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NavSource Online: Army Ship Photo Archive

USACE Ludington
ex
 Major Wilbur F. Browder (LT-4)
 LT-4 (1943 - 1944)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal
Design 271 Large Tugboat:
  • Built by Jakobson Shipyard, Oyster Bay, NY (YN 297)
  • Laid down, date unknown
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Delivered to the US Army Transportation Corps as LT 4, October 1943
  • Named Major Wilbur F. Browder (LT 4), 1944
  • During World War II Major Wilbur F. Browder was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign:

    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates
    Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 25 June 1944
  • Major Wilbur F. Browder towed ammunition barges across the English Channel during the invasion of Normandy
  • She also served at Cherbourg, France assisting harbor clearance operations
  • After Cherbourg Major Wilbur F. Browder was reassigned to Plymouth, England for the duration of World War II
  • Transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Milwaukee District, renamed USACE Ludington, 1947
  • Transferred to Chicago District, 1955
  • Retired from active service and donated to the city of Kewaunee, WI, 1998
  • Presently on display as a floating museum at Kewaunee
  • Ludington is listed on the State Register and National Register of Historic Places
  • Maj. Wilbur F. Browder earned one battle star for World War II service
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 484 tons
    Length 162'
    Beam 27'
    Draft 13'
    Speed 9 kts
    Complement 23 (including gun crew of 6)
    Armament two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 280,000 gallons
    Propulsion one 6-cyl diesel engine
    single screw 400shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Namesake
    Ludington
    3015000402    		 14k

    Wilbur Fisk Browder III was born in Russellville, Kentucky, 19 February 1895. During World War One, Browder served with the AEF in France as a Second Lieutenant in the 145th Infantry, being promoted to First Lieutenant, October 1918. Postwar, Browder served at a variety of locations, including Hawaii and Panama. He died at Walter Reed General Hospital, 10 March 1941. Major Browder is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
    Photo from Fort Benning Doughboy yearbook, 1919.

    		 Dave Wright
    USACE Ludington
    Ludington
    3015000401    		 175k Ludington moored pierside at Kewaunee, WI, date unknown.
    US Army Corp of Engineers photo     		 
    There is no history available for Major Wilbur F. Browder (LT-4) at NavSource
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Tug Ludington, City of Kewaunee, WI.
    Tug Ludington, Kewaunee Area Chamber of Commerce
    National Park Service Digital Gallery
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    This page was created by Gary P. Priolo and is maintained by David L. Wright
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 18 February 2022