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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

LCI(L)-581


USS LCI(L)-581 was manned by the Navy in the European Theater and by the Coast Guard in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

LCI(L)-581 was transferred to Argentina and named ARA BDI No.9 (Q-62)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from left to right
Top Row - Coast Guard Unit Commendation - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
LCI-351 Class Landing Craft Infantry (Large):
  • Laid down at New Jersey Shipbuilding Corp., Barber, N.J., (date unknown)
  • Launched, (date unknown)
  • Commissioned USS LCI(L)-581, 30 March 1944, LTjg. Ralph F. Mulligan, USNR, in command
  • Succeeding Commanding Officers
    Ens. J.H. Gefaell, USNR - 30 September 1944 - 16 January 1945
    LTjg. William T. Allen, USCGR - 16 January 1945 - 23 September 1945
    LTjg. Seymour L. Treib, USCGR - 23 September 1945 - 20 December 1945
    LTjg. Charles A. Rice, USCGR - 20 December 1945 - 20 March 1946
  • During World War II LCI(L)-581 was assigned to the European Theater and participated in the:
  • Invasion of southern France, 15 August to 23 November 1944
  • Returned to US in early December 1944 for repairs and overhaul prior to assignment to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater LCI Flotilla 35
  • Crew replaced by an all Coast Guard crew, 10 January 1945, LTjg. William T. Allen, USCGR, in command
  • Departed Norfolk, 19 January 1945, for San Diego via Key West and Canal Zone
  • Upon arrival at San Diego, LCI(L)-581 was attached to Commander, Training Command, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet for training and final availability at the Naval Repair Base, San Diego, CA.
  • Departed San Diego, 20 April 1945, for Guam via Peal Harbor, and Eniwetok, arriving, 26 May 1945
  • At Guam LCI(L)-581 was assigned to Air-Sea Rescue duty, until 11 July 1945
  • Ordered to Eniwetok for ferry service between Eniwetok and surrounding atolls and islands
  • Ordered to report to San Pedro, CA. for decommissioning, LCI(L)-581 departed Eniwetok, 24 November 1945, via Pearl Harbor and San Diego, arriving 15 December 1945
  • Decommissioned, 20 March 1946, at San Pedro, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal, 18 February 1948
  • Transferred to the government of Argentina, redesignated ARA BDI No.9 (Q-62) in 1948
  • Final Disposition, disposed of by the Argentine Navy in 1957, fate unknown
  • LCI(L)-581 received one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 246 t.(light), 264 t. (landing), 419 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 4 Officers, 24 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 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
    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 Contributed
    By
    LCI(L)-581 44k LCI(L)-581, at anchor, San Francisco Bay, 1946 Submitted by Roald Lokken for his father,
    Sigurd T. Lokken,
    Petty Officer 2nd Class, Radio Electrician. (1926-1991) USS LSM-206
    LCI(L)-581 60k LCI(L)-581, at anchor, San Francisco Bay, 1946 Submitted by Roald Lokken for his father,
    Sigurd T. Lokken,
    Petty Officer 2nd Class, Radio Electrician. (1926-1991) USS LSM-206
    LCI(L)-582 73k LCI(L)-581 and LCI(L)-582 docked pierside at Mers-El-Kebir, Algeria, date unknown, date unknown. George C. Weisert USS LCI(L)-582
    The history for LCI(L)-581 is from "The Coast Guard At War, Transports and Escorts, Volume II"
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    US Coast Guard Unit Commendation Flotilla 10 - Group 29 - Division 27
    USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
    The CG History Page
    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 7 May 2004