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  • New Info Re: Iwo Jima Battle

    This article below was recently sent me by John Cummer, Editor of the USS LCI Nat'l. Assoc. Elsie Item Newsletter that will be in this months Newsletter. I've been sending him material for the issues so he sent me an advanced copy.
    Some more unpublished history from 62 years ago. Vaughn
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    The Gunboats at Iwo Jima:
    Elsie Item - Part I

    The Full Story: Action Reports and Deck Logs of the Ships Involved (Elsie item)

    Compiled and Submitted by
    Carl V. Batzkall


    We all take great pride in the story of the valiant stand of the LCI gunboats protecting the Underwater Demolition Teams two days before D-Day on February 17, 1945. We’ve visited it several times before with pictures and first hand accounts from some of our members who were there, but now we have an interesting, most complete account of that action. Dealing especially with the wounded and how they were treated, it is from one of our members who is a Navy history buff and a Navy veteran himself. We are proud to share it with you.

    Carl Batztall, Stickney, Illinois, has been a member of our Association since 1998. Although not an LCI’er himself, he served in the Navy during the Viet Nam era aboard the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) from April 1968 until November 1971. Walter Kopaz, one of our founding officers and first editor of Elsie Item, recruited him to the USS LCI National Association. Carl became an avid reader of Elsie Item and became engrossed with the account of the Iwo Jima LCI gunboats. He writes:

    “I became engrossed in the three page article “The LCI Gunboats at Iwo Jima” in issue 38, the seven page article “Request Permission to Return to the Firing Line” in issue 45, and the two page article “LCI (G) 457 – One of the Valiant at Iwo Jima” in issue 55.

    “After reading Bob Harker’s LCI (G) Group 8 Action Report I got to wondering, ‘What happened to all the casualties that were transferred off the LCI’s and onto the different ships mentioned in the Action Report?’
    So intrigued was Carl to find the answer to tha question and to learn as much detail as he could about the operation that he ordered all of the 17 February 1945 LCI (G) deck logs and those of the different ships involved from the National Archives. He found that some of the deck logs were incomplete, so ordered the Action Reports.

    What we now present here is the result of Carl’s dedicated labor – excerpts from the action reports and deck logs of the ships involved. We believe that it deserves circulation among all LCI Veterans and ultimate inclusion in the LCI Archives at Solomons, Maryland. We would even be so bold as to hope that Oliver North learns of this heroic action and includes it in an episode of his TV series, “War Stories”!

    Because of the length of this account, we will present half of it in this issue and conclude it in the next.

    Synopsis:

    On 17 February 1945, two days prior to the main invasion of Iwo Jima, the LCI (G)’s 457(FF), 438, 441, 449, 450, 473 and 474 of Group 8, Flotilla 3, were sent in to protect the Underwater Demolition Teams doing beach reconnaissance.

    It was perhaps one of the bloodiest days ever for the LCI’s in World War Two.

    The four UDT’s were embarked in the destroyer transports (APD’s) Barr, Bates, Bull, and Blessman. At a distance of 500 yards of the beach, the UDT’s would make their plunge. The seven aforementioned LCI (G)’s firing their 20mm and 40mm guns at the beaches and preparing to launch their 4.5” rockets followed them. Soon after these gunboats passed the 1,500-yard line, mortar shells began falling among them; a little later, as they were beginning to launch rockets, they came under intense fire from the flanks of the beaches.

    Between 1055 and 1105 the seven LCI (G)’s advancing in line abreast began to take hits but pressed on to support the swimmers until forced out by damage and casualties. The
    reserve and unassigned Group 8 LCI(G)s 346, 348, 466, 469 and 471 dashed in to replace them, only to be hit in turn time after time.
    2
    - LCI (G)’s 438, 441, 471 and several others, although hit several times, gallantly returned to the fray after retiring from it just long enough to extinguish their fires and plug holes in their hulls.

    All twelve of Group 8’s LCI (G)’s took part and all were hit, but the stuck to it until the swimmers of the UDT’s were recovered and clear. During this engagement LCI (G) 474 was abandoned and sunk after sustaining heavy damage and casualties.

    As was said of the LCI (G)’s: “Their courage and persistence inspired everyone who watched these vessels.”

