USS LCS (L) (3) 102

071110-N-7179R-003..VALLEJO, Calif. – Former Signalman First Class Gilbert Nadeau and Royal Thai Navy Lieutenant Sathaporn Thassanaleelaporn raise the American flag on the USS LCS(L)(3)-102. USS LCS 102 is the last remaining ship of the Landing Class Support (Large) class, a once common U.S fire-support landing craft class used in World War II. On Saturday, it was formally turned over from the Royal Thai Navy, where it served as a coastal patrol vessel for more than 30 years, to the National Association of LCS at a ceremony at Mare Island Historic Park in Vallejo. Nadeau is a former LCS sailor and Sathaporn is the last Commanding Officer of ship while it was in service with the Royal Thai Navy. Photo by Lt. Erik Reynolds..

January 14th, 2022 by Matt Eng

Type: LCS(L)(3)-1 Class Landing Craft Support (Large)(Mark 3)
Launched: 13 Feb 1945
At: Commercial Iron Works, Portland, OR
Commissioned: 17 February 1945

Length: 158.5 feet
Beam: 23.25 feet
Draft: 4.75 feet forward, 6.5 feet aft full load
Displacement: 250 tons light, 387 tons full load
Speed: 16.5 knots maximum, normally cruises at 10 knots
Endurance: 5,500 miles at 12 knots
Armament: Bow, 3-inch 50; 10xMk 7 rocket launcher; Platform deck, twin 40 mm and two 20 mm; Main deck aft, two 20 mm; Fantail, twin 40 mm
Complement: 6 Officers, 65 Enlisted

Address for Information:
Landing Craft Support Museum
C/o Dennis A. Steenbergen
7345 W. Lakeside Dr.

Littleton, CO 80125
(303) 349-3503
usslcsl49@gmail.com

Address to Visit:
Mare Island
Waterfront Ave and A St.
Vallejo, CA 94592

Primary Contact:

Executive Office, Gordon Stutrud
(707) 373-2159
gordon@sdstech1.com
gstutrud@usslcsl102.org
http://www.mightymidgets.org/

http://www.lcs102.org
Latitude: 38.1061545901, Longitude: -122.273778252
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USS LCS(L)(3)102 is the last survivor of the 130 LCS vessels build for the U.S. Navy. She was initially designed for close-in fire support during amphibious landings. The designers could not anticipate that these versatile ships would also perform firefighting, towing, damage control, convoy escort duty, underwater demolition team support, anti-smuggling patrol, smoke screen (fog) generation, anti-suicide plane and boat operations, and the rescue and medical assistance for survivors of damaged ships.

The LCSs, known as the Mighty Midgets, saw combat at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Philippines, Borneo, China, and the Occupation of Japan. Twenty-six of the LCSs were either sunk or damaged. The LCSs had the greatest firepower per ton than any ship ever built for the U.S. Navy. Although they had no names, just numbers, the LCSs distinguished themselves in battle. LCSs earned Presidential Unit Citations and Navy Unit Citations. Lt. Richard M. McCool, the Commanding Officer of USS LCS(L)(3)122 was the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Many of their crews were awarded Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Commendation Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Medals, and Purple Hearts.

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