Subject: LCI 578
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000
From: Robin Bordelon
My name is Robin and I am writing on behalf of my grandfather Warren Domangue Sr.( originally from Morgan City, Louisiana. He was stationed on LCI 578 and was transferred to Panama. LCI 578 left without him to the South Pacific and he was wondering what became of his ship and such after the time he was on it. Any info would be very appreciated.
Sincerest Thanks, Robin Bordelon
Subject: USS LCI(L)330 USS LCI(G)418
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 15:23:22 -0700
From: Charlie Savary
My name is Charlie Savary. I was a "Plank holder" of the LCI L 330 and the last man of the original crew to be rotated back to the states off of her.
Our first Combat landing was Rendova IS. JULY 4th 1943 and our last was EMIRAU IS. MARCH 27 or 28,1944. I was Rotated back to the states the 23of July 44,I believe from the Russel IS. our last home port.
I was 17yrs. old when I went aboard and 19yrs.old when I got rotated,after a 30 day leave, sometime in receiving stations,at Norfork,Little Creak and Solomans Island MD.
I went aboard the LCI(L)562 (which had just returned from Europe).
We worked with civilians(8 of us ,2 deck gang and 6 black gang). This was at Portsmouth,Va. We rebuilt over the next 3Mos. and turned her over to A Coast Guard Crew .Then on to Charleston S.C. and picked up the LCL(L)418 ,just returned from Europe.
We spent the winter of 44 in( Stevens Shipyard ,So.Jacksonville,Florida,)rebuilding her,in March took her around thru the Panama Canal to Destroyer base,San Diego,Calif.
She was converted to a LCI(G) at the destroyer base, AUG.19,45.|
Departed for China Service via Honolulu;Buckner Bay,Okinawa; Subic Bay, Philipines ,then on to Formosa(Taiwan,) where we unloaded Chinese Nationalist Troops from Liberty Ships ,24Hrs. a day for 6 weeks ,before preceeding to the Chinese mainland coast.
We operated from Shanghi up to Chingwangtow,witch included 3 trips to Inchon Korea,repatriating Koreans home . We were getting the 418 ready to give to the Nationalist Chinese When I got rotated back to the states JULY 12,1946.
I am 74yrs. old now,I was born in E.Wareham Mass an raised there til I left for Naval Service ,3days after I turned 17yrs.old,I was sworn in on (THE 6mon. aniversary of Pearl Harbor, June 7,1942 ) At New Bedford ,Mass. and left for boots at Newport R.I.
Sincerely, Charlie Savary
Subject: LCI Research
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000
From: Rick Gillis
Gentlemen I am doing some research on the LCI. Mostly on the army operated
version, as they may have been the rarest. Does anyone know of a book or
manual that may still be availabe. I am trying to determine what the crew
complament was and some specifics on the engine and drivetrain( was the quad pack an
electric drive or was it a reduction drive etc). Any help any one could provide would be
greatly apreciated.
Thanks so much
Rick Gillis
Subject: LCI [L] 520
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000
From: Terry Harris
My father served on this ship, and participated in the June 6th 1944
D-Day landing at Red Beach. I was going through some of his papers
and found, that his ship was the first ship across the line of demarcation!
Dad said they had a four striper aboard, because the ship was being
used for Gunfire Support. He talks alot about the invasion now!
Dads 79 years old and in the hospital at this time for cancer. The doc
said he will be OK. I think its about time that the LCI's and other classes
get some recognition and the crews who manned them! I got dad a membership and he would like to hear from some of his old shipmates who served on LCI [L] 520. I also served in the Gator Navy as did my son, so you might say it's in our blood.
Thanks,
Terry Harris