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LST 473 was built at Vancouver, Washington’s Kaiser Shipbuilding. Work began on her on 10 July 1942. She was launched on 9 December 1942 and commissioned on 16 March 1943, Lt. R. W. Dillard of Troup, Texas in command. She was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of War as part of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s VII Amphibious Force in the Southwest Pacific. |
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During the assault on Lae, New Guinea on the afternoon of September 4, 1943, the 473 and 9 other American warships were attacked by 12 Japanese torpedo planes and 15 dive bombers. The 473 and LST 471 were severely damaged in the attack. 8 crewmen aboard the 473 were killed in action and 14 others were seriously wounded. Soldiers aboard from Australia’s famed 9th Division (The “Rats of Tobruk”) also sustained casualties. LST 473’s entire crew fought valiantly to repel the enemy and save their ship. The Medal of Honor (S1c Johnnie David Hutchins of Texas), Navy Cross (S1c Frederick L. Erickson of Iowa), 2 Silver Stars (CPhM Nelson Tudor of Kentucky, Ens. J. K. Hayes of Missouri) and 3 Letters of Commendation (MoMM2c Sylvester L. Modglin of Missouri, EM3c Eddie A. Huntsman of Texas and Ens. J. W. Triplett of Texas) were awarded to crew members. |
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After the attack the 473 was without power and was dead in the water. Japanese submarines were in the area and a second aerial attack was anticipated. 2 ships heroically went to the aid of the stricken 473. They were the destroyer USS Conyngham (DD-371) and the LST 454. The Conyngham circled the 473 all afternoon and night and the 454 tied the 473 to her side and towed her to Morobe Bay, New Guinea where the troops, equipment, dead and wounded were taken off her. LST 473’s dead were buried just outside the town of Morobe Bay at night to the sounds and flashes of Japanese bombs being dropped on Morobe Bay and the port facilities there. Temporary repairs were made in Morobe Bay and Milne Bay, New Guinea. The 473 was then towed to Australia. Repairs there took 1 year to complete. |
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LST 473 returned to action and fought in 5 other campaigns: Leyte, Lingayen Gulf, Zambales-Subic Bay, Mindanao Island and the Borneo landings. After the war, she returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 18 March 1946. On 21 April 1948 she was sold to Hughes Bros., NY, NY, and was scrapped. LST 473 proudly earned 6 battle stars for her gallant service in World War II. |
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| LST Histories |
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| Dictionary of American Naval |
| Fighting Ships |
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| U.S. Naval Battle |
| Chronology of WW II |
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| U.S. Naval Historical Center |
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| National D-Day Museum |
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| Australian War Memorial |
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