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| USN LCI-1 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large) 236 Tons (Light) 419 Tons (Loaded) 158' 5.5" x 23' 3" x 2' 8" 5 x 20mm cannons   USN July 4, 1943 |
Ship History Built by Brown Shipbuilding of Houston, TX. Laid down July 27, 1942 as LCI-1 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large). Launched September 12, 1942 as USS LCI(L)-327. Commissioned November 8, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) and assigned to the South Pacific. Wartime History On June 27, 1943 in the morning arrives at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal and embarks soldiers from the U.S. Army 169th Infantry Regiment that will be landed as reinforcements on Rendova Island. Departs with Flotilla 5, Group 14 led by led by Lieutenant Commander A. Vernon Jannotta. The 1st Division in column included USS LCI(L)-328 with Lt. Command Jannotta aboard as flagship with USS LCI(L)-327, USS LCI(L)-332, USS LCI(L)-330, USS LCI(L)-329, USS LCI(L)-65 and USS LCI(L)-63 followed by two Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs). The 2nd Division in column included USS LCI(L)-333, USS LCI(L)-334, USS LCI(L)-335, 336, USS LCI(L)-24 and USS LCI(L)-23. At the rear of both colums were two Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs). On July 4, 1943 in the early morning transits Blanche Channel and Renard Entrance into Rendova Harbor and at 10:00am began unloading the 169th Infantry Regiment at East Beach on Rendova Island. By 12:30pm the 1st Division finished unloading and moved into Rendova Harbor south of Bau Island as the 2nd Division took their place to unload. Around 1:50pm Japanese planes were observed to the north and were engaged by U.S. fighters. At 2:05pm the bombers approached from the east and bombed northern Rendova Island and every available gun opened fire. During June 1945 under the command of Lt(jg) A. R. Inabinet, USNR and participated in the U.S. operations off Okinawa. Postwar During September 1945 participated in Japan occupation duty until December 14, 1945. In July 1946 assigned to Joint Task Force 1, Task Unit 1.2.5 (Target Vessels - Landing Craft Units - LCI Group 7 (LCI GRU 7) and used in Operation Crossroads during the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. Fate On March 16, 1948 scuttled off Kwajalein Island inside Kwajalein Atoll. Awards USS LCI(L)-327 earned two battle stars for her World War II service. References NARA "USS LCI(L) 327 Report of Anti-Aircraft Action [4 July 1943]" page 4 (map) NavSource - USS LCI(L)-329 (photos) USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association - On the Fourth They Fought Back: With Flotilla Five On That Unforgettable Day at Rendova Harbor, New Georgia by Zach S Morris "My grandfather, Stephen Ganzberger, was part of Task Unit 31.9.1—LCI (L) Group Fourteen; Flotilla Five—the Allied landings on Rendova Island, New Georgia on July 4th, 1943 in the South Pacific during World War II. On May 18th 2011, almost 68 years later, he shared with me his recollection of the battle while aboard the LCI (L) 329 that afternoon." Contribute
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