LST-542, LST-527 and LST-521

[aukepalmhof]

Jersey was liberated on 09 May 1945 and the 60p stamp shows three USA landings ship unload troops and supplies on the beach at St Aubin’s Bay during Operation Nestegg. The landing ships are from the right to the left the USS LST-542, USS LST-527 and the USS LST-521.

Built as a tank landing ship (LST) by the Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Co., Evansville IN for the USA Navy.
29 November 1943 laid down.
28 January 1944 launched.
Displacement 1,651 light, 4,145 full load. Dim. 100 x 15.2 x 4.29m. fully loaded. Length bpp 96.3m.
Powered by two General Motors 12-567, 900 hp diesels, twin shafts, speed 12 knots.
Range 24,000 mile by a speed of 9 knots.
Armament; 2 – 40mmdouble, 4 – 40mm single, 12 – 20mm single guns.
Crew 7 officers and 104 crew.
Accommodation for 16 officers and 147 troops, carried 2 LCVP.
29 February 1944 commissioned as USS LST-542.

During World War II assigned to Europe and participated in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and.
Operation Nestegg the liberation of Jersey on 9th May 1945.
Following the war she saw service as part of the Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

01 July 1955 renamed USS CHELAN COUNTY (LST-542)
1956 Decommissioned.
01 November 1959 struck from the Naval Register.
She earned one battle star for World War II service.

USS LST-527.
Built as a tank landing ship (LST) by the Jeffersonville Boat and Machine Co., Jeffersonville, IN for the USA Navy.
23 October 1943 laid down.
03 January 1944 launched.
Same details as USS LST-542.
17 February 1944 commissioned as the USS LST-527.

During World War II assigned to Europe and participated in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and Operation Nestegg, the liberation of Jersey on 9th May 1945.
28 February 1945 decommissioned.
21 September 1950 recommissioned.
During the Korean War she participated in this war from January 1952 till July 1953.
After the war she returned to the USA.

01 July 1955 renamed in CASSIA COUNTY (LST-527).
21 December 1956 decommissioned.
01 October 1958 struck from the Naval Register.
03 March 1959 sunk as a target.
She earned one battle star for World War II and two battle stars for Korea War service.

USS LST-521.
Built as a tank landing ship (SLT) by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca, IL for the USA Navy.
4 October 1943 laid down.
13 December 1943 launched.
Same details as USS LST-542.
09 February 1944 commissioned as USS LST-521.

During World War II assigned to Europe and participated in the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 and Operation Nestegg, the liberation of Jersey on 9th May 1945.

21 October 1945 decommissioned, and laid up in the Reserve Fleet.
Reactived (date unknown), assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service and placed in service as USNS T-LST-521.
When placed out of service unknown.
01 July 1955 renamed in CAPE MAY COUNTY (LST-521).
01 November 1959 struck from the Naval Register.
Final disposition; fate unknown.

She earned one battle star for World War II service.

Jersey 1995 60p sg705, scott715

Source: http://www.navsource.org