USS LST-649

For other ships with the same name, see RSS Resolution.

History
United States
Name	LST-649
Builder	Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca
Laid down	19 July 1944
Launched	6 October 1944
Commissioned	26 October 1944
Renamed	T-LST-649
Decommissioned	5 March 1946
Recommissioned	31 March 1952
Decommissioned	Late 1960s
Fate	Sold to Republic of Singapore Navy, 5 December 1975
Singapore
Name	Resolution
Namesake	Resolution
Acquired	5 December 1975
Commissioned	1 July 1971 (on loan)
Decommissioned	1999
Homeport	Tuas Naval Base
Identification	Pennant number: L-204
Status	Training ship
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-542-class tank landing ship
Displacement	1,625 long tons (1,651 t) light 4,080 long tons (4,145 t) full
Length	328 ft (100 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	Unloaded : 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) forward 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) aft Loaded : 8 ft 2 in (2.49 m) forward 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) aft
Propulsion	2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	2 × LCVPs
Troops	16 officers, 147 enlisted men
Complement	7 officers, 104 enlisted men
Armament	8 × 40 mm guns 12 × 20 mm guns
Aviation facilities	Deck as helipad

USS LST-649 originally was a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship built during World War II and in commission from 1944 to 1946 and again in the late 1952. She was sold to the Republic of Singapore Navy and renamed RSS Resolution (L-204).

Construction and commissioning

USS LST-649 was laid down on 19 July 1944 at Seneca, Illinois, by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. She was launched on 6 October 1944 and commissioned on 26 October 1944.

Service in United States Navy

1940s

During World War II, LST-649 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign and participated in Okinawa Gunto Operations, the invasion of southern Okinawa on 26 March to 30 June 1945. At the close of World War II, LST-649 remained in active service in Amphibious Force, United States Navy on the Far East. LST-649 was decommissioned on 5 March 1946, assigned for Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP) and redesignated as Q058.

1950s

LST-649 was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952 and redesignated as USNS T-LST-649.

1960s

T-LST-649 made a trip to Vietnam during the Vietnam War carrying cargos. She beached at a ramp north of Chu Lai Vietnam Marine compound on 12 March 1966. She was stricken and decommissioned in late 1960s.

Service in Republic of Singapore Navy

1970s-1990s

On loan since 1 July 1971, T-LST-649 was finally sold to Singapore on 5 December 1975 and renamed RSS Resolution (L-204). Resolution, along with four other ex-US Navy LSTs sold to Singapore by the US at around the same period of time, served as part of the RSN's 191 Squadron of the 3rd Flotilla, with its main roles being transporting Singapore Army troops and personnel to training facilities abroad (in foreign countries such as Taiwan), rescue-and-aid operations, supply missions as well as for officer-cadet training programmes conducted overseas.

While docked alongside Bedok Jetty in support of Operation Thunderstorm, Resolution provided shelter to 269 Vietnamese refugees who had landed at Tanjong Rhu in a fishing trawler during a storm on 17 December 1978. The refugees were provided with fuel and supplies to leave Singapore for another destination on 18 December.

Resolution and her sister ships were decommissioned in 1999 following the commissioning of RSS Endurance (207).

2000s-2010s

Resolution now docked in Tuas Naval Base, Singapore to this day as a training ship since 2000s and sometimes spotted holding containers on its deck. RSS Resolution is last in existence of the LST-542-class in the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Awards and honors

• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal