USS LST-310

USS LST-310 was one of 390 tank landing ships (LSTs) built for the United States Navy during World War II.

LST-310 was laid down on 22 September 1942 at the Boston Navy Yard; launched on 23 November 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Inga M. Gustavson; and commissioned on 20 January 1943.

During World War II, LST-310 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the Sicilian occupation in July, 1943 the landings at Salerno in September, 1943 and the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944.

Upon her return to the United States, she was decommissioned on 16 May 1945 for conversion to landing craft repair ship USS Aeolus (ARL-42) at the Boston Navy Yard.

She was sold (date unknown) to the Panama Navigation Corporation, and subsequently named MV Mercator and re-flagged as Panamanian.

LST-310 (2nd LST from the right) along with other ships putting cargo ashore on one of the invasion beaches, at low tide during the first days of the Invasion of Normandy in June, 1944. Among identifiable ships present are LST-532 (in the center of the view); LST-262 (3rd LST from right); LST-533 (partially visible at far right); and LST-524 . Note the barrage balloons overhead and Army " half-track " convoy forming up on the beach.