USS LST-661

Evidence

16 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-16).

1. [1]research packet 706-packet.md (2 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   uss-lst-661-lst661-pkt-706-packet-md

2. [2]Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, LST-661 (NHHC ship history; archived capture, live page 404) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   DANFS LST-661 entry, full text (Wayback capture 2024-05-26 of history.navy.mil page)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS (archived NHHC page, Wayback capture 2024-05-26; live URL 404s as of 2026-10-02): 'LST-661 was laid down on 9 January 1944 at Ambridge, Pa., by the American Bridge Co.; launched on 30 March 1944; sponsored by Mrs. J. H. Elder; and commissioned on 28 April 1944. During World War II, LST-661 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the capture and occupation of the southern Palau Islands in September and October 1944. Following the war, she performed occupation duty in the Far East until early April 1946. The ship returned to the United States and was decommissioned on 29 August 1946. On 25 July 1948, LST-661 was destroyed because of its unsalvage-able condition and struck from the Navy list on 13 September that same year. LST-661 earned one battle star for World War II service.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1948

   Population

   American Bridge construction trades (1944); crew (1944-46)

   Limitations

   Ship-specific official history, but the entry is three paragraphs: construction, one Palau campaign line, occupation duty, disposal, one battle star. It omits Operation Crossroads entirely (documented by NHHC/DNA sources elsewhere in this record), carries no spec block, and contains no asbestos or material content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-01

3. [3]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS LST-661 (10/16/160661) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource page header block, campaign table, unit-assignment paragraph, occupation-period table, Crossroads assignment line, awards table, CO list, photo caption, specifications block

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource Amphibious Photo Archive page for this hull (live .net URL verified 2026-10-02): LST-542-class tank landing ship; laid down 9 January 1944 American Bridge Co., Ambridge PA; launched 30 March 1944; commissioned USS LST-661 '28 April 1944' with LT. A. L. Perdue, USNR in command. WWII assignment: Asiatic-Pacific Theater; campaign: Western Caroline Islands operation - capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September - 14 October 1944; she 'transported LCT-858 to Western Caroline Islands for the attack on the Palau Islands.' Unit chain: LST Flotilla Thirteen (CAPT. J. G. Sampson USN), LST Group Thirty-Seven (CDR. R. D. Higgins USNR), LST Division Seventy-Four. Occupation service periods: 2 Sep - 25 Oct 1945; 18 Dec 1945 - 1 Jan 1946; 29 Feb - 9 Mar 1946; 24 Mar - 6 Apr 1946. Assigned to 'Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.2.5 (Target Vessels - Landing Craft Units - LST Group 9)' for Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll, July 1946. Decommissioned 29 August 1946; struck from the Naval Register 25 July 1948; 'Final Disposition, considered unsalvageable and destroyed, 13 September 1948' (dates transposed vs official sources - see gaps). One battle star. Awards: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1), WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal w/ Asia clasp. CO list: Perdue (28 Apr 1944 - 9 Oct 1944), LT. Stanley K. McAfee Jr. USNR (9 Oct 1944 - Dec 1945), LT. Clyde R. Cummins USNR (Dec 1945 - Mar 1946), LTjg. Thomas H. Shockey USNR (Mar 1946 - 29 Aug 1946). Crew-contributed photo 1016096509 shows LST-661 and USS LST-965 with two other LSTs beached at Wakayama, Japan, late 1945. Spec block: 1,625 t light / 4,080 t full / 2,366 t beaching; 328 ft o.a.; 50 ft beam; 11.6 kt trial; endurance 24,000 mi @ 9 kt; complement 13 officers + 104 enlisted, troops 16 officers + 147 enlisted; 2 LCVP; armament 2 twin 40MM w/ Mk 51 directors + 4 single 40MM + 12 single 20MM; fuel 4,300 bbl diesel; 2 GM 12-567A 900 hp diesels, Falk main reduction gear, 3 x 100 kW 230 V D.C. generators, twin screws 1,700 shp, twin rudders. International call sign NKXW.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1948

   Population

   American Bridge construction trades (1944); crew (1944-46); embarked Marines (Sep 1944)

