Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS LSSL-78
ex
 USS LCS(L)(3)-78 (1945 - 1949)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

USS LSSL-78 was transferred to Japan, named Bara
  • LCS(L)(3)-1 Class Landing Craft Support (Large)(Mark3):
  • Laid down, 31 January 1945, at Albina Engine and Machine Works Inc., Portland OR.
  • Launched, 28 February 1945
  • Commissioned USS LCS(L)(3)-78, 26 March 1945, LT. T. N. Fortson USNR in command
  • During World War II USS LCS(L)(3)-78 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater:
    LCS(L)(3) Flotilla Five, CAPT. J. M. Mc Isaac USN (23);
     LCS(L)(3) Group Fifteen;
     LCS(L)(3) Division Twenty-Nine
  • Following World War II USS LCS(L)(3)-78 was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    China Service Medal (extended)
    2 September to 6 December 1945 
    7 December 1945 to 8 April 19467 December 1945 to 8 April 1946
    10 to 15 April 1946 

  • Decommissioned in June 1946, at Astoria, OR.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet
  • Redesignated Landing Ship Support Large USS LSSL-78, 28 February 1949
  • Transferred, on loan, to Japan, 16 February 1963, renamed Bara
  • Returned to US Naval custody, 8 March 1976
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 250 t (lt), 387 t (fl)
    Length 158' o.a.
    Beam 23' 8"
    Draft
    5' 8" limiting and max draft
    loaded, 4' 9" fwd, 6' 6" aft
    Speed
    14.4 trial
    16.5k max at 650 shaft rpm
    14.5kts at 585 shaft rpm
    Armor 10-lb STS splinter shield to gun mounts, pilot house and conning tower
    Complement
    6 Officers
    65 Enlisted
    Endurance 5,500 miles at 12kts at 45" pitch (350 tons dspl.)
    Fuel/Stores
    635 Bbls Diesel (76 tons)
    10 tons fresh water
    6 tons lubrication oil
    8 tons provisions and stores at full load
    Fresh Water Capacity distill up to 1,000 gals. per day
    Armament
    bow gun, one twin 40mm gun mount
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    four single 20mm AA gun mounts
    four .50 cal machine guns
    ten MK7 rocket launchers
    Propulsion
    2 quad packs of 4 General Motors 6051 series 71 Diesel engines per shaft, BHP 1,600
    single General Motors Main Reduction Gears
    2 Diesel-drive 60Kw 450V. A. C. Ships Service Generators
    twin variable pitch propellers
    Specifications Sources:
    Ships' Data U.S. Naval Vessels, Navships 250-012, April 15 1945
    Baker, A.D. III. Allied Landing Craft of World War II, Annapolis: United States Naval Institute Press, 1989. 47
    Lawley, George & Sons Corporation. Instructions for LCS(L)(3) Class
    Lawley, George & Sons Corporation. Original Plans of LCS(L)(3)
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    LCS(L) (3)-78 144k Builders photo, launch of LCS(L)(3)-78 at Albina Engine and Machine Works, Inc.,
    Portland, OR., 28 February 1945    		 National Association of
    USS LCS(L) 1-130
    LCS(L_(3)-78 82k USS LCS(L)(3)-104 far right, USS LCS(L)(3)-78 center, with USS LCI-698 inboard, only her bow is visible, date and location unknown. Photo from the collection of Bill Heist, USS LSM-474
    LCS(L)(3)-78 71k USS LCS(L)(3)-78 laying at anchor, probably at Okinawa, circa November 1945. Photo from the collection of Bill Albright, USS LCS(L)-78 plankowner.
    LCS(L)(3)-78 62k
    LCS(L)(3)-78 63k USS LCS(L)(3)-78 beached for cleaning, probably at Korea, circa November, December 1945 or January 1946. Photo from the collection of Bill Albright, USS LCS(L)-78 plankowner.
    LCS(L)(3)-78 95k USS LCS(L)(3)-78 nested alongside USS LCS(L)(3)-70, 23 February 1946, at Shanghai, on the Whangpoo River. Photo from the collection of Bill Albright, USS LCS(L)-78 plankowner.
    USS LCS(L)(3)-78 History provided by the National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Commanding Officers
    01LT. Fortson, T. N., USNR26 March 1945 - ?
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Other Crew Contact and Reunion Information
    National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Dennis Steenbergen, Secretary
    7345 W. Lakeside Drive, Littleton, CO, 80125
    Phone 303-470-1187
    E-mail Dennis Steenbergen
    Additional Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130
    Additional Resources
    Rielly, Robin L. Mighty Midgets at War: The Saga of the LCS(L) Ships from Iwo Jima to Vietnam. Central Point, Oregon: Hellgate Press, 2000. (ISBN 1-55571-522-2)
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Craft Support (LCS(L) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 11 August 2017