USS LST-734

USS LST-734 was an LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy. Like many of her class, she was not named and is properly referred to by her hull designation.

Construction and commissioning
LST-734 was laid down on 25 January 1944, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by the Dravo Corporation, Neville Island; launched on 4 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. W. P. Spofford; and commissioned on 22 April 1944.

1940s
During World War II, LST-734 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the following operations:

Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands — September and October 1944 Leyte landings—October and November 1944 Ormoc Bay landings—December 1944 Zambales - Subic Bay — January 1945 Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto—April through June 1945

Following the war, LST-734 performed occupation duty in the Far East until late December 1945. She returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 7 May 1946 and struck from the Navy list on 5 June that same year. On 24 May 1948, the ship was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Co., of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and renamed McWilliams. She was then transferred to Argentina.

LST-734 earned four battle stars for World War II service.

1940s-1970s
She was sold to the Argentinian Ministry of Transport in 1948, and designated 276-B. She was transferred to the Argentine Navy, and acquired the designation BDT-14 (BDT: Buque Desembarco de Tanques). On 24 February 1959, she was renamed Cabo San Vincente. She was retired in 1966, and put on disposal in 1969. Cabo San Vincente was sold to May Zetone & Co., in 1971.

Awards and honors

 * American Campaign Medal
 * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (4 awards)
 * World War II Victory Medal
 * Navy Occupation Service Medal with “Asia” clasp
 * Philippines Presidential Unit Citation
 * Philippines Liberation Medal (2 awards)