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| USN LSM(R)-188 968 Tons 203' 6" x 5'6" x 5' 9" 1 x 5" gun 2 x 40mm guns 3 x 20mm AA guns 75 x Mark 36 rockets 30 x Mark 30 rockets (removed April 1945)  USN October 7, 1944 |
Ship History Built by the Charleston Navy Yard in Charleston, SC. Laid down August 29, 1944 as LSM(R)-188 Class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket) for use as an Inshore Fire Support Ship. Launched October 7, 1944. Commissioned November 21 1944 into the U.S. Navy (USN) as USS LSM(R)-195 with Lt(jg) William E. Woodson, USNR in command. Wartime History During March 1945, assigned to northern support group for the invasion of Kerama Retto, fifteen miles west of Okinawa. This was the first use of the Landing Ship Medium (Rocket) class of vessel in combat. The northern support group included USS LSM(R)-195, USS LSM(R)-194, USS LSM(R)-195, USS LSM(R)-196, USS LSM(R)-197, USS LSM(R)-198, and USS LSM(R)-199. Sinking History On May 3, 1945 on radar picket duty at station no. 10 off Okinawa with destroyers USS Little (DD-803) and USS Aaron Ward (DM-34). Shortly before dusk, targeted by kamikaze aircraft. During the attack, six hit USS Aaron Ward (DM-34). The ship survived, but was later decommissioned because it wasn't worth repairing. About the same time, approximately 20 planes attacked destroyer USS Little (DD-803) was hit by four and sank within 12 minutes of the first hit with 30 dead or missing and 79 wounded. While LSM(R)-195 was attempting to come to the aid of USS Aaron Ward (DM-34) and USS Little (DD-803), hit by a kamikaze aircraft. The impact caused her rockets to explode and knocked out the fire main and auxiliary pumps. Afterwards, LSM(R) 195 had to be abandoned and was ripped apart by heavy explosions as it sank. References NavSource - USS LSM(R)-195 LSM-LSMR Amphibious Forces Volume II (1997) by John Mark Jackson Contribute
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