    All entries are for 17 February 1945 unless otherwise noted.

    Deck Log, LCI Group 8, Flotilla 3 at Iwo Jima:

    1000-In line abreast, LCI (G)’s 457 (FF), 441, 449, 438, 474, 450 and 473 approached base of Mt. Suribachi on course 325T, distance 500 yards, speed 9 knots.

    1055-Hit simultaneously were LCI (G)’s 474, 450 and 473

    Deck Log, LCI (G) 474:

    1055 to 1103 – The ship took ten heavy caliber hits and many smaller hits, causing four fires, knocking out all seven guns and flooding four compartments while in an area approximately 400 yards from the beach.

    1103 to 1130 – Having incurred heavy damage and casualties, the ship began to settle in the water. We retired from beach and proceeded to destroyer line 3,000 yards from beach. Ship began to roll heavily from side to side because of water in compartments. After requesting boat from USS Capps (DD-550) to pick up wounded, ship took list, which made any work aboard, most difficult. Proceeded to maneuver to get alongside DD-550 so as to transfer all injured aboard for treatment since it appeared that ship would sink before boat would arrive.

    1130 – Alongside USS Capps (DD-550)

    After wounded were transferred, ship rolled to starboard so as to threaten damage to the destroyer and make walking around on the deck impossible. All men were ordered aboard DD-550. After all men were removed, lines were cast off from the DD-550, which moved clear of the ship.

    Ship stayed afloat almost on its starboard side.

    1230 - The ship rolled over on its side, shortly thereafter rolling completely over with bottom just out of the water.

    1324- DD-550, upon orders from CTG 52.4 placed 40mm bursts into bottom of ship sinking it 3,000 yards from beach in Lat. 24 degrees, 44’30” N and Long. 141 degrees, 19’05” E in 156 fathoms of water.

    Three men were killed in this action and went down with the ship: Huisk, Daryl George, ENS, USNR 384423; Gray, Fred Harold, S2c, 234-64-74, USNR; Welsh, Lester Harvey, GM3c, 886-07-11, USNR. Eighteen were wounded and treated aboard DD-550, eleven of which were later transferred to USS New York (BB 34) for further necessary medical treatment.

    Matthew J. Reichl, LT(jg), USNR
    Commanding

    Deck Log, USS Capps (DD-550):

    1055-Shore batteries commenced firing on LCI (G)’s

    1059 – LCI 474 hit by shore batteries and taking water aft.

    1115 – LCI 474 having suffered numerous medium and small caliber hits came along port side for transfer of personnel. Lowered gig for removal of injured.
    1143 – Completed transfer of following personnel from LCI 474
    Note from Carl Batzkall:
    (Due to space limitations, the names of 5 officers and 61 enlisted men, 18 of who were wounded, will not be listed. However, amongst
    3
    the officers can be found the name: Harker, Robert James, Ensign, 401-368 USNR)

    Cast off LCI 474 (G) capsizing and in sinking condition.

    1146 – Hoisted gig with injured personnel from LCI 474.

    1200 to 1600

    In vicinity of capsized LCI 474

    1324 – Commenced firing at drifting hull of LCI 474 in accordance with orders of CTG 52.4.

    1328 - Ceased firing at LCI 474.

    1328 ½ -Hull of LCI sunk.

    1329 – In vicinity of USS New York (BB-34) to effect transfer of wounded personnel of LCI 474.

    1425 – Commenced transfer of 10 stretcher cases and 1 ambulatory patient by boat to USS New York (BB-34).


    1525 – Completed transfer having transferred the following men: Dennis, Jack Eugene, 634-47-87, PhM2/c, USNR; Dixon, George Bruce, 933-60-03, F1/c(MoMM), USNR; Fullerton, John William, 311-81-46, GM3/c, USNR: Harness, Arthur Lewis, 955-40-62, S2c, USNR; Laird, James Alfred, 577-20-32, S2/c, USNR; Mazzan, Harold (n) 251-43-46 S2/c, USNR; Newcomer, Joseph Lee, Jr. 275-07-00, S1/c, USNR; Rappold, Donald Stephen, 645-99-50, S2/c, USNR: Schoppe, James Lafray, 577-20-25, S1/c, USNR; Shields, Walter Adellbert, 245-59-87, Sl/c, USNR; Upton, Clyde Bennett, 842-84-45, S1/c, USNR

    J.M. Wood, CDR, USN, Commanding

    Deck Log, USS New York (BB 34)

    1430 – USS Capps (DD-550) came alongside with additional injured personnel: (As per above list).

