ALTON, Ill. – The USS LST-325, a World War II landing ship, tank (LST) turned floating museum, will be docked at the port of Alton from Sept. 18 to 22, offering daily tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’re a 501(c)(3) corporation completely staffed by volunteers,” said Ken Rupp, Cruise Director of LST 325. “There’s about 50 of us on board. We eat onboard and sleep onboard.”

The vessel is a historic, fully operational World War II-era landing ship that played a crucial role in the European theater, participating in the invasions of Sicily and Normandy. 

Commissioned in 1943, it was designed to carry tanks, vehicles and troops directly onto hostile beaches during assaults, which was vital to Allied success. The tour seeks to help educate the public about the ship’s role in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

“It made 44 trips across the channel in Operation Overlord or D-Day,” Rupp said. “It literally landed at all the beaches depending on which trip it was on. This also landed in Salerno and Sicily, making seven landings there. So it’s a real good chance Patton had one of his tanks on our ship.”

Visitors can explore the ship for $20 per adult and $10 for children aged 6 to 17, while kids 5 and under can tour for free. 

The memorial’s mission is to honor the memory of the ships and the men who served on them by preserving this piece of American history. The ship will display the names of all who died while serving on LSTs.

The museum will have exhibits and programs with artifacts, books, photographs, oral histories and other archival materials related to the service of LSTs, with a focus on the years 1941 to 1978, with a focus on 1941 to 1945.

“This is a real treat,” Kevin Beck said. “My dad served in the Merchant Marines during the Second World War.  He used to tell me sea stories, and I love being on these old ships.”   

Parking for visitors is available at the Argosy Casino parking lot. Group tours can be arranged by emailing schoolbookings@LSTmemorial.org, and more information can be found by clicking here.