USS LST-325 Ship Tour (4K)
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I was made a crew member on the USS LST-325 for two days.
This amazing Navy ship is the last of its kind. Out of 1,051 made in three years during WWII, this LST (Landing Ship Transport) was brought back from Greece by a group of aging Navy vets back in 2000. Climb aboard and find out what incredible history this vessel has in store, as crew member David Coker takes you on a tour.
LST-325 Memorial Museum: lstmemorial.org/
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My dad was a crew member of the LST 325, and his name was Cecil Bert (Tex) Davis. He was the Radioman for the ship. My wife Karla and I toured the LST 325 in 2013 right after our son Ryan had graduated from Navy Bootcamp at Great Lakes Training Center. He is now the Electronic Communications Radioman on board the USS Tennessee SSBN-734.
My name is Kirk Davis and it was a very emotional time for me to actually be on board the 325. Dad was overseas for 42 months during WWII and all of it was aboard the LST 325. Dad passed away in May of 1986 after heart complications. He would be so proud to have known about the original crew members going overseas to bring home this ship. He would have been right there with them.
Our time in Evansville is a time I will never forget. Thank you so very much for keeping this ship alive. May God bless all who are currently serving on board the Great LST 325.
Kirk Davis
Your Dad was of "THE GREATEST GENERATION"
where almost every citizen,no matter their political beliefs,put away their personal differences and came together and did what was needed to make what was needed, even the sacrifices stateside, like gas,food and generally everything else needed for daily life was rationed. THANK YOU for sacrificing so much for future generations would not have to know what true war is..
❤ awesome thanks ❤
Thanks for sharing. My dad was on an LST in WW2
while touring this ship I had "to go"...so I was directed to the "head'...a little steel box just ahead of aft superstructure...it was a hot day and you didn't want to linger any longer than necessary....so I "did my business" and left my little contribution to posterity as quickly as possible!
I served on three LST's during the VietNam War. Running the rivers of the Mekong Delta. the Caroline County Lst 525, the Snohomish County LST 1126, and the Page county LST 1076. They are great ships that can operate in very little water, perfect for river duty.
We must have served together. I was on the 1126 and 1076 during that time.
What Division were you in ? I was in Engineering. I was an engineman.
@@leejproductions27 I was in Deck. I ran the crane and also one of the LCVP coxswains. We served together on the Snohomish and Page. I came aboard as a SN left as a BM3 and retired as an O-3.
I too was on boats crew. I can't remember the name of my coxswain. But my bow hook was Daniel Hursh from Nebraska. My coxswain was a blond headed , thin guy,
Awsome I never thought about them being born in 1982 and was watching videos of the new anphibious asalt landing craft thinking they must of had them back then .my body was in military in 90s peice time and as Machanic his job was go to giant ships parked all around world like moth ball ships but full of humers and tanks and all that good stiff siting in ships waiting and would air up all the tires fire up the engins of all vehicals and the the ship rust coat every thing inspect all inventory and just let it sit their another 2 years .that was when we where In peice time and was for meny years .
I got the honor of meeting most if not all of those gold crew members in Gibraltar. I was serving aboard the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) when we pulled into Gibraltar. I was one of three Electronic Technicians that helped repair their navigation radar along with some speakers for their comm gear on the bridge. There is actually a History Channel video that was filmed where I can be seen eating lunch with one of the crew members. I did a lot of things while in the Navy and this has always been one of my fondest memories. Someday I hope to make a trip to see the ship. The men that sailed this ship were all in their 70s at the time if I recall and man the stories they had. Not to mention they were doing a job that we were doing and we were 50 years younger. They were also like 1/4 of the crew required to sail the ship. I may be a small part, but I feel as though I am part of her storied history.
