THE 1091 THE 1091 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE
USS LANDING CRAFT, INFANTRY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
• ESTABLISHED MAY 14–18, 1991, NORFOLK,VA •
JANUARY 2008 ISSUE #62
THE 1091
FLAGSHIP OF THE USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION!
(See Page 12)
Also in this issue:
Information and Registration Forms
for the 2008 LCI National Reunion,
April 30–May 4, in Mobile, Alabama
Important information About Future
Plans for the LCI National Association

“THE ELSIE ITEM” Number 62 • January, 2008
Official Newsletter of the USS LCI National Association, a non-profit veteran’s organization. Membership in the USS LCI
National Association is open to any U. S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served aboard a Landing Craft Infantry. Affiliate
membership, without voting privileges, is offered to others.
Published quarterly by the USS LCI National Association. John P. Cummer, Editor. Any material for possible publication should
be sent to the Editor, preferably by email (cummerj@bellsouth.net) or by regular mail to 302 Pinewood Cottage Lane,
Blythewood, SC, 29016
CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES:
www.usslci.com
Our own website
www.amphibiousforces.com
For information on the 713 and Tiny’s Ships Stores
See page 29 for a list of LCIs that were sunk:
2

A Word from the Editor
Well, Shipmates, you’re going to see a bit of a different content for this
issue of Elsie Item than you’re used to—a good deal more text and not quite
as many pictures!
The reason is that we have important information to pass on to you about
what we think the future looks like for our association and how we intend
to cope with it. Secondly, we need to be sure you have all the good news
about the great reunion we’re planning for Mobile this spring. Those two
topics took up quite a bit of space. We also were anxious to pass on to you
some of the encouraging news about the way our historians, Dan Blocker
and John France, are working to ensure that the story of LCIers is discovered,
recorded and archived for the future.
First, as to our future—please read carefully “The Future of the LCI National Association” (page 20). It represents
the best thinking to date of what our future might look like and makes recommendations as to
how we might deal with it. Give it your close attention, please, and be prepared to express your opinion
on the proposed actions. This will involve a change in our membership requirements doing away with
the classification of “affiliate” members, making us a one-class organization with full membership open
not only to LCI veterans but to family, friends and others interested in preserving the history of LCIs and
their crews. As per our by-laws, this change will be put before the Association at our Mobile reunion this
year and voted on the following year in Portland. Important stuff, guys! Give us your best thinking!
Then there’s Mobile! Another great reunion is shaping up and we want to see just as many of you there
as possible. If you have not visited the battleship USS Alabama or the Museum of Naval Aviation in
Pensacola. I guarantee that you are in for a memorable experience. Mobile is a lovely and gracious city
with a long maritime history, and I am certain you will be delighted with your visit there. Of course, it is
the comradeship and renewed friendships of old shipmates that is the primary attraction and we look
forward to great times together recalling our Navy days and the experiences we shared. You will certainly
want to see first hand the wonderful collection of LCI photos located in the National Archives by our
historians. As you will read in this issue, these photos will be on display and for sale in Mobile.
So have a good—and perhaps a challenging—read! There’s a few more goodies here too that we think
you’ll enjoy. Especially our feature article on the flagship of our Association, the 1091.
See you in Mobile!
—John Cummer
3

GET READY FOR MOBILE!
LCIers and their families are in for another treat as we meet in the beautiful city of Mobile for our 2008
Reunion. In addition to the major attraction—seeing old friends and shipmates once again, three attractions—two
of military interest and one of incredible natural beauty await us.
Our first “field trip” is scheduled for Thursday, May 1st when we will take a relaxing bus ride of some 45
miles to the home of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.
4

The National Museum of Naval Aviation
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is one of the largest and most beautiful air and space museums
in the world. We will share in the excitement of Naval Aviation’s thrill of flight and see over 100 fascinating
planes representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. These historic and one-of-akind
aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum’s 250,000 square feet of exhibit space inside and outside
on the Museum’s 27 acre grounds.
We’ll have a close-up sensation of what the famed “Blue Angels” experience as we stand in the dazzling
seven-story glass and steel atrium that showcases four A-4 Sky-hawks in a diving diamond formation.
An elevated mezzanine will give us an eye-level view of these famous aircraft.
The Museum also tells the human side of Naval Aviation and features memorabilia from each era of
flight including personal mementos from historic battles, flight logs, vintage instruments, and flight gear.
The West Wing is devoted almost exclusively to World War II carrier aviation and showcases a full-size
replica of the USS Cabot aircraft carrier island and flight deck. Famous world War II fighters such as the
Corsair, Avenger and Hellcat stand ready for takeoff on the wooden flight deck, while other magnificent
birds like the Wildcat, Dauntless and Kingfisher fly overhead.
If you are really feeling adventurous you can strap into one of the many cockpit trainers for a pretend
test flight and try your hand at defending the ship from Cabot’s gun battery.
Naval Aviation transcends both time and space, spanning history from the first flight in a wood-andfabric
biplane, to space travel in a Skylab Command Module. The Museum captures Naval Aviation’s
entire heritage and tells its story of commitment, challenge, courage and conviction.
The USS Alabama
On Friday, May 2nd, we will have a much shorter trip to a grand old ship that shared World War II
with LCIs! The USS Alabama Memorial park features not only the venerable battleship but a submarine,
the USS Drum, and many outstanding static aircraft displays. In addition to touring the battleship, we will
hold our memorial service on her deck and stay for lunch aboard.
One of the then new South Dakota Class battleships, the USS Alabama, was launched in February of
1942 just two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After shakedown training, she had a
tour of duty protecting lend-lease convoys to Britain and Russia while operating with the British Home
Fleet in the “Murmansk Run.” This was followed by her extensive service in the Pacific where many of our
LCIers had the opportunity to see her in action.
Bellingrath Gardens
While the men are holding their important business meeting on Saturday morning, May 3rd, a very
special treat is in story for the ladies and all other family friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath decided to use their wealth they they obtained by being one of the
earliest franchisers of Coca Cola to develop the house and grounds that was their home for many years.
Starting as a fishing camp on the banks of the Fowl River, the Bellingrath’s spared no expense in planning
their lovely home and the surrounding gardens. The gardens have been open to the public since 1932.
Throughout the year, Bellingrath Gardens and Home features a wide variety of flowering plants
throughout the 65 acre estate. From camellias in winter, azaleas in spring, roses in summer, chrysanthemums
in autumn and poinsettias during the holidays, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is always beautiful,
but never the same.
We will have the opportunity to see the gardens at their most beautiful. Spring at Bellingrath is one
of the most beautiful times of the year, featuring over 250,000 azaleas, hydrangeas, Easter lilies, impatiens,
salvia, fuchsia, geraniums and more.
See You in Mobile!
5

