Seeking LST 325 Deck Logs

Dear Ms. Bloom,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck log of the LST-325 for February 1943 through 2 July 1946. We also located Deck Logs, 7/9/1949 - 12/31/1981 in the Records of Naval Operating Forces (Record Group 313) that includes deck logs LST-325 (T-LST-325) from June 1951 through January 1959.

Plus, we located the record series Material Inspection Reports and Related Documentation, 1940 - 1978 in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Record Group 38) that includes the file unit titled LST-325 (MAP).  This file unit consists of folders for October 1947; September 1949; November through December 1949; September, December 1960 and August 1961; May 1964; and January through May 1964.  The 1964 files contain inspection reports that identify maintenance and retrofits the ship needed prior to being transferred to the Hellenic Navy.  

The National Archives also has additional files relating to the LST-325 that may be of interest to your organization.  The record series World War II Command Files in Record Group 38 includes the file Individual Ships, LST 325.  Record Group 38 also includes World War II Action and Operational Reports in that contains reports submitted by the LST-325. The Records of the Bureau of Ships (Record Group 19) may have records relating to the design and construction of the ship and/or the class of ships to which it belonged. 

For access to and/or copies of the above mentioned records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

Photographs of various Navy ships dating from 1940 to 2007 are in the custody of the National Archives at College Park - Still Picture (RDSS). If you wish to search for photographs of LST-325, please contact RDSS via email at stillpix@nara.gov and their web site is https://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-park/photographs-dc.html.

Some of our records concerning the LST-325 have been digitized and can be viewed online through the Catalog.  The record series titled World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, ca. 1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946 in Record Group 38 contains war diaries, a war history, and reports concerning the LST-325’s activities during World War 2. The record series Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 1/1/1939 - 1/1/1949 in Record Group 24 includes muster rolls for LST-325, 2/1/43-7/2/46. The series titled National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records in the Records of the National Park Service (Record Group 79) include the registration form for Indiana SP USS LST 325 (tank landing ship).

In addition, we searched the website of the Naval History and Heritage Command and located an article about the LST-325 as well as several photographs.

Some records concerning the LST-325 may have been transferred to the Greek government when the ship was transferred.  To inquire about any records in their custody, contact the General State Archives of Greece.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!