    1525 – All injured taken aboard.

    2324 – Rappold, D.S. S2/c, 645-99-50, a wounded passenger taken aboard earlier in the day died of wounds received in action.

    K. C. Christian, CAPT, USN
    Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 450:

    1055 – Received two hits in forward head, starboard side. Wounded: Tripp, G. E., GM2/c, and Musselman, J. H. S2/c.

    1057 – Received two hits in forward head, portside.

    1107 – Received hit in Captain’s cabin. Wounded: Coggins, R.N., S2/c; Cognac, K. W. Sl/c; Kingsley, R. G. ENS.

    1110 – Received two hits in well deck setting off 20mm ammunition in ready box. Schmidt, E.D., S1/c wounded.

    1117 – Hit portside, Captain’s cabin.

    1120 – Left beach at greatest possible speed.

    1130 – Moored alongside USS Gilmer (APD-11) to transfer wounded.

    1135 – Cast off all lines.


    Deck Log, USS Gilmer (APD-11):
    4
    1126 – LCI 450 alongside to port with two casualties.

    1157 – LCI 450 underway.

    W. C. Quant, LT, USNR Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 450 (Continued)

    1300 – Report of wounded: Coggins, R. C., S2/c, 641-82-89, USNR. Shrapnel wounds one 2 inches below left clavicle; complete avulsion of right hand outer aspect. Left elbow inner aspect cutting brachial artery, Serious;
    4
    - Musselman, J.H., S2/c, 554-76-149, USNR, Shrapnel wound two inches below right nipple, chest. Serious: Schmidt, E. D. Sl/c, 810-39-05, USN, Shrapnel wound over third left rib; Cognac, K. W., S1/c, 943-12-619, USNR, Shrapnel wound between web third and fourth fingers; Kingsley, R. G., ENS, 394-594, USNR, Shrapnel wound between thumb and first finger, left hand; Tripp, G. E. GM2/c, 886-43-169, USNR, Shrapnel wound left leg two inches above patella.
    W. A. Brady, ENS, USNR Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 473:

    1055 – Received hit from five or six inch shell on starboard side at main deck, frame 15, causing approximately fifteen casualties to ammunition passers and forward gunners and starting a fire that was extinguished in about three minutes.

    1058 – Received two hits on ventilator on top of gun deck at frame 68 from five-inch shell causing several casualties to after gunners. This hit over engine room and shell fragments knocked out port generator and shorted switchboard. Electric steering went out. Changed to hand steering. Proceeded toward beach and fired ranging rockets at 1200 yards. Made turn away from beach and received two hits at water line in engine room, flooding engine room and leaving ship dead in water about 1300 yards off shore. These hits wounded all men in engine room. Sent radio message for tow and relief ship.

    1120 – USS LCI 627 came in to take this ship in tow. Cable parted but drift took ship alongside USS Twiggs (DD-59). Transferred eleven seriously wounded to USS Twigs. LCI 627 again took us in tow clear of the area.

    1216 – Being towed by LCI 627.
    1430 – Received orders from Com Flot 3 to transfer LT (jg) J. J. Mittleman and 19 men to USS LCI (G) 449 for duty.

    1600 – LCI 627 passed tow cable to LCI(G) 348.

    1630 – LT (jg) Mittleman and 19 men left ship to go aboard LCI (G) 449.

    1635 – Five men transferred to USS Terror (CM-5) for treatment Names are on list attached to log.

    2000 – 2400 – In tow astern of LCI (G) 348 for night.

    C.E. Fisher, USNR Commanding

    Deck Log, LCI (G) 627:

    0800 – 1200

    1120 – Prepared to tow LCI (G) 473 which was damaged in action.

    1147 – Got lines over to LCI (G) 473. Moored to port side of DD591.

