"We come from many varied backgrounds, from all over the United States. The reasons for becoming involved with the Ship Memorial are numerous. Each one of you are valued. In an effort to interest and inspire new members, we hope to share some of the experiences and stories with you."

Susie can be reached at Seabat with comments or, to request an interview form.

City/State: Massillon, Ohio

Hometown: Same

City/State: Royal, IL

Hometown:

City/State: Evansville, Indiana

Hometown: Evansville

The WebSkipper asked that I tell some sort of story about The Adams Family, Dad, and the LST.  I'll call it "The Living Room Picture."

A painted picture hangs on our living room wall in our 1800-vintage four-room farmhouse.  The four walls of the living room have five doors and a big window, leaving room for a TV and the wall picture.  From the early 50's to the mid-60's, the couch and chairs changed location and the walls were painted a time or two, but the 18" X 18" painted picture of a gray ship with 491 painted on her forward hull remained on the wall.

Doing farm work on a dairy, tobacco, and small-grain farm, there's not much time for six farm kids to watch TV, and the two-channel, black-and-white TV was normally off limits.  Watching the Little Rascals and Captain Kangaroo on Saturday mornings following the morning milking chores was a privilege, and this was normally in the winter months.  If there was horseplay or squabbling going on, Mom would put an end to the TV.

Then there was Sunday evening -- That's The Way it Was with Walter Cronkite.  This was the only time Dad watched the TV with us kids, and you did not talk, move around or make any sort of commotion.  Dad never spoke of the ship, only of the crew, and they all seemed to be men to be honored.

So life went on and time passed by, older brother Paul and younger brother Marvin joined the Navy, and sister Ann married a sailor.  The morning after my high school graduation in 1968, with a $25 1956 Chevy, a small blue suitcase, and a list of names and addresses provided by my mother of those men who served on the gray 491 ship that hung on our living room wall, off I went.

First I visited Momm 2/c Marvin Brock in Mississippi; then on to S 1/c Paul Hadley in Texas; RM 3/c Ted Manners in Oklahoma; Richard Warner in California, and later Lt. James Knox (the Skipper) in Pennsylvania.  I learned of D-Day in Normandy, the 36 LST's in Southern France in August, the bombing of LST 282, and then on to the Pacific.  Along with many, many stories.  They all talked of one another on the 491, and how great their shipmates were.  So I began to realize that these were the men who won the war and brought peace to the world.  Returning home, I then took a long look at "The Living Room Picture."  Asking Dad about the ship, he said they were all gone now, given away or destroyed for scrap.  So it was to be.

In 1969 (24 years after the war's end), I hitched a ride to Europe with some forty Canadian and British farmers who had fought in the war.  I wanted to see for myself and talk to the people there.  In the twenty days visiting Holland, Denmark and Germany, I spent evenings at pubs talking with kids of my age.  Talk of the war was a NO-NO.  Questions asked about the war were ignored.  I learned that the Kennedy half-dollars were treasured and most kids could not afford one.  Most families did not own a car.  During this trip, I also found out that the Canadians and the British refused to set foot upon or pay their respects at German cemeteries, and they spoke very little of what the Americans did during the war.  They spoke of us as equipment, not as men.

Through the years, we started collecting the equipment carried on the gray ship in the picture.

In 1974, Dad had a heart attack and several of the ship's crew came to the hospital to see him.

Dad and his brother Max (LST 901) attended the first National LST Association meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1984, Exercise Tiger at Slapton Sands was declassified, so Dad hauled Mom across the pond to Slapton Sands, so he could make sense of his radio traffic on that April 28th, 1944, evening.  They also toured the beaches of Normandy.

In June 1994 (D-DAY + 50), Dad, along with us kids and some grandkids, left for England, and then on to France to see and hear of those brave men on the gray ships.

Then, at last, in July 1998, an LST in Michigan.  Dad and Mom left at early dawn, Anna and I left late in the afternoon, and several other family members came up the following day.  An entire day was spent just trying to find someone who could get us on board a black, nasty-looking ship, well-marked, I might add, with signs of visitors being absolutely forbidden within an area of several thousand feet of the ship, and including some very tall, unfriendly-looking fences.  Day Two came, and along with a friendly shipyard foreman and a few flashlights, aboard we went.  For the next two hours, Dad showed us where the machine shop, electrical shop, radio shack, troop berthing, crew's quarters, and the elevator used to be during the war.  He showed us where the 40's and 20's should have been, where the bow doors and ramp should have been, where the cloverleaf tie-downs used to be, where the air ventilators used to be, and tried to explain what the tank deck looked like before the ship was converted into a car transport hauler.  Needless to say, we were excited, after all it was a "T" and -- as the story went -- they were going to restore it.

In June of 2000, another trip was made by family and friends back to the LST in Michigan.  It was brighter, cleaner, and more open, but not combat-looking.  No doors, no guns, and none of the shops or quarters for troops or crew were intact.

October of 2000 came along, and Dad started telling of a group of U.S. sailors in Greece who had found an LST and were making repairs to bring her back home.  We watched the website, and as Mom and Dad stay in Florida in the winter, day-to-day calls were made.  Dad and Mom watched the web on the LST at the local library in Homasassa, Florida.  January came along with a date for the LST's arrival in Mobile.  Mom and Dad, along with some friends, left for Mobile and fifteen of their family left Ohio at 9 pm for an all-night drive to make a rendezvous with a gray ship.

