To all MV Collectors:

In 2003, The LST-325 is projected to sail up the Mississippi River to several ports of call.  It would be ideal if the tank deck included samples of the types of vehicles carried by the LSTs during the landings at Normandy.  It may not be possible for the ship to own actual vehicles outright, but it would be ideal that several vehicles could be on loan for the various trips.  The major vehicles would be 1. Sherman Tank, 2. 1/2 Track, 3. Jeep w/trailer and 4. Jimmy Deuce.

This is a call for MV collectors and reenactors to step forward and help the American public remember the vets who preserve our freedom.

TIA

     ~ Bob Wilder

This is to inform you that I will be turning over the Station responsibilities to my relief, CTMC Lightner, next week.  I wanted to thank you all for the privilege and the honor of getting work on LST-325.  As I get further in my Navy career, I find myself like yourselves, looking at vessels I once rode and quoted as "State of the Art" now being placed at the reserve basin in Philadelphia.  No one will ever understand the true love of the sea or a ship than a sailor. 

For those interested, I depart NTTC CORRY STATION and report aboard 1 December 02 on the last of the remaining Spruance Class Destoyers, USS DEYO (DD-989) and deploy with the TRUMAN BATTLE GROUP on the 5th of December.  (There goes another Christmas and New Years.)  I entered the Navy 7NOV83 and have deployed on USS PELILEU (LHA-5) and after some ribbing from my father, an engineman, volunteered for destoyer service - after all, as he put it, the real navy.  I served onboard USS PETERSON (DD-969), USS CARON (DD-970), USS RADFORD (DD-968) and USS THORN (DD-988).  After all is said and done I will have 22 yrs, 1 month and 5 days in the navy with 9 yrs sea time. 

Again, thank you for allowing me to come aboard and hope to keep the crews coming. 

Very Respectfully,

Raymond J Trendle Jr
CTR1 (SW)       USN

[Ed. note:  Many thanks for your extensive help on the 325.  We certainly wish you all the best in your upcoming ventures!]

Update from Michael Smith Dated 21 AUG 02   Newlyweds Naomi and Michael

[Ed note:  Michael and Naomi have been on honeymoon in Europe, which provides ample excuse for the delay in submitting these pictures.  See also Ron Maranto's posting of 01 AUG.  Best wishes to the newlyweds!]

On Monday the 29 of July a cook out was held for the Blue Crew members and their spouses or significant others.  Many familiar faces were in attendance and there was much time to visit and meet the families of all our Blue Crew members.  From my point of view, it was quite an opportunity to meet many of the wives that support and encourage the hard working Blue Crew members. 

I also finally had the opportunity to meet Mrs. W. C. Smith and one of her daughters.  They expressed how much they truly appreciated everyone’s thoughts and prayers.  Thanks to Capt. and Mrs. Jornlin, Mr. and Mrs. Maranto and Mr. Chapman for hosting the party! 

     ~ Michael Smith
 

Update from Ron Maranto

Dated 19 AUGUST 2002

I just got back from five great days aboard the 325. 

Cal and Pearl were busy doing their thing, Larry Johnson and Chuck Frawley did some grinding, chipping, and put one of our benches together, while Bill Arras, with the help of Larry, Chuck, Don Chapman and myself hauled the galley blower to the second deck which Bill repaired.  Vance Barnes stayed busy painting the davit and storage locker.  Don did some chipping as I did the same.  I lowered about twenty 20-ft. pipe lengths through the cargo hatch, while Matt Mattoon received them on the tank deck.  From there I went to the second deck to chip the rust off the deck. 

I only took a few pictures of some of the progress that was made.  First a before-and-after.  Some new items for sale, the new bench, primed area that was chipped, and Mr. Hook and Don Chapman by the area Vance painted. 

I guess it doesn't sound like much was accomplished, but we were all busy the whole time.  Once you get started you just don't want to stop.  Even now I'm looking forward to going back.  C'mon down and join us.  You'll find out exactly what I'm talking about.  We'll be hoping to see you there!

     ~ Ron Maranto

Update from Vance Barnes Dated 17 AUGUST 2002 Vance Barnes and Calvin Ellison share a heavy load.

Photo by Ron Maranto

For about 17 months I've been working three days a week on the LST 325, doing many different tasks but specializing in painting and showing the ship to visitors.