THE FUTURE OF THE USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
What’s ahead for us?
How many more national reunions will there be?
How do we bring our Affiliate members into fullmembership
and leadership positions?
These and similar questions have occupied the
thinking of your officers and board members for
some time now and we want to share with all of
you just where we are in our thinking and solicit
your input.
What is for certain now is that we are definitely
planning for our 2008 reunion in Mobile and for
the 2009 reunion in Portland. Beyond that, we
are thinking about a follow-up organization with
leadership coming from Affiliate members and,
hopefully, with participation by LCI Vets themselves
for some time into the future as health and
circumstances permit. Reality requires us to
remember that by 2009 most, if not all, of us will
be in our mid-eighties or older and that we just
might not have quite as much get-up-and-go as
we do now.
With that in mind, the board has been considering
how we could provide a way for the USS LCI
National Association to continue as a one-class
membership organization under the leadership of
the oncoming generations of family and friends
of LCI Veterans for as far as possible into the
future.
We have been considering how we could do this
given the legal restrictions and conditions of our
incorporation as a veteran’s organization under
chapter 501(c)19 of the IRS Code. That code,
under which we have tax-exempt status, requires
that at least 75% of our members be either past
or present members of the U. S. Armed Forces. It
further provides that at least 97.5% of the members
must be either present or past members of
the armed forces OR “spouses, widows, widowers,
ancestors or lineal descendents of persons who
have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
That “OR” clause gives us the opening for re-structuring
our membership requirements so that
what we now call “affiliates” could be admitted
into full membership. With this in mind, we are
proposing the following.
The Plan:
1. Restructure the Association so that there is
only one class of membership open alike to LCI
Veterans and any others interested in preserving
the history of LCIs.
2. Recruit Affiliates for leadership in the newlystructured
Association.
3. Continue the Association beyond the 2009
reunion, recognizing that that reunion may
be the last national reunion for the LCI Veterans
themselves. Local and state reunions could continue
and the quarterly newsletter would still be
circulated.
4. Either at the 2009 reunion or as soon as possible
thereafter, transfer the leadership positions
now occupied by LCI Veterans to Affiliates with
any LCI Veteran who desires to do so either staying
on in his position or serving in an advisory
capacity to the Affiliate taking his place.
5. Urge each present LCI Veteran officer to search
for his replacement. Urge all LCI Veterans to
remain as active as possible in all activities of the
Association in support of the new leadership for
as long as possible.
10

The Implementation:
1. Change the membership requirement of our
by-laws (Article IV) to permit full membership for
affiliates as well as LCI Veterans
Article IV of our by-laws, which deals with membership,
presently reads as follows:
Membership in the Corporation is open to personnel
who served aboard the LCI as members of the U.S.
Navy under official Navy Department orders during
World War II and members of the Amphibious forces
and its allies, provided that at least 75% of the members
of the Corporation must be war veterans, which
for purposes of these Articles shall have the meaning
provided under Internal Revenue Code Regulations,
Section 1. 501(c)(19) -1(b)(1) as from time to time
amended and at least 97.5% of all members must be
in one of the categories described in Section
1.501(c)(19)-1((b)(2) of said Regulations as from time
to time amended.
The following two sentences of the present bylaws
stipulate that widows, wives, family members
and friends of LCI veterans can attend
reunions and engage in our social functions with
no voting rights, [emphasis added] but are encouraged
to form an “Association Auxiliary.”
3. Circulate the proposed change in by-laws to
the membership in the January 1008 issue of the
newsletter to prepare the membership for discussion
of the issue at the Mobile reunion. This we
are doing with the publication of this article.
4. Invite comment, discussion and expression of
opinion from the membership on the proposed
change and use this input to determine whether
or not to proceed with the change.
5. As required by our by-laws, present the proposed
change in by-laws for discussion at the
Mobile reunion and for vote at the 2009 Portland
Reunion
So there it is, Gentlemen!
Perhaps one of the most significant changes in
our organization that you have ever been asked
to consider!. We are now counting on you to help
us think this issue through carefully so that our
actions are not only well-intended, but practical
and will result in the continuation into the future
of the heritage of LCIers and of the memories
which are so much a part of our make-up.
We propose that it be amended to read as follows:
Membership in the USS LCI National Association is
open to Navy or Coast Guard Veterans who served
aboard Landing Craft Infantry (LCI), and to any others
interested in preserving the history of LCIs and of the
men who served aboard them, provided that at least
97.5% of the members be in one of the categories
described in Section 1.501(c)(19)-1(b)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code regulations as from time to
time amended.
2. Simultaneously, we will survey all current
Affiliate members to determine their willingness
to serve in the Association if the new membership
policy is approved. Specifically, we will ask
for their willingness to serve as officers, elected or
appointed, and as State Directors.
11

THE SAGA OF THE 1091
By Jim McCarthy, California State Director and Joe Flynn, Assistant California State Director
“Doc” Davis and the 1091
If two ships can make a flotilla, then there is a
proud LCI Memorial Flotilla!
In our last issue we featured the story of the 713
undergoing restoration at the Amphibious Forces
Memorial Museum in Portland. Now we are
equally proud to tell you of the history and present
state of the LCI which has been officially designated
as the flagship of the USS LCI National
Association – the 1091, now being restored by
hard-working volunteers at the Humbolt Bay
Naval Sea/Air Museum in Eureka, California.
Unlike the 713. the 1091 never stopped running.
After its military career came to a halt, it had
extensive use as a commercial fishing vessel in
Alaska. Then it was purchased by Dr. Ralph Davis,
a dentist whose family had been in the fishing
industry. Dr Davis made several modifications on
the venerable vessel and used it for many years
until he donated it to the museum.
We asked our good shipmates in California to
bring us up to date on the status of the 1091 and
are most happy to showcase here the work of
those good people. It’s a story that should remind
us that hard work and perseverance can bring
about great achievements and should heighten
our anticipation of the possibility of the 1091
joining the 713 in Portland for our 2009 reunion.
12

