USS LST-342

USS LST-342 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. LST-342 was laid down on 21 August 1942 by the Norfolk Navy Yard; launched on 8 November 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Philip H. Ryan; and commissioned on 31 December 1942. She was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the New Georgia-Rendova-Vangunu occupation in July 1943. She was struck by a Japanese torpedo off the Solomon Islands on 18 July 1943 from the JAPANESE SUBMARINE Ro-106. The resultant explosion broke the ship into two sections, with the stern sinking immediately, while the bow remained afloat and was towed to Purvis Bay (Tokyo Bay) off Florida Island and beached so that usable equipment could be salvaged. The bow was then abandoned. 82 men went down with the ship, including the commanding officer of LST Group 14, Commander Paul S. Slawson, and the famous artist Lieutenant Commander McClelland Barclay.

She was struck from the Navy list on 28 July 1943. LST-342 earned one battle star and the Navy Unit Commendation for World War II service.