I've worked with many old men like me (age 78), and several of their wives.  There are some notable exceptions, like Michael Smith, Brian Baldwin and the Adams clan, all of whom are young but have some very real connection to old LST men.  Recently two young men and a young woman came aboard to work.  They are locals from Mobile, AL.  They are Brandi Criscione, a beautiful 17-year old senior this year;  Daniel Ash, a freshman at Auburn University, studying architecture starting this fall; and Anthony D'Lima, student at the University of South Alabama, studying computer engineering.  All came to work, and work they did -- using compressed air driven needle guns, the modern equivalent of the chipping hammer.  It was hot, dirty, and very noisy work, but there were no complaints.

During lunck break I tried to determine "the connection" and found that there was no connection with any present or former LST sailors.  My curiosity not satisfied, I asked point blank, "Why are you working here?"  The answer:  "We had some time and decided to do something."  They were friends, working at the same Pizza Parlor -- nothing more, nothing less.  After 2 or 3 days another young man came with them, David Ash, Daniel's brother.  He's 15, home schooled, and works as hard as the others.

If any of you old codgers believe, as my wife's aunt did, that "the younger generation is going to hell in a hand basket," you should meet Brandi, Daniel, Anthony and David.  You will have a new perspective!

     ~ Vance Barnes

[Ed. note:  For more on these terrific young volunteers (along with pictures), please see Ron Maranto's Update of 01 AUG 02.]

Note from Vince Collier

Dated 16 AUGUST 2002

Hello Guys, hope you are doing well. Just checking up on the latest on our website, and hoping all is well onboard. I was shocked by the news of W.C. Smith's passing. He was a hell of a guy. The last coversation I had with him lead me to believe he didn't think he was gonna live much longer. He was watching me do the last safety checks on the small deck crane I built, and he knew I was leaving soon. He asked me when I would be back, and I told him I expected to be gone about ten months, and he said "Well, I guess this will be the last time I see you then." Somehow he must have known. I miss him. My grandfather passed in June, and sometimes I wonder if they have gotten to know each other because lately my ears start burning when ever I think of them ....

Anyway, hope to see you all again as soon as I can. I'm very busy lately, as I have started my own little manufacturing business making small pedal powered personal watercraft. Hopefully this will pay off well enough to allow me to came back and work on the ship some more. Anyway, take care, keep well, and somebody go over and say Hi to Grover for me. 

Respectfully, 

     ~ Vincent W. Collier

NEWS RELEASE: WWII VESSEL TO SAIL AGAIN THANKS TO MACHESNEY PARK MANUFACTURING FIRM EVAC ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS MANUFACTURES SANITATION DEVICE TO HELP HISTORIC VESSEL BECOME A LIVING MUSEUM  CAPTAIN OF HISTORIC VESSEL, USS LST 325, TO VISIT EVAC THURSDAY, AUGUST 15

A donation from a Machesney Park manufacturing firm will allow a World War II vessel that sailed 40 missions to France and England during WWII to sail again and serve as a museum ship for thousands of visitors across the country. 

 The USS LST (Landing Ship Tank) 325, is one of only two WWII LST’s to be preserved in the United States.  To bring it to standards that allow it to operate in U.S. waters, it must have a sewage treatment system on board.  EVAC Environmental Solutions, 1260 Turret Dr., manufactures a marine sanitation device, called an ORCA, which treats sewage on board the vessel and discharges it overboard.  The firm is donating the device to the USS LST 325, and on Thursday, August 15, 11:30 a.m., Capt. Robert Jornlin will appear at EVAC to receive the device and share information about the vessel, its history, and its future.

The USS LST 325 was built in 1942 as an amphibious vessel designed to land battle-ready tanks, troops, and supplies directly onto enemy shores.  LST’s were enormously useful during the war and belonged to all services – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Merchant Marines. From Omaha Beach to the coast of Greenland, and from the Labrador Sea to Salerno, Italy, the ship played an important role in defending the country. 

 The ship was decommissioned in 1946, then re-activated a number of times through the years, until eventually it was transferred to Greece and served in the Greek Navy until December 1999.  In summer 2000, an aging crew of 50 U.S. Navy veterans saved the ship from the scrap yard, and in November of that year, 30 of the men sailed the ship from Crete to the U.S., a 6,200-mile voyage, with the goal of restoring the ship and preserving the memory of these ships and the men who served and died on them.