My father was an RM3 on LST 335 during D-day. Before that he was a radioman on USS Chemung AO 30. He enlisted in the USN 3 months before he was 18 YO. His last station was US NAVSTA Gitmo before he was honorably discharged 1 week before his 21st birthday. He never talked about the war. I only knew he was on AO 30 because he saw it in dry dock one day as we were cruising through LA Harbor on one of the boats he owned back in the day. Only after finding his Naval records recently was I able to piece together his WWII history.
I found discharge papers stating my father served on USS LST 903 and found this film very informative. My father served in the engine room and the thing he said about his service was that the engine room was a really hot and noisy place. Thank you for this film!
I have owned machine guns military aircraft and armoured vehicles.. Let me tell you what the crew has done here is beyond belief.. It's REALLY magic.. Because i . don't think one can imagine the time dedication and love involved
My dad served proudly on Lst 1009,1039 and 1074 in the Pacific 1942-1946
My father served on LST 181 from 1942 to the end of the war. He often said LST stood for long slow target or lousy stinking tub.... but he would be quick to add, It got me to the South Pacific and it got me home. Regarding the "flexing" Dave mentions, Dad said when first introduced to the ship he was given a tour and it was described as "limber".... which caused him to think "limber" was a fine quality for a fly rod, not so much for an ocean-going vessel. He toured LST 325 a few years ago with my mother, and it was a moving experience for him, his two sons and a number of his grandchildren.
this ship has been up to Pittsburgh twice and we enjoyed having them...one one occasion they timed it just right...tied up next to the stadium and were able to partake of the tailgating before a Steelers game...think they enjoyed that
i gave many tours of this ship. I always ask the children to salute as they came on board. It was a lot of fun and i learned so much. I also served in the Galley for the tour down the rivers leaving from Evansville, Indiana.
Thank you for your service. My dad was on the USS Hunterdon County 838 Mekong delta to Cambodia on the down low.
Spent 3 years and 5 months on LST 1189. Many of those hours down there on the tank deck griping and ungriping Mark 7A1 amtracs. In a storm or rough waters you could stand on the aft tank deck, look forward and see the ship bend.
Thank you for your service!
could see it up on deck too back aft by the stern anchor windlass look thru the wind tunnel at the bow ramp, and the first time you see the ship visibly bending 4 or 5 feet is an oh schi!! moment.
My grandmother was a welder on the lst 325 when it was in service..
This explains why the ship is a museum in Evansville: During World War II, Evansville produced 167 LSTs (and 35 other craft), making it the largest inland producer of LSTs in the nation.
Make you proud to be an American, eh?
we produced a little over a hundred of them right here in the Pittsburgh area...both at the Dravo shipyard on Neville Island and in Ambridge...the military barracks that housed the crews are still there and visible from the highway...
LSTs' were also built in Seneca Illinois
I was a on Military Transport LST 287 with MCB #7 on a trip to San Salvador BWI. from Newport Davisvile RI. We went through a Hurricane Helene off the coast of Cape Fear North Carolina, a category 4 storm. I remember the ship still had two side by side large tall bridg
ed forward masts. Do to the storm we had to get rid of most of the deck cargo. Also the storm damaged the big forward front doors. The bulldozers that we carried below deck broke there lashings. After the storm we landed on the Island we lost the rear anchor chain broke and ship ran much to far up on the beach. After we unloaded the mess inside of many barrels of road tar. that we had to shovel out in to trucks. I had black feet for a while. Oh i almost forgot, ship listed in the storm 27 degrees to port and starboard, and twisted and waved up and down like a dolphin. watching the deck wave. Finally it took two Navy Sea going tugs to pull it off the beach and a lot of CB's with bulldozers and many men with long poles to help push and launch her again . During the storm I was asked by the captain to steer her into the waves. . Because all on board were Hopelessly seasick and I had only the experience driving a vessel it was a 30 FT. a launch for a Yacht Club. no a 327ft LST "I will never ever forget this Trip." Paul Woolhiser CN MCB #7 1958-1959 ish. PS. The ship was built lot better than i thought Not for one trip for D Day across the Atlantic.? "Can Do"
What a great vessel, for me it's so important to preserve vessels, ect as living memorials to all the brave service personnel who not only served on them but the people who sailed into battle on them, we must never forget their service and sadly their sacrifice! I also would like to thank everyone involved in keeping history alive. Thank you. 🇬🇧🇺🇲👍👍👍👊✌️.