    1202 – USS LCI (G) 473 cast off all lines to DD 591.

    1203 – Got underway with USS LCI (G) 473 moored to port side.

    1255 – Made preparation to tow USS LCI (G) 473 with our stern anchor cable and their bow anchor cable.

    1302 – Cast off al lines and commenced towing LCI (G) 473 using 125 fathoms of our cable and 75 fathoms of theirs.
    5
    1545 – Started heaving around on towing cable in preparation for transferring towing cable of LCI (G) 473 to LCI (G) 348.

    1612 – Transferred tow to LCI (G) 348.

    1623 – Moored starboard side to LCI (G) 473.

    1635 – Cast off and got underway.
    5
    M. G. Tammen, LT (jg), USNR Commanding

    Deck Log, USS Twiggs (DD-591):

    1139 – LCI (G) 473 alongside port side to transferring wounded personnel.
    5
    - 1200 – Cast off lines to LCI (G) 473 having received aboard 11 seriously wounded men.

    1343 – Steering various courses at various speeds to go alongside USS New York south of Iwo Jima.

    1352 – Alongside port side USS New York (BB-34) on course 210 degrees True, speed 5 knots. Commenced transferring wounded personnel of LCI(G) 473.

    1422 – Completed transfer of 11 wounded men to USS New York

    George Phillip, Jr, CDR, USN Commanding

    Deck Log, USS New York (BB-34):

    1352 – Twiggs (DD-591) came alongside to transfer wounded received from LCI 473.

    1903 – Davis, J. E. 867-65-70, received from LCI 473 died from wounds received during action.

    19 February 1945

    1400 – Commenced funeral services

    1413 – The below listed men were this date committed to the deep, having been killed in action 17 February 1945 off Iwo Jima: Davis, J.E., GM, 867-65-70, USN, USS LCI (G) 473; Gonzalez, D. S., S1/c, 879-91-54, USNR, USS LCI (G) 473; Rappola, D. S., S2/c, 645-99-50, USNR, USS LCI (G) 474; all late of the United States Navy. Chaplain D. S. Rankin, USNR, conducted services.

    K. C. Christian, CAPT, USN Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 449:

    1650 – LT(jg) Joel J. Mittleman, USNR, 241988, from LCI (G) 473 came aboard and assumed temporary command of the ship. Also, the following men from LCI (G) 473 reported aboard for temporary duty: Adams, J. L., S1/c; Blood, D.R., COX; Browder, E. (n) S1/c; Cunningham, V. C., SM2/c; Geissler, G. B., S2/c; Griffith, N.R., CGM; Harpster, D. R. COX; Henigan, A.C., MoMM2/c; Hospodin, F. R., Sl/c; Hunter, T.L., MoMM3/c; Incerti, J.M., S1/c; Johnson, L.G., BM2/c; Lambert, W.B. S1/c; Lemke,W.M., MoMM2/c; Nichols, R.C., S1/c; Rabinowitz, S. H., F1/c; Sharp, J.W., F2/c; Smith, R. W., Sl/c; Vanasse, J.G., S2/c .

    J.J. Mittleman, LTJG, USNR Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 348:

    2000 - Ordered by Commander, TG 52.5.2 to go alongside USS LCI (L) 627 and take USS LCI (G) 473 in tow.

    2010 – Alongside USS LCI (L) 627. Taking USS LCI (G) 473 in tow.

    2030 – Cast off all lines from USS LCI (L) 5627. Underway off east coast of Iwo Jima with USS LCI (G) 473 in tow.

    Alvin E. Rosenbloom, LT (jg), USNR
    Commanding

    Deck Log, USS Terror (CM-5):

    1412 – Following casualties received aboard from USS LCI (G) 473: Greer, E.D., MoMM3/c; Sissum, J. R. F2/c, USNR; Bernardi, Gimo George, S1/c, USN; Smith, David (n) Jr., F2/c, USNR; Rhea, Robert D. S2/c, USN

    H. W. Blakeslee, CDR, USN Commanding

    Deck Log, USS LCI (G) 449:

    1058 – Received shell of undetermined size on the bow aft of the 40mm splinter shield with the resulting casualties: Two men killed, two men
    missing, both were blown off of the bow; and three men wounded.