 The vessel arrived back in the U.S. in January 2001.  It currently is stationed in Mobile, AL, where it is open for tours.  With the installation of the ORCA device, the ship will be able to sail under its own power along inland rivers and along the coasts allowing people from across the country to see and tour the historic ship.

 For additional information on the USS LST 325, visit its website at LSTMemorial.org.

 EVAC is the world’s leading supplier of vacuum systems, providing water and waste management solutions for the marine, aviation, train and building industries.  EVAC is an international company with headquarters in Machesney Park, IL.  EVAC has other offices in Europe and Asia.  EVAC's website is located at Envirovacinc.com.

LST 898 is having it's reunion in Mobile October 3-6 2002 and we plan to tour the LST 325 during our visit. We are expecting approximately 50 people to attend the reunion.

  ~ Frank Owsley
       LST 898
       2002 Reunion Coordinator. 

To avoid conflicts and to enable more people to attend, The USS LST Ship Memorial's Membership Meeting has been changed to Fri., 30 AUG at 3 p.m.  Once again, this is open to everyone and anyone interested in LST 325's progress and future.  We hope you'll be able to attend!
 

Lois and I have been in charge of the ship for July, except for week two when Rocky and Dianne Hill filled in for us.  It has been very hot and humid here with rain almost every day.  The number of volunteers and visitors has fallen off due to the heat.  The "old reliables" are still there almost every day, but we did give Cal and Pearl Ellison a couple of well-deserved weeks off while we took the duty.

Work is continuing on the superstructure, the doghouses just in front of officers' country, and the cloverleaves.  Vance Barnes, Dean Stewart and Lee Hunter worked hard on the inside of the cloverleaves, probably for the first time in 60 years.  They are now cleaned out and freshly painted.  Dan Toole and Chief John Kinney worked on welding a steel plate over the helicopter grate.  It was leaking water into the tank deck and was also not original to the ship.  It was also a walking hazard on the main deck.  Steel is aboard for new ladders aft and portside to the O1 level, and also to finish the lifelines started by the Voges Family on the main deck and O1 level.  A new septic system has been donated by ENVIROVAC, INC., of Rockford, IL.  This system will be able to handle 72 persons.  This has been one of the top priorities since our return that will finally get done thanks to ENVIROVAC, INC. and MRS. SHIRLEY FREDERICK.  The evaporator room has all of the junk removed, thanks to Matt Matoon.  Bill Arras, Chuck Frawley, Larry Johnson, Martin Hanrath and Harold Childress have also been a great help this month.  We really feel the loss of W. C. Smith on the Blue Crew.  He was so dedicated to our project.  We did have the opportunity to visit with his wife and she is doing well.

The trip up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers is being planned for next summer with visits to St. Louis on July 4th and Evansville, IN on the 12th of July.  Other cities will be announced.  We have much to do to make this happen!  The ship needs volunteers, especially electricians, engine men and welders.  A lot of excitement is being generated all along the rivers.  I also believe that a lot of LST sailors will want to be in one of the cities or on the banks of the river to see the LST go by.  This cruise was last accomplished by the U.S. Navy in late 1945 with the LST 512 and has not been done since.  It will be an historic occasion you should not miss.  Motel rooms may be difficult to find as we anticipate a potential drawing of 14 million people.  Can you think of anyone who would not want to see this great warship up close and personal?

We plan a crew of approximately 50 for the cruise with half manning the ship underway, and the rest helping with tours in the ports of call.  Mr. Bill Kaupas is setting up the requirements to be part of the crew.  This information will be available soon.  Those who have worked on the ship (and it will be mandatory to have worked at least two weeks before the cruise) will be given preference.  Health and physical abilities must be considered and a fee will be required for food and supplies.  Details will be available as soon as they are finalized.  Meanwhile, your support and continued interest are essential to our success.

     ~ Capt. Bob Jornlin

FROM: CTR1 (SW) Raymond J Trendle, MARS Officer, NTTC CORRY STATION
TO:   Executive Officer, NTTC CORRY STATION

SUBJ: LST-325 AFTER ACTION REPORT (03 AUG 2002)

Service members and MARS personnel mustered in the parking lot in front of the NMT building at 0800. Departure time was at 0830. A total of 22 military personnel and one DOD civilian from NAS Pensacola were mustered. Army personnel were in uniform, used one 16-passenger van; other personnel used their POVs with a total of 6 vehicles in the caravan. Arrival and departure times are recorded on the vessels deck log. It was commented that it was the first time since Korea that active duty Army had been onboard.

