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| USN LCI-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large): 236 Tons (light) 264 Tons (landing) 419 Tons (loaded) 158' 5½" x 23' 3" x 3 1½" 5 x 20mm cannons possibly 2 x .50 cal MG |
Ship History Built by New Jersey Shipbuilding, Barber, NJ. Laid down August 3, 1944 as LCI-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large). Launched September 2, 1944 as USS LCI(L)-807. Commissioned September 8, 1944 into the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lt(jg) Harold G. Murphy in command. Wartime History Assigned to LCI Flotilla Five, LCI Group Forty-One, LCI Division Eighty-Two. On December 31, 1944 reclassified as Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat) LCI(G)-807. On February 15, 1945 arrived at Kossol Roads off Palau. On March 1, 1945 departed Kossol Roads off Palau then departed as part of the U.S. invasion force bound for Okinawa. For the preliminary operations, one of nine LCI(G)'s assigned to protect the flank of the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) to mask the combat swimmers reconnaissance mission. The rest of the covering force included two LCI(M) on each flank plus six destroyers operating 2,500 yards from the beach. Additional supporting fire was added from Cruisers and Battleships beyond. On March 29, 1945 operated on the right flank of the northern beaches and 500 yards south of Bisha River operating roughly 1,500 yards to 2,500 yards off the west coast of Okinawa. At 9:43am fired mortars at various targets ashore and fired on targets with the 40mm gun and 20mm cannons with no return fire and at 11:42 returned to the reserve area. During the afternoon, protected the northern flank at 3:32pm firing 40mm gunfire and 4:13pm mortar fire and ceased operation at 5:43pm and withdrew to the reserve area five miles off Okinawa. On March 30, 1945 in the morning departed the reserve area to the invasion beach area to provide gunfire support against "Purple Beach" area, south of the location where UDT teams were operating. At 10:34am fired mortars and 40mm gunfire against the landing beaches on Okinawa until 12:08pm when relieved without return fire then returned to the reserve area. On April 1, 1945 participated in the U.S. landing on Okinawa at 7:37am commenced mortar fire support with LCI(M)-808 3,500 yards off the northern beaches. At 8:09am commenced firing mortars at a rate of 12 mortars per minute with 40mm guns firing on the beach. At 8:16 a mortar shell got stuck in the barrel of the no. 1 mortar and the crew attempted to remove it. At 8:21pm the stuck shell exploded setting fire to increments in ready boxes and 40mm shells exploded. During the explosion, roughly twelve men were blown overboard or jumped overboard and resulted in five KIA and thirteen WIA. After the men in the water were rescued then transfered the wounded to LST 930 designated as a hospital ship. Suffered five KIA and thirteen WIA. Afterwards, withdrew southward. On April 4, 1945 arrived at San Pedro Bay off Leyte. On April 30, 1945 reclassified as Landing Craft Infantry (Mortar) LCI(M)-807. For her World War II service earned two battle stars. Fate Decommissioned and struck off the Navy Register. On March 24, 1947 transferred to the Maritime Commission. Ultimate unknown, likely scrapped. References NARA "Action Report With Underwater Demolition Teams at Okinawa Shima 29-30 March 1945" NavSource - USS LCI(M)-807 / USS LCI(G)-807 / USS LCI(L)-807 Contribute
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