating in the Aitape, Humboldt Bay-Tanahmerah Bay invasions at the end of April and the beginning of May 1944, the Toem-Wakde-Sarmi area in the middle of May 1944, the Biak Island invasion at the end of May to the middle of June 1944, the Noemfoor Island invasion at the beginning of July 1944, the Cape Sansapor landings at the end of July and the beginning of August 1944, and the Morotai landings in the middle of September 1944.

Philippines operations
From the Western New Guinea area LST-26 moved to the Philippines to participate in General Douglas MacArthur's promised liberation of the islands from the Japanese occupation starting with the Leyte landings from the middle of October until the middle of November 1944 and the Mindanao Island landings in March 1945.

Postwar career
Following the war, LST-26 performed occupation duty in the Far East until early November 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 1 April 1946. She was struck from the Navy list on 8 May 1946 and was sold to Arctic Circle Exploration, Seattle, Washington, on 17 June 1946, for conversion to merchant service.

Honors and awards
LST-26 earned five battle stars for her World War II service.