Arrival time at LST-325 was at 0935 local time. Personnel were then divided into working parties. The following is a break down of those working parties:

Alpha Working Party - Radio Room:
Mr. William Duke           CTM1 (SW) Ronald Bennett
SA J Jones                 PVT Micah Bittner

POC: CTR1 (SW) Raymond J Trendle

Bravo Working Party - Prep for painting, Starboard superstructure:
AZ2 Michelle L Merriman    CTMSN Christopher Trygg
CTOSN David Walker         CTMSN Stephen Bennett
CTOSN Patricia LeMaster

POC: CTM1 Michael J George

Charlie Working Party - Cleaning of Well Deck:
SPC Colin Beharry          SPC Shayla Agnew
PVT2 Eric Carson           PVT2 Elizabeth Turner
PVT Michele Harman         PVT Darryl Griffin
PVT Juaquita Ware          PVT Angel Luis Rivern Torres
PVT Russell McKenzie       PVT Curtiss Carr

POC: Drill Sergeant, SFC Douglas Gerringer

Original plan for Alpha working party was to rig fan wires, inventory equipment, make operational one modern HF station, One 2 meter station and place any of the World War II equipment back in operation. Mr. Robert Wilder was the contact for this room. The rigging of fan wires was cancelled under recommendation that it was not known if the main mast was going to remain. Speculation is that the forward main mast will be removed to allow access up the Mississippi River. The current mast does not allow clearance under some bridges in the Mississippi. So, one wire was rigged on the after mast. The modern HF station was installed and operationally checked on a frequency of 14.300 MHz on the maritime network with the callsign WW2LST, issued to it from the FCC. The 2-meter radio was not found onboard. Inventory of equipment was completed and turned over to Mr. Robert Wilder. Equipment was shifted and placed in the correct positions according to a diagram provided by Mr. Wilder.

Bravo working party worked with needle guns and chipping hammers in preparations for painting the forward starboard side superstructure. Navy and Army personnel switched off on this job between morning and afternoon shifts due to the heat. Ship's point of contact for this job was Mr. Donald Chapman. Personnel were issued hearing protection, eye protection, needle guns and chipping hammers.

Army personnel cleared approximately 500 to 1,000 pounds of excess material from the Lower Vehicle Deck where the bow doors are located. Personnel loaded a bin that was placed down in the hold, it was then craned over the side and further unloaded by Army personnel by the provided metal disposal dumpster. A retired Coast Guardsman was point of contact for this job. (He later commented at chow that he really didn't want to say anything to start a fight but he was the only representation from the Coast Guard and it was unusual for Army and Navy to be eating chow together without some ribbing.)

STOP SHIPS WORK, SUPPER FOR THE CREW was passed at 1304 with Army personnel providing a personal grill, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, buns, sodas and condiments. All were fed by 1440 and COMMENCE SHIPS WORK was passed. Our crews as well as the LST's crew were all fed. Army personnel switched out with Navy personnel on the chipping hammers and needle guns as Navy personnel then started sweepers on the residue left from this operation.

I was called to the ship's office and given a box of LOAs from the Ship's Captain and I passed that box to our Executive Officer for endorsement this afternoon. The names on those LOAs are for those individuals who made the previous visit. CTM1 (SW) Bennett and myself have made two visits to the vessel. I organized personnel while CTM1 (SW) Bennett placed personnel into working parties.

All were extremely impressed with the condition of the ship and students were extremely motivated to take part on a ship and given their first experience with maintaining a ship and have asked when we plan on a return visit. Army also posed the same question as to who would be taking over the visits to assist on the vessel. At the time of this writing it is not know if there will be a return visit.  CTM1 (SW) Bennett, CTM1 (SW) M George, SFC D Gerringer met for a short while on the pier discussing this issue but did not resolve it. Both CTM1 (SW) Bennett and myself transfer in SEPT and NOV respectively.

Very Respectfully Submitted,

     ~ Raymond J Trendle Jr.

