 January 11, 2004
TIMMI TOLER
JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS STAFF
They're waiting for their ship to come in.
A World War II-era, medium-sized landing ship this spring will begin making its
way from Freedom Park in Omaha, Neb., to its new home at the Marine Corps Museum
of the Carolinas in Jacksonville.
So what does it take to move a ship that's 203 feet long and 35 feet wide from
Nebraska to North Carolina?
Great care.
The ship will be towed by a tug boat down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
through New Orleans to the coast of Louisiana, said museum director Joe Houle.
From there, it will travel to the North Carolina coast to park at Camp Lejeune's
Mile Hammock Bay near New River Inlet.
The Navy ship's next stop will be its final home on land behind the museum,
which will be on 3 acres on the northern side of U.S. 17 near New River.
Houle and other members of the museum board in February will travel to Nebraska
to help prepare the ship.
"There are quite a few things that need to be done," said Houle, a retired
Marine Corps sergeant major.
The ship's 40-foot high steel mast must be removed, port holes must be welded
shut, and the ship will have to be balanced.
The move is to begin April 16, and the ship is scheduled to reach Mile Hammock
Bay on May 4.
The expense and most of the logistics of the move are being absorbed by the
Amphibious Ship Museum, which donated the vessel.
The formal name for the ship is Landing Ship Medium-45, or LSM-45. The ship
would land near shore and set a ramp to unload troops and supplies.
The Amphibious Ship Museum, comprised of former military members who served on
LSMs during World War II and the Korean War, was unhappy with the maintenance
and upkeep of the LSM-45 at Freedom Park and began looking for a new home.
Museum representatives contacted Headquarters Marine Corps' historical branch,
which put them in touch with the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas.
The Amphibious Ship Museum will give up rights to the ship and its artifacts to
the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas once the ship anchors at Mile Hammock
Bay.
The LSM-45 is the last remaining ship in the United States still configured for
its original purpose. During the ship's era, the Navy had approximately 500 LSMs
in use. The LSM-45 was used to shuttle supplies, ammunition and equipment ashore
just after the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. "It has a rich history with Marines,"
said Houle.
Once the ship is dry docked behind the museum, it will be open to the public and
the ship's deck will be filled with equipment used during World War II. Houle
said it will serve as a museum unto itself.
The LSM-45 was built by Brown Shipyard in Houston, Texas, and was commissioned
July 28, 1944. During its voyages, it housed 54 enlisted and four officers.
Prior to its home in Freedom Park, the ship was docked in Greece. After its
decommissioning in March 27, 1947, the ship was transferred to the Greek Navy in
November 1958 and was named Ipopliarkhos Grigoropoulos.
In August 1998, the ship came under full control of the USS LSM-LSMR
Association, made up of former shipmates who served on LSMs and similar ships
from 1944 to 1970. The ship was refurbished as a floating museum by the group
and made the trek to Omaha, Neb. |
|
| |
 Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker
A
60-year-old Landing Ship-Medium 45 was donated from the Amphibious Ships
Museum to the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas July 31, 2004, during a
transfer ceremony at Mile Hammock Bay here.
Marines, retired
veterans, government officials and family members gathered to witness the
massive ship on its 60th birthday and to support the donation to the
museum.
Retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Joe Houle, executive director of
the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas, and Senator Cecil Hargett of the
North Carolina State Senate, welcomed the guests and said a few words
about the donation.
Hargett helped raise $1.5 million through
fundraisers, benefits and grants to donate to the museum to help with the
costs of its construction as well.
I may never again have an
accomplishment that gives me the pride and the self-satisfaction that I
have derived from helping to procure the one-and-a-half million dollars
for the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas, said Hargett.
A few
other key speakers approached the podium to address the viewers as well.
Congressman Walter Jones of the U.S. Congress, Rolf Illsley, founder and
benefactor of the Amphibious Ships Museum, and retired Marine Maj. Gen.
Ray Smith, the president of the Marine Corps Museum of the
Carolinas.
I want to say to all the veterans and members of the
LSM/LSM Reserve Association, so they understand that we will hold the
title of the LSM 45, but so long as you live, this will remain your ship,
said Smith.
In addition to the money provided by the state, the
president of the LSM/LSMR presented a check for nearly $36,000 to Smith as
a donation for the museum.
This donation will definitely help us
to create a better experience at the museum, said Smith. We want this
museum to accredit the Marines for all they’ve done for our country in the
name of freedom.
After the speakers finished with their
presentations and the donations were all handed out, the 2d Marine Air
Wing Band of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., played patriotic
songs to exemplify the men and women who were there and served in the
past, those serving now and those who will serve in the
future.
Before the dedication ended, the guests were asked to come
aboard the ship to view for themselves the youth and beauty the great ship
still maintained.
Overall, the new museum will begin construction
as soon as the funds are made. The exhibits and murals, which will be
featured in the museum, will be as truthful and as accurate to the actual
events as possible. The management feels this will bring back to
Jacksonville the things people need to know about the Marine Corps, and
will allow them to witness its affects first hand.
Only time will
tell whether the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas will provide the
economic boost and tourism dollars that we anticipate and hope for, but
there can be no doubt that the museum will be an appropriate way to honor
our Marines and sailors who have served our country so honorably, said
Hargett.
|
Let the Webpage fully Load before using Links. 
Welcome To My WebPages 
Oklahoma SandScraper 
LSM 45 has found a new home. 
Amphibious Ships Museum
donates LSM 