    1103 - Received shell of undetermined size on the port side 40 mm with casualties unknown.

    1104 – Received a shell of undetermined size on the starboard side of the conning tower with unknown number of casualties.


    6
    - 1130 – Hove to on port side of DMS while they sent a small boat with one doctor and several corpsmen l to give medical assistance.

    1135 – Got underway at one-third speed proceeding to the port quarter of the USS Terror (CM-5).

    1200 – 1600 – Moored to the port quarter of the USS Terror (CM-5) at which time several doctors and corpsmen came aboard to assist in transferring the injured and dead aboard that ship.

    1530 - Cast off from Terror various courses and speeds proceeding to the northeast end of Iowa Jima. A check found that twenty men were killed and eight were wounded including the Captain, LT (jg) Rufus Geddie Herring.

    J. J. Mittleman, LTJG, USNR Navigator

    Deck Log, USS Terror (GM-5):

    1238 – USS LCI (G) 449 moored to port quarter having sustained severe damage while engaged in supporting underwater demolition team landing on Iwo Jima.

    1346 – Received aboard the following wounded personnel from LCI (G) 449: LTJG R. G. Herring (186240); LTJG R. J. Duvall (256813); ENS D.J. Cromer (391636); Vollendorf, W.M., QM2/c; Johnson, R. L., StM1/c; Wilcox, W.E.S1/c; Lewis, A.T., SM3/c; Holtby, R.W., S1/c; Kepner, C. H., SC2/c; Hallett, B.H., S1/c; Fisher, J.M.,GM2/c; Witt, L.G., S1/c; Forschler, G.M.,Jr., BM2/c; Banko, C.F.,GM3/c; Reagen, A. (n) Jr., GM3/c; Sless,L.J.,S1/c; Griffin, J.D., Jr., S2/c; Park, C.F.,SM3/c.

    1400 – Received aboard the following men killed in action aboard LCI (G) 449: LTJG Byron C. Yarbrough (236947); ENS Frederick Cooper, Jr (392489); ENS William G.Corkins (392126); Bozarth, Lawrence, S1/c; Flook, John T., S2/c; Goodin, Bruce (n) S1/c; Hoffman, Clarence J., S1/c; Hudson, William H. S1/c; Minnick, Robert R., S2/c; Owens, Ralph (n) GM3/c; Paglia, Lareto F., S1/c; Schoenleben, Howard W., GM3/c; Tominac, William (n) GM3/c; Trotter, Glenn H.,S1/c; Vogel,Charles E. Jr.,S1/c; Walton, Frederic F. S1/c; Young, Leroy (n) S1/c; Yates, Lee C., (S1/c); USNR, McGrath, Leo, PhmM3/c.

    1524 – LCI (G) 449 underway.

    1630 – Park, Carl F., 8750612, from USS LCI (G) 449 died from wounds received in action.

    1836 – Held burial service for the following men killed in action this date: (as per previous KIA list).

    1947 – Owens, Ralph, GM3/c, 834-91-54, from USS LCI (G) 449 died from wounds received in action.

    18 February 1945:

    0942 – Buried Owens, Ralph, GM3/c, 834-91-50, USNR, from LCI (G) 449 of wounds received in action 17 February 1945.

    H. W. Blakeslee, CDR, USN Commanding


    And with this telling of the men killed and wounded aboard USS LCI 449, we close this portion of the deck log and action reports of the Gunboats at Iwo Jima. We will complete the account in the next issue.

    John Cummer, Elsie Item Editor
    Hamp
    USS LCI (L) & (G) 450
    WW ll Gator Navy

  • #2
    After many months of searching, my brothers and I were able today to confirm my father as a crewman on LCI (G) 457 during the engagement at Iwo Jima on 17 February 1945. My father, Robert Dudley DeViney was a radioman on LCI 457 joining the ship in Guam early that year. He is still alive and living in Soap Lake, WA. My brothers and I hope to get him to the September 9-10 LCI crew reunion in Jantzen Beach, OR this summer. Thanks to the many veterns and participants who helped us stitch all the pieces together to finally identify his ship.

    Warmest Regards - Steven S. DeViney [email protected]

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