Note from Walt McBride & Jennings Hoke

Thanks for your progress reports - we get them weekly and appreciate them very much.  The photos are wonderful.

We will try to get down there again after the HOT weather goes away. I'll bet that LST is an oven about now.  God Bless all that serve on there these miserable days.  We're too old to subject our old bodies to the heat right now.

     ~ Walt McBride and Jennings Hoke
         North Carolina Blue Crew Members

Update from Ron Maranto
Dated 01 AUGUST 2002

Once again I'm just back from the 325 and found three newcomers aboard real busy at work.  Brandi Criscione who is a high school student attending McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile.  Then there is Anthony D'Lima who is attending the University of Southern Alabama, and Daniel Ash who is attending Auburn.

They were at work doing their part in the restoration of the 325.  We welcome them aboard and give our sincere THANKS.  What a great feeling it is to know there are young people coming and putting in a hard day's work on this great project.  Let me not forget to mention Bob Ostrander was there vaccuming the water fron the deck, and then there was Chuck.  Don Chapman flew in yesterday to take Bob and Lois Jornlin's place as they will be leaving Thursday.

Monday evening a party was given to a well-deserving Blue Crew.  I won't get into that as Michael Smith was there, and he will cover it well as he usually does with pictures and the works.  But I wanted to pass along a couple pictures of Michael because he's usually the one BEHIND the camera!

     ~ Ron Maranto
 

A personal note from the WebSkipper:  I'd like to encourage absolutely anybody and everybody to provide material for this page.  By no means are submissions here restricted to just certain individuals.  The whole purpose of this website (and especially this particular page) is to share information about our LST Memorial with the entire community.  Sitting here 2,000 miles away, I personally don't have a clue what's happening aboard the ship unless somebody tells me.  To date, I've posted absolutely every single tidbit of information that's come my way.  If you have any news to share at all, please just send me an email:  WebSkipper@LSTMemorial.Org -- all of us would be very appreciative, and we all want to know what's going on! 

Legend: 

Archives:

Archive for July 2002:

• 27 JUL 02 - Hello from Utah Beach
• 25 JUL 02 - Don't Stop Now!!
• 25 JUL 02 - Steering Committee Report from Anna Koepp
• 25 JUL 02 - Membership Meeting Announcement
• 24 JUL 02 - Progress Report from Rocky Hill
• 17 JUL 02 - Give the 325 a Minute or Two
• 16 JUL 02 - Note of Thanks from Jeff Kurtz
• 14 JUL 02 - The Loss of Our Shipmate, W. C. Smith from Capt. Bob Jornlin
• 13 JUL 02 - As I Remember W. C. by Pat Johnston
• 13 JUL 02 - Note from Dianne Hill
• 12 JUL 02 - Letter from Mary Claire Majure
• 12 JUL 02 - Update from Paul Hannie
• 08 JUL 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 08 JUL 02 - In Memory of a Good Friend, W. C. Smith by Michael Smith
• 03 JUL 02 - Progress Report from Capt. Jornlin
• 01 JUL 02 - Update from Michael Smith

• 26 JUN 02 - Progress Report from Ron Maranto
• 25 JUN 02 - Progress Report from Michael Smith
• 22 JUN 02 - Update from Gina Carr
• 19 JUN 02 - Donation Request from Bob Wilder
• 19 JUN 02 - Progress Report from John Calvin
• 13 JUN 02 - Update from Bruce Voges
• 03 JUN 02 - Update from Michael Smith & Naomi Friedman
• 02 JUN 02 - "Another Hero Gone" from Vince Collier
• 01 JUN 02 - "Belated Thanks" from Capt. Bob Jornlin

CDR Jackson Carter was LST 325's Executive Officer before and during the voyage back from Greece.  In addition to his normal duties, he was an avid ham radio operator and enjoyed communicating during his down-time with other hams all over the world.  He also maintained a website for LST 325 which included all of his situation reports, as well as  many photographs showing the hard work done in Greece getting the ship seaworthy – that site is a must-see for anyone who hopes to understand what it took to bring this ship home.  Most importantly, Mr. Carter was one of the finest human beings one could ever hope to meet.  He passed away just five weeks after finally realizing his dream.  This website now carries on the work – and the dream – where he left off, and in his memory.  Thanks, Jack ... for being you.    Fair winds!

In Memoriam Jackson Carter