The tank landing ship (LST, for "Landing Ship, Tank") was created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore. During the war, 1,051 LST’s were built.  These ships played a huge role in guaranteeing the success of amphibious landings in Europe and the Pacific. By carrying cargo and other landing craft to shore, the LST proved to be priceless.  Designed so it could land directly on the beach, the LST was an integral part of all amphibious operations.

The LST proved to be a remarkably versatile ship. A number of them were converted to become landing craft repair ships (ARL), and "Mother Ships," which had berthing for 200+, a bake shop and 16 refrigeration boxes for fresh provisions, and the ballast tanks for fresh water storage.  Thirty-eight LST's were converted to serve as small hospital ships that removed casualties from the beach following the landing of their cargo of tanks and vehicles.  In the later stages of World War II, some LST's were even fitted with flight decks from which small observation planes were sent up during amphibious operations.

Throughout the war, LST's demonstrated a remarkable capacity to absorb punishment and survive. Despite the sobriquet, "Large Slow Target," which was applied to them by irreverent crew members, the LST's suffered few losses in proportion to their number and the scope of their operations. Their brilliantly conceived structural arrangement provided unusual strength and buoyancy. Although the LST was considered a valuable target by the enemy, only 26 were lost due to enemy action, and a mere 13 were the victims of weather, reef, or accident.