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On 17 June the ship was placed in commission and it was moved to Pier 42,
New York City where work preparing it for sea was begun. The ship was ready
for sea on 22 June and thereupon got underway for the Amphibious Training
base at Solomon's Maryland in company with the LCI(L) 631.
Upon arrival 26 June 1944 until 30 June 1944, the ship was taken on
shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay. Shakedown included a speed and endurance
run off Annapolis Maryland as well as numerous beachings and exercises at
emergency drills.
During the first week of July 1944, the ship practiced beaching at Virginia
Beach, and formation tactics between the Little Creek Amphibious Training
Base and Solomons Maryland.
On 8 July 1944, the USS LCI(L) 632 began an availability at Lambert's Point,
Norfolk, Virginia which was designed to prepare her for the trip to San
Diego, and to make necessary alterations. Availability was concluded on 10
July and the ship remained at Lambert's Point awaiting further orders.
Underway for Key West, Florida on 18 July, in company with the USS LCI(L)
631. Arrived at Key West on 22 July where fuel, provisions and water were
taken aboard for the next leg of the journey.
23 July marked the date of departure for Coco Solo Naval Base, Canal Zone.
Again in company with the USS LCI(L) 631. Arrived at Coco Solo on 28 July
1944.
The ship passed through the Panama Canal on 30 July and left the Canal Zone
for San Diego, California following the LCI(L) 631.
Arrived at the Naval Repair Base, San Diego Bay, California on 9 August. On
11 August the ship joined other LCI(L)'s and practiced beachings in the San
Diego area during the day, returning to the base at night. These operations
were concluded on 15 August. From the 15th to the 17th, fuel, water, and
provisions were taken aboard.
It was at this time that the LCI(L) 632 joined the other ships of LCI(L)
Flotilla TWENTY-ONE, Group SIXTY-ONE, Division ONE-TWENTY-ONE. The ship had
been tentatively assigned to this unit before it was commissioned, but did
not actually join until this time. The Flotilla command was aboard the USS
LCI(L) 630, the Group Command aboard the LCI(L) 1026.
On 18 August the 632 left San Diego with other ships of Flotilla 21, Group
61, destination San Nicolas Island, California. During the operation,
towing, emergency drills, beaching and fueling at sea were practiced. The
OTC was Lt. Comdr. William T. Dom, USNR, aboard the USS LCI(L) 1026.
Returned to San Diego Bay on 23 August 1944.
23 August marked another departure for San Nicolas Island on a training
cruise. This time the OTC was Commander LCI(L) Flotilla 21, Commander E. C.
Rook, USN, aboard the USS LCI(L) 630. During this operation, anti-aircraft
firing, night beachings, and emergency drills were stressed. The ships
anchored by day off San Nicolas Island. On 30 August the ships returned to
San Diego to enter availability.
From 30 August to 11 September, the ship underwent availability including a
short period in drydock during which time the bottom was scraped and
repainted.
Troops were loaded aboard with full battle equipment on 22 September and the
ship departed for San Nicholas to practice landing and re-embarking men and
equipment. During this operation runs were made to San Diego every few days
to take aboard a different group of troops and to unload those already
aboard. This operation was concluded on 29 September when all troops were
disembarked and the ship returned to its berth at the South Quay Wall, Naval
Repair Base, San Diego.
On 16 October the ship participated in another practice run to San Nicolas
Island. Tactical maneuvers were stressed on this operation. OTC was again
Lt. Comdr. William T Dom, USNR, aboard the LCI(L) 1026. Return was made to
the Naval Repair Base on 18 October at the conclusion of this training
operation.
Orders were received directing departure San Diego for Newport Beach,
California on 30 October. The purpose of this movement was to enter
availability for conversion to a Mortar Support Craft, LCI(M). Arrived at
the South Coast Shipbuilding Yard, Newport Beach, California on 31 October
1944.
During the month of November conversion took place, which included the
installation of a 40mm gun on the bow in place of the 20mm gun. Three 4.2"
mortars were installed on the well deck. Number two troop compartment was
converted to a magazine for mortar and 40mm ammunition. On 12 November, Ens
F. S. Gulbransen, Jr USNR reported aboard as Gunnery Officer. On 18
November the LCI(M) 632 got underway for San Pedro, California, arriving
there the same afternoon. On 20 November, the LCI(M) 632 got underway for
Pearl Harbor, T. H. in company with other LCI(M)'s. The OTC was Captain E.
C. Rook, USN aboard the LCI(M) 630.
After an uneventful crossing, the convoy arrived at Pearl Harbor, T. H. on
29 November and was berthed in West Loch pending further orders. On 13
December the remaining four LCI(M)'s of Flotilla 21 arrived from San Pedro.