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer secondary compilation, not a primary registry - milestones track DANFS but the two 1948 dates are transposed against DANFS/NHHC/NPS/DNA (see gaps). Photo captions are crew-contributed, not official records. Contains no asbestos or material content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-02

4. [4]National Archives Catalog, USS LST-661 - War Diary, 9/1-30/44, NAID 78665099 (Fold3 scans, 7 images, roll A1245) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NAID 78665099 file unit; images https://catalog.archives.gov/medialz/microfilm-publications/WWII_WarDiaries/0000/A_1245/images/0229.jpg through 0235.jpg (downloaded and OCR-read 2026-10-02); companion NARA holdings: monthly war diaries Sep 1944-Nov 1945 (NAIDs 139770802, 139950280, 633401237, 139961758, 139998647, 140039060, 101726837, 83565385, 77523135, 77553701, 77590464, 140081561) and muster rolls 4/28/44-8/26/46 (NAID 126621768)

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NARA digitized war diary for this hull, September 1944 (NAID 78665099, RG 38, WWII War Diaries, microfilm Roll A1245, images 0229-0235; retrieved and read this session): cover letter signed by the commanding officer, 'War Diary, month of September 1944,' endorsed forward to CinC Pacific Fleet 14 November 1944. Diary documents: 1 Sep - topped off water/fuel/provisions, anchored White Rock Cove, Florida Island; 2-3 Sep - Tetere anchorage, Guadalcanal, staging 'for departure to Peleliu Island in task unit 32.13.23' (ComLST Group 40 embarked; flag shifted temporarily to USS LST-687); 4 Sep - underway 'for the Invasion of Peleliu Island with 17 Marine Officers and 437 Marine enlisted personnel as passengers, 14 LVT's, 3 DUKW's and LVT repair equipment as cargo'; 6-14 Sep - zigzag transit across the equator per USF 10-A plan 6, repeated General Quarters drills/alerts; 15 Sep (D-Day) - approach to LST areas Able/Baker/Charlie per ComLSTFlot 13 Movement Order 9-44, General Quarters 0500, 'began our preparations for disembarking LVT's with Marine assault force,' LCVPs away 0650, LVTs/DUKWs launched 0720, LCT-858(6) launched 1214 after moving LVT repair gear to the tank deck, then to the transfer line off Orange Beach as an LVT repair ship through 19 Sep (with LCVP picket duty and one Red alert); 19-20 Sep - underway per CTF 32 'on Salvage mission to USS WADLEIGH (DD689),' anchored berth 10 Kossol Passage, fueling/watering YMS minesweepers (YMS 243, 2, 275, 298, 38, 1, 33, 140, 319, 341, 19) and embarking 3 officers + 138 enlisted from Wadleigh for temporary duty; 21-29 Sep - salvage operations moored alongside USS GRAPPLE (ARS-7), Wadleigh material transferred to USS OCEANUS (ARB-2) and Navy Tug #107, empty ammunition cans from USS COLUMBIA, powder-can transfer to USS SANGAY, LCVPs to USS LASSEN and a carrier for ammunition handling; 29-30 Sep - escorted by USS GILLESPIE (DD-609) to Peleliu, reported to CTU 32.13.4, unable to beach on Purple Beach in heavy surge, moored to USS MORMACPORT to receive cargo (LCVPs damaged alongside in the swell).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-09-01 to 1944-09-30

   Population

   Ship's company (Sep 1944); embarked Marines - 17 officers, 437 enlisted; Wadleigh detachment - 3 officers, 138 enlisted

   Limitations

   Primary ship-generated record read directly from scans - OCR transcription only, minor character errors possible in quoted details. Establishes operations, embarked population (17 Marine officers + 437 enlisted passengers for the Peleliu run), and repair/salvage tasking; contains no asbestos, insulation, or material content. Other monthly diaries and muster rolls indexed but not retrieved (see gaps).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-03

