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  USS LCI(L)-327
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



USMC 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 October 31, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN) and assigned to the South Pacific.

Wartime History
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. When the planes came into range, every 20mm cannon aboard USS LCI(L)-327 opened fired for five minutes but while firing, four jammed due to faulty tracer ammunition.

During June 1945 participated in the U.S. operations off Okinawa.

Postwar
During late September 1945 participated in mine sweeping operations in Bungo Strait and Suido off Honshu in Japan until the end of October 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 October 30, 1947 scuttled off Bascombe Island (Mek) in Kwajalein Atoll.

Awards
USS LCI(L)-327 earned three battle stars for her World War II service.

References
NARA "USS LCI(L) 327 Report of Anti-Aircraft Action [4 July 1943]" pages 1-4
NavSource - USS LCI(L)-327 (photos)

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Last Updated
November 20, 2023

 

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July 4, 1943

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