BRP Laguna

History
United States
Name	USS LST-230
Laid down	10 June 1943
Launched	12 October 1943
Commissioned	3 November 1943
Honours and awards	2 battle stars
Fate	Transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976
Philippines
Name	BRP Laguna (LT-501)
Namesake	Laguna, a Philippine province notable as the birthplace of the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal
Operator	Philippine Navy
Acquired	13 September 1976
Status	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-1-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,780 long tons (1,809 t) light 3,880 long tons (3,942 t) full
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded : 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft Loaded : 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Depth	8 ft (2.4 m) forward 14 ft 4 in (4.37 m) aft (full load)
Propulsion	2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 or 6 LCVPs
Troops	Approximately 140 officers and enlisted men
Complement	8-10 officers, 100-115 enlisted men
Armament	5 × 40 mm guns 6 × 20 mm guns 2 × .50-cal machine guns 4 × .30-cal machine guns

BRP Laguna (LT-501) was an LST-1-class tank landing ship currently under the Philippine Navy. She was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976, operating as BRP Laguna (LT-501).

Formerly known as the USS LST-230 , She was built for the United States Navy during World War II LST-230 was laid down on 10 June 1943 at Seneca, III., by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 12 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Lottie Reeks; and commissioned on 3 November 1943.

Service history

During World War II, LST-230 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and the invasion of southern France in August and September 1944. Following the war, LST-230 performed occupation duty in the Far East in September 1945 and March 1946. LST-230 earned two battle stars for World War II service.

She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 4 March 1946 and was transferred to the Shipping Control Authority, Japan, on 31 March 1952, where she operated as T-LST-230. T-LST-230 was transferred to the Philippine Navy on 13 September 1976, operating as BRP Laguna (LT-501).

See also

• List of United States Navy LSTs