The USS LCI(L) 1091, the Flagship of the USS LCI
National Association, is on the road to recovery—
no, make that restoration!
Two years ago, at the California LCI Reunion in
Eureka, CA, Dr. Ralph and Bobbi Jo Davis
announced the donation of the 1091 to the
Humboldt Bay Naval SEA/AIR Museum. LeRoy
Marsh, Board member of the Museum and
Restoration Project Manager was on hand to
accept the gray lady.
Doc Davis purchased the 1091 some years ago
from a firm in Alaska who used the ship to
process salmon. Doc planned to continue using
the ship for fishing and later sail to the islands of
the Pacific to bring medical assistance to the
islanders. Considerable alterations were made in
the 1091 as she was being readied for her role as
a deep sea fisher and for that planned mission.
Over the years, the 1091 earned her keep (at least
dock fees!) by fishing for albacore in the Pacific
waters off Eureka. This phase of her life came to a
conclusion as Doc Davis developed some health
problems of his own and was unable to continue
the fishing voyages. We’re happy to report that
Doc has now recovered. However, he was unable
to accomplish his long range goal of medical aid
to Pacific islanders.
The 1091 has continued to sail, and she has kept
alive the history of the LCI’s and the men who
sailed them in WW II. In 1995, Doc Davis, at the
urging of California Director Jim McCarthy, agreed
to sail the 1091 some 950 nautical miles down
the California coast to San Diego for the USS LCI
National Association reunion. She made the trip
with a crew of seasoned WW II LCI veterans on a
unforgettable cruise. In San Diego, tied up at the
Broadway Pier during an open house, she welcomed
aboard over 6,000 visitors. After a record
breaking reunion, the 1091 and her Elsie Item
crew sailed back to her home port of Eureka.
Now in the hands of the Humboldt Bay Naval
SEA/AIR Museum, Project Manager LeRoy Marsh is
overseeing the restoration of the 1091. As a first
step, all the equipment that had been added for
fishing was removed. Next, it was stripping paint,
removing spots of rust, and laying on new coats
of Navy gray. Bulkheads that had been added
were removed, and some that had been removed
were replaced. One major advantage in this
restoration effort is that Doc Davis has copies of
the original construction drawings for all LCI configurations.
Ruth Davis, daughter of Ralph & Bobbi Jo Davis,
has compiled this report on the current status of
the 1091:
A cheery hello to the veterans, spouses, and all
Elsie Item readers!
It’s a privilege to respond to Elsie Item editor John
Cummer’s request for an update on the restoration
of LCI(L)1091 in Eureka, California.
My relationship with this vessel blossomed into a
friendship when my father, Captain Ralph Davis,
invited me to serve as one of his crew on fishing
trips. My current interest is in seeing the metamorphosis
of a beloved fishing vessel into a full-fledged
museum which will honor our veterans and educate
the public on an important part of Naval history.
Humboldt Bay Naval SEA/AIR Museum board
members LeRoy Marsh, Mark Neeson and Don
Hanner have all made valuable contributions to
the restoration project. Project manager Marsh,
(USS Helena CA75, EN2, 1957-61) brought me up
to speed on the current status.
“It’s like slowly uncovering the heart and soul of an
LCI,” he said. “The restoration goal is to maintain
the Korean era character of the ship with areas
dedicated to the WWII time period. Troop spaces 3
and 4 are returning to the original configuration
which shows the over-crowded conditions which
existed at that time. (I bet many of you guys know
about that!) Troop space 2 will become a replica of
the laboratory that played a key role when the
1091 was an epidemiological control ship.
“Of course, it’s not easy finding all the right
equipment to bring back the look and feel of a
war-time operational vessel. But Marsh’s previous
13

unsuccessful efforts to acquire the USS Midway
and USS Steritt for the museum did establish
some contacts that have proved to be very helpful
in the Ten Ninety One restoration.”
Joe Canzone, of
the Humbolt
Bay Naval
Sea/Air Museum
views a compartment
of
stored material
donated by the
Navy and
Maritime
Administration
to the 1091
Fortunately, the Navy and the Maritime
Administration allows museums limited access to
reserve fleets for equipment. Artifacts removed
from ships can also be acquired through a special
government program. Thus far the museum has
obtained original-type racks, mattresses, blankets,
and pillows. The enlisted men’s head will have
stainless steel sinks and a D.C. coffee pot will return
to the galley. Enough paint has been acquired to
float the whole ship”.
My dad has a couple of favorite conversation topics
these days regarding restoration. One is getting the
gun tubs back on. Another is a fund-raising idea
which will focus on using converted life boats in a
community racing event.
In addition to the very valuable services of LeRoy
Marsh and the very “addicted” presence of Ralph
Davis, a number of faithful volunteers have shown
up at the right time to either do manual labor or
answer questions and give tours to guests. For
those services we add a great big thank you to: Art
Lewis, Frank Schmidt, Carl and George Thode, Louie
Thomas and Herb Wall. Special thanks also goes to
Mike Murray, our restoration photographer (who
can wield a mighty paint brush as well as a camera),
and Carolyn Marsh, the ever-faithful washer
of coffee cups.
By the time you have this article in your hands, we
will have celebrated another California state
reunion here in Eureka which LeRoy Marsh’s
daughter-in-law Susan Marsh has worked hard to
organize. And another look into the future shows
the 1091 visiting Portland, Oregon, for the Rose
Festival in June, 2009 and participating in the
Golden Fleet.
Ruth E. Davis, Ten Ninety One Crew Member 1998
and 2000
Donations Requested
Donations of photos and LCI memorabilia are welcomed
by the Museum and will be retained as
part of the LCI history available for viewing for
those who tour the ship and accessible to those
doing historical research on LCI’s.
Cost is always an obstacle to be overcome in any
restoration effort. Volunteers can provide much
of the labor, but often some paid technical assistance
is needed and parts and materials can add
up to thousands of dollars in a hurry. The 1091 is
a non-profit corporation, so all of your donations
are tax deductible. Contributions are sorely needed,
will be much appreciated and acknowledged.
In this case, the donor will have the satisfaction of
contributing to the restoration of one of two
known LCI’s afloat, of being part of restoring the
Flagship of the USS LCI National Association and
of assuring that future generations will know the
role of the LCI and the men who manned them in
winning WW II.
Donations of memorabilia or tax deductible monetary
contributions for restoration of the
LCI(L)1091 may be sent to:
Humbolt Bay Naval Sea/Air Museum
P.O. Box 111
Fields Landing, CA, 95537
14

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
We’ve had to be a bit more selective in our letters
this month due to space limitations, but there are
couple that we just felt we had to share with you.
Here they are.
From Associate Member Joel Osborne:
Dear President Cummer,
I am writing to tell you a bit of my Father’s service
as a Amphibious Sailor. He spent the first three
years of the war as a member of the Armed
Guard aboard several different Merchant Ships,
having one sunk from under him.
Prior to the Invasion of France, he was transferred
to a Gun Fire Support Group aboard the LCF-5.
On November 13, 1944, he was transferred to
Commander Amphibious Training Pacific Fleet
ATB Coronado, California for duty aboard the
LCI(L) 772. On the 17th of November that same
year, he was promoted to Gunners Mate 1st Class.
The 772 was then converted to LCI(R) 772. He
took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and
Okinawa. Since a few of the crew were avid
craps-shooters, they felt that if the invasion of
mainland Japan had occurred, the ship would not
survive. Their reasoning was that Iwo and
Okinawa were Natural “7”s while Japan would be
Snake Eyes “2” and a loser.
Dad was called “Pop” by the crew because he was
the lead NCO Gunners Mate and at age 25, he
was one of the oldest men aboard!
I look at his picture and think of the sacrifice that
was made by “Kids” (literally) during WWII. Dad
was a quiet man and never talked about his time
in service, and it was only after his death in 1993,
that I learned any thing about his service. I just
wish I had known while he was alive. He was my
inspiration to begin painting the profiles of the
various LCI and I continue to do so today.
Currently I am working on a four panel painting
of the US Coast Guard LCI’s 85, 91, 92, & 93 that
were sunk at Normandy as a gift for the
Commandant of the Coast Guard.
Pax Christi
Rev. Joel Osborne
From Shipmate Gordon Smith:
Hello Shipmates....Perhaps some of you are
acquainted with Samuel Morison.
He was commissioned by F. Roosevelt to record
the Navy history of WWII and he did a pretty good
job.
I wanted to share a bit of writing of his from “The
Two Ocean War”
“There is nothing in warfare to be compared with
the hushed tension of the final approach in a night
landing. Everything ahead is uncertain. There is no
sound but the rush of waters, the throbbing of
your ship’s engines and of your own heart. You can
see nothing but the ship ahead and the ship astern.
The shore, if dimly visible, is shrouded in darkness.
A few mistakes on our part, or clever thrusts by the
enemy, may utterly wreck a vast, long-planned
effort. There can be no drawn battle, no half-success,
in an amphibious landing; it is win all splendidly
or lose all miserably.”
Gordon Smith,
LCI (L) 43
Vancouver,WA
From Shipmate Joe Flynn:
Not only is it a “small, small world” as Walt Disney
said, but it’s circular too, especially in the case of
LCI Sailors. As you know, Jim McCarthy, California
Director, is in a skilled nursing facility awaiting
entry into the Veterans Home in Chula Vista. And
I told you that by now, everyone in the facility is
familiar with LCI’s and their role in WW II. That
includes other residents as well as staff.
Jim had shared some information about LCI’s and
15

