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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS LCI(G)-438
ex
 USS LCI(L)-438 (1943 - 1944)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Kilo - Victor - Foxtrot
 NKVF
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons



Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, Iwo Jima)
Second Row - Presidential Unit Citation - Navy Unit Commendation - American Campaign Medal
Third Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (3) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Individual Awards

Navy Cross (LTjg. Bernard J. Powers, USNR, CO LCI(G)-438)
LCI-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):
  • Laid down, in 1943 at New Jersey Shipbuilding, Barber, N.J.
  • Launched, date unknown
  • Commissioned USS LCI(L)-438, 3 August 1943
  • Designation changed to Landing Craft Infantry (Gunboat) USS LCI(G)-438, 15 June 1944
  • During World War II USS LCI(L)-346 / LCI(G)-346 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, LCI Flotilla 3 (CDR M.J. Malanaphy) Group 8 (LCDR Nash) and participated in the:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
    Marshall Islands operation
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 31 January to 8 February 1944
    Occupation of Eniwetok Atoll, 17 to 26 February 1944     		Iwo Jima operation
    Assault and occupation of Iwo Jima, 17 to 21 February 1945
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Saipan, 20 June to 16 July 1944
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 21 to 28 July 1944     		.

  • Following World War II USS LCI(G)-438 performed occupation duty in the Far East
  • Decommissioned in March 1946 at New Orleans, LA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register in 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal, 25 November 1947
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown.
  • USS LCI(L)-438 / LCI(G)-438 received three battle stars for World War II service in addition to the Presidential Unit Citation for operations at Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945 and the Navy Unit Commendation as a member of LCI(G) Flotilla 3 (31 January to 28 July 1944) for Occupation of Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atolls in the Marshall Islands and Capture and occupation of Saipan, Guam and Tinian in the Marianas
    Specifications:
    Displacement 246 t.(light), 264 t. (landing), 419 t.(loaded)
    Length 158' 5 1/2"
    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
    LCI(L) Complement 4 Officers, 24 Enlisted
    LCI(G) Complement 5 Officers, 65 Enlisted
    LCI(L) Troop Capacity 6 Officers, 182 Enlisted
    LCI(L) 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 kts; and 110 tons of fuel
    LCI(L) Armament five single 20mm guns, one bow mounted, one each port and starboard forward of wheelhouse, one each port and starboard aft of wheelhouse, on some LCIs two .50 cal machine guns were added
    LCI(G) Armament two 40mm guns, four 20mm guns, six .50cal machine guns, ten MK7 rocket launchers
    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
    LCI(G)-441.LCI(G)-474 87k LCI(G)-438 and LCI)G)-474 pass Nevada (BB-36) on the way into the beach at Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945. Bill Brinkley
    LCI(G)-438 68k LCI(G)-438 and LCI)G)-474 pass Nevada (BB-36) on the way into the beach at Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945. Robert Cieri
    LCI(G)-449 65k LCI(G)'s of Flotilla 3 Group 8 form a column as they prepare to attack Iwo Jima in support of UDT operations, 17 February 1945. Closest to furthest;
    LCI(G)-474 (sunk during the operation),
    LCI(G)-438,
    LCI(G)-449,
    LCI(G)-441 and
    LCI(G)-457    		 Dennis Blocker II for his grandfather Cliff Lemke S1/c USS LCI(G)-449
    LCI(G)-438 139k LCI(G)-438 returning to Saipan for repairs after receiving several hits from shore batteries off Iwo Jima while supporting the UDT swimmers on 17 February 1945. Note the mast has been shot off the conning tower and is dangling beside the tower. Photo given to Dennis Blocker II by Joe Thornburg.
    World War II Crew Roster submitted by Wilburn J Killingsworth USS LCI(G)-438
    The history for LCI(L)-438 / LCI(G)-438 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
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 12 May 2008