USS LST-652
# USS LST-652

USS LST-652 was a LST-542-class tank landing ship in the United States Navy during World War II. She was transferred to the Indonesian Navy as KRI Teluk Kau (504).

## Construction and commissioning

LST-652 was laid down on 24 July 1944 at Chicago Bridge and Iron Company, Seneca, Illinois. Launched on 19 October 1944 and commissioned on 1 January 1945.

### Service in United States Navy

During World War II, LST-652 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater. On 15 September 1945, she was reclassified as a hospital ship with the identification of LST(H)-652. She then participated in the occupation service in the Far East from 11 September 1945 until her decommissioning on 5 March 1946 in which she was assigned to Commander Naval Forces Far East (COMNAVFE) Shipping Control Authority for Japan (SCAJAP), redesignated Q086.

On 6 March 1952, she was return to her original identifications but not long after being transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 31 March 1952 and placed in service as USNS T-LST-652. Placed out of service and struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1961.

Under provisions of the Military Assistance Program, she was transferred to the Indonesia in 1961, and served as Teluk Kau (504).

### Service in Indonesian Navy

On 17 June 1961, she was put into service with the Indonesian Navy.

For first time, the ship's commander was under Marine Major (P) Handayana Sukendar. The ship entered to strengthen elements of the Military Seaborne Command in 1975, and was under the daily guidance of the Surabaya Military Seaborne Unit (Satlinlamil).

She was decommissioned on 19 March 2011.

The ship was disposed of in an Indonesian Navy SINKEX on 20 April 2012.

The shipwreck of the former KRI Teluk Bayur, which has sunk in the waters of Merak, Banten, has been successfully recycled by personnel from the Lantamal V Surabaya Base Facilities Service (Disfaslan) into objects that can be used again. Namely being a land generator, by utilizing a generator from the wreckage of a ship that sank after being targeted by a Yakhont missile, which was tested after buying it from Russia, several years ago.

## Awards

LST-652 have earned the following awards:

* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Medal (with Asia Clasp)

## Gallery

* KRI Teluk Kau on 7 December 2011
