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NavSource Online: Army Ship Photo Archive

USACE John F. Nash
ex
 Major Elisha K. Henson (LT-5) (1944 - 1946)
 LT-5 (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 298)
  • Laid down, date unknown
  • Launched, 22 November 1943
  • Delivered to the US Army Transportation Corps as LT 5, 1943
  • Named Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5), 1944
  • During World War II LT-5 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater of operations and participated in the Invasion of Normandy, June 1944
  • Sailed for Normandy with two barges as part of Operation Mulberry, in support of Overlord, 06 June 1944
  • Under fire, the tug ferried supplies to the landing beaches for the next month, in the process claiming the shootdown of a German fighter aircraft on 09 June
  • transferred to the US Army Corps of Engineers, renamed USACE John F. Nash, May 1946
  • Assigned to the Corps of Engineers Buffalo District, 1946 - 1989
  • Acquired by H. Lee White Maritime Museum, Oswego, NY, largely restored to her original configuration
  • Listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1992
  • Major Elisha K. Hanson earned one battle star for World War II service
    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
    -

    Elisha Kenneth Henson was born in Liberty, Kentucky, 16 December 1881. Enlisted in the Army in 1905, Henson rose through the ranks from private in the 11th Infantry to Quartermaster Sergeant. Henson was appointed a Captain in the Quartermaster Corps, August 1917, being promoted to Major in October 1918. Postwar he reverted to a captain, and retired due to disability, April 1933. He died at Cheyenne, Wyoming, 22 September 1934.

    		 Dave Wright
    Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5)
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000503    		 983k Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5) upon her arrival at Buffalo for service with the Army Corps of Engineers, 1946.
    Photo courtesy H. Lee White Marine Museum    		 Dave Wright
    Museum Vessel
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000502    		 21k LT 5, moored pierside at the H. Lee White Marine Museum, Oswego, NY, date unknown.
    Photo by Crazyale    		 John Spivey
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000501    		 21k LT 5, moored pierside at the H. Lee White Marine Museum, Oswego, NY, 05 August 2009.
    Photo by Doncram    		 John Spivey
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000507    		 471k Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5) moored pierside at the H. Lee White Marine Museum, Oswego, NY, 07 June 2017. Photo copyright David L. Wright Dave Wright
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000506    		 441k Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5) moored pierside at the H. Lee White Marine Museum, Oswego, NY, 04 August 2018. Photo copyright David L. Wright Dave Wright
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000504    		 596k Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5) pilothouse interior, 06 July 2020. Photo copyright David L. Wright Dave Wright
    Maj. Elisha K. Henson
    3015000505    		 410k Major Elisha K. Henson (LT 5) builder's plaque, 06 July 2020. Photo copyright David L. Wright Dave Wright
    There is no history available for Major Elisha K. Henson (LT-5) / John F. Nash at NavSource
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    H. Lee White Maritime Museum
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The US Army Ship Index Back To The US Army Tugs
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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