LST (491) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE OL, DOUBLE TROUBLE Chancellor, F. E., MoMM2fc3 C0163 D-, Flfcs Cum- mings, L. M., Flfcg Dehler, N. A., S2!c3 Dickinson, A. C., S2!cg Durham, W. D., F2!cg Evans, E. W., Flfcg Fiorentino, B. J., Flfcg Fout, W. E., Slfcg Gundy, E., EM3!cg Jurusik, J., S2!cg Kalamain, M., S2!cg Kantner, M., S2!cg Katnik, W. M., S2!c3 Kessner, M., S2!cg Kolodziej, A. J., F3!cg Korb, R. L., S2fcg Kowing, R. L., Flfcg Lainas, T. G., F3fcg Larrissey, F., S2!cg Larson, P. B., S2!cg Layton, R., S2!cg Lee, G. L., S2!cg Lee, R. E., F2!cg Lewis, A. F., S2!cg Libold,.W. J., MoMM2!c, Loesch, H. H., S2fc, Loudon, W. A., S2!cg Lurty, YV. L., S2!cg Lynch, F. J., S2fcg MacDonald, G. L., S2!cg Mackey, T., S2!cg Manners, T., RM3!cg Mauro, B. T., S2!cg Novak, R., Flfcg Parnow, C., F2fcg Pyle, C. R., AS, Rinehart, C. C., F2fcg Rison, G., Flfcg Sullivan, J. F., QM2!cg Summers, H. C., S2!c3 Schrager, M., MoMM2!cg Sweeney, F. J., S2!cg Thompson, A., S2!cg lNade, E. F., Phm.2!cg Wasielewski, R. J., SC3!c, Wilson, W. C., SC1!cg Winfree, R. E., F2!cg and Winn, R. H. Flfc. XrVe also had aboard a nucleus Grew with Lt. R. C. Gerfen, USNR, acting as prospective Executive officer and Ensign R. Tuckwiller, USNR, as prospective First Lieutenant. On the following day, November 23, 1943, we sailed from Evansville, Indiana, down the Ohio River. The Coast Guard skeleton crew was responsible for piloting the ship safely to New Orleans. At night we would anchor as the fog was usually too thick for safe navigation. We anchored off Memphis, Tennessee one night and were able to obtain our first ship service 6 .

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5' V I' ' . Y A . 2 Our Ship On November 22 we met the LST 491 for the first time. We were all very excited as this was the start of a new experience g this ship was to be our home for how long we did not know. The 491 was the first of the 491-542 six davit LST's, built by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company at Evansville, Indiana. The LST 492 was berthed just astern and we got to know Lt. Pappy Newman, the skipper, and his crew. The 491 was placed in reduced commission on November 23, 1943 with the following Officers and crew aboard, as yet still in a passenger status: Lieutenant R. E. Fahnestock, USNR, Commanding Oflicerg Lieu- tenant W. M. Hemphill, USNR, Executive Officer, Lt. C. E. Stoker, USNR, Engineering Officer, Ensign J. W. Knox, USNR, Communications Ofhcerg Ensign L. Sil- verstein, Jr., USNR, First Lieutenant, Ensign R. M. Dickinson, USNR, Gunnery Officer, Ensign W. T. Baker, USNR, Stores Officer. The following men were in the crew: Adams, RM Sfcg Aldrich, RM Sfcg Andria, J. F .,'S2fc5 Anderson, G., S2!cg Berger, F., Flfcg Blake- slee, D. W., MoMMf2c3 Bradley, W. E., GM3!cg Calla- ghan, J. J., Slfcg Callahan, P. H., F2!cg Causey, J. M. R., F2fc, Clark, T. B., F2!cg Ciccone, J-, 5M3fC3 5

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OUR SHIP order of candy, cigarettes, etc. It was ia small one, but enough to go around for all. T We arrived at Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Decem- ber 2 and fueled, then proceeded to New Orleans and docked at Algiers Naval Station. In the afternoon the mast was erected, the ship placed in full Commission, and the Ensign hoisted. lfVe were now on our own. That afternoon we received the following draft of men from Solomons Maryland ATB: Brock, M. D., MOMM Zfcg Clark, R. P., SCQBQSXCQ Clark, W. J., BKRSXCQ Fox, B., STM2!cg Criep, R. G., Y3!cg Hadley, H. P., Slfcg Hilton, T., Flfcg Lovergine, P., S2!cg Mudd, O. O., S2!cg Smith, L. J., STM2fcg Suey, W., GM3!cg and Wilson, C. E., Coxwain. r Ensign Lloyd Moody, USNR, and his crew of twelve men also reported aboard to await the loading of the LCT 596. Mr. Moody was a line fellow and very popular with all who knew him. Our next few days were hectic ones. The workers from the shipyard seemed to pour aboard like a mass of ants. They had a great deal of work to finish that had not been completed at Evansville. On December 6, Norris, C., EM3!c reported aboard for duty and on the following day we received Ensign W. M. Boston and Ensign Danny Buterbaugh. On December 8, Brown, P. H., Coxwaing on December 9, Clifton, C. F., S2!c, and on December ll, Banford, Freddie, STM3!c and Antoine, O. A., STM3!c. On December 20, we were 7