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| Subject: LST Flotillas |
Author: Andrew Chiu
Date: 10/9/2011 11:47 pm CDT
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Dear LST Association,
I am trying to find the LST a friend of mine served on in WWII. He was a Ship Sea Duty Detachment Marine who received assignment to an LST at Pearl Harbor probably in late 1943 in time for Kwajalein landings in January '44. The hull number was in the 200's. Other islands this LST visited include Eniwetok, Saipan and Tinian. The LST in question carried heavy equipment held in reserve and was not required to land at any of the islands. My friend was reassigned to duties on Guam probably as part of the garrison force (August '44 or afterwards).
There is a paucity of information regarding LSTs and Landing Boats in general. Aside from some Hyperwar site information, there isn't much online to help nail down the locations, times and movements of LSTs. LST Flotilla, Group and Division data is sporadic and not comprehensive. Does anyone know of an online source that discusses LST units and their histories systematically?
Thank you for any help you may afford.
Andrew |
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LST Flotillas |
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Andrew Chiu |
10/9/2011 11:47 pm CDT |
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Buddy |
10/27/2011 2:30 pm CDT |
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On May 21, 2005 a monument was unveiled in Seneca, Illinois, dedicated to all the workers, who built 157 LSTs at the Seneca “Prairie Shipyard” as well as all those who served on any LST during World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. The monument contains seals of the US Navy, the US Coast Guard, the British LST Association, and the sponsoring organization, the Illinois LST Association.
The monument contains a sculpture of an LST on top of the gray marble center section. On the two flanking black marble sections are etchings of an LST being launched, an LST beached and unloading its cargo of tanks, and a woman shipyard welder. On the sides of the black sections all 157 LSTs constructed at Seneca are listed The monument stands in Crotty Park in Seneca, on property adjacent to the old Chicago Bridge and Iron shipyard.
Approximately 500 people from all over the country and Great Britain attended the dedication. After the dedication, approximately 200 of those in attendance gathered together for a catered lunch.
About 27,000 people worked at the shipyard during World War II. A number of those and/or their descendants attended the ceremony. They are rightly proud of their contribution to the war effort, as is the city of Seneca, Illinois, the home of the “Prairie Shipyard”.
During World War
2 there were 1051 LST's (Landing Ship Tank) built to carry
troops and supplies to American and Allied troops fighting
in Europe and the Pacific theaters. When WW2 ended most of
the LST's were scrapped, modified, or given to Navies of
other countries. Some remained in service and saw action in
Korea, Viet Nam, and even the Cuban Blockade.
A few WW2 type
LST's remain in service today, but not in the USA.
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