Saturday at 10:30 we started up the engines and manned the decks.  We were pulling out to save the Allied Forces from the advancing Germans.  We launched 2 LCVPs with soldiers aboard. Then the USS LST 325 was sailing toward Dress Plaza in Downtown Evansville.  The Invasion of Sicily had begun.

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Steve Gentz and Ray Miles

Quarters at 8:00.  Quarters are an important meeting before work starts for the day. Issues and information are easily shared at this time.

Deck Apes ready to handle lines

Bob Chick, Jack Stephenson, Gerald Muller and Chris Donahue

Getting the LCVP ready to invade the German Beach.

DJ Painter and Greg Smith work to start the Starboard Engine

Greg Smith opens the valves to allow the extra fluid to escape

John Hatton begins to pull the levers and turn the valves to blow the fluid out.

DJ Painter tightens the valves in preparation of starting the engine

John Hatton begins the process of starting our #1 generator that we replaced last year (see previous posts).

Turning levers and valves

Dee Churchwell replaces the covers to the engines.

John Lindholm monitoring the process

The gauges and switches on the bulkhead in Engineering are enough to scare you.

Deck Force is ready to cast off lines

Capt. Robert Jornlin autographs his book, Bringing Back a Hero.  The true story of the return of the USS LST 325. Available for sale in our Gift Shop.  Check out our website at www.LSTMemorial.org

Scott Anderson and Andrew Schade left behind on the barge

Dan Keyes, our pilot, is already in the LCVP along with Jerry Malcolm and David Jenkins

Bob Pointer, Ron Wolfgang, and Bob Rodgers stand watch in the Wheel House

Sabrina Dawber steers the ship for a second!  Thank you Capt. Kubota!

Capt. Bob Kubota after fighting off Sabrina for control of the ship.

Kenneth Grant admires the view from the Conn

Here come reinforcements

The LCVPs head into the beach carrying the Allied Forces.

Drop of the soldiers and get out of there.

They're under heavy fire!

We tried to provide cover using the two dual 40 MM guns.

Sailing past Dress Plaza after we've won the battle!

Everyone works together to manually hoist up the LCVP the last few inches.

Our line handlers did a great job this year!