elsie item issue 61 - USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association

YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY!The Trials and Triumphs of LCI 713What a tale!From her proud beginning as a participantin Pacific combat landings in World War II, toher demise as a rust-bucket sitting on the bottomof the river after years of neglect andabuse, to her incredible resurrection due tothe almost fanatic dedication of men like WaltJames, Leon Gilbo and a crew of hard-workingvolunteers, the ship has an inspiring story.It’s a story many of us have had the privilegeof sharing in or observing. Now, sinceshe figures largely in our plans for our 2009reunion – and because she is a living reminderto all of us of our own LCIs - we want to bringyou up to date with a resume of her past historyand some of her latest adventures – andmisadventures!Showing unmistakable signs of years of neglect, the 713awaits the attention of her dedicated restorers11