Great Video - I was a helicopter aircrewman 1986-2000 - so the "Gator Navy" wasn't my THING - but my little brother was Deck Div Officer on USS Juneau for awhile and I took a tour, and rode home on USS Denver. REALLY a shame we didn't keep more of these ships. Sadly, none of the ships I served aboard are afloat any longer (FFG, DDG, and CG classes) - other than USS Midway and USS Stennis.
thought they would have kept at least one of the DDG's. as a museum ship...unfortunately it didn't happen...toured one in Norfolk and a cousin of mine was the cook on the Robison (DDG 12) when it sailed to Vietnam...understand one of them was sent to South America to function as a floating power station....he has since passed but i've got the model right here in the middle of my collection
Outstanding work putting this together!! Wish myDad was still here to see this : he served on LST-738 which was sunk dec 15 1944 off Mindoro in Leyte gulf. He was ships barber and 20 mm gun station on the bow during general quarters, his nickname was Doodles.
My Dad, Ron Bezouska, (USN Ret Capt) helped recondition this ship when it returned from Greece. He enjoyed sailing it to different ports, beaching it and opening up the museum
Enjoyed the video. Served aboard the Caddo Parish LST 515 from 1967 & 68 running the rivers Mekong Delta Vietnam. Took one rocket at water line aft.
My dad served on a LST in WWII Pacific theater. He enlisted when he was 16 yrs old with a letter of permission from his father. He steared the ship in port when docking because he was the only one who could dock without hitting the dock . He also was the best marksman with the anti aircraft gun on the ship ! He had 3 older brothers and one younger who also served . The oldest was in the army and the others were navy ! They truly are the greatest generation ! My father and uncles all survived the war and prospered with long lives after ! RIP my father and uncles! Let's go Brandon !
Thank you for your family's service! 🇺🇲
My Brother inlaw served during WWII
on a LST, making serial landings and actually fired at attacking Japanese planes. RIP Robert Wilhelm 🙏 ✝️🫡
believe it was during the Korean war that they switched to naming these ships for American counties
I was part of an Air Force crew that loaded two LSTs in Cubi Point PI in 1961. We shipped our radar equipment to Thailand for a SEATO exercise. These ships were designated USNS since they were not crewed by the US Navy. One of these LSTs had the elevator as seen here, and the other had the long ramp. We met the ships in Thailand some time later for unloading. Driving the 160 miles from the beach landing to Don Maung AB on the left side of the road, through the night was very interesting! It was definitely an experience that will not be forgotten. As a side note, we got to watch the CIA C-46s fly out of Don Maung into Laos on a regular basis. We tracked them!
Great film! I'm a former LST signalman, though from a Newport class, LST 1196 Harlan County. I served 80-84. I enjoyed this very much.
Thank you for your service!
these ships were used in Vietnam as supply vessels for the riverine fleet...giving those boys on the PBR's and other vessels a chance to get a hot meal and take a hot shower...it was much appreciated
USS Fresno LST 1182. it is neat to see many of the similarities between the classes of LST.
Thank you David. Your tour was very informative. My dad was a gunners mate on an LST in the South Pacific in 1944. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. He never really said much about his WWII service. I'm in the process now of getting his service record so I can learn more about his naval experiences.
Thanks again,
Bob Campbell
Such a fine restoration and maintenance.
As a Marine in the 70's, I served aboard USS Okinawa LPH-3. Sadly she suffered an engineering casualty and was put to rest in a SinkEx.
Thank you for your service!
Toured 325 while it came to Chattanooga this summer, great tour. Wife and I can add it to the USS CROCKETT ( gas turbine gun boat), USS SILVERSIDES, U505, USCG MACKINAW. Floating history can't be beat.
