MUSCATINE, Iowa – The USS LST 325, the last fully operational World War II Landing Ship Tank in the United States, will make a historic stop in Muscatine as part of its 2025 tour. The visit offers residents and visitors a rare opportunity to explore one of the most important types of vessels used during the war.
The 328-foot-long ship departed their home port of Evansville, Ind., on Thursday and will arrive in Muscatine at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The ship will be open for public tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 11-15. Tickets can be purchased on the ship (adults $20, ages 6-17 $10, and 5 & under are free).
LST 325 will depart Muscatine on Sept. 16 with two more stops before returning to their home port (Alton, Ill. Sept. 18-23 and Cape Girardeau Sept. 24-29).
PLEASE NOTE: Access to the downriver boat launch in Riverside Park will be unavailable to the public from September 8-16. The upriver boat launch will remain open for the public’s use.
History of the ship
The LST (Landing Ship, Tank) played a critical role in transporting troops, tanks, vehicles, and supplies directly onto enemy shores during amphibious assaults. These ships were vital in operations such as the Normandy invasion on D-Day, where LSTs delivered men and equipment to the beaches of France.
Built in 1942, the LST 325 served in the European Theater, including participation in the invasion of Sicily and the D-Day landings in Normandy. After the war, the ship continued to serve in various capacities before being retired and eventually restored by a dedicated group of veterans and volunteers. Today, the LST 325 is preserved as a museum ship, based in Evansville, Indiana, and tours select river cities each year.
These ships could carry 20 Sherman tanks in the giant hold within the ship. They were the only ships ever made that could go anywhere in the world and deposit their cargo onto a hostile beach and then go get another load. On the main deck they could also carry 30-40 trucks, tons of fuel, ammunition or supplies and soldiers.
The LSTs were used during World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam conflicts. This ship, LST 325, was in the invasion at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. It was also at Sicily on July 10, 1943. The United States never lost an invasion once the LSTs were designed, produced, and could land the big tanks right on the beach.
While in Muscatine, the ship will be docked along the Mississippi River and open for public tours. Visitors will be able to walk the decks, explore the troop quarters, view historic exhibits, and learn about the ship’s role in some of the most pivotal moments of World War II.
“This is more than just a ship—it’s a floating classroom and memorial,” said representatives from the LST 325 Memorial. “It gives people of all ages the chance to connect with history in a way that books and movies simply cannot.”
Community members are encouraged to mark their calendars for this rare and memorable event. Plan to spend part of the weekend of September 11-15, 2025 in Muscatine, IA this year. This ship is truly a piece of world history!
For more information about the ship and its history, visit www.lstmemorial.org.
SPECIAL EVENT PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER 11
The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCCI), along with the City of Muscatine, has partnered with the Rock Island Arsenal for a special military event on Thursday, Sept. 11, during the ship’s stay in Muscatine.
GMCCI invites the community and visitors to United We Remember: 250 Years of Service as we celebrate the Navy, Army & Marine’s 250th Birthday. The event will include a 9/11 Muscatine Tribute and an enlistment ceremony for new Navy recruits. Rock Island Arsenal personnel and local EMS professionals will be highlighted with a special moment dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Following the ceremony, stay on the riverfront for live music and food trucks.