Old Sailors' Memories
"Once Upon A Time - Long Long Ago"
Remembering LSM 372

Officers Paul B. Unterman, Commanding Officer Edward A. Markwalter, Executive Officer Leonard Cohen, Engineering Officer John E. Allison, Communications and Gunnery Officer John A. Daugherty, Deck Officer

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Enlisted Personnel Gandy, Neal G. .... BM2/c Belcher, Victor L. ....COX Allen, David W. ....COX Coupe, John H. ....S1c Balistreire, Joseph ...S2c Gentges, Henry A. ....S2c Kuehnel, Melvin A. ....S1c Barnhart, George A. ....S2c Sentenne, James H. lll....S2c Harty, William A. ...S2c Blackmon, Hermon ....S2c Traynor, Francis W. ....S2c Stornello, Joe ....S2c Giragosian, John ....S2c Alderman, Earle V. ....S2c Alviti, Vincent ....GM3c Calley, Hollis W. ....S1c Bradley, Robert J. ....S1c Foster, Charles R. S2c Ferguson, Paul T. ....MoMM1c Stifel, Earl E. ....MoMM1c Schoemann, Elroy ....MoMM2c Cole, Richard E. ....MoMM2c Wiseman, John H. ....MoMM3c Cranford, John T. ....MoMM3c Swenson, Waldemar H. ....F2c Hassett, Thomas C. ....F1c Ashbaugh, Cecil L. ....F1c Coleman, Woodson D. ....F1c Lipp, Delbert F. ....F1c Caw, Loran ....F1c Lesky, Donald J. ....F2c Burns, Robert T. ....F2c Bishop, Arthur Jr. ....F2c Wright, Merlin E. ....EM2c Dichard, John C. F2c Mailoux, Kenneth F. ....F2c Raabe, Kenneth G. ....CQM Bethel, Roger Lee ....S2c Simms, William W. ....S1c Kontrimas, A.A. ....S1c Carter, Gerald D. ....RM3c Calvin, Howard J. ....S1c Tusing, James C. ....S1c Hayden, Edward Lee ....S2c Bottorf, Walter E. Jr ....RDM3c Parker, Warren C. ....S2c McIlwain, William M. ....S2c Mims, Charles R. ....S2c Blossom, Allan D. ....S1c Casilli, John P. ....PhM2c Esancy, Irlene L. SC1c Radica, Remo ....SC3c Allison, Walter ....Stm1c

LSM 372's Campaign American Campaign Medal Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal WW II Victory Medal   Asiatic   Pacific   Victory (VJ) Commemorative   Medal

Assault and Occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 8-18 June, 1945 Planes Shot Down