We had the honor of boarding the Great Gray LST-325 that January afternoon with our Father, and to his and our amazement, it was an LST with all her GLORY-- INTACT.

After touring the ship for several hours and visiting her crew at the Adams Mark Hotel, Dad told us that it's not the 491 and that the Skipper was not Lt. James Knox, but Jornlin seemed to be a good Skipper because his men spoke well of him, and the ship was something that we --  as a family -- need to help look after so that maybe the grandkids and their grandkids can someday set foot upon her deck.

Today, when we look at "The Living Room Picture" of that gray ship, Her Glory looks back at you as if to say, "I LIVE ON IN THE SOULS OF MY CREW!"

To and for my Father (Marion R. Adams, RM 3/c),

[ LST 491 was affectionately referred to as "The Ol' Double Trouble"]

Name:  Don Lockas

City/State:  Marseilles, IL

1.  How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I read about it in the Scuttlebutt, the LST paper, and applied to be a crewmember.  On the letter it said you have to be on an LST during some war and you have to bring something to enhance the trip home.  When I received the application, it said that we had several tests to fill out.  Seamanship, things of that nature.  I filled those out and sent them to the address shown.  They reviewed them and wanted to know what I had done during the war.

When they asked about resumes, I didn't think I would cut it.  I had been a signalman, but during WWII on the way back from Okinawa, I asked if the helmsman would teach me to steer the ship and he said yes.  We were on duty for two weeks four hours on the helm and eight hours off.  I highlighted that on my resume and they told me to come to Greece.  Two weeks of education got me on the greatest voyage of my life.

2.  What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I was on LST 454 as a Signalman in WWII.  I went into the Navy in March of 1945 and served until August, 1946.  I was in the Pacific Theater.  

3.  Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

I was never assigned to Maintenance during the war.  I did whatever job was assigned to me when we were in Greece.  I was quoted many times as saying that when I went down to see Whitey below decks, “ I will never be a snipe,  I have no desire to be a snipe.  But I will do whatever it takes to get this ship home!” 

I also worked on the ship in Mobile and during the voyages - mostly chip and paint.

4.  Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

Gold Crew.  Helmsman, Special Sea Detail.

5.  Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

YES.  I have had lots of talks and speeches and made close to $23,000 for the ship doing it.  Still doing it!

6.  If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

On the ship itself - The Gold Crew was the best.  People had said it can't be done..  but WE DID IT!

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

I have two from the trip from Greece to Mobile. 

One is that we were in the Mediterranean, down to one engine, putting along pretty good and a 15 foot sailboat passed us up.  It was disheartening.  There were a few disheartening times, but not many. 

We were in a storm for a couple of days and one of the crewmembers sat down beside me.  The crewmember said, "Lockas, do you realize there's only 3/8 inch of steel between us and that raging sea out there?"  My response was "Don't tell me that!”

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

I wanted my grandchildren to see, and they did, what their Grandpa did to keep this great country of ours free. 

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

Do you know the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story?  The fairy tale begins with “Once upon a time..”  The sea story with "This ain't no shit..."

10.  What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Up on the Conn..  I still am involved with that.  On the trip to Boston, I had people to teach as we were using the gyro compass.

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

It means History to me.  We want to preserve it for our kids.  We have hundreds of kids coming in every month.  It lets us show them what we had to do to preserve the U. S. A.

Name:  Ray Rappold

City/State:  Falls View, West Virginia

1.  How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

Early January of 2001 - I first heard about the ship from TV news reports while she was making her way across the Atlantic from Greece. I did not begin volunteering on the ship until March of 2003 (during a 1 week break from work).  I returned for another week in May of 2003 (prior to the river trip), and then worked on the ship for two weeks during the river trip of 2003.  Off and on during 2003, 04, 05 - I traveled to Mobile (once for nearly a month) to put in time on board.  I was to have been a crew member for the full ride during the scuttled cruise of 2004, and managed to make this dream a reality for the 2005 Atlantic Cruise.  Since the ship moved to Evansville, I have traveled there on several occasions to work and have followed the ship to both Lousiville and Cincinnati to help out while the ship was in those two cities.

2.  What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

My father was Electricians Mate 1st on the LST 354 - built in Charleston, SC and one of the first 12 LST's to reach the Pacific theatre (Solomon Islands) in WWII.  He had originally been assigned to LST 353 (the LST which started the chain of explosions in the West Loch of Pearl Harbor in May, 1944), but was transferred to the 354 after transiting the Panama Canal.

3.  Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

I have considerable hours invested in the maintenance of the 325, I have done everything from sweeping and cleaning to chipping and painting.  Have also helped with pipe-fitting, wiring, engine work, metal work and fabrication.  Proud to say I am willing to do anything that needs to be done aboard the ship.

4.  Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

I have served as a crew member, primarily as a member of the deck force.  My last duty station was as a lead helmsman on one of the watches during the Atlantic Cruise of 2005.

5.  Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

I have spoken to others (mostly one on one).

6.  If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

The special relationship that exists between a ship and her crew, and among the members of her crew (or among the members of the organization).

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

A very general one - of being accepted and welcomed by the veterans I have met - allowed to share in their talks, their jokes, their remembrances.  Knowing that my hard work and efforts will honor their service.

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

I would like to see this ship be successful for many years to come, even after many of the original folks involved in this project have moved on.  I want to see this ship continue to sail to various places and expose other people to her history.  I want to see this ship sail on an ocean again in the next few years.

