Tour WWII ship for glimpse of history

The World War II USS LST-325 has returned to Chattanooga for a week’s visit. The landing ship tank (LST) is docked at Ross’s Landing and open for tours through Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The LST-325 visits waterfront cities across the United States offering a unique glimpse into history.

The USS LST-325 was launched on Oct. 27, 1942, and commissioned Feb. 1, 1943.

It participated in the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944. During WWII, the ship participated in the invasion and occupation of Sicily and Salerno, both in 1943.

On Sept. 1, 1961, the ship was struck from the Naval Register of Ships and transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet. In November 1999, by act of Congress, she was given to the LST Ship Memorial Inc.

Tours will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily today, Aug. 22, through Tuesday. Tours last approximately one hour.

Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-17, children 5 and under are free. WWII veterans and Korean War veterans will be granted “head-of-the-line privileges” and free admission. Active-duty military, in uniform with a valid DOD ID card, will also receive free admission.

For more info: http:// www.lstmemorial.org.

STAFF FILE PHOTO People waiting in line to board the USS LST-325 on a previous visit to Chattanooga. The World War II landing ship is docked at Ross’s Landing through Tuesday, Aug. 27.