USS LCS(L)(3)-102

 museum, military, ship, United States Navy

Laid down at Commercial Iron Works on January 13th, 1945 as a Landing Craft Support (Large, Mark 3) ship, USS LCS(L)(3)-102 commissioned into US Navy service a mere 35 days later on February 17th 1945, promptly joined a Westbound convoy and sailed for war in the Pacific Theatre.

Taking part in the Amphibious Assault on Okinawa from March to June 1945, LCS-102 went on to serve with US & Allied Occupation Forces after the cessation of hostilities, primarily in Chinese and Far Eastern waters until 1947. Upon her return to the US, the young ship was decommissioned and placed into the Reserve Fleet at Astoria, Oregon until 1953 when she was transferred to the fledgling Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In her new role, the former LCS-102 served as the JDS Himawari, a Landing Ship Support Large or LSSL, for over 16 years.

Returned to the US Navy at Yokosuka in April 1966, the LSSL-102 was inspected and stricken from the US Naval Register and formally transferred to the Royal Thai Navy. Renamed HTMS Nakha (LSSL-751), she would go on to serve with distinction for a further 40 years out of Sattahip Naval Base with the Thai Navy before she was slated for decommissioning and probable use as a target ship. As the last ship of her type worldwide, she attracted the attention of a Veterans Group representing Landing Craft Sailors. After negotiations with the Royal Thai Navy, the LSSL-751 was formally decommissioned from active service and transferred to the National Association of USS LCS(L)1-130 on June 1st, 2007.

Loaded aboard a cargo ship on September 2nd, 2007, the now re-named USS LCS(L)-102 arrived at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in October 2007 and began her new career as a museum ship and memorial to Landing Craft Veterans following a formal transfer ceremony on November 10th, 2007. She is presently under restoration to return her to her World War Two appearance.

Landing Craft Support Museum Official Website: www.usslcs102.org

National Association Webpage: www.mightymidgets.org/

NavSource Listing: www.navsource.org/archives/10/05/050102.htm