newsletters with a resident who was a Ham Radio
operator. So a few days ago, this guy shares with
Jim an article from his magazine, “QST” the official
journal of the ARRL, the National Association
for Amateur Radio. The article of interest is a
story and photo of a Ham Radio operator in
October at a special event in Eureka, CA aboard
the LCI(L)1091 (Landing Craft Infantry-Large).
I will leave it to those of you more mathematically
inclined to calculate the odds on that connection.
But two things are evident: Jim McCarthy
and the 1091 both get around, and both make a
lasting impression!
Joe Flynn,
Acting California Director
And Another from Shipmate Gordon Smith!
John: After reading the article in the last Elsie
Item where the German narrates the story of the
LCI landing alone [“Did an LCI Arrive Ahead of
Schedule on Omaha Beach?”, from Historian
Robert Wolf, page 25, Issue 61] I did some wondering.
A thought that has been lurking in my
mind for some time.
4. It is a known fact that my ship, the 43, and Ken
Stern’s ship, the 41, were sent into the Gulf of
Gaeta in Italy to draw enemy shore fire so that
the heavy cruisers and aircraft could locate the
German guns hidden in the hills. (Ken Stern
wrote about this in an earlier Elsie Item.
Believe me, I am not a paranoid, but these little
ships with a small crew would make perfect
decoys to draw enemy fire so that the largers
ships could locate the enemy.
I know this sounds pretty whacko, but there are
other instances out there where this pattern of
warfare happened with LCIs involved.
[Maybe I had too much turkey?]
GORDON
Editor’s note: Now if that doesn’t get some discussion
going, I don’t know what will!
Could there be a classification of LCI (D) where the
“D” would stand for “Decoy”? Could LCIs get used
as decoys to test the enemy’s location and
strength?
Examples are:
1. The article you just published.
2. LCI(L) 1 that went into Sicily alone. That is
quite a story in itself – all of the other LCI’s had
the message that the time of the flank turn into
the beach had been delayed, but LCI(L) 1 did not
get that message.
2. The Black Cat Flotilla in the Pacific was certainly
in a position to match the “decoy “ theory.
16

WELCOME ABOARD!
Again we have a great list of new members to welcome aboard! If you see a shipmate listed here, give us
a call or drop us a line and we’ll get the full address to you. We’ve listed them by ship number to help
you spot old shipmates.
And to each of you listed here—a very hearty WELCOME ABOARD! We’ve been looking for you!
New Members
LCI ?
A.G. Bainbridge
Santa Fe, NM
Royal Navy LCI 245 and 101
James H. Whent
Herford, UK
LCI(G) 456
Gerald E. Yensel
Squaw Valley, CA
LCI(L) 746
Anthony J. Camuccio
Mantua, NJ
LCI 820
Harland A. Lehtomaa
Bowling Green, OH
LCI 991
Wallace H. Goodnough
Chula Vista, CA
LCI(R) 1024
Robert L. Penson
Beaverton, OR
LCI 1087
Don Schnack
Golden Valley, MN
LCI(L) 1089
Paul W. O’Toole
Pawtucket, RI
New Lifetime Members
LCI 410
Jefferson Sugg
Cary, NC
New Associate Members
LCI ?
G.G. Kretek
Deming, NM
LCI(R) 551
Rebecca J. Osborne
Oregon City, OR
LCI(L) 552
Robert A. Proulx
Orlando, FL
New Lifetime Associate Members
LCI(G) 404
Donn R. Heath
Winchester, MA
LCI 412
Patrrick D. Blarnes
Seattle, WA
E-Mail Corrections
Please make the following corrections in your e-mail list:
Smith, Lawrence
Buckhalter, George E.
Flemihg, M. Brendan
Goodnough, Wallace H.
Smitty526@earthlink.net
goellen@cox.net
mbrendan_fleming@uml.edu
wallacegoodnough@msn.com
17

California Elsie Item Sailors
Invade Eureka for Reunion
By
Joe Flynn,
Assistant State Director for California
Herb Wall, WW II Sailor who survived
the sinking of the Bismark Sea in 1945
the keynote speaker at the California
LCI Reunion in Eureka, CA, is shown
being introduced by Joe Flynn,
Affiliate Member standing in for
California Director Jim McCarthy.
The September 2007 California LCI Eureka
Invasion was a rousing success as Elsie Item
sailors took over and held a good part of the Red
Lion Hotel. In spite of their advancing years, the
old sailors continued to hold forth in the hospitality
room, while the bartender kept them in good
spirits.
There was one case of minor dehydration which
needed our attention. Gerald Yensel, a veteran of
LCI(G) 456, took a bus, then a train for nine hours
to hit Eureka and then walked a couple miles to
the hotel. When he arrived it was obvious that he
needed attention so appropriate action was
taken, After some welcome liquid refreshment he
recuperated and joined his shipmates in the sea
stories marathon.
Forty LCI members, spouses, relatives and guests
were registered and 60 people attended the banquet.
After breakfast on Wednesday, all hands
reported to the USS LCI(L) 1091 tied up at the
Eureka Municipal Dock with flags flying.
Highlight of the occasion was the opening of a
18

cargo container which had been on the deck of
the USS Gen. John Pope, a mothballed troop carrier
resting comfortably in Suisun Bay east of San
Francisco. The Navy had authorized the
Humboldt Bay Naval Air/Sea Museum to remove
equipment deemed necessary for the restoration
of the 1091. After much work by volunteers, that
container full of equipment had been trucked up
to Eureka the day before by volunteers.
When opened with much fanfare, the container
revealed about 12 tons of equipment; such as
bunks, mattresses, sheets, blankets, fans, lights,
coffee pots, tables, and a host or mechanical and
electrical gear. There were also a number of “jitterbugs.”,
a piece of equipment that would be
loved by all of you who chipped paint by hand! It
is an electric powered paint and rust remover.
Flex cables connect the motor to handles to
which a variety of interchangeable chipping
heads can be attached. A real labor saver.
Judging by the attention paid to the “jitterbugs”
by the volunteers who are restoring the 1091,
they have been chipping a lot of paint by hand.
The Museum also located an LCI Introduction Book,
detailing all aspects of the ship. Not all parts of
the ship are treated equally but every bit is interesting
and useful. Engineering rates one-half
page, electrical gets one page, and the galley gets
one-half page. A really important item, the Coffee
Pot, gets one and one-half pages!. Makes sense!
After all, the ship runs on diesel but the crew runs
on coffee.
Jim has had surgery and missed his first Eureka
Invasion Reunion since he started them in 1996.
Highlight of the reunion was lunch aboard the
1091; the first meal served out of the galley as a
LCI since Oct. 5, 1955. It was served on new original
metal mess trays found in an unopened container
dated 1943 retrieved from the USS Pope.
And as before, the group ate in shifts. Before and
after lunch, the members and guests swarmed
through the ship inspecting the changes, and
approving the paint job inside and out.
At the Banquet the keynote speaker was Herb
Wall a WW II Sailor who still wears his 1945 tailor
made blues. Herb told of the sinking of his
ship the USS Bismarck Sea CVE 95 off Iwo Jima by
kamikazes. Of the 860 man crew, 318 were lost.
Herb was the last of the survivors to be rescued.
Herb was an excellent speaker and well received.
The following morning after a buffet breakfast
and rounds of goodbyes, the LCI sailors, family
and friends headed for home port, until we meet
again.
California Director Jim McCarthy, Motor Mac on
the 685, donated a number of books including a
Navy Manual on the maintenance and repair of
diesel engines. Jim noted in the front of the book:
“I wish had this book before I overhauled the
engines the first time.”
19

