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Lost to enemy air attack at Lae, New Guinea, 4 September 1943
USS LCI(L)-339
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons
Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive)
Bottom Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal
LCI-1 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):
| Campaign and Dates |
|---|
| Eastern New Guinea operation
Lae occupation, 4 September 1943 |
"LCI 339 had dropped anchor about 150 yards from the beach and came in for the unwelcome attention of three VAL bombers and three ZERO fighters approaching on the starboard side. LTJG James Tidball, USNR, her Commanding Officer, ordered fire opened, but the fighters began strafing almost continuously, riddling her with holes from stem to stern and causing considerable damage amongst the troops." "Dr. Begor was treating the wounded until the bombers released their bombs at about 1,500 feet, bracketing the ship with near misses to port and starboard, but scoring a direct hit just forward of the pilot house, blasting a large hole in the deck. The 339, nonetheless, gained the beach to carry out her mission, though in a sinking condition."
Source DANFS.
Specifications:
Displacement 216 t.(light), 234 t.(landing), 389 t.(loaded)
Length 158' 5½"
Beam 23' 3"
Draft Light, 3'1½" mean, Landing, 2' 8" forward, 4' 10" aft, Loaded, 5' 4" forward, 5' 11" aft
Speed 16 kts (max.), 14 kts maximum continuous
Complement 3 officer, 21 enlisted
Troop Capacity 6 Officers, 182 Enlisted
Cargo Capacity 75 tons
Armor 2" plastic splinter protection on gun turrets, conning tower and pilot house
Endurance 4,000 miles at 12 kts, loaded, 500 miles at 15 knots; and 110 tons of fuel
Armament four single 20mm guns one forward, one amidship, two aft, later added two .50 cal machine guns
Fuel Capacity 130 tons, lube oil 200 gal.
Propulsion two sets of 4 GM diesels, 4 per shaft, BHP 1,600, twin variable pitch propellers
| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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37k | Officers of USS LCI(L)-339, on the left is ENS Harlan Moen, Executive Officer; in the center is thought to be LTjg James Tidball, Commanding Officer; and on the right is thought to be LTjg Fay Begor, M.D., the group medical officer. Photo courtesy of John Vickerman for his uncle, Harlan Moen. Photo is from the USS National Associations newsletter "The Elsie Item", October 2007 issue. | Ardie Hunt | |
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76k | USS LCI(L)-339 crew members relaxing, date and location unknown. Photo courtesy John Vickerman for his uncle, Harlan Moen. Photo is from the USS National Associations newsletter "The Elsie Item", October 2007 issue. | Ardie Hunt | |
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121k | Australian troops disembark from USS LCI(L)-339 and US LSTs. Identifiable LSTs include USS LST-458 and USS LST-466 at Lae New Guinea, circa 1 to 4 September 1943.USS LCI(L)-339 was lost due to enemy air attack on 4 September while at Lae. US National Archives photo #54378. |
Jerry Gilmartin MMC(SW) USN Ret. Secretary AFMM LCI 713, Curator PT-658 Save the PT Boat Inc, courtesy Dennis Blocker LCI National Association Historian | |
The history for USS LCI(L)-339 is from USS LCI "Landing Craft Infantry", Vol. II. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company, © 1995. (ISBN 1-56311-262-0)
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association
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