USS LST-480 was an LST-1-class tank landing ship constructed for the United States Navy during World War II, primarily serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Built by Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, California, she was laid down on August 31, 1942, under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1000), launched on October 29, 1942, and commissioned on May 3, 1943. Designed for amphibious operations, LST-480 participated in significant wartime activities, notably preparing for the invasion of Saipan. On May 21, 1944, she was among a group of approximately 28 to 33 LSTs gathered near Waipio Peninsula in Pearl Harbor's West Loch, loading ammunition and supplies. This assembly was part of the logistical buildup for the upcoming assault. Tragically, during this operation, an explosion occurred onboard LST-353 at 15:08, possibly originating near LCT-963, which triggered a chain reaction causing multiple ships to sink or be severely damaged. LST-480 was among the vessels affected, sinking as a result of the explosion. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least 163 sailors, with another 396 wounded. The explosion and subsequent sinking marked a significant event in the Pacific war logistics, illustrating the dangers of ammunition handling and ship assembly in harbor environments. Today, the wreck of LST-480 remains in West Loch, where it can still be seen, serving as a maritime relic of wartime logistics and tragedy. For her service, LST-480 earned two battle stars during World War II, recognizing her participation in critical amphibious operations and her contribution to the Allied war effort in the Pacific theater. Her history underscores the vital role of tank landing ships in wartime amphibious assaults and the risks inherent in naval logistics during wartime operations.

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