Koh, Tao. Thailand

 in action.







 
 HTMS SATTUKUT

The landing craft was built in 1943 by the 'Commercial Iron Works' in Portland, Oregon USA. She was launched on the 27th of February 1944 and commissioned the USS LCI (L) - 739 on the 6th of March 1944. The vessel was to be assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theatre of operations. It was exactly 6 months later when the LCI -739 saw action as part of the capture and occupation of the Southern Palau islands. The campaign was known as the 'Western Caroline islands' operation and lasted until October 14th 1944. She was re-classified as a 'Gunboat' on the 31st of December 1944 before seeing action again in the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima. The Iwo Jima operation lasted from the 19th of February to the 3rd March 1945.

 It wasn't long before the 'Sattakut' was in action again. Just 3 weeks later she was part of the 'Okinawa Gunto Operation' which lasted from the 26th of March to the 14th June 1945. During which time the vessel was again re-classified to a 'mortar' boat. At the close of the war the USS LCI (L) (G) (M) 739 received 3 battle stars for its service during the above campaigns. She was taken out of service with the US Navy in 1947.  Sold to the Thai government, and sunk off of the island of Koh Tao June 18th, 2011.




 giant malabar grouper

dancing shrimp

 Phidiana Indica.  Nudibranch




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