IN MEMORIAM
“Almighty and eternal God, from whose love we cannot be parted, either by death or life; hear our prayers
and thanksgiving for those whom we here remember. Grant unto sorrowing family and shipmates the
blessing of your peace that passeth understanding”
LCI 23
Vaughn L. Snook
LCI 405
Charles W. Boyer
LCI 721
Bernard R. Giguere
LCI 45
Ralph Tononen
LCI 473
Richard W. Hickey
LCI 764
Sidney Turner
LCI 76
Lacy Wallace
LCI 481
Lee Roy Thomas
LCI 812
Kenneth Metcalfe
LCI 192
Forest Lovingood
LCI 543
Clarence M. Gilligan
LCI 871
William K. Smith
LCI 227
John L. Butler.
LCI 556
J. Ralph Hudson
LCI 999
Georg Milmore
LCI 336
Philip B. Wagner
LCI 614
Upton L. Anderson
LCI 1011
Lester E. Baribo
LCI 344
Lloyd Hewitt
LCI 631
John Pargeans
LCI 1012
Vernon Divers
LCI 344
John A.Marino, Jr.
LCI 644
Leser Baribo
LCI 1069
William B. Haddix
LCI 359
Thomas E. Murray
LCI 657
William Monte Strehlow
LCI 365
Henry C. Ferebee
LCI 689
Euene P, Coscarelli
20

OUR LCI HISTORIANS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING!
They have been busy!
Since their appointment as official historians for
the LCI National Association, Dennis Blocker and
John France have been busy. Along with Roger
Grey, they have made great progress in their ongoing
pursuit of LCI history and its preservation.
Foremost among their activities was an extended
visit to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to
search out photographic coverage of LCIs during
WWII. Dennis proposed the research trip and the
board enthusiastically supported it financially.
We invited Dennis and John to make their reports
directly to you, so here they are in their own words:
From Dennis Blocker, Historian for the Pacific Area:
Since taking on the helm
of LCI Historian for the
Pacific War much has been
done to preserve your history.
John France and I
have been very busy and
have been able to provide
each other with leads in
our particular theaters of
operations. I am very excited
about the work which has been done.
As soon as I was nominated to be the historian
for the Pacific War at the LCI Reunion in Branson,
I immediately began to seek out pictures and documents
from the men who were in attendance
there. I borrowed three photo albums (one from
Ralph Langenheim, one from Robert Harker and
one from Richard Churchill) and took them to a
Walgreens there in Branson where I had 4x6
prints made of the pictures. (This is where I was
during the main business meeting when my
name was called and I was not in attendance!) I
also spoke to many of the men there and asked
them to send as much material as they could to
me.
As soon as I got home, I started a weekly correspondence
by phone with John France and Roger
Gray in which we hashed out ideas and spoke of
ideas in collecting LCI history.
I then recommended a project which I thought
would give great benefit to the LCI men. The project
concerned sending a team of three people to
the National Archives to retrieve LCI photos contained
in their collections. I prepared a report
which estimated the cost in requesting one picture
from the National Archives through normal
procedures as at least thirty to forty dollars for
one 8x10 photo. I determined that it would be
much less expensive if a team of us went to
Washington, did the research and retrieved photos
on scanners for computer storage. My proposal
was accepted; and the Board, to my surprise
and delight, agreed to fund the project.
Though all three of us were originally slated to
go, only Roger Gray and myself were able to go.
Unfortunately John France was unable to go
because of last minute responsibilities connected
with his position in the U. S. Border Patrol. The
results of the trip were magnificent. Roger Gray
and I came away with almost 900 pictures. The
cost of attaining these pictures via ordering
through the mail would have amounted to close
to 36,000 dollars. By going to D.C. to scan them
we came away with the pictures at a price of
2,500 dollars. Amazing! These photos will be on
display at Mobile and will be available to all
members.
Another project I have been working on involves
finding men on the ship’s rosters sent to me by
men of the different LCIs. This involves a lot of
time on the computer and phones and has proven
to be very rewarding. I have also been randomly
selecting names off the membership list and
sending them a handwritten letter requesting
them to send me what materials they can gather.
21

I also have had some success in finding families of
the men on the LCI Killed In Action List. I have
located cousins, brothers, sisters and nieces of
men who were killed in action on LCIs 1, 32, 82,
366,365 and the 438. I am now pursuing information
on the men of the 821. I also have compared
the LCI KIA list with the records listed by the official
Navy Casualty list prepared in 1946. By comparing
every name on the list I was able to get
proper spellings of these names and a home town
for each man.
John France and I have vowed to do our best to
insure the list is kept up to date to the best of our
knowledge and ability. The sacrifice these men
made demands it! This information has been sent
to the LCI Webmaster who is very supportive and
the corrections have been made.
I am also adding to the LCI archives all materials I
received from men for the LCI video I showed in
Branson. This is a great collection of period photos
and documents which amounts to about fifty
different men.
I am also adding all of my files I have accumulated
in the pursuance of material related to the
book I am writing about LCI Group 8 at Iwo Jima.
This is over one hundred and twenty different
files with each file representing an individual
man. These files are excellent. In my research I
have learned that there were about fifty-four LCI
men killed in Group 8 at Iwo Jima and I have
located family and pictures on almost thirty-six of
them.
Because of the articles published in Elsie Item concerning
the preservation of LCI history, John
France and I receive packages almost daily. John is
enthusiastic about the newest stories he has
uncovered.
Here is an example of the rewards we receive
from our work:
About two weeks ago I received a box from an LCI
veteran wishing to preserve all of his original
materials related to LCIs. In the box was a letter
he had sent to a shipmate of his named Harold
Prioux. The letter was addressed, “Harold Prioux
or His Family.” The date sent was 1995. The post
office stamped it undeliverable as the family no
longer resided at the address he had retrieved
from an old phone book. Also on the outside of
the letter was a yellow post it note addressed to
me asking me to find family of Mr. Prioux as they
would definitely want the contents of the letter.
In the letter were sixteen pictures of Harold
Prioux aboard the LCI they had served on. Within
five minutes I had located Harold Prioux’s son
Rusty who resides in Louisiana.
Rusty was so excited about the pictures because,
he had never seen his dad as he had lost his life in
1951. He was killed pulling people from gas
vapors. All the people survived but his dad. He
had no pictures of his dad during the war and in
fact only had one picture of his dad. What a day it
was for him and for me. He now has these pictures
and is so excited about the upcoming
reunion in Mobile.
The items sent to me from the former LCI
Archives in the Calvert Museum, Solomons,
Maryland, are in the process of being indexed .
This is a huge undertaking but necessary. The
materials have proved to be a huge asset in finding
more LCI men.
It would be impossible to list all lJohn France and
I are doing, but you may rest assured that we are
working hard.
Concerning the future, it is our goal to have all
the records we acquire copied at least three times
as a whole and distributed to three or four museums
across the country. The benefits to this
would be many:
In the event of a natural disaster or other calamity
there will be back up collections in other locations
containing the same exact materials
The museums will be chosen by geographic location
so as to make them more accessible to more
people. If donations can be attained there is no
22

