High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Pee Dee River (LSM(R)-517), an LSM(R)-501-class landing ship medium (rocket) of the United States Navy, was originally designed as an LSM but redesignated on 9 February 1945 as LSM(R)–517. She was laid down by Brown Shipbuilding Corporation, in Houston, Texas, on 28 April 1945 and launched 2 June 1945. She was accepted and commissioned on 21 July 1945, Lieutenant Leo H. Bishkin in command.