330-PS-2097 (USN 708311):   U.S. Navy Landing Ships Transferred to Italy Under MDAP.  The Italian Ambassador, members of the Italian Embassy, and officials of the U.S. Departments of State, Defense, and Navy, took part in ceremonies held at Jacksonville, Florida, on July 26, when six former U.S. Navy LSSLc (Landing Ship, Support/Large) were commissioned into the Italian Navy as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP).  Crews for the vessels, numbering 298 Italian officers and men, will take over the vessels.  They will remain in American waters for a brief period of training.  The LSSLs are Amphibious Vessels 158 feet in length, formerly designed LCIs (Landing Craft-Infantry), the support landing ships were originally designed to carry 200 or more infantry men from transports well offshore or from advance bases.  The LSSLs which displace 250 tons each, are normally manned by five officers and 65 men.  Photograph released August 9, 1951.  (6/2/2015).
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