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

 Also regards the Atlantic Cruise of 2005 and the rough weather off Cape Hatteras on the way up the east coast - we were periodically doing some pretty good rolls and the ship was really slamming around one night. I was asleep in my rack (in the after crews quarters) and remember being awakened by a particularly big 'bang' - but managed to go back to sleep pretty quickly, but discovered the next morning that the bottom of my metal locker had been bent and twisted by the back end of the ship jumping around (the door to this thing still doesn't close correctly). Although it was also rough off Hatteras on the return trip - the first passage was a doozy. It brought to mind one of the few things my father had talked about with regard to his time on LST 354 - that those ships rode worse than any others.

10.  What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

 Sailing this ship up the Atlantic coast in summer 2005.

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

Name: Sherry Witt

City/State: Des Moines, Iowa

1.  How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I first discovered LST 325 when doing an online search about LST's in April of 2005. Fred's father Bill had served on LST 349 in WWII and was diagnosed as terminally ill in April. Bill recorded on tape what he wanted his obituary to say and he went on and on about serving on the LST. Bill had also served on the USS Wadleigh and USS Hampton in WWII and the Korean War, but it was the LST 349 he went on and on about. I kept thinking, "What the heck is an LST? What was so special about this ship that brought back so many memories and giggles for him?" and my search was on.

2.  What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

See above.

3.  Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

Fred and I spent all three weeks of our vacation working on the ship in 2006. One week in June, another in August and the last in September 2006 during LST Week. We have spent most of our time chipping paint and painting. Fred (known as "Bigfoot" by Ken Frank) is also handy with the lifting stuff. During LST Week we also helped with the passengers on the LCVP rides.

4.  Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

Neither of us has crewed. Fred however, served six year in the Navy aboard the USS Trenton. I would love to crew some time. Who needs fancy separate facilities? Give me a five gallon bucket and a curtain and it works for me. Geez, doesn't anybody remember camping in the rough anymore???

5.  Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

I hang pictures of the ship and from the ship on my walls at work. It's a good conversation starter. Folks are amazed this ship is actually a running, working WWII ship. And they are even MORE amazed to discover it can navigate the rivers and is right here in the heartland rather than on the coast.

6.  If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

It's a very worthy cause and besides that, you sure have a good time. During LST Week last year Fred and I were in the back of Kenny Adams' Jeep. Kenny was driving and Anna Adams in the passenger seat. I turned to Fred as we drove along and said, "We gotta quit having so much fun on our vacations!"

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

I first met Bruce (Boats) Voges when we volunteered in August. On our first day there that week I sat down for a bite to eat with Bruce and after a few minutes of conversation about the ship he looked at me with those soulful ice blue eyes of his and said, "Sherry, there's no reason why this ship can't still be running in another 30 or 40 years. I hope at that time I can look down, or look up depending on where God puts me and will still see her going." Needless to say, I had to fight back a few small tears when he said that, but I will NEVER forget that moment. It's funny how someone else's desire can start a fire inside of you.

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

How can you top what Boats said???

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

Hmmm, probably the one about Chris and the Terrorist Emperor Penguins.

10.  What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Although we worked during LST Week, we did not participate in the organizing. But those who came up with the idea and put it together did a great job! We put in long (10-12 hour days) volunteering but It was such fun seeing so many people with so much in common come together again.

Name: Dianne Hill

City/State: Surprise, Arizona

1.  How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

When I gave my blessing to Rocky to go to Greece In 2000 and be a part of the crew to bring the 325 home.  I did not realize back then how that decision would change my life, but I have been enriched many times over because of it.

2.  What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I was never in the service. My husband Rocky was in WW II and served on LST 465 in the Pacific.  I was involved with him putting on reunions for his shipmates after our retirement. That is when I realized the “family Bond” these sailors had with one another.

3.  Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

I can handle a broom and mop or a computer keyboard, but don’t put a wrench in my hand! I’m a snipe’s wife, not a snipe and he won’t let me take the rank of deck ape. What does that make me?

4.  Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

Not officially. I like working in the background. I have been directly involved since the ship came into Mobile, AL and have reaped many rewards.

5.  Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

Yes lots of times. (is there anything else to talk about???) We belong to the AZ LST State chapter and I personally hand out Memorial membership forms and information on LST week and any other information of interest to the group. I keep them infomed on up and coming trips that the ship takes and encourage members to become a volunteer. I believe in this “Living memorial” and  mention it quite often to new acquaintances.

6.  If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

Let us never lose sight that we have something unique to treasure and to care for.  28 men risked their lives to bring her back home so that future generations can learn the history of these ships.

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

When the ship arrived in Mobile Bay on January 10, 2001. It was so patriotic and very emotional. As a friend said as he filmed her coming into the bay “Home at last, home at last”

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

No personal goal, but would like to see the membership reach 3000. If every member would sign up just one new person, we would double our membership in no time.

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

 Not really a ‘sea story’, but I like to tell how hard Rocky and I worked at getting everything in order for him to go over to Greece. We had so many red flags going up along the way. From getting his PassPort application expedited, to loosing his billfold and credit cards and his flight tickets getting lost. But he was so determined to make it work. I finally said. “Lord if you want him to be a part of this project, you’re going to have to make it work, because I’m running out of patience.”  You know the rest of the story.

10.  What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Being a Co-Editor of The Phoenix and keeping the members informed.

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

Pride in knowing my husband persevered and became a part of the “Historical Voyage”. When I look at the 325, I am reminded of the sacrifice that our military men and women have given in order for me to have the freedom to speak, pray and vote the way I want to.

