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| USN Unclassified Miscellaneous Vessel As Built LST-1 Class Tank Landing Ship 1,625 Tons 328' x 50' x 8' 3" 2 x Twin 40mm guns 4 x Single 40mm guns 12 x 20mm guns  USN June 16, 1943 |
Ship History Built by Norfolk Navy Yard in Norfolk, Virginia. Laid down July 17, 1942 as LST-1 Class Tank Landing Ship. Launched November 8, 1942 as USS LST-340. Commissioned December 26, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with LT. William Villella in command and sent overseas via the Panama Canal to then to the South Pacific. Wartime History On June 16, 1943 at 1:50pm off Guadalcanal targeted by nine D3A Val dive bombers from 582 Kōkūtai (582 Air Group). One bomber scored one direct hit on the deck and two near misses that landed 50' astern. Another dive bomber attacked from the port bow, strafing the bow guns as it approached and left over 100 holes in her port side and release a bomb that exploded killed one gun crew member and nine Army passengers it also wounded four sailors, and caused damage on the ship. All communication and electrical systems were knocked out; much of the main deck was completely wrecked; the officer's quarters were gutted by fire, the galley was damaged beyond repair and a fuel fire burned in the engine room. Aboard, there was no water for fire fighting. The burning LST was beached at Tenaru and the passengers and all of the ship's complement, other than gun crews and repair parties abandoned ship. After four hours, with the aid of LST-398 the fires were brought under control. Afterwards, towed to Espiritu Santo for temporary repairs. On October 25, 1943 departs across the Pacific to San Francisco arriving November 24, 1943 and underwent a complete overhaul and repairs until April 1944. During June 1944 participates in the Marianas campaign supporting the U.S. landings on Saipan and Tinian until August 19, 1944. On October 20, 1944 reclassified as Unclassified Miscellaneous Vessel and renamed USS Spark (IX-196). On September 1, 1945 struck from the Navy Register. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped and broken up. Awards USS LST-340 earned three battle stars for her World War II service: Solomon Islands, Marianas and Tinian. References NavSource - USS LST-340 / USS Spark (IX-196) NARA "LST No. 340 Bombed by Japanese off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands" ARC Identifier: 15648 Contribute
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