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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Landing Craft Tank
LCT(5)-311

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Europe- Africa - Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal

Landing Craft Tank (Mark 5):

Laid down, circa August 1942, at Omaha Steel Works, Omaha, NE.

Launched, circa September 1942

Delivered and placed in service, circa November 1942, LTjg. Horace C. Lane USNR Officer in Charge

During World War II LCT(5)-311 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater, LCT Flotilla 11 and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
Sicilian occupation, 9 to 15 July 1943

LCT(5)-311 earned one battle star for World War II service

Final Disposition, lost while in transit from Gela, Sicily to Tunisia, circa 9 August 1943

LST(5)-311 damaged her bow ramp during beach landing operations at Gela, Sicily. The beach landings were opposed by

German forces including panzer units which were suppressed by overhead naval gunfire during the landings. Following

the landings, LCT(5)-311 was ordered back to Tunisia for repairs and for further operations in Southern France. During

transit, on 9 August, a single round of large bore naval gunfire went through LCT(5) 311 front to back and she foundered

off Bizerte, Tunisia. After several hours, subchaser USS SC-979 appeared nearby attempting to contact LCT(5)-311 to no

avail. The order was given to fire a shot across the bow of LCT(5)-311 and shots were exchanged as a result. USS SC-979

eventually pulled alongside LCT(5)-311 and the crew transferred. LCT(5)-311 sank shortly thereafter and the crew went on

to Tunisia where they were assigned to LCT(5) Flotilla 11 and participated in beach landings thereafter in Southern France.

Specifications:
Displacement 286 short tons
Length 114' 2" (ovl.)
Beam 32' 8"
Draft 3'
Speed 10 kts.
Range 700 nautical miles at 7 kts.
Complement 13
Cargo Capacity 150 short tons
Armament 1 single 20mm AA gun mount, 2 .50 cal. machine guns
Armor 2 1/2" wheelhouse, 2" gun shield
Propulsion 3 Grey Marine Diesels, 3 propellers, Shaft horsepower 675 per shaft

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
55k	*LCT(5)-311* beached at Gela, Sicily, July 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
57k	*LCT(5)-311*, off Licata after retracting from the invasion beach at Gela, Sicily, July 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
67k	*LCT(5)-311*, beached at Gela, Sicily with a full load of supplies after the beachhead had been secured, circa July 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
55k	*LCT(5)-311* sinking off Bizerte, Tunisia, circa 9 August 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
48k	*LCT(5)-311* sinking off Bizerte, Tunisia, circa 9 August 1942.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
59k	USS SC-979 towing *LCT(5)-311* off Bizerte, Tunisia, after being hit by Naval gunfire, circa 9 August 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
54k	*LCT(5)-311* under tow from USS SC-979 off Bizerte, Tunisia, after being hit by Naval gunfire, circa 9 August 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
69k	*LCT(5)-311* under tow from USS SC-979 off Bizerte, Tunisia, after being hit by Naval gunfire, circa 9 August 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
44k	Final on board view of *LCT(5)-311* sinking off Bizerte, Tunisia, circa 9 August 1943.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
44k	*LCT(5)-311* sinking off Bizerte, Tunisia, circa 9 August 1943. Photo taken from USS SC-979 after *LCT(5)-311* had been abandoned.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.
48k	Last photo of *LCT(5)-311* sinking off Bizerte, Tunisia, circa 9 August 1943. Photo taken from USS SC-979 after *LCT(5)-311* had been abandoned.	Photo by Forrest B. Selman, LCT(5)-311.