Additional comments:

I’m proud to be associated with the LST Ship Memorial and all she stands for”.

City/State: Fort Branch, IN 

Hometown: Fort Branch, IN

1.  How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I was invited to join the Evansville LST Committee by Mike Whicker in 1999 or 2000

2.  What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I served in the USMC from 1974 – 1980. (Military Policeman) In 1991 I wrote the book “A Cornfield Shipyard” a history of the Evansville Shipyard and the 167 LST’s built there.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

NO

4.    Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

NO

5.    Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

I have spoken to at least 50 groups and countless individuals.

6.  If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

get the entire ship painted

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

10.   What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Scraping and painting

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

Name: Dominick R Perruso

City/Sate: 2012 Kemmerer St. Beth. Pa.

I became involved when my son Michael had some free time during classes. He is a school teacher and was on the computer and ran LST-391 and found out that they were going to return the 391 back to the USA, that it was in Greece at the present time. Michael called me when he got home and questioned me about the 391. He knew I served on it in Normandy and that we had taken a hit on the starboard side and the Captain gave the order to abandon ship. We were in Cherbourg at the time and that was the last I saw of the 391. I was not aware of the LST Association. I contacted Linda Gunjack and gave her my information and I joined the Association. Then she filled me in on what had happened since we abandoned ship. The ship was blocking the harbor and had to be removed. They temporarily patched a hole in starboard side and towed her back to England for more repairs, then towed her back to USA where she underwent a complete over haul. The war in the Pacific was winding down so she never left the USA except trips to Greenland. Eventuallly she was turned over to the Greek Government along with LST-325 and other LST'S that had been taken out of service and were in what they called the bone yard (ready for scrap). Our LST Memorial Association spent many years and a lot of their own time and money attempting to acquire an LST. This is a long story and I would have writer's cramp till I got done . Ed Stroble did locate LST in Greece and he went aboard the 391 to check it out. Some of our board also went to check it out. The 391 was in very good condition as Strobel has the photos to prove it. When everything was approved with Congress, President Clinton signed the bill to turn ownership over to the LST Memorial Association. To our surprise when we arrived in Greece, the 391 had been literally destroyed. We were given a choice of other LSTs and the 325 was selected. That is another story.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker? What duties have you participated in along this area?

(Dom didn't answer this question, but as you can see in his other replies, he has been a terrific asset to the 325!)

4. Have you served as a crew member? If so, what have been your duty stations?

(Dom is a Gold Crew member.)

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups. What types of events?)

My wife will tell you that when I start talking about LST-325, and you are eager to listen, I talk non-stop.  I, along with other Gold crew members, have given talks to schools, churches, service clubs or any organization that needed a guest speaker.  Of course we were always looking for a donation at completion of our speech. We must be old news as I do not get any more requests.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

She's a grand old girl - she served her country and crew and the men that served on her were the best!

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

I have so many memories and they are all good. The month of March, 2001, myself and Corbin Fowkes and Jim McAndrew spent the whole month and installed the sewage disposal system and replaced most of the soil lines.

8. Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship? (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

We the crew, are mostly in our eighties/plus. I would like to see her keep moving forward and as long as we have the caliber of people that come aboard to work on her, I can see this happening.

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

There again, there are many I do remember. During the night we had a close call with one of those container ships. I don't recall if our power when down or if we had lost our steering. This happened quite a few times then we made 360 to get back on course. It was a lot of fun.. ha-ha

10. What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

We had a leak from the sea chest; it was down in the bilges and hard to get at. My helper Jim McAndrew said "Pop, (that's what he called me) you can't get down there and patch that. I said "Jibo, watch me!" Well, the patch was still there until the ship had a lot of repairs in Mobile. Prince Albert (White), our laundry man, had trouble with hoses for the washer. They would get clogged up, he would call and I would clean the hoses out. Some time after that he told me he had an electrical problem with the washer. Well that is 240 DC, so I called Gary Lyon to give me a hand. What happened was the discharge valve was an electric solenoid and it went bad. We did not have another. What I did was put a gate valve on the discharge line and all Albert would have to do was open it for the discharge cycle, which were quite a few. What we did was connected a pig tail to the solenoid valve circuit and when the red light lit, he would open the valve and close it when it went off. The starboard engine gave us a problem all the way home .While checking shaft alley, they found that the starboard engine was down again. I talked to Bartlett and he said there was a water leak on the heat exchanger. This is somewhat of long story. I will make it short - I got an angle iron, rubber gasket material and two pieces of wood. Well the patch worked and 0800 that morning they started it up. A patch was in place all the way home. There are some more but that's enough for now.

11. What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

She is part of me or the other way around. She, along with all the other LSTs, played a big part in bringing WW2 to an end. She is a MEMORIAL AND A TRIBUTE to everyone that sailed, but mostly the troops which were transported to the beach and never returned.

Any additional comments you'd like to include:

In concluding I want to mention some thing very important - GOD was with us all. He gave us our youth back for six months.

Name: William (Rocky) Hill

City/State: Surprise, AZ.

Hometown: Spokane, WA.  

Since 1984 I have followed the National LST Associations efforts to locate a W.W. lI LST to make a memorial to show people what an LST is.

