USS LST-537 explained

USS LST-537 was a in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Republic of China Navy as ROCS Chung Ting (LST-203).^[1]

Construction and commissioning

LST-537 was laid down on 27 October 1943 at Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company, Evansville, Indiana. Launched on 31 December 1943 and commissioned on 2 February 1944.^[2]

Service in the United States Navy

During World War II, LST-537 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater. She then participated in the Invasion of Normandy from 6 to 25 June 1944. She was assigned to occupation and China from 2 to 22 January 1946.

She was decommissioned on 29 May 1946 and struck from the Naval Register, 12 March 1948.

Service in the Republic of China Navy

She was acquired and commissioned into the Republic of China Navy on 29 May 1946 and renamed Chung Ting (LST-203).^[3]

Chung Hai was decommissioned on 12 March 1989.^[4]

Awards

LST-537 have earned the following awards:

• China Service Medal (extended)
• American Campaign Medal
• European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1 battle star)
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

Sources

• Book: United States. Dept. of the Treasury. Treasury Decisions Under the Customs, Internal Revenue, Industrial Alcohol, Narcotic and Other Laws, Volume 97. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1962.
• Book: Moore, Capt. John. Jane's Fighting Ships 1984-85. Jane's Information Group. 1984. 978-0710607959.
• Book: Saunders, Stephen. Jane's Fighting Ships 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. 2009. 978-0710628886.
• Book: Fairplay International Shipping Journal Volume 222. Fairplay Publishing Limited. 1967. United Kingdom.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tank Landing Ship LST. 2021-08-20. www.navsource.org.
2. Web site: LST-537. 2021-08-20. NHHC. en-US.
3. Web site: 231 中業艦. 2021-08-20. 新浪部落.
4. Web site: 2013-05-10. 中華民國海軍 >>軍武展示 >>老軍艦的故事. 2021-08-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20130510004319/http://navy.mnd.gov.tw/Publish.aspx?cnid=868&p=10386&Level=2. 10 May 2013.