limit to the number of locations we can have
records placed. At this time we have identified
four locations where we would like to have
records located: The National Museum of the
Pacific War Fredricksburg, TX; the Calvert Marine
Museum, Solomon’s Island, MD; the Amphibious
Forces Museum Vancouver, WA; and the National
D-Day Museum, New Orleans, LA.
The materials are being indexed in such a way
that a person researching the Philippines during
WW II will be able to look at the index we will
supply and see exactly which files contain stories
about the Philippines. Without such an index a
historian might be discouraged seeing boxes full
of personal accounts with no idea if his diligence
in reading will be paid off with the info he/she
seeks. The result of such a scenario could be that
the LCI story is bypassed as, “way too much trouble.”
We want it to be “user friendly.”
In our “bull sessions” we have agreed that we
would like to see the LCI Association start a,
“Preserve LCI History Fund.” This fund would be
used in finding LCI men or their relatives. For
example, we have copies of the old National LCI
Association membership lists as well as copies of
rosters of many different LCIs. Funds could be
used in sending letters trying to find next of kin
who will supply us with photos and documents.
For instance, one lady whom I recently found by
using a roster of the LCI(L)-969, provided me with
almost one hundred pictures of the crew and
ship. We feel the largest benefit to having an LCI
History fund would be in the copying of all the
materials we acquire.
If funds are forthcoming, we want to plan a time
in the future when we get as many people
together as we can and go to a KINKOS or other
copy place to make copies of everything we have
in preparation for their dissemination to the
other museums. Since, we are representing the
LCI men we feel it will only be acceptable if it is
top notch. Everything will need to be placed in
binders etc…It will be fun but also a lot of hard
work and require a lot of money.
We love what we are doing and we love the ships
and men who served on the LCI’s of WW II. I love
to remember that my grandfather was with you
all. Thank you for this opportunity. I hope you all
are pleased with the work we are doing. Please
keep in mind that we all are working full time
jobs. John France is a Border Patrol sector commander
with heavy responsibilities. I am working
twelve hour shifts at night in a trauma center ER
and maintaining a wonderful relationship with
my girlfriend who I am going to propose to on
December 25th. I am also trying to maintain
momentum on the book I have been working on
for the last six years.
These are exciting times for us and I know they
are for you as well. It is more exciting because it is
being done by the children and grandchildren of
the LCI men.
From John France, Historian for the
Atlantic/European Area
Since volunteering to be
the Historian for the
Atlantic/Med. War I have
interviewed many LCIers
and I have conducted as
much research as my full
time job and family will
permit. I have learned a
lot, especially concerning
LCI actions in the
Mediterranean of which I was previously ignorant.
I have only scratched the surface, but I am
very enthusiastic to learn more. I only know the
general story of LCIs in the Mediterranean with
notable exceptions of a few LCIs. I have much
more research to do before I can write any accurate
history of that area of operations.
Last month I received a letter from Association
member Patrick O’Donnell of LCI 487. He lamented
the fact that the story of LCI 487 on June 6,
1944, has never been told. I accepted the challenge
and during the last few weeks interviewed
Pat and five of his shipmates who are also members
of the Association. The story of LCI 487 is
23

also the story of LCI 93 and the Destroyer Doyle.
In a nutshell, LCI 487 took hits while landing
troops on Omaha Beach. They got stuck on the
sand bar and could not retract. The Captain
orders 3/4 of his crew to abandon ship while the
others waited on board for 12 hours until they
could slide off the beach during the next rising
tide. The bulk of the crew made a wild dash
under fire to LCI 93 which had just landed troops
and sought refuge on board. The German guns
tracked the fleeing LCIers from 487 to LCI 93 and
then destroyed LCI 93 with ten direct hits. The
crews of both LCIs were rescued by the Destroyer
USS Doyle where some of the LCIers had a front
row seat of the Doyle pounding the German pillboxes
with her 5 inch guns. It is a great story!
Dennis also gave me a lead to locate LCI 93
Stewards Mate John N. Roberts who was seriously
wounded on D-Day. I located him in a round
about way through Iola Williams, Director of the
African American Military History Museum in
Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This was the tip from
Dennis which led to Betsy Loren Plumb of the
WWII Museum, formerly the D-Day Museum in
New Orleans. Betsy was no longer was employed
there, but this contact led me to Thomas Loftan,
Historian for the WWII Museum, In another
“misdirection” I was led me to a wrong number
for John N. Roberts in Los Angeles (Would you
believe it, the guy who answered the phone hung
up on me!) This led me back to WWII Museum
Historian Thomas Loftan, which led me to another
phone number designated as “daughter of John
Roberts”, which led me to the son-in-law of John
Roberts—Marshall Metoyer—who in turn surprised
me by handing the telephone to John
Roberts who happens to live with his daughter
and son in law. Whew! What a trip!
I had a great interview with Mr. Roberts who had
no knowledge of the USS LCI National
Association. I suspect he will be a member soon.
I directed his son-in-law to the LCI website and he
told me he logged on the guest book. Mr. Roberts
gave me a lead on a Pharmacist Mate of LCI 93
(not an Association member). I will attempt to get
in touch with him this week.
I also re-visited Patrick O’Donnell yesterday. He
gave me a lead on a sailor who had served on the
USS Doyle.
Along with all of this, I am reaching out to the
Association of the 1st Division—the “Big Red
One”—in an attempt to locate survivors of that
Division from the D Day landings.
The information is coming in fast and furious and
I have already begun a draft for a story for the
Elsie Item. Look for it in the near future.
24