LSM 372 History and Logs

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Deck Log LSM 372 Friday 26, January 1945 0900 - Moored port side to Southern Pacific Dock, Houston Ship Channel. Commander McMasters USNR representing Commander of Eight Naval District came on board for commissioning excersises. Commander McMasters read his orders, Commander 8th Naval District directive of 18 November 1944, ordering this vessel placed in full commision in occordance with U.S.Navy Regulations 637-638-1821. Commander McMasters ordered Lt. Paul B. Unterman, USNR Prospective Commanding Officer by authority of reference (a) and (b) of his orders ComPhibTralant's dispatch 192106 of April 1944 BuPers Ltrs Pers 31331-vm of 5 September 1944, to read his orders. Lt. Unterman read his orders and assumed command. 0915-Watch was set. The following Named Officers reported on board in accordance with reference (a) and (b) of Lt. Unterman's orders and were assigned as follows: As Excutive Officer: Lt(jg) Edward A. Markwalter D(L) USNR As Engineering Officer: Lt.(jg) Leonard Cohen E(L) USNR As Communications Officer and Gunnery Officer: Ens. John E. Allison D(L)USNR As Deck Officer: Ens. John A Dougherty D(L) USNR The attached list of enlisted personnel were received on board as members of this ship's Company in accordance with reference (a) and (b) of Lt. Unterman's orders1630- Liberty party was mustered-Starboard section had Liberty. 1730-Colors Tuesday 30, January 1945 0800-Mustered crew at quarters. Absentees: Dichard J.C. (F2c) USNR. 0900-Lt Linscott(SC) USNR disbursing officer and assistant came aboard to pay crew. 0921- Lt. Linscott (SC)USNR disbursing officer and assistant went ashore. John E. Allison Ensign, USNR Wednesday 31, January 1945 1200-Underway as before on various courses and speeds to conform with channel. 1412-Set the special sea detail. 1445-Tug Resolute alongside. 1446- Pilot E.E. Lance aboard Tug. Tug shoved off. 1455- Moored alongside U.S. Navy Pier #41, Galveston, Texas, starboard side with lines 1,2,3 and 4. 1500-Secured from special sea detail. 1530- Commenced deperming ship. L. Cohen Lt.(jg) USNR 1600- Moored to dock as before. 1630- Completed deperming ship. 1710-Set special sea detail for getting underway. 1717- Struck Pier #1 at deperming station while backing from berth. Slight damage to Pier. 1732- Moored alongside Berth #7, A.T.B. Galveston, Texas, starboard side to with lines 1,2,3,and 4. L.Cohen Lt. (jg), USNR Monday 12, February 1945 1600-Underway as before. 1625- USS LSM 374 in coming alongside to transfer men hit this ship at fram 7, port side; only slight damage (bulwarks indented and bent) to this ship and no damage to LSM 374. 1625- The following men reported for duty on LSM Flotilla 13 Staff on verbal orders of Comander LSM Flotilla Thirteen: John W Supernaw SM2c 671 30 75 USNR W.E. Taggart Jr. RM1c 628 25 28 USNR H.E. Karns RM2c 670 25 26 USNR E.A. Markwalter Lt.(jg) USNR Tuesday 5, June 1945 0400-Underway on course 130º(t), 128º(pgc), speed 8.0 knots with convoy SOK-9 L.Cohen Lt.(jg) USNR 0800-Underway on course 130º(t), 128º(pgc) 131º(psc) speed 8.0 knots. 0835-Left formation unable to keep station because of storm. On various courses and speeds to ride out Typhoon. J.A. Daugherty Ensign, USNR Monday 11, June 1945 0400-Anchored by bow in berth Baker 153, Nakagusuku Wan, Okinawa Using 45 fathoms of chain in 60 feet of water. Anchored on the following bearings: Kanne 065º(t), Chinen Saki, Tsuken 122º(T). 1200-Anchored as before. LSM 153 Moored along port side. L. Cohen Lt(jg) USNR 1800- Anchored as before. 1903- USS LSM 153 Stood away from our port side. Held General Quarters. 1912- Fired 614 rounds ammunition from starboard fiftys and twentys at enemy plane. 1943- Secured from General Quarters, set Condition ll. 1950-Secured Condition ll, Set Condition lll. J.E. Allison Ensign, USNR Thursday 20, September 20 1945 1200- Underway on course 293º(T) 296º(pgc) 289º(psc), speed 11.5 knots. 1302- Changed course to 242º(T). 1315- on various courses and speeds to come into harbor. 1335- Moored port side to USS HYMAN,DD 732 using lines 1,2,3 and 4. Ponape Harbor, Ponape Island. J.E. Daugherty Ensign, USNR Friday 21, September 1945 0800- Moored as before. Mustered crew at quarters; no absentees. 1940- Completed unloading cargo. 1020- Ten natives and five canoes outriggers brought aboard. 1045- Mr Etchite local interpreter came aboard. 1100- Underway from DD 732 on various courses and speeds coming out of harbor. J.A. Daugherty Ensign, USNR Friday 21, September 1945 1200- Underway on various courses and speeds proceeding around island to dispatch native outriggers with men to post occupation proclamation in villages throughout island. 1318- Discharged first native boat with Liet. Dittmar, Lt(jg). Dorman and Heinen, J.A. SM3c as occupants to post proclamation. 1319- Lieut, Markwalter, Ensign Daugherty and Roberts, D.L. SM1c dispatched in second native boat, 1407- Lieut,(jg) Allison, Mr Etchite interpreter and Kontrimas, A.A. SM3c dispatched in fourth native boat. P.B. Unterman Lieut.USNR

LSM 372 - Thanksgiving Dinner

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2 Bells For USS LSM 372

Scottish Soldier - Midi Song