5. [5]NHHC Online Reading Room, Operation Crossroads - Composition of Joint Task Force One (archived capture) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   Composition of JTF-1 page, Task Group 1.2 (Target Vessel Group), Task Unit 1.2.5, LST Group 9 roster (Wayback capture 2019-09-15; live page 404)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The official NHHC reproduction of the Joint Task Force 1 organization (archived Wayback capture 2019-09-15; live URL 404s as of 2026-10-02) lists USS LST-661 under Task Unit 1.2.5 (Landing Craft Unit), LST Group 9 [LST GRU 9], together with USS LST-52, LST-125, LST-133, LST-220, and LST-545 - establishing this hull's assignment to the Operation Crossroads target fleet at Bikini Atoll, July 1946.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1946-07

   Population

   Crew during Crossroads assignment (1946)

   Limitations

   Official roster reproduces unit assignment only - names this hull in the Crossroads target fleet but records no damage, contamination, dose, or disposition detail for her specifically. Contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-04

6. [6]Science Applications, Inc., 'Analysis of Radiation Exposure for Naval Units of Operation Crossroads, Volume II (Appendix A) Target Ships,' DNA-TR-82-05-V2, 3 March 1982 (Defense Nuclear Agency; DOE OSTI record 6354996) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Appendix A target-ship summaries, USS LST-661 entry (report p. 64), Figure A-22 (p. 65); landing page https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6354996; DTRA copy https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/61/Documents/NTPR/4-Rad_Exp_Rpts/3_DNA-TR-82-05-V2_Rad_Exposure_for_Naval_Units_of_Op_CROSSROADS.pdf returns HTTP 403 to automated fetch

   Finding type

   gov_survey

   Finding

   Defense Nuclear Agency technical report DNA-TR-82-05-V2 (live DOE OSTI full text verified 2026-10-02) carries a dedicated ship-level 'Target Ship Participation Summary' for USS LST-661: category NON-REMANNED; 'CREW SIZE: 62 (By 24 July only 18 men still at Bikini)'; she 'arrived at Bikini prior to June 30, 1946... anchored in the lagoon... one of the 84 target ships' for ABLE (1 July 46, 23 KT air burst +520 ft) and BAKER (25 July 46, 23 KT shallow underwater -90 ft). Reconstructed average crew dose history: evacuated aboard USS ROCKWALL (APA-230) for both shots (observed ABLE from 23 miles, BAKER from 16 miles); aboard LST-661 2-16 July (0.007 rem) and 19-23 July (0.000); aboard USS AJAX (AR-6) 19-23 August, departing Bikini 23 August; crew transferred to GENEVA (APA-86) and others; 'Total calculated dose while at Bikini: 0.229 REM.' The report carries per-hull 'Shipboard Gamma Intensity vs. Time' Figure A-22 for LST-661. FINAL DISPOSITION: 'LST-661 was towed to Kwajalein after CROSSROADS where it was deliberately sunk on July 25, 1948 at 8-51.4N, 167-20.3E.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1946-06 to 1946-08; disposition 1948-07-25

   Population

   Crossroads target-vessel crew, 62 men (18 remaining at Bikini by 24 July 1946)

   Limitations

   Ship-specific federal technical report - the strongest single source for this hull's Crossroads participation and sinking coordinates. Documents radiological exposure reconstruction only; it is a radiation-dose study, contains no asbestos content, and the reconstructed doses exclude post-shot damage-control/decontamination boarding time except when the whole crew lived aboard. Does not establish any individual crew member's actual dose.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-05

7. [7]NHHC Online Reading Room, Operation Crossroads - Disposition of Target Vessels (archived capture); corroborated by NPS SCR report appendix (npshistory.com mirror) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   Disposition of Target Vessels page, 'LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank)' section (Wayback capture 2020-02-07); NPS mirror https://npshistory.com/series/archeology/scrc/37/app1.htm (live HTTP 200, 2026-10-02)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The official NHHC 'Disposition of Target Vessels' list (archived Wayback capture 2020-02-07; live URL 404s as of 2026-10-02) records: 'USS LST-661 scuttled off Kwajalein, 25 July 1948' - and she is absent from NHHC's sunk-during-test lists for both ABLE and BAKER, confirming she survived both detonations. The NPS-published archaeological study 'The Archeology of the Atomic Bomb: A Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment of the Sunken Fleet of Operation Crossroads at Bikini and Kwajalein Atoll Lagoons' (Delgado, Lenihan, Murphy; NPS Southwest Cultural Resources Center Professional Papers No. 37, 1991), Appendix I disposition table, independently lists 'LST-661 Scuttled off Kwajalein, July 25, 1948' (npshistory.com mirror verified 2026-10-02).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1948-07-25

