US WW ll Gator Navy

[vaughne]

Ahoy any WW ll Navy Veterans that might have been associated with the Amphibious Forces.
I went through Diego Boot Camp in July 1943, then Amphib School in Diego. I was assigned to the the USS LCI (L) 450 in San Diego and sailed around the Pacific Ocean.
We sailed in convoy out of San Diego 6 January 1944 heading for Pearl Harbor. After several days of maneuvers around Hilo, Hawaii, we sailed in convoy for the Marshall Islands. On 31 January 1944, we led a wave of landing craft shoreward attacking Kwajalein Atoll with our 5" rockets, 40 & 20mm cannons.
After our first objective was completed, we started through a pass towards our second assignment. Never made it as we grounded on a reef and was an observer of the invasion until it was secured. Eventually we were pulled off the reef and was towed back to Pearl Harbor for repairs.
While stuck on the reef, we partially made up for our grounding by saving 50 some marines from drowning when their Amtracts flipped in the rough surf. That made us feel a little better and made all those marines damned happy!

[germanblood]

that story kicks ass
thank you for sharing

[Frisbee]

Although this thread is pretty old but since someone brought up WW II and amphibious ships, my uncle served on the USS Horace A. Bass APD-124. For anyone interested here’s a link to a web site. Click on DANFS tab under the pic’s of the Bass for a history.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/04124.htm

And vaughne, I salute your service …..

and just an FYI …. You might want to Capitalize the M in Marines

[Julock]

Originally Posted by Frisbee

Although this thread is pretty old but since someone brought up WW II and amphibious ships, my uncle served on the USS Horace A. Bass APD-124. For anyone interested here’s a link to a web site. Click on DANFS tab under the pic’s of the Bass for a history.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/04124.htm

And vaughne, I salute your service …..

and just an FYI …. You might want to Capitalize the M in Marines

My first ship was an ole WWII LST that they painted white and sent us to Diego Garcia via Nam on. WOW that was a fun ride LOL

[vaughne]