Mr Hartwell my 5 grade teacher at mountain view elementary in Puyallup, Washington was a signalman on a WWII LST. I remember him as the best school teacher I ever had.
My ship when I was in, was the USS Lamore County. My ship was built during the Vietnam era. I served on board that ship from 1994-1995. Loved that ship. It was a true boatswains mate ship.
David. Best tour and explained video I have ever viewed.
Thanks for your service and dedication
My brother, Roland, was assigned to LST 857 during the Korean War. He was an ET (electronics Technician) 2nd Class Petty Officer. The LST was his last ship before discharge in 1954. He often spoke of his time on the ship as they sailed into harms way from time to time.
I worked on a 99' 1929 vintage tug that has a starboard main engine out of a LST. The Falk reverse gear had a horizontal offset that moved the propeller outboard. Originally an A head engine with flat copper head gaskets was updated to a B head with o-ring gaskets.
LST 325 visited Pittsburgh a few times. From what I heard it was well received. I went on a tour of the ship the first time it came to town. There were tanks and DUKW's on the tank deck and some jeeps and other equipment on the main deck. I hope the ship can make another stop in Pittsburgh again and I want to tour the ship again. I was surprised to find out that a lot of the LST's were made at the shipyard a few miles up the Ohio River from Downtown Pittsburgh.
Just toured the 325 today in Charleston, WV. Beautiful ship with such a great history.
What an excellent piece of film!
And the ship: The radio room was really astonishing. all those precious PL259 connectors...
I am a marine in Taiwan I took LST multiple times to perform tasks These ships are still in use
12:48 bill Nickerson is my grandpa. He was one of the original crew members of the LST 325. Unfortunately he died lest month due to terminal cancer rip
i dont care how many times i watch this video, my eyes are glued to it every, wall every bulkhead,every inch of that ship is just, well i wish i could see it for real. glad its still around, great ship.
My dad served on USS 960 from 1944 to 1946. Thanks for sharing.
That's great!
🇺🇲👍
My father, Maruice Brouse, served on LST 465 in the South Pacific. He used to tell me stories about some of the invasion landings the ship accomplished. The Landing on Red Beach at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, was one his most recounted experiences. According to online records, the ship participated in at least 7 landings. The ships were intended for only one trip onto the beach. What a workhorse! There are several interesting photographs of 465 on the internet. I also have several personal photos my dad took and several more buddies of his took of him and other Carpenter Mates on board ship. My older brother and I plan to tour the 325 sometime in April 2024. I will be 75 and my brother will be 77 years old. We think we should make the trip while we still can!
Thank you for your family's service.
You and your brother should visit!
I was blessed to be able to tour this magnificent vessel today.
LST 393 is in Muskegon, Michigan. A great tour.
Glad you enjoyed it Mike
Correction. LST325 is not the last of its kind.. We have LST393 in Muskegon Michigan!
I've visited the LST too and it's an amazing experience. Thanks for making a video to help spread the word!
That is fantastic god bless all those men who served on her. That's a beautiful ship she served well.
Very interesting ship. Thanks for the tour. I have crew experience on a crab processor in Alaska. She was a converted WW2 oiler, 180 feet long and a real tub. I enjoyed my time there and I would have liked to spend time on your ship also.
Thank you for this virtual tour. My Grandfather was on the LST 980, USS Meeker County, during WWII. Last year, we came to tour the ship in Evansville, but the Ohio river flooded and our tour was canceled. Hope to get back to try again.
Thank you for a great video! My wife's grandfather was important in building these ships. My wife's grandmother christened L S T 1002 June 8 1944 at the U S Navy Yard Boston Mass. Her name was Mary E. NELSON. She was presented with a wooden box and the cage which held the bottle of champagne. I still have all the material and original photos, press releases etc. After the war it was sold to China and used as a river patrol boat. Is there anyone out there who had a relative who served on her?
many women were involved in the construction of these ships...around here they cranked one out every six weeks..they would launch them during their lunch break so everyone got to see them hit the water....
