LST-325 carried a crew of approximately 110-125 men during WWII.
The ship was retrofitted to carry heavy tanks and landing craft directly onto beaches using its signature bow doors and ramp system.
After the war, the ship spent over 30 years in service with the Hellenic Navy as the RHS Syros (L-144).
In 2000, a volunteer crew sailed the ship from Greece across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
The LST design was specifically engineered for beaching, requiring a shallow draft despite its size.
The engine room still contains the original General Motors diesel engines installed in the 1940s.
The vessel is a National Historic Landmark in the state of Indiana.
It is the only operational LST in the United States.
The USS LST-325 is one of the last remaining fully operational Landing Ship, Tank (LST) vessels that saw active service during World War II. Launched in 1942, it participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach and later served in the Mediterranean theater. The ship was decommissioned and sold to the Greek Navy before being recovered and restored by the USS LST Ship Memorial organization. It is now a permanent floating museum docked on the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana. Visitors can tour the ship's interior, including the tank deck, galley, officer quarters, and the wheelhouse. The vessel remains seaworthy and occasionally embarks on cruises along the inland river systems. It serves as a living tribute to the men who operated these flat-bottomed ships during amphibious assaults.
The view from the shore looking up at the bow doors provides the best perspective of the ship's scale.
Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes as the decks are steel and can be slippery or uneven.
Be prepared for steep ladders and narrow hatchways throughout the ship.
Bring a light jacket, as temperatures in the lower decks can differ significantly from the outside air.
Do not attempt to visit if you have significant mobility challenges, as the ship is not wheelchair accessible due to its original design.
The vessel is often closed to the public during the winter months and when it departs for regional river cruises.
Visitors must follow the guidance of docents regarding restricted areas; do not climb on specialized equipment.