I first became involved in 1998 when I and the AZ. LST Association sent letters to the Secretary of State of the State Department, Congressman, and Representatives, to cut the red tape and release the Greek LST to the Memorial. In 1999 I made an attempt to join the crew by contacting Mr. M____ by E-Mail, letter, and phone calls. Having no answers from him I gave up. Returning from a trip to Spokane, WA in 2000, I fired up my trusty computer, went to the National web site and saw the message that Electricians and Motor Machinist Mates were needed badly in Greece to help bring back the LST 325. After much discussion with my wife Dianne, I called Captain Jornlin on the ship, at the Suda Bay Greek Navy Base. After giving him my qualifications and being accepted, and after a lot of red tape, I was on my way.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy? Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships? (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I was in the Navy from 1943 - 1946. I attended Boot camp at Farrugut, ID. Diesel school at the University of Missouri. Assigned to LST 465 in Brisbane, Australia. Making invasions from New Guinea through the Philippine's. Was 3" 50 gun pointer on General Quarters station. Then assigned to ARD 23 at Guam as boom crane operator. After my working years, I became involved with the National LST Association and later helped form the Arizona chapter and was Vice President of this chapter for one year and from 1995 to 1997 was President of this group.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

Yes. As a Mo.M.M. I stood watches in the main and auxiliary engine rooms. Was boat engineer on L.C.V.P. crew.  Did maintenance on ship and boat engines.

4. Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

Yes. 2000 – 2001. Standing watches and fighting breakdowns in Main Engine room, from Crete, Greece to Mobile, AL. In 2002 Dianne and I spent 6 weeks in Mobile working with the Blue crew making much needed repairs. Made the 2003 river trip. Basically as a tour guide and at times (shudder) as a deck ape. In 2005 I was main engine room watch leader and processed fuel and lubrication oil (as oil king) on East Coast trip, also in 2005 moved the 325 from its old home port in Mobile, AL to its new home port of Evansville, IN as main engine room watch leader (and oil king). Then in 2006 at Cincinnati, OH Tall Stacks trip as main engine room leader (and oil king).

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

Yes. At Ship reunions, Historical preservation groups, boating groups, Church groups, and retirement groups at several different locations throughout the United States. I have also shown the History Channel “Return of the LST 325”, by Linda Alvers, several times to various groups.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

The point I want to bring out is that if it hadn’t been for the close knit operation of the crew of 28 men that kept the old girl operating through all of the many breakdowns, and terrific storms, she would not be back here now for everyone’s enjoyment. The trip was more of an ordeal than people realize.

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

We were told as we were coming in to Mobile that there would be approximately 500 people to greet us. It was beyond my imagination that there would be the kind of greeting that we got, from closer to 5,000 people. Dock and factory workers standing outside in the cold waving flags at us. Bands playing, all kinds of LSTer’s, school children, relatives, friends, young ladies called The Azalea Trail Maids in their beautiful Southern Bell dresses, and dignitaries of all kinds, and most and best of all my wife Dianne.

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

 My goal is a huge goal…to get younger people trained in the operation of the engine rooms and the purification and transfer of fuel and lubrication oil. This is going to have to be done, if we are going to keep the old girl operational.

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

I would guess that my favorite sea story is when in Mobile at the National LST convention, Dianne and I had a rental car. We kept hearing a funny noise when we accelerated or braked the car. Upon investigation I found a brand new golf ball rolling around. I took this ball up to our room and with a laundry marker pen I autographed it and wrote LST 325 on it. I then made a sign that showed a price of $25.00. I took it down and laid it on the table where the lady’s from the 325 were selling T-shirts, caps, books and other items. The lady’s immediately said Rocky! That won’t sell. The next morning when I went by the 325 table, the golf ball was gone. The ladies told me Linda Alvers had bought it and paid the full $25.00 for it. Of course I said  “I told you it would sell!” I then looked up Linda and told her that it had been a joke and I would refund her money. Linda then told me that her boss had a golf ball collection and she was going to give it to him so he would have the only collection with an authentic 325 golf ball autographed by Rocky Hill from the Gold Crew. When I offered to return her $25.00 she said “No!” that it was going to benefit the 325 coffers.

10. What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

It is an ongoing project on all of the trips for me to hassle Deck Ape, Bosons Mate, Bruce Voges and his two sons Tim and Mike. From the time I arrived at the ship in Greece when I first met Bruce and his side kick Dewey Taylor, until now. We have been very good shipmates, even with their dislike of SNIPES.

11.    What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

It represents a period in my life that I went into the Navy as an 18 year old kid and after being involved in the horrors of war, I grew up quickly and came out with a man’s attitude towards life.

Any additional comments you'd like to include:

I am very lucky to have my wife Dianne become as involved and as dedicated as she has been with the several involvements that I have had with the LST Associations, Ship reunions, and now the LST Memorial. At first she could not understand the close camaraderie amongst shipmates. She did not understand that these shipmates were our family for years.

Name: Kenneth Frank   

City/State: Glen Rock, NJ

Hometown: Fair Lawn, NJ

I started searching the internet for things about LSTs, since my Dad had been an LST sailor. I found the information about the group trying to acquire an LST as a working museum. I followed their progress in their search for a ship. After they found the ship I followed their progress getting it ready to sail home and then followed the Gold Crew (not their name at the time) as they sailed her home. I watched Tom Brokaw's reporting it on NBC news. It was then that I knew there was a real LST in Mobile.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

My Dad was a sailor in WW II. He served aboard the LST 32 as the lead Storekeeper. He was a plank owner and traveled to North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, and the invasion of Southern France. I have always been interested in his service and used to ask him about it and the 32. When I was younger we completed a model of an LST from a plastic kit. I remember he took a razor blade and managed to change the decal of the hull number to 32. I was really impressed and happy. I remember asking him about different parts of the ship and how things worked. I always wanted to see a real LST.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

I started volunteering on the LST 325 in 2002 in Mobile. I did two trips from my home in NJ to Mobile to volunteer for a week each time (19 hours driving each way).  I went to Boston and helped with tours for four days on the East Coast trip and my wife helped in the gift shop while we were there. I have been to Evansville two times for maintenance work (13 hours driving each way). 