   Limitations

   Two independent official lists agree on scuttling off Kwajalein 25 July 1948 - the resolved disposition for this record (against the registry's 'Sunk at Bikini 1948' and Wikipedia's Sandstone claim - see correction row). Establishes place and date of sinking only; no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-06

8. [8]NHHC Online Reading Room, Operation Crossroads - Fact Sheet (archived capture; source credited to DNA Operation Crossroads 1946) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   Fact Sheet paragraphs on post-BAKER contamination, the Kwajalein decontamination decision (~10 Aug 1946), and target-fleet destruction 1946-1948 (Wayback capture 2019-11-12; live page 404)

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NHHC's official Operation Crossroads fact sheet (archived Wayback capture 2019-11-12; live URL 404s as of 2026-10-02; sourced to the 1984 Defense Nuclear Agency 'Operation Crossroads, 1946' volume) documents the program this hull passed through: after BAKER 'the target fleet remained too radiologically contaminated for several weeks for more than brief on-board activities'; a target-vessel decontamination program began ~1 August 1946 using work crews drawn from the target ships' companies under radiological supervision; by 10 August the decision was made to tow the surviving target fleet to Kwajalein Atoll for work in uncontaminated water; personnel continued working on target ships at Kwajalein into 1947; and 'the remaining target ships were destroyed by sinking off Bikini Atoll, off Kwajalein Atoll, or near the Hawaiian Islands during 1946-1948.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1946-1948

   Population

   JTF-1 target-fleet and decontamination crews (1946-47)

   Limitations

   Program-level description - establishes the contaminated-fleet context and the Kwajalein sinking program this hull's documented disposition belongs to, but names no individual ship. Radiological contamination, not asbestos, is the documented hazard; contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-07

9. [9]Consolidated era inference - NavSource LST-661 specifications (diesel plant, no boilers) + LST-1/542-class profile class-era inference + GAO HRD-80-2 era documentation [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource specifications block; class profile lst-1-class; GAO product page HRD-80-2

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   Era/design inference for a diesel-powered LST-542-class hull: no boilers - asbestos-relevant applications aboard a ship of this type and period were GM diesel exhaust lagging and gaskets, engine-room thermal/acoustic insulation, deck coverings/tile, bulkhead and accommodation insulation, and winch brake linings. Built January-April 1944 at American Bridge, Ambridge, squarely inside the documented Navy asbestos-use era (GAO: extensive shipboard asbestos insulation use, substitution not begun until the early 1970s).

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1948

   Population

   American Bridge construction trades (1944); crew (1944-46); Crossroads/JTF-1 boarding and decontamination crews (1946-47)

   Limitations

   Class/era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material list, or work package located for LST-661. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials. No quantity, no manufacturer attribution, no exposure for any individual. The hull was scuttled in 1948 - decades before the Navy's 1975/1979 asbestos-replacement policies the GAO reviewed, and no survey is possible.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-08

10. [10]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]

    Locator

    GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked to automated fetch, HTTP 403; content via product-page description)

    Finding type

    gov_survey

    Finding

    GAO documented that the Navy used asbestos insulation extensively aboard ships and did not begin substituting alternative insulation materials until the early 1970s - spanning this hull's entire construction (1944) and service era (1944-46). The report also describes the Navy's 1975 policy (remove/replace only damaged insulation or when needed for repairs) and its 1979 modification (selective replacement in high-maintenance areas).