Toward an Accurate Killed in Action List
It is our desire to assemble as accurate a listing of LCIers killed in action during World War II as possible.
For some time we have been aware that this list may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. It is our
hope that the list can be clarified so that it can be permanently posted on our website and, with a suitable
memorial aboard the two remaining LCIs with which we are in connection – the 1091 and the 713.
Please give this list your careful scrutiny. If you are aware of corrections or additions that need to be
made, please notify Chairman of the Board Jim Talbert who will assemble all corrections and compile a
more complete and accurate list. Jim can be reached as follows: 12238 Woodland Trail, Council Bluffs, IA
51503. Telephone 712/366-1094; email address: tab626@cox.net.
Here is your opportunity to see that our brave shipmates who gave their lives in that great struggle are
properly remembered
LCI 1
Harold L. Reynolds
John W. Finch
LCI 73
Don N. Mace
Fabin A. Rivera
Charles J. Gilbride
Kenneth Talley
Russell R. Stark
Robert T. Riardan
Ralph Harding
Ralph A.Austin
Stanley C. Winkler
John E. Campbell
LCI 74
William E. Dutre
Lawrence M. Kennedy
Bernard Yank
LCI 9
Hamp L. Richardson
Ernest L. Fletcher
LCI 24
(First name unknown) Wilson
Ralph DiMeola
LCI 76
Miles Beck
LCI 10
Mahlon Paulson
LCI 33
Charles Bates
Walber Kaczyski
LCI 87
LCI 32
Merle Levell
Howel Leary
LCI 16
George L. Marsh
Rocky Stone
Stoy Kay Alexander
Dilbert B. Mallams
LCI 47
William Frere
Earl W. Rubens
Harry Ekey
LCI 18
Olindo P. Martelle
LCI 70
LCI 88
John W. Paige
Jack Elkins
D.H. Shook
Richard I. Frere
Thomas J. Brown
Joseph Byer
Warren J. Moran
LCI 20
Paul L. Nardilla
Robert Craycraft
Rocco Simone
Don Hamilton
William L. Nisbit
Walter G. Kaiser
LCI 23
Charles W. Seavey
John F. Guethloin
Densil R. Phillips
Charles A. Poole
LCI 90
(First name unknown) Ross
Theodore Morano
Robert H. Jackson
George Pressley
George H. Gootee
Warren B. Johnson
James O. Vincent
LCI 91
Loys V. Hayes
David A. Purcell
Eugene Henry Whalen
James E. Atterberry
Ruben C. Kale
Eugene L. Sales
Leslie Fritz
Anthony J. Pulice
Arnold G. Resterstorf
Herbert Starke
George A. Cabana
LCI 72
(First name unknown) Manzel
Ernest Johnson
Stanley Wilczak
25

LCI 94
LCI 216
LCI 238
LCI 396
August B. Buncik
James A. Hayes
T.E. Shadron
James R. Wertz
Fletcher Burton, Jr.
Robert L. Jones
LCI 321
John P. Mannino
Jack DeNunzio
aurMice Bomell
Edward Rybicki
Bobby G. Ozbirn
Delonda J. Self
LCI 209
LCI 218
LCI 339
Robert J. Calvert
George McAllister
David H. Muth
Fay B. Begor
Oliver E. Cole
Earl L. Roberts
Charles V. Foxx
LCI 211
LCI 341
Gervese J. Keefe
LCI 219
Robert W. Wolf
LCI 408
Charles Veneseke
Russell L. Bloom
Raymond Aubin
Loren B. Owens
Lawrence R. Waller
LCI 342
Otis H. Merrill
Johnson B. Wiles
James Earman
LCI 422
Alton J. Wright
Cornelius Dereoy
William Jenkins
Oliver E. Burton
Lester R. Bumps
LCI 344
Jack G. Johnson
Albert F. Combs
Robert Pumphrey
LCI 212
John M. Longman
Jack Lanbert
LCI 439
Willie Stafford
Cyril O’Conner
James Palmer
Jessie J. Marzie
J.A. Ryman
Rolen C. Sikes
Edward Woodzien
Dewey L. Mayes
W.A. Light
Donald Rhodes
LCI 232
LCI 346
Lawrence M. White
LCI 213
Howard J. Dague
Leonard Stevenson
Lonnie L. Albert
Roger Huskisson
LCI 440
Vincent G. Farrell
Walton K. Ellis
LCI 347
Paul M. McGawan
Leroy R. Chamberlain
Leland A. Glover
Garland Eddington
Robert F. Graham
Allen C. Jensen
Wilbert E. Henke
Joseph Mercali
Roger F. Johnson
LCI 365
Thomas F. Smay
LCI 214
George A. Kelley
Charles Martin
Robert Zielinksi
Charles F. Kennedy
Robert A. Mett
Andrew Lesezynski
Earl L. Miller
Richard A. Kapff
Mack Penawell
Edward W. Nemeth
Fred J. Spicer
Jack T.Twiggs
Frank J. Petricca
Clifford Mosseman
W. Edward Pappen
Adam T. Picozzi
Charles O. Rector
Thomas Wilkenson
John J. Shrives
John J. Gibbs
LCI 441
LCI 215
Frank Souza
William T. Conners
Grant R. Redding
Raphael Weinstein
LCI 366
William E. Griffin
Thomas L. Leonard
William J. Barry
Jack D. Starbuck
Robert C. Gragg
LCI 237
James F. Macwatty
Julian R. Scott
James L. Riley
Clyde Roberson
Carmelo R. Sedon
Clinton E. Snider
Richard C. Steyer
Glenn O. Long
Robert W. Unger
Moses Trexler
26

LCI 442
LCI 466
LCI 473
LCI 821
Paul D. Mayes
Thomas E. Coppinger
Joseph Edward Davis
Wayne A. Seath
Gorden McCuiston
Huey P. Hester
Dominick Santana
Lee Henley Raigins
George W. Meckley
Charles E. Barton
Gonzales
Robert E. Kriniak
Fleet F. Willis
Glenn A. Foldessy
Floyd E. Wright
Robert E. Pipelow
LCI 474
LCI 951
AlexanderW. Finney
Horace J. Long
Daryl G. Huish
Floyd Mage
Fred H. Gray
LCI 449
LCI 468
Donald S. Rappold
LCI 974
Byron C. Yarbrough
Dean L. Beemer
Lester H. Welch
William W. Banft
Frederick Cooper
Leslie G. Foss
Sidney F. Brennan
William G. Corkins
Dewey A. Hayhurst
LCI 475
Emidue J. Falini
Lawrence Bozarth
Joseph A. Hunter
Leo P. Selan
Richard E. Kern
Edward P. Brockmeyer,
Lyan S. Long
Charles Passwater
USMC
Robert G. Marquis
LCI 559
Thomas F. Sheehan
John T. Floock
Robert Barnett
Donald M. Gross
Bruce Goodin
Robert G. Davis
LCI 979
Clarence J. Hoffman
J.B. Gladdis
LCI 580
Martin J. Fleishman
William H. Hudson
Hollis W. Hicks
George C. Thomas
Martin F. Deem
Robert R. Minnick
Steven A. Karko
William C. Nordon
Ralph Owens
Woodrow B. Maggard
LCI 600
LCI Unknown
Lareto F. Paglia
Ralph E. Parks
Seth Bailey
Clifford H. Radford
Carl F. Park
Ralph E. Spaugh
Glen De Quaisie
John J. Cray
Howard W. Schoenieben
Edwin Janacek
William Tominac
LCI 471
Glenn H. Trotter
Louis P. Hagan
LCI 621
Charles E. Vogel
Jessie L. Adamson
Raymond Carter
Frederick F. Walton
James F. Bernethy
Leroy Young
Richard Cano
LCI 726
Lee C. Yates
Billie J. Harris
Jerome Pruchnieski
Harry L. McGrath
Troy L. Morehouse
Robert A. Compton
William P. Morrissey
LCI 450
Donald Nygard
LCI 807
Jack H. Musselman
Richard H. Pond
Andrew Karsen
Jerry A. Terracciano
LCI 457
James W. White
LCI 812
Willard D. Helvey
Walter Siek
27

