LST-Tank Landing Ships at Swansea and Omaha Beach
Four Tank Landing Ships, LSTs, (including LCT-237 &160) waiting to enter the King's Dock, Swansea, 24 April 1944
USS LST 317 and Joseph Chatigny, Pharmacist Mate
LST-318 and LST-317 moored alongside
LST-317 was naval transport class of tank landing ship. It was laid down on October 15, 1942 and launched on January 28, 1943. Prior to Joseph Chatigny arriving as a replacement, LST-317 had already taken part in the Sicilian occupation and the Salerno landings.
Joseph Chatigny was born on June 2, 1924 in Massachusetts (I believe Bristol).
JOSEPH VICTOR CHATIGNY, JR. - US Navy, World War II (last name pronounced like Chat-Knee)
Exactly one year to the day, after Pearl Harbour, on December 8, 1942, Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy.
Then around January, 1944 he received word to report for naval amphibious training at Lido Beach, Long Island, New York.
Following just days of amphibious training, Joseph found himself assigned to LST-501, which left the states on February 7, 1944 bound for England.
In April, Joseph was transferred to LST-317, as a Pharmacist Mate
His service record notes:
"Troops to and evacuation of wounded from Normandy Beachhead"
In April, Joseph was transfered as a Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class to LST-317.
On June 1, 1944, the 500th Medical Collecting Company moved from their Starting Area by truck to Portland, England and embarked on an LST 317. On June 5, 1944, LST 317 departed from Portland Harbour, England at 3:16 A.M. bound for France.
When LST-317 was slated for the Normandy invasion, the skipper was apparently told (and later passed down to the crew) that it would be an "in and out mission." The problem was that really meant they would be making several trips into harm’s way and out.
In the late hours of June 5, 1944 or the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, the skipper came over the loudspeaker with specific landing instructions.
The moment was captured by a news reporter for Life magazine and labeled "D Day minus 1." It is thought by some that Joseph may actually be the young man with his arm up near the back, but there is no way to verify that. However, regardless of whether Joseph is pictured, I believe the image itself shows the uneasiness on the young men's faces.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. on June 6, 1944, LST-317 disembarked its human cargo on Rhino Ferry and later into Easy Green Beach, Omaha Sector.
Period reports indicate: "casualties heavy."
That was an understatement.
Stretcher bearers carry the wounded onboard the ship from a jeep, behind which is a bulldozer, often used to help refloat landing craft from the beach. Several of the crew have red cross badges on their uniforms. In the background, German POWs are being escorted to their transport, watched by other curious GIs.
For the Normandy invasion the LST were converted to makeshift hospital ships. Each one was to have at least two Navy doctors, an Army doctor, and around five pharmacist mates (I saw one source that said 10 and another place said "several" -
The assault crafts would go to the beaches with the troops (and usually a pharmacist mate to stay with the craft). Wounded would be given first aid to stabilize and then loaded back into the assault craft, which would then go back to the LST.
It was only later on, once the German artillery was taken out, that the LSTs like LST-317 could move to the actual beach and load wounded directly.
And here is another from LIFE magazine. It was taken June 10, 1944. The caption: "Below decks aboard a US LST hospital ship, wounded and bandaged US soldiers enjoy a hot meal as a medic looks on during the first week of the Allied invasion of France."
A photo of an LST below the decks where the wounded were being treated. This particular picture is from LIFE magazine and was taken on June 8, 1944.
LST 317 is beached
American soldiers and equipment going ashore (note floundering jeep) from an LCT tank transport ship onto unidentified. beach in Normandy, LIFE magazine photographer Frank Scherschel, June 6, 1944
Following the initial invasion, LST-317 continued to come and go from the beachhead delivering supplies and men. It's direct involvement (and thus Joseph's) lasted through June 21, 1944.
D-Day Medic Helmet from LST-317 A reminder of his service.
After LST-317's return to England, Joseph was transferred back to the states to work in the naval hospital in Boston, MA. The war ended before Joseph saw action again, however I don't know that he was too upset about it.
The good that did come out of the whole experience was that following the war Joseph decided to return to school. And what better profession than the medical profession.
Dr. Joseph Victor Chatigny, Jr. passed away on May 5, 1993 in Cambridge, New York.
Origin of the article
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34586-d-day-medic-helmet-from-lst-317/
The crew, names unknown
A 1944 Photo Album and a signed Stars & Stripes
This small American paper flag was kept as a valued memento by Beryl Ball of Norton, Mumbles, and given to John Powell by her daughter Julie Lewis from Gower. It was signed, on both sides, by men from the US Engineers, Navy and Marines, who Beryl met at dances in Mumbles. Included are GIs from the 75th Division, who spent November and December 1944 in the locality, before going to the continent in time for the Battle of the Bulge.
One of the signitures is that of John Pieper, B/m 3C. USS LST 317 c/o F.P.O. U.S Navy The USS LCT, featured above, probably visited Swansea during November or December 1944.
Beryl’s photo album shows the GIs who she met with in 1944. Beryl is shown here with her sister Margaret. Another shows Beryl kissing her ‘buddy’ (and no doubt doing her bit to aid the war effort).
She often told her daughter that ‘This was the happiest time of her life’. And Her GIs such as Frank, who sends ALL MY LOVE, were never forgotten!
For most American GIs, the brief period that they spent in Wales, was an interlude before the REAL business of war began in earnest. It was a time most of them never forgot.
More: American GIs in Mumbles, Swansea & Gower
More:- The Second World War 1939 to 1945
A co-ordinator of this project, is Mumbles born John Powell,
who can be contacted on 01792 520540 and email:j.powell20@ntlworld.com
He can keep you up to date and is always willing to receive information regarding
GI veterans who served in the area of Swansea & Gower.