Some of the maintenance work I have completed on the LST 325 includes:

4.  Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

I was a crew member on the Tall Stacks trip. I did tours in Cincinnati and manned a tour station at the bottom of a steep ladder when the crowds got too large for individual tours. Underway, I was on the Lock Crew, working fenders as we went through the Locks to keep the ship from hitting the sides of the Locks. I also stood wheel house/throttle watches and did galley and scullery duty working for Ol’ Joe the cook. Whew!.

5.  Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

I have spoken to friends and family and other veterans about the LST.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

I have more then one favorite memory!  The first is my first tour in Mobile with Calvin, when he showed me all the areas a Storekeeper would have worked in. Second would be touring the ship again with my daughters and one of my Dad’s shipmates in Mobile. Third would be crewing on the Tall Stacks trip.

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

Crewing again, and to be part of the next generation in keeping the LST going and preserving history.  I’d love to see her visit the east coast again, maybe New York City for Fleet Week.

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

Any time I have given a tour, and an LST vet comes back on an LST for the first time in 30 years, they say the smell is the same. (They do say smell is our strongest memory.) The LST vets can’t wait to show their children and grandchildren what the ship looks like, what they did, and where they did it. Some of them get very emotional when they relate their stories. It is an honor to be there and witness that.

10. What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Every thing I have worked on has been so educational and satisfying.

11. What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

 It is a connection to WW II history and my Dad’s service in it.

Any additional comments you'd like to include:

Name: Mike Whicker

City/State: Evansville, IN

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

1. How did you become involved with LST 325?  (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

Sometime in late 2001 or early 2002 I saw The Return of LST 325 on the History Channel. At the end of the show, Captain Jornlin says that the goal of the crew is to keep the ship sailing and take her to places that made LSTs during the war. He named a few places. Although he did not name Evansville , I thought to myself: What better place to take the ship than to Evansville – we made more LSTs than anyone.

I managed to get the Captain’s email address and I contacted him about bringing the ship to Evansville for a visit. It took a long time and a great deal of work by a lot of good people, but it happened.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy?  Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships?  (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I am an Air Force veteran, but my service was unspectacular. I first tried joining the Marines and was turned down because of an open heart surgery I had as small kid and a heart murmur. Then I went to the Army and was turned away for the same reason. Finally, I crept in under the radar with the Air Force and got accepted. I spent most of my hitch in schools (nuclear weapons) and never left the States. My father’s service as an Army Ranger in WW2, and my daughter who is currently on her second tour in Iraq, are the military heroes in my family.

I do have a strong connection to LSTs. My mother was a welder at the Evansville LST Shipyard during the war, and my father was taken back to England to heal after he was wounded on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Six weeks later, another LST returned my father to France to rejoin his unit.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker?  What duties have you participated in along this area?

I did a great deal of painting, chipping, and needle-gunning on the ship during the 2005 East Coast Voyage, and a little painting since the ship arrived in Evansville. I do more sweeping now then painting.

4. Have you served as a crew member?  If so, what have been your duty stations?

Yes, one of my proudest achievements is spending a month as a crewmember during the East Coast Voyage. And it is certainly my greatest adventure. I had never been on a ship in the ocean before, far from land. My duties included deck ape and lee helmsman under Don Lockas.

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups.  What types of events?)

I have no clue how many groups I have spoken to about the LST since 2001, but it has to be well over 200 – not sure. Numerous Kiwanis, Civitan, and Rotary groups along with veteran and church groups, libraries, schools at all levels, etc.

I like to talk about the heroic odyssey of the Gold Crew’s voyage from Greece, and the current people who are now caring for the ship in Evansville.

7.  What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

Grilling sausage burgers on the stern of LST 325 150 miles off the East Coast when an American attack sub surfaced behind us. I was the first one to see it. I ran to my bunk to get my camera and burned the burgers. Got a photo though!

8.  Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship?   (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

Lots of goals over the long haul, but one will be building an entire WW2 themed complex at Marina Pointe with a WW2 restaurant and bar, a bed and breakfast, and a Home Front Museum Interpretive Center.

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

See number 7, or the day at sea when we came across a French air craft carrier. We established radio contact with them. Their operator was a female. She spoke English well, but with a strong accent. They could not figure out what we were so they actually scrambled two of their jets to fly over. Just about broke our eardrums. Some of the men ran out on the deck and were shaking their fists at the French jets. Don Lockas jumped in one of the gun tubs and pointed a 40mm at them.

One more story that sticks is my helming the ship in the Potomac River ten minutes after someone decided I was to be trained as a lee helmsman. You might think they would have at least waited until we turned the corner out of Chesepeake Bay and entered the Atlantic where there was nothing to bump into. But no, here I am, a helmsman for ten minutes and I’m in control of an irreplaceable WW2 LST in the Potomac River with a bank on each side and small boats all around!