Just wanted to mention that that I just showed your great documentary to my father, who is an Army Vet and has a Masters Degree in history. He was very impressed with your video.
Thank you again for creating and posting such a great video!
Very cool video my grandpa served in the engine room of an LST in WW2 in the pacific theater.
Thank you for your family's service! 🇺🇲
Excellent tour and video of LST-325. Thank you very much for making this video and for posting it on RUclips! Superbly done!
even with the double hull they were susceptible to torpedo attack....as you can see the interior of the ship is just one big open space...essentially a floating parking garage....
Thanks for the tour. My Dad served on LST 391 and LST 388 as a Machinist Mate.
Just got to tour this vessel in Hannibal Missouri, today 9/16/23. It was quite the privilege to see this amazing piece of our history. Huge thanks to the crew and great video!
Love those guys! Glad you enjoyed the video.
The compass binical is guarded by the “Quarter Master’s Balls”..... One red (indicating the Port side) and the other green (indicating the Starboard side) of the ship. In reality the Quartermasters’ balls were generally blue....
Thank you Brothermen for your sacrifices in our nation’s behalf, and for the future generations of those who visit this fine vessel.
15:10 they're thinking "oops...shut up boys..."
I'd like to know what they were talking about. LoL
Ken, I want to thank You for taking the time to put this presentation together. I am currently serving in the US Army Reserves and have a Battle Buddy that served in the Navy.
Thank you for your service.
Had a summer job as a teen working for Sealift Command (?). LSTs berthed along the pier always. Interestingly, although US flagged, they had Japanese crews. Brought in shot up tanks. I remember cargo manifests seem to always list 155m shells or booze. 1972.
Well those WW2 Old War Dogs were made of Steel. My hrandad was delivered to Oamaha on 326, Dennis Bailey. Never cussed. Always fixed everything
That ship is living history, great video! Looking forward to the documentary.
+Doug Poarch thanks Doug! I will be finishing work on that film within the week.
The S.S. John W. Brown Liberty Ship still sails out of Baltimore under triple expansion steam (for a distance, then switches over to diesel to save wear and tear). At least she did a couple years ago when I was aboard...hope she's still cruising the harbor.
seen to recall seeing one of those down at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
cool....seen it completely
worked for 20yrs at a shipyard in a country libaraded by one of those ships (holland) and fly a phantom 4 myself...thanks
Awesome! I'll check out some of you Holland videos.
I served on LST 854 on 1967 a great ship.
Kemper County
Thank you for your service! 🇺🇲
In Korea, my dad would load his tanks on those. Not the tank shown, but more advanced. Want to say an m47(if I remember right).
He had a story about artillery blowing one of the doors almost off.
THANKS for the tour, seeing the people, and more...
All I can say is WOW! That is an Awesome Ship and a Great Video!
Thank You So Much For Sharing!
You are VERY welcome!
You know, it took a lot of effort to film and produce this video, so when people take time to let me know they appreciate it, well it means a great deal to me. Thanks.
I also appreciAte your video as I was the pilot that brought it up the Kanawa River that day. It has been an honor to be a pilot on the 325 for 7 Cruises. Thank you, Dan
@@dankeyes2669 obviously they've added a pilot house at the top of the ship for river traffic...not there on the original
Beautiful restoration and nice displays!
She looks good out sailing!
I remember when that ship docked in Peoria Illinois I went and saw it when I was a young boy.
My dad was a chief engineer on an LST that was at D Day. He was also a plank owner.
Thank you for your family's service. 🇺🇲
Great work Ken! We toured this ship on Sunday 10/9/16 and the crew members are wonderful men.
Thanks bud! It was truly an honor to be invited to film on the ship.
Absolutely loved this video, never too much history!! I need to add that I hope in the future there are those youth who love the history of these ships as much as I do and continue to tell the stories and the ship!!