USS LCI (G) 450
This Action report was sent me by John Connors, nephew of Gerry Connors, 1st Exec Officer aboard the “LCI (L) 450” who later commanded the USS LCI (G) 469 during the Iwo Jima action 17 February 1945.
The following action reports were from the Commanding Officer, W. A Brady of the USS LCI (G) 450 addressed to The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet and those reporting to him for the actions occurring 17 February 1945. At 10:30 order was received by flag hoist to proceed independently. LCI (G) 450’s station was off Red Beach One off the left flank of the South Eastern Beaches. At 10:45 we were on station 2000 yards from the beach and proceeding on course of 325°T at about 8 knots. At 10:50 all 20mm and 40mm’s opened fire on the beaches. Heavy return mortar and automatic fire was met at about 1200 yards. Heavy return fire continued. At 10:55 a shell hit was made on the starboard bow, all guns were able to continue firing. At 10:57 another hit was made in the port bow in the forward head compartment. Fire broke out and damage control party was notified. At 11:00 all but two after 20mm guns were secured and gun crews moved aft to allow rockets to be fired. At 11:02 ranging rockets were fired falling about 50 yards short of the beach. The next ranging rockets were fired at at 11:03 and were observed to fall on the beach and at 11:04 a full salvo were fired. They were observed to fall on the beach in an area approximately 50 to 100 yard inshore. Gun crews were ordered back to their gun positions at 11:05. The Pharmacist Mate reported on man had serious injuries. At 11:06 two hits were taken in the port side of the deck house. The damage control party reported difficulty in getting water in the forward compartment due to hose lines having been cut by shrapnel. The fire was threatening to explode ammunition lying on the deck near the 40mm over the compartment. At this time the ship was backing full astern from the beach. Enemy fire continued appearing to be coming from every part of the beach. At 11:10 a shell hit exploded a 20mm ready box on the well deck starting a fire which was quickly extinguished by one of the damage control party who was on deck the moment the shell hit was made. At 11:12 a mortar dropped on the port ramp among the rocket launchers, exploding several rockets which had misfired when the rockets had been fired on the beach and was still in the launchers. The damage control party reported the fire in the forward hold to be threatening the forward magazine which was ordered flooded at 11:14. The gun crew of the bow 40mm had left their gun station due to the heat of the fire below, several men were throwing ammunition which was on the deck near the gun over the side to prevent its exploding from the heat. At this time the ship was headed away from the beach and report was given to the Commander Underwater Demolition Unit by SCR-610 that we are leaving the firing line to extinguish a bad fire. At 11:20 damage control reported hose lines re-rigged and water being applied to fire. At 11:25 the fire was reported under control. At 11:30 we were about 2000 yards from the beach, permission was requested to go alongside the APD-11 for medical assistance. Two seriously wounded men were transferred to that ship. The damage control party reported the fire out and at once begins to pump water from the compartments that had been flooded by water used to fight the fires. At 12:00 we reported to C.T.U. 52.5.1 of our condition and requested instructions. At 12:10 we cast off from APD-11 and moved off shore beyond the capital ship line and stood by for orders concerning further operations. No further orders were received until; 19:20 when orders for night disposition were given by C.T.U.52.5.1. Weather during the action as follows: Wind = N. Force 3, Sea -North Force 3 – Swells 2 , Clouds AS and CC; Coverage 5/10ths.
Ordnance – No major gun causalities were suffered. One 20mm jam was quickly repaired. Fire discipline under existing conditions and return fire was commendable. After Underwater Demolition swimmers were in the water fire control was difficult, no shells were observed however to fall short of the waterline. Ammunition was expended as follows: 40mm – 1387, 20mm – 3025, Rockets (Fragmentation) 120. Enemy fire was consistent and heavy. Four hits were taken by shells as being approximately six inches. Numerous smaller caliber hits were made and one mortar dropped on the ship. Battle damage report is submitted as as Enclosure (a). Communications were by visual and use of two ASR-610 sets calibrated on separate frequencies. SQ Radar was not used. Personnel performance and causalities, casualty report is submitted as Enclosure (a). The performance of all ships personnel was commendable. In spite of devastating return fire, guns were kept firing. The damage control party especially did heroic and outstanding work, comments and recommendations. Large bow hull numbers are believed to have presented a good target for enemy fire. Two direct hits on either bow where the numbers were painted substantiate this belief. Red and orange buoys located 1000 yards off the beach seemed to provide range markers for enemy gun fire. It is not known by this command whether they were placed by the enemy or our own forces., in either case they are believed to be detrimental to operations of this nature.
Wallace A. Brady, Commanding
The following damage was incurred to LCI (G) 450 in battle 17 February 1945. Hull: Compartment A-101-L, Starboard side. (1) Hole approximately 4’ high extending from frame 2 to frame 5. Frames 2, 3, 4, ruptured by shell fire. (2) Hole between frames 5 and 6 by shell fire. Port side- (1) Hole at frame 1,
ruptured by shell fire. (2) Three holes between frame 4 and 5 by shrapnel. One Hole between frame 5 and 6 by shrapnel, (3) One hole between frame 8 and 10. Frames 8 and 9 ruptured by shell fire. Overhead – (1) Scuttles between frame 3 and 4 ruptured by shrapnel. (2) Hol3s in main longitudinal and overhead betweens frame 4 and 5 by shrapnel. (3) Split seam between frames 6 and 7 caused by shell explosion. (4) Several small transverse frames at gun support twisted or broken, caused by shrapnel. (5) Main longitude bent and ruptured by shell explosion. Hull – (a) - Booby hatch #1, several holes in both sides and top by shrapnel. (d) - Ramp bases and ramp guards forward both sides, several holes by shrapnel from near hits. The list continues with too many damage hits to enumerate all of them. Inboard bulkhead perforated in numerous places by shrapnel. Electrical, Engineering, Piping, Ordnance, and Ventilation systems all had some damage. Report of Causalities- Musselman, Jack H. S2/c USNR, received wound fragment (Shell) Lower right chest. Diagnoses 2584, serious, transferred to USS APD-11 for treatment. Coggins, Raymond, N., wound fragment from shell, right hand, left arm, and upper left chest, Diagnoses 2584, serious. Transferred to APD-11 for treatment. Kingsley, Robert G. Ensign, USNR, Wound fragment shrapnel, web between thumb and first finger, left hand. Retained on board. Schmidt, Glenn E. Wound fragment (shell) Spent shrapnel hit man left chest over third rib causing abrasion and slight contusion, Retained on board. Tripp, Glenn F. GM2/c, Spent shrapnel hit man on left leg two inches above patella causing abrasion and contusion. Retained on board. Cognac, Kenneth W. S1/c Fragment wound web between 3rd and 4th finger left hand. Retained on board. “The conduct of this ship in this hard fought action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. S/ W.H.P. Blandy,” Commander of the Amphibious Force Group One.