10.   What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Bringing the ship to Evansville for the 10-day visit in 2003. Seeing 35,000 folks stand in long lines in the July heat to be able to walk the decks of an LST. If it wasn’t for that visit, the ship would not be in Evansville now.

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

1. How did you become involved with LST 325? (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I got a call from Linda Alvers at 8 a.m. one day and she said "Can you be in Gibraltar tonight?" That night I showed up at the LST unannounced.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy? Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships? (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I am an Air Force veteran.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker? What duties have you participated in along this area?

4. Have you served as a crew member? If so, what have been your duty stations?

I worked on the trip over from Gibraltar in the engine room with Rocky and Mac

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups. What types of events?)

I shot the History Channel documentary 'Return of LST 325'

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

I have 29 older brothers I didn't have before....

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

Captain Jornlin explaining how he made the decision to allow me to sail with the ship. (ask Lois)

8.   Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship? (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

Just seeing the guys again in September!

9.  What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

Almost getting tossed in the sea while filming during a storm.

10.  What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Getting it across the Atlantic

11.  What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

What can be achieved with a dedicated crew!

City/State: Portage Wisconsin

1. How did you become involved with LST 325? (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I first heard about the ship when the Gold Crew brought it back from Greece in 2001 when it was on the news.

Don Lockas is a Gold Crew member and a neighbor of my daughter in Marseilles Illinois. In 2003 Don mentioned to her that the ship was looking for qualified help. I was in the Navy and have mechanical experience. Don got an application for me to apply for crew membership.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy? Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships? (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I am a US Navy veteran. I enlisted right out of High School July 1958-Aug 1961. I served 2 1/2 years on WW11 vintage Destroyers as a machinist mate in the Engineering Department, out of Long Beach California. We spent a lot of time at sea including a 6 month patrol from Long Beach to Pearl Habor, Midway Island, Japan, Philippines, Formosa, Hong Kong China.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker? What duties have you participated in along this area?

As a machinist mate on Destroyers, I did a lot of mechanical work. Repairing steam lines and equipment like steam turbines. I spent 35 years as a maintenance mechanic in plastic factories. I did a lot of welding, pipe fitting, electrical and mechanical trouble shooting, repairing air compressors and vacuum pumps, etc.. I was a Supervisor for 7 years.

4. Have you served as a crew member? If so, what have been your duty stations?

I was selected as a crew member January 2004. I made 9 trips from Wisconsin and spent many hours in Mobile Alabama helping to get the ship ready for the 2004 Boston trip, which was canceled. Since then I have spent many hours in Evansville after helping with the move from Mobile. I have done a lot of welding, pipe fitting and other mechanical work on the ship. I stand my watches in the engine room when the ship is underway.

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups. What types of events?)

I talk about the ship all the time. I always wear the ship hat and have had older veterans ask me about the ship. I had an interview with the local newspaper reporter just before the 2004 Boston Trip. He ran a front page article on the Ship and my involvement.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

I have talked to a few of the other crew members and we pretty much have agreed that we liked working on the ship and being part of it. The best part was the camaraderie with the other crew members from all over the United States. Reminds me of when I was in the Navy years ago.

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

It was great being out in the Ocean again and on board a vintage ship once again. The trip from mobile to Evansville on the river and the reception we got was also great.

8. Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship? (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

I haven't really set a personal goal yet, I would like to just continue doing the work as I have been doing and see the ship farther on into its restoration.

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

I have had a few special experiences since I have been a crew member, including a couple of harmless pranks by "Jonathan", but the one that stands out was meeting Ed Brooks. Ed works for Warner Brothers as a stunt driver and supplies antique cars for scenes in movies. He was involved in the Flags of Our Father's movie.

As a crew member of the ship we were working together on the trip moving up to Evansville. The ship was stopped just before getting to Evansville, when Ed dropped his cell phone overboard, it landed on a barge next to the ship. I got the captain of the tug boat to help retrieve the cell phone. Ed also wrote a song dedicated to the LST 325, which he sang for us while paying his guitar, he was very good.

10. What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

I'm not sure what you mean by favorite project, I have done a lot of work projects, welding - pipe fitting- and mechanic work. One important project that Kenny Adams, myself and other crew members accomplished was repairing the Port side Davit, so we could hoist the Higgens boat back on board before the Louisville trip last year.

11. What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

This ship to me represents the old Navy, the way it was when I was in the service. The vintage WW11 equipment and the memories of being 18-19 years old again. It is nice to be part of something like this again. I have always worked on similar equipment during my working life and have been retired since 2001. I missed working with people and the satisfaction of completion on work projects. It is very special to be helping to restore and maintain the LST 325.City/State: Portage Wisconsin

Name: Bob Willard

City/State: Fairfax VA

In 1999 the LST Association reported in The Scuttlebutt that Ed Strobel had found a restorable LST in Crete. Soon after that, progress reports began appearing in each issue and also on their website.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy? Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships? (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

In April 1954 I was transferred to USS Oak Hill (LSD-7), where I got to see more of the world and served the rest of my four year enlistment.  We spent six months in the Mediterranean Sea with the Sixth Fleet, and then steamed through the Panama Canal enroute to our new home port in San Diego.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker? What duties have you participated in along this area?