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1979 (report); era context 1944-48

    Population

    Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review

    Limitations

    Navy program-level documentation; supports construction-era context only, not any fact specific to this hull. The 1975/1979 replacement policies post-date this hull's sinking (1948) entirely. Does not establish that asbestos was installed aboard LST-661.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-09

11. [11]American Bridge company history page + shipbuildinghistory.com LST 401-796 registry table (Tim Colton registry), LST-661 row [other_primary]

    Locator

    americanbridge.net/about/history (1940s section, 'manufactured 199 LSTs'); shipbuildinghistory.com LST 401-796 table, LST-661 row

    Finding type

    vessel_history

    Finding

    Builder yard context: American Bridge Co.'s Ambridge plant (the town itself named for the company) built this hull. American Bridge states 100% of capacity went to national-defense production 1941-1945, including 199 LSTs plus aviation repair vessels, carrier components, cargo ships, and barges. The shipbuilding registry (Colton) row for this hull - LST 661, American Bridge, 'Pittsburgh PA' label (the same Ambridge plant per the yard history page), laid 9-Jan-44, launched 30-Mar-44, commissioned 28-Apr-44, 81 days to launch / 110 days total - agrees with DANFS on all milestones; its disposition column reads only 'Sunk at Bikini 1948' (right year, wrong atoll - official records place the scuttling off Kwajalein).

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1941-1948

    Population

    American Bridge wartime trades, Ambridge (1941-45)

    Limitations

    Ship-specific build-row + yard-level context. The company page is a corporate successor (Southland Holdings) history - reputable for the 199-LST build count; the registry table is secondary (Colton) and its 'Sunk at Bikini 1948' disposition is contradicted by official records (Kwajalein). No asbestos content anywhere in these sources.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-10

12. [12]U.S. EPA CERCLA Site Information, USX CORP AMERICAN BRIDGE DIV (PAD004372975); EPA Brownfields 2023 Assessment Fact Sheet, Ambridge PA (EPA-560-F-23-030) [other_primary]

    Locator

    EPA Superfund site profile PAD004372975; Brownfields fact sheet https://java.epa.gov/acrespub/gfs/factsheet/12294?format=PDF (both live-verified 2026-10-02)

    Finding type

    environmental_record

    Finding

    EPA documentation on the builder's former plant site: the CERCLA record 'USX CORP AMERICAN BRIDGE DIV' (EPA ID PAD004372975, Ambridge, Beaver County PA, Region 3) is registered NFRAP - 'Site does not qualify for the NPL based on existing information.' Separately, EPA's May 2023 Brownfields Assessment fact sheet for the Borough of Ambridge (EPA-560-F-23-030, $500,000 grant) names the 'American Bridge Company Target Area' as one of three target areas and lists the former American Bridge Headquarters/Lab site among priority sites for Phase I/II environmental site assessments.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    2023 (Brownfields grant); NFRAP determination date not stated on profile

    Population

    Former American Bridge site, Ambridge (post-closure)

    Limitations

    Yard-site environmental status, not a hull record and NOT an asbestos record - neither EPA page names asbestos as a site contaminant. NFRAP means EPA found the site did not qualify for the NPL on existing information. Establishes only that the former builder yard is a documented contaminated-interest site under federal programs; does not establish materials aboard this hull or exposure for anyone.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-11

13. [13]en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_LST-661 (live, checked 2026-10-02) vs NHHC Disposition of Target Vessels, NPS Delgado appendix, DNA-TR-82-05-V2 [other_primary]

    Locator

    Wikipedia 'Decommissioning and disposal' section; correction supported by the official sources cited in this record (ev-05, ev-06)

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    CORRECTION: Wikipedia's USS LST-661 article states she 'was used as a target on 14 May 1948 at Enewetak Atoll in the Operation Sandstone atomic bomb test series' and then 'sunk because of her unsalvageable (and probably radioactive) condition' on 25 July 1948. The Sandstone claim is unsupported by, and inconsistent with, the official record: NHHC's Disposition of Target Vessels ('scuttled off Kwajalein, 25 July 1948'), the NPS-published Delgado appendix (same), and DNA-TR-82-05-V2 ('towed to Kwajalein after CROSSROADS where it was deliberately sunk on July 25, 1948 at 8-51.4N, 167-20.3E') all place her at Kwajalein, not Enewetak, with no Sandstone role documented; 14 May 1948 also matches no Sandstone detonation date. The same template error was previously documented for Crossroads-mate LST-545 (batch-7056). The 'probably radioactive' gloss is editorial; the official sources establish unsalvageable condition and scuttling, not a radioactivity determination.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    correction