Interesting history, now I have to visit my father's home town and see it in person
My dad served on a LST during WW2. Finally I see what his life was. Wish I could go and visit one.
Thank you for your family's service.
You can visit the LST 325 actually. Find out where it's docked and hop on board take a tour.🇺🇲
@@KenHeron it travels throughout the mid west...up and down the rivers...contact them for a schedule
Bless you, bless you all in the preservation of a legend.
Much appreciated
I do not know yet if a plan for a monument dedicated to the workers that built these ships hulls and decks, in the old Seneca, Illinois ship yards, but the plans for a national memorial park needs to be made there, this and surounding area's and my family has a deep connection to the making of this ship...
Hopfully this will become a reality soon....😊
Very well done. So glad it’s still afloat.
Part of our American history and deserves to be afloat for many years to come. 🇺🇲👍
Nice job Ken ,my respect to all those heroes !!
Indeed. This ship's crew is comprised of the sort of people that you don't' run into every day. Just being able to be a small part of the story is very gratifying.
My dad was a machinist mate on one. He was stationed off Japan ready to invade when the bombs dropped ending the war.
Thank you for his service.🇺🇲
I served at NSAD (Naval Support Activity Detachment) Cua Viet, Vietnam. I drove a rough terrain fork lift and unloaded LST's on the Cua Viet river ramp. I don't recall this ship. Worked on many other in I corps. 1968/69
I am happy to know this ship is preserved. However, I specifically went to Evansville IN to see this ship. This video is 100 times better than seeing it in person. Much more informative than the people offering tours. If you know ANYTHING about naval history, you will be very disappointed with the ship tour. Thankfully, I was able to see the Evansville wartime museum.😮😮
this is a great video...but seeing the real thing is even better,,,,,
I took a tour of the ship back in 2011, I can see they have made many improvements since then.
IN 1969 MY FIRST SHIP WAS A L S T I WAS 19 YEARS OLD ✌
I served on two LST's in Vietnam. The USS Litchfield County LST 901 and the USS St. Clair County LST 1096. My job was a 2nd Class Enginman. One thing that I found interesting is the power source in the Auxiluary engine room. On both of two that I served on we had three Superion GBD 8 engines producing our DC Power. I toured the 325 at Evensville Indiana during our first LST 901 ship reunion and saw the 6-71 generators. But I do think that they were originally powered the same as the two vessels I served on or perhaps with the deman or the 6-71 engines that there were non available when the later LST's were built.
Thank you for your service! 🇺🇲
I really enjoyed watching. Thanks for sharing
wow, amazing video Ken! thank you for posting 👌
You bet!
My wife and I toured LST-325 in Vicksburg, MS in 2016. It is an amazingly maintained bit of history. I enjoyed your video - especially of the spaces we were not permitted to access. I look forward to your full length video. Please note my screen name and try to let me know when it is completed.
believe these guys have a website...and maintain radio communication, as well...
I spent a little time training aboard the USS Harlan County in 1986 in the 101st Airborne.
what a fabulous job you did here - thank you!
TYVM for a fine presentation.
Nice opportunity Ken! great!
Much appreciated.
cool. lst home port is in my hometown, evansville in.
thanks for your touring of the vehicle, with your strong voice too, hoping you all well, thx again.
Dude that's a pretty good video man!
Great job, Dave!
A lst 26:48 was used to cross Chesapeake ,cape Charles to
Little creek VA, I was told it was extended to use as a ferry . I rember riding the on the pocahontas
pokontos
Thank a lot Ken very interesting!
Fantastic tour! Thanks Ken
Amazing tour of a great ship. Hope some day it will come to Windsor Ontario Canada and tie up at our Dieppe Gardens water front location for a visit.
That was quite interesting. Thank you.
I've been on this ship before and it was amazing.this is a great video
WOW...Thanks...l am 80 years old now...
I had the pleasure of seeing this while it was in St Louis. Too bad my camera was crap back then.
Cool that this is being kept alive!