The Associated Press

A 60-year-old landing ship that assisted Marines during World War II is making a last voyage from Nebraska to North Carolina to become the centerpiece of a Marine Corps museum.

"Making it available to the Marine Corps museum is much more appropriate," said Rolf Illsley, 82, a Navy veteran (USS LSM - 23) who helped refurbish the LSM 45. "They are able to give it the care it needs."

USS LSM 23

The boxy, chunky Navy ship helped Marines land on islands during the war. It will anchor at the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas in Jacksonville, near Camp Lejeune, a heralded amphibious training base.

It was among about 500 similar ships built to haul Marines and equipment during WWII.

Naval historians say the vessel served in the Philippines in June 1944. Troops moving into hostile territory likely appreciated its ability to hoist five medium tanks or three large tanks across the water. Much of its functionality lay in its orthodox design, something that Illsley said may attract viewers at the museum.

"It's weird-looking," he said.

The ship served the military until 1947, and then was moored for a decade.

In 1958, the United States gave the ship to the Greek navy. Its new name became Ipopliarkhos Grigoropoulos.

Illsley, of San Rafael, Calif., found the ship in Greece with his wife. He and a group of veterans later arranged for its return to the United States, shelling out about $400,000. The vessel landed in Omaha, where an association of landing ship veterans refurbished it.

Illsley will accompany the vessel to North Carolina as a labor of love and nostalgia.

"There is a reason for keeping this part of history alive," said. "Never again will see the kind of amphibious operations we had in World War II."