During the time LST 325 was in Chickasaw, I drove down from Virginia several times.  On my first visit (January, 2003) I wanted to do technical work, and Gary Lyon let me every job that was in progress.  I helped pull electrical cable, removed old plumbing from the heads, and removed fresh water valves from the port shaft alley, so they could be refurbished.  I also guided people on tours.  On my next visit, Paul Holler and I figured out a way to remove accumulated rust from the sounding tubes.  They were on the Coast Guard list of unsatisfactory items.  Some of the sounding tubes are 20 feet long, and most were packed with rust particles for most of their length. 

On my final trip, Bill Arras mentioned that we needed to rehab the threads on the studs and nuts that hold the access covers over the water, ballast and fuel tanks.  The first ones we worked on were in the storerooms below the berthing compartments.  Fortunately Bill Arras loaned us the special dies we needed for this project; and Ken Frank, and 'Little Bill' Rutledge continued the job after my three weeks were up.  In between these 'technical' jobs, I chipped old paint and rust from various places, and completed some paint jobs other people had started. Last year, in Evansville, I only had time to work three days. This time my project was to plug some of our AA gun barrels to keep rain water from rusting them away.

On the 2005 Atlantic Cruise I joined the ship in Alexandria Va. and sailed to north to the three ports in Massachusetts and then south to Chickasaw. I served as helmsman, lookout, line handler, quarter deck watch and tour guide.

I've spoken to my former shipmates at reunions, my American Legion Post, a gun collector association, and a learning in retirement group, as well as to anyone else who recognizes my LST hat and asks about it.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

I am most impressed with the men of the Gold Crew who brought the ship back to the US for us, and continue to serve the ship to realize their dream of having a Memorial Ship to share with visitors and future supporters of the ship. And I am also impressed with all of our volunteers, and the wives of our volunteers, who continue to work in support of 'our' ship.

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

The first time I came up the gangway of LST 325 was like turning back the pages of time. I could not see the US flag, but I saluted it anyway. And the rust brought back memories of LST 528.

8. Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship? (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

I want to meet Ed Strobel and personally thank him for what he did for all of us. Without his initiative and involvement, I doubt there would be an LST Memorial ship.

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

There is an electrical box in the wheelhouse with part of an old fashioned soldering iron attached to it. When I am giving tours I enjoy pointing to it and explaining that this is an example of how our Gold Crew electricians had to improvise on the trip from Greece. When the hydraulic portion of the rudder control system became unreliable; this box and some electrical cable, run down to after steering, replaced the ship's wheel. When you need right or left rudder, you push the soldering iron in the appropriate direction.

10. What has been your favorite project regarding LST 325?

Serving as a crew member on the Atlantic Cruise and proving to myself that I can still steer a compass course, without chasing the compass.  My biggest test was in the narrow channel entering Mobile Bay.    

11. What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

Name: R. G. (Bob) Cerling

City/State: Evansville, IN

(Original)Hometown:

1. How did you become involved with LST 325? (When, where, how did you first hear about the ship that might become/was the LST Ship Memorial)

I encountered a news article before the first visit of LST 325 in Evansville and toured the ship at that time. When the decision was made to make this her home port, I volunteered as a tour guide.

2. What is your background - do you have a connection to LSTs or the Navy? Are you a veteran or the relative of a veteran who served aboard or was transported by these ships? (If you are a veteran, please also give information as to when and where you served, the duty you had.)

I enlisted in the US Navy in January of 1942 while in college. I finished college in the Navy at the University of Michigan, attended midshipman school at Cornell University and Damage Control school at the Philadelphia navy yard before I was assigned to the USS Massachusetts in the Pacific theater in 1945.

3. Have you served as a maintenance worker? What duties have you participated in along this area?

I have not served in maintenance on the LST, but have been in building construction my entire working life. My degree is in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

4. Have you served as a crew member? If so, what have been your duty stations?

I was in charge of a damage control patrol on the USS Massachusetts, and have been a tour guide on LST 325 ever since it docked here permanently in October of 2005.

5. Have you spoken to others about the Ship Memorial? (One on one or to groups. What types of events?)

I have spoken to both individuals and groups about the ship, and led a special tour for a construction industry technical association last year.

6. If you could make a specific point about LST 325 (the ship or the people), what would it be?

The LST is a unique slice of the history of WWII since it was part of both the liberation of Europe and the Cold War which followed.

7. What is your favorite memory/recollection of regarding LST 325?

My favorite part of the LST experience is being able to take my children and grandchildren to see the ship.

8. Do you have a personal goal regarding your involvement with the ship? (A specific project, a personal achievement, an overall goal you want to see attained)

I would like to see the ship become a better tool for the education system in Evansville, Indiana, and the US because "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana).

9. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

My favorite "sea story" about the LST 325 is about reclaiming her from the Cretan junkyard. My favorite personal "sea story" is about our attack on Tokyo on the last day of the war.

10. What is the favorite 'sea story' you have told regarding the LST 325?

I really enjoy conducting tours, especially with children.

11. What does the ship mean to you personally? What does it represent?

LST 325 is a link to my early life. My grandfather came to the US as a ship's carpenter on a tramp freighter, and my father was a carpenter's mate in the US navy during WWI. Also, I have built small boats and models, and I built and owned a marina on the Mississippi River in Camanche, Iowa. My brothers served in the Marines on many of the island assaults in the Pacific during WWII (including Iwo Jima).

R. G. Cerling (former Ensign, USNR)

City/State:

(Original) Hometown:

City/State: Surprise, Az.

(Original) Hometown: Richmond In.

(Terry Tull, left and Dean Erickson, right)