From 22 December to 24 December, practice operations including the firing of
mortars, anti-aircraft guns and tactical maneuvers were conducted off the
islands of Kahoolawe, Maui and Lanai, Territory of Hawaii.
From 28 December to 2 January the ship was in availability in order to make
necessary repairs and improve the mortar mounts.
(I came on the 7th of January - Billy Shoemaker)
On 10 January, Ens F. G. Addison, III, USNR reported aboard as relief for
Ens. J. A. Verlin, who had the duties of Commissary and Communications
Officer.
Additional training operations were conducted in the Kahoolawe area with
night anchorage at Maalaea Bay and at Lahaina Roads, Maui, Territory of
Hawaii. The training program included additional mortar support practice
and took place from 11 to 18 January 1945. At the conclusion of the
operation, ships returned to Pearl Harbor.
After complete provisioning, fueling and watering, departure was made from
Pearl Harbor and course directed to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands
on 22 January 1945. The convoy included LST's, LSM's and LCI(M)'s as well
as a screen composed of a Destroyer and several Sub-Chasers.
At the conclusion on an uneventful trip, the convoy arrived at Eniwetok on 5
February 1945. After a stay of less than 24 hours in Eniwetok Lagoon, the
convoy departed for Saipan in the Mariana Group.
Arrived at Saipan on 10 February and after fueling, watering and taking on
provisions, maneuvers were conducted off Tinian and Aguijan Islands in
preparation for the forthcoming invasion of Iwo Jima. Several complete
rehearsals were held at this time. The OTC of the Mortar Support Group was
Lt. Comdr. S. J. Kelley, USNR, who assumed command of Flotilla TWENTY-ONE
after the sudden illness of Capt. Rook.
On the 15th of February the ships departed for Iwo Jima. The trip was
moderately rough, but without significant event. Upon arrival Iwo Jima, the
ships of the Mortar Support Unit divided into tactical units of six ships
each. The LCI(M) 632 acted as a firing ship in connection with the initial
landings, using the LCI(M) 631 as a reference ship, which was maintaining
her position by means of Radar. The D-Day firing runs were made on the
invasion beaches on the eastern side of Iwo Jima. From the 20th to the
25th, firing runs were made at night. During these runs Mortars were fired
at pre-determined areas, and the 40mm gun was used as other targets
presented themselves. The LCI(M) 631 again acted as reference. During
these firing runs, the entire unit was subjected to constant fire from enemy
shore batteries. These night runs were made on the Northwestern side of Iwo
Jima in order to eliminate an area of Enemy resistance. During the day, the
Mortar ships retired to seaward and acted as Anti-Aircraft screening
vessels. The 632 as well as most of the unit was lying a short distance off
Suribachi at the time of the famous flag-raising ceremony. Departure for
Saipan was on 26 February.
Upon arrival at Saipan on 2 March, the ship was refueled, provisioned and
loaded with fresh water for the trip to Leyte in the Philippines. Departure
was on 3 March 1945.
Arrived at San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines on 9 March. Until
15 March the ships rode at anchor and made necessary repairs and
preparations for the next sea trip. From 15 March to 20 March, practice for
the Okinawa invasion was conducted along the beaches of the eastern coast of
Leyte. The practice included several dress rehearsals, anti-aircraft firing
and tactical maneuvers.
Position was taken in a Tractor Group on 25 March and course laid to
Okinawa. The trip was exceedingly rough inasmuch as the convoy passed
through the outer edges of a typhoon and took the seas on the beam. The
tractor group consisted primarily of LCI(M)'s, LCI(G)'s LSM's and LST's.
Arrived off Orange Beach southern Okinawa on 1 April 1945. Approach to the
firing line was made at H-Hour and all mortar ships fired a heavy barrage
prior to the shoreward movement of the troops. 40mm and 20mm guns ceased
fire as the troops in LVT's passed the ships on the firing line. Mortar
fire was maintained and gradually advanced inland to avoid hitting the men
as they landed on the beach and to provide fire cover for the first part of
their penetration. At the conclusion of firing, the mortar ships retired to
sea to replenish ammunition. During the night mortar support units were
assigned to patrol duty offshore. In this phase of the operation the ships
were off the southwestern end of the island near Naha.
During the period from 2 April to 18 April, LCI types were assigned to
Anti-aircraft screening duty during the day and formed a ring to seaward of
the anchorage. At night they were usually assigned smoke stations designed
to cover the heavier fleet units such as transports, cruisers and
battleships.
A one-day operation was conducted on 19 April during which several groups of
LCI(M)'s proceeded around the southern end of Okinawa to conduct a
diversionary bombardment of O Shima off the eastern coast. At the
conclusion, all ships returned to their screen and smoke duties.
On the night of 26-27 April, the 632 was assigned to Small Suicide Boat
patrol off Naha. The night passed without significant event and the ship
returned to the regular duties in the morning.
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