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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Lost off Salerno 7 October 1943

Landing Craft Tank
LCT(5)-215

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (2) - World War II Victory Medal
Landing Craft Tank (Mark 5):
  • Laid down, 8 October 1942, at Bison Shipbuilding Corp, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
  • Launched, 19 October 1942
  • Delivered, 4 November 1942
  • Placed in service, date unknown
  • During World War II LCT(5)-215 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaigns:

    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Invasion of Sicily, 9 to 15 July 1943 Salerno landings, 9 to 21 September 1943

  • ComNavNaw war diary, foundered, buckled while being towed by USS LST-317 in Convoy SFS12/S, 7 October 1943, no casualties
  • Placed out of service, date unknown
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 30 October 1943
  • LCT(5)-215 earned two battle stars for World War II service
  • Final Disposition, lost off Salerno in 1943
    Specifications:
    Displacement 285 t.(fl)
    Length 114' 2" (o.a.)
    Beam 32' 8"
    Draft
    limiting 3' 6"
    max.navigational 3' 6"
    Speed 10 kts.
    Range 700 nautical miles at 7 kts.
    Complement
    1 officer
    10 enlisted
    Cargo Capacity 150 short tons
    Armament
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    two .50 cal. machine guns
    Armor
    wheelhouse 2 1/2"
    gun shields 2"
    Fuel Capacity Diesel 80 Bbls
    Propulsion
    three Grey Marine 6-71 Diesel engines
    one Diesel-drive 20Kw 120V. D.C. Ships' service generator
    three propellers, 675shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Boise
    0404746


    Boise
    0404747    		 338k







    505k    		 LCT-215 and USS Boise (CL 47). Operation Husky, Invasion of Sicily, Gela "Dime Area". 12 July 1943, at around 1928 hours. "LCT 215 came alongside to transfer wounded...Received aboard for treatment wounded personnel as follows

    Pvt Alvin J. Goubert
    PFC Ardie E. Johnston
    PFC James Windham
    Pvt Glen A. Harkins
    Pvt George A. Cureton
    Cpl James Costanza
    Cpl Leon E. Dunn
    Pvt T. J. Smith
    Pvt John Rzukiewicz
    Pvt Shirley Mc Ghee
    Pvt Harry M. Kuz
    Cpl Heinz Embscher (POW)
    Sgt Kurt Aschenbrenner (POW)
    Cpl Simon Haselbauer (POW) Cpl Jacob Heigel (POW)

    More details of each person found at National Archives ID 78143885 page 32.

    Photographer J. R. Eyerman, TimeLife, LIfe Magazine. TimeLIfe_image_116108458     		David Upton
    There is no history record for LCT(5)-215 available at NavSource
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information Web Sites
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    World War II LCT Flotillas
    Back to the Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Craft Tank (LCT)Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 20 August 2021