The USS Owl (AMCU-35), originally designated as USS LCI(L)-982, was a large landing craft of the United States Navy, built by Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas. Laid down on March 23, 1944, and launched on April 18, 1944, the vessel was commissioned on May 16, 1944. As part of the LCI(L)-351-class, she was designed for amphibious operations during World War II. Following her commissioning, LCI(L)-982 underwent shakedown exercises before departing Galveston, Texas, on June 10, 1944, heading toward the southwest Pacific war zone. She transited the Panama Canal on June 19 and proceeded via the southern route to the Admiralty Islands, arriving at Manus early August. During her service in the Pacific theater, she supported operations at Humboldt Bay and Maffin Bay in New Guinea for six weeks. In October, she participated in the Leyte invasion, supporting the initial landings in the Philippines. She notably embarked elements of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment and later Rangers from the 6th Battalion, landing troops at Mindoro and Lingayen Gulf, respectively. After the war, LCI(L)-982 was employed on logistical missions across the Philippines and later in China, including operations supporting the occupation of Formosa (Taiwan). She arrived in Shanghai in October 1945, then moved to Ningpoo, where Chinese troops boarded and disembarked. She departed the China coast in December 1945, transited back through the Panama Canal, and arrived at Green Cove Springs, Florida, in May 1946, where she was decommissioned and joined the Reserve Fleet. Reclassified as LSIL-982 in 1949, she was later converted during the Korean War into an AMCU-7-class coastal minesweeper and recommissioned as USS Owl (AMCU–35) on December 19, 1953. The vessel primarily served as a harbor defense and minesweeping ship in the Panama Canal Zone and the 15th Naval District, conducting training cruises and logistical missions. She was reclassified as MHC-35 in 1955, serving until she was decommissioned for the final time on November 1, 1957, and struck from the Navy List in October of that year. Throughout her service, USS Owl earned two battle stars for her World War II operations. Her history reflects significant contributions to amphibious warfare, logistical support, and mine countermeasures during her active years.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.