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1948

    Limitations

    Records a propagating secondary-source error, not new information: the record's own disposition fields follow the official sources (scuttled off Kwajalein 25 July 1948). Wikipedia's cited sources (DANFS, NavSource) do not themselves support the Sandstone sentence.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-12

14. [14]Sledge, E. B., With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa (1981), ch. 4 - passage as transcribed on the ship's Wikipedia article (live-checked 2026-10-02); book not directly consulted [other_primary]

    Locator

    Wikipedia 'Reference to LST-661 in With the Old Breed' section, quoting ch. 4 'Death Patrol'; corroborated by NARA war diary NAID 78665099

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    Published memoir literature names this hull: Eugene B. Sledge, 'With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa' (Presidio Press, 1981), ch. 4 'Assault into Hell' / section 'Death Patrol,' records that during the Peleliu fighting 'the chow had been sent ashore for Company K by the crew of LST-661' - hot pork chops served to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, during a halt; Sledge adds a footnote that he fulfilled his vow to thank those sailors in July 1945 after Okinawa. The detail is consistent with the ship's own war diary placing her on the transfer line off Orange Beach as LVT repair ship, 15-19 September 1944 (ev-03).

    Verification

    partial

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1944-09

    Population

    Crew (Sep 1944); K Company, 3/5 Marines ashore

    Limitations

    A first-person published memoir reference to this hull - humanizes the crew-level record and corroborates the Peleliu operation, but the passage was verified only via its Wikipedia transcription (the 1981 memoir text was not directly consulted). Contains no asbestos or material content.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-13

15. [15]CourtListener API v4 search, type=o and type=r, queries 'USS LST-661' / 'LST-661' / 'LST 661' + asbestos (2026-10-02); helper cl-auth-search.py [court_record]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-uss-lst-661-lst661-16 through -19

    Finding type

    litigation_documented

    Finding

    CourtListener authenticated API v4 searches (2026-10-02, all HTTP 200): opinion search 'USS LST-661' - 0 results; opinion search 'LST-661' - 0 results; RECAP docket search 'LST-661' - 0 results; opinion search 'LST 661' + asbestos - 0 results. No case names this ship and no qualifying asbestos litigation was found in either the opinion or docket index.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    2026-10-02

    Limitations

    Complete coverage this session: all four authenticated queries returned HTTP 200 with count 0 after the fleet pacing window cleared - a true negative, not a blocked gap. Zero results in the indexes searched does not prove no case ever existed (unindexed state courts, settled cases, and non-digitized filings are outside coverage), and a bare-name match would not automatically be an asbestos case in any event.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-14

16. [16]Batch-7185 search ledger (this record): archived DANFS; NavSource; NARA Special List 44 + catalog + digitized war diary; NVR (no entry); NHHC Crossroads pages (archived); DNA-TR-82-05-V2 via OSTI; NPS Delgado appendix; shipbuilding registry; American Bridge history; EPA CERCLA + Brownfields; GAO product page; CourtListener (complete - four zero-count queries); secondary web litigation sweep [other_primary]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-uss-lst-661-lst661-01 through -22

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, material schedule, hazmat disclosure, or verified litigation naming USS LST-661 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). Ship-specific documentation that does exist (DANFS, NavSource, NARA war diary and holdings, NHHC Crossroads pages, the DNA radiological report, EPA yard records) contains no asbestos content. Secondary web sweeps surfaced only law-firm marketing material asserting asbestos aboard LST-type ships generically without primary sourcing - excluded by source policy.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    2026-10-02

    Limitations

    Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - wartime LST construction sits inside the documented Navy asbestos-use era. Undigitized leads remain: NARA RG 24 deck logs (indexed 4/28/44-12/31/45, not retrieved), the unreviewed monthly war diaries and full-career muster rolls, and BuShips work packages. The hull was scuttled off Kwajalein in 1948 - no physical survey is possible. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lst-661-lst661-15