28
PICTURES FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF NAVAL AVIATION

OFFICIAL LISTING OF LCIs SUNK DURING WWII
We are grateful to our Secretary/Treasurer Hal Bleyhl for this listing. Hal discovered it on
the website of the Naval Historical Center, Washington, DC
Landing Craft, Infantry (Gunboat) (LCI(G))
USS LCI(G)-82 sunk by Japanese suicide boat off
Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 4 April 1945.
USS LCI(G)-365 sunk by Japanese suicide boat in
Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 January
1945.
USS LCI(G)-459 sunk off Palau, Caroline Islands, 19
September 1944.
USS LCI(G)-468 sunk, 17 June 1944.
USS LCI(G)-474 sunk off Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
17 February 1945.
Landing Craft, Infantry (Large) (LCI(L))
USS LCI(L)-1 sunk off Bizerte, Tunisia, 17 August
1943.
USS LCI(L)-20 sunk off Anzio, Italy, 22 January 1944.
USS LCI(L)-32 sunk off Anzio, Italy, 26 January 1944.
USS LCI(L)-85 sunk off northern France, 6 June 1944.
USS LCI(L)-91 sunk off northern France, 6 June 1944.
USS LCI(L)-92 sunk off northern France, 6 June 1944.
USS LCI(L)-93 sunk off northern France, 6 June 1944.
USS LCI(L)-219 sunk off northern France, 11 June
1944.
USS LCI(L)-232 sunk off northern France, 6 June
1944.
USS LCI(L)-339 sunk off New Guinea, 4 September
1943.
USS LCI(L)-416 sunk off northern France, 9 June
1944.
USS LCI(L)-497 sunk off northern France, 6 June
1944.
USS LCI(L)-553 sunk off Northern France, 6 June
1944.
USS LCI(L)-600 sunk by undetermined explosion at
Ulithi, Caroline Islands, 12 January 1945.
USS LCI(L)-684 sunk off Samar, Philippine Islands, 12
November 1945.
USS LCI(L)-1065 sunk off Leyte, Philippine Islands, 24
October 1944.
Landing Craft, Infantry (Mortar) (LCI(M))
USS LCI(M)-974 sunk by Japanese suicide boat in
Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 10 January
1945.
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER -- 805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON, DC 20374-5060
29

Your Officers and Board of Directors
Please feel free to contact any of the officers or directors listed below for whatever comments or questions
you may have. If the person you contact does not know the answer to your question, he will direct you
to one that can. We’re here to serve you!
OFFICERS
James E. Talbert,
Chairman of the Board
(LCI 618)
12238 Woodland Trail
Council Bluffs IA 51503
(712) 366-1094
tab626@cox.net
John P. Cummer, President
(LCI 502)
302 Pinewood Cottage Lane,
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-9098
cummerj@bellsouth.net
Rod Scurlock, Vice President
(LCI 565)
4445 Mustang Drive
Boise, Idaho 83709
(208) 362-4447
rhscurlock@aol.com
Hal Bleyhl, Treasurer
LCI(L) 812
10418 Campville St.
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 639-9180
hbleyhl@aol.com
David Cox, Chaplain
(LCI 633)
413 Tupilo Way NW
Birmingham, AL 35215
(205) 854-6229
Swabby1@bellsouth.net
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Aydelotte
(LCI 25)
3710 Goldfield Road #425
Apache Junction, AZ 85219-6609
Jj10723@aol.com
Gordon Smith
LCI(L) 43
2313 Northeast 110th Avenue
Vancouver, WA 98684
(360) 256-5901
lohning@aol.net
Roger Gray
Director Representing Affiliates
2104 Delvin Lane
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 351-0804
lci454@yahoo.com
OVERSEER
Roy E. Age
( LCI 802)
412 Silver Streak Lane
Valrico, FL 33594
(813) 689-5102
royeroyage@cs.com
We regret to announce the resignation of Connie Mulherin as a member of the Board of Directors and
State Director for Florida for health reasons.
We wish Connie a speedy recovery and thank him for his valuable service to the Association
NOTICE: Please send information or questions about membership, dues payment, address,
email or telephone changes to:
Nehemiah Communications, Inc,
101 Rice Bent Way, # 6
Columbia, SC 29229
Please send information concerning the death of an LCI shipmate to:
James E. Talbert
12238 Woodland Trail
Council Bluffs IA 51503
Please send any communications concerning Elsie Item to:
John P. Cummer, Editor
302 Pinewood Cottage Lane,
Blythewood , SC 29016
30

USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
If you served aboard an LCI, you are eligible to join our Association as a regular member.
If you are a relative of someone who served aboard an LCI or if you just have a desire to have a part in remembering
those who so served, you are invited to join as an Associate.
DUES ARE $25.00 PER YEAR, June 1 through May 31.
Please complete this form and mail it to the address indicated below with your first year’s dues.
I. For Application as a Regular Member:
Name______________________________________________________________________________________________________
LCI Served On _______________________ Rank/Rate___________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________ State_________________ Zip Code________________________
Phone (__________) ____________________________ E-Mail address_______________________________________________
Date of Birth____________________
Occupation or Former Occupation_______________________________ Wife’s name___________________________________
Help, please! As a precaution we’d like to have an alternate name and address that we might contact in case we can’t reach you:
Alternate Name_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________ State_________________ Zip Code________________________
Phone (__________) ____________________________ E-Mail address_______________________________________________
II. For Application as an Associate:
Name______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________ State_________________ Zip Code________________________
Phone (__________) ____________________________ E-Mail address_______________________________________________
Date of Birth____________________
Occupation ____________________________________ Spouse’s name ______________________________________________
My _________________________ (father, grandfather, uncle, etc.) whose name is/was _________________________________
served on LCI Number______________________ (If unknown or if you did not have a relative who served on an LCI, leave blank)
My Occupation _______________________________ Spouse’s name _______________________________________________
Help, please! As a precaution we’d like to have an alternate name and address that we might contact in case we can’t reach you:
Alternate Name_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
City________________________________________________ State_________________ Zip Code________________________
Phone (__________) ____________________________ E-Mail address_______________________________________________
Privacy notice: Information solicited in this application for membership will be used only as needed for official business within the
Association. No information will be released outside the Association or its agents without the consent of the member(s) concerned
Make Check payable to: USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Send Application and Check to:
USS LCI National Association
c/o Nehemiah Communications, Inc.
101 Rice Bent Way, #6
Columbia, SC 29229
31

USS LCI NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
c/o Nehemiah Communications, Inc.
101 Rice Bent Way, #6
Columbia, SC 29229
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
COLUMBIA, SC
PERMIT NO. 487
For some great LCI After-Christmas Shopping!
Check out “Tiny Clarkson’s Ship’s Stores”
at www.amphibiousforces.com