Adventures of a Landing Craft Coxswain Sterling S. Funck United States Navy, 1941 - 1945 Boatswain Mate 1st Class Golden Shellback Christian A. Funck Contents Preface........................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... v Introduction.................................................................................................................................. vi Key Concepts............................................................................................................................ vii Common Abbreviations...........................................................................................................viii Chronology ................................................................................................................................vi Operations in North Africa and Europe..................................................................................... ix Operations in the Central Pacific ............................................................................................... x Pre-War Years .............................................................................................................................. 1 The War Begins............................................................................................................................. 2 Boot Camp ..................................................................................................................................... 3 The Amphibious Navy .................................................................................................................. 5 Learning the Ropes Aboard The USS Harry Lee ....................................................................... 9 Amphibious Training In The Chesapeake ................................................................................ 12 Transfer to the USS Calvert...................................................................................................... 14 Operation Torch: North Africa ................................................................................................. 17 Chesapeake Bay........................................................................................................................ 22 Operation Husky - Sicily .......................................................................................................... 28 Last Days In The Atlantic......................................................................................................... 37 Heading to the Pacific............................................................................................................... 41 Operation Galvanic – Gilbert Islands ....................................................................................... 44 Hawaii and San Diego .............................................................................................................. 54 Operation Flintlock – Marshall Islands..................................................................................... 55 Reprieve To Hawaii .................................................................................................................. 58 Operation Forager - Mariana Islands ........................................................................................ 60 Japanese Prisoners Of War ....................................................................................................... 65 Last Days On The USS Calvert ................................................................................................ 67 Temporary Duties Stateside....................................................................................................... 69 The War Ends ............................................................................................................................. 71 After The War............................................................................................................................. 72 Appendix A: Summary of Sterling’s Naval Service................................................................. 74 Rates & Ratings ........................................................................................................................ 74 Awards & Decorations.............................................................................................................. 75 Qualifications............................................................................................................................ 77 ii Appendix B: USS Harry Lee – AP-17/APA-10 ........................................................................ 78 Excerpts From DANFS Detailed History of the USS Harry Lee: ............................................ 78 Technical Specifications for the USS Harry Lee:..................................................................... 78 Appendix C: USS Calvert – AP-65/APA-32 ............................................................................. 79 Additional Historical Information on the USS Calvert: ........................................................... 79 Technical Specifications for the USS Calvert: ......................................................................... 80 Armament Information: ............................................................................................................ 80 Additional Information Regarding Crescent City Class Transports:........................................ 81 Appendix D: USS Facility AM-233 ........................................................................................... 82 Excerpts From DANFS Detailed History of the USS Facility: ................................................ 82 Technical Specifications for the USS Facility:......................................................................... 83 Appendix E: USS HIDALGO AK-189...................................................................................... 84 Excerpts From DANFS Detailed History of the USS Hidalgo:................................................ 84 Technical Specifications for the USS Hidalgo: ........................................................................ 85 Appendix F: Background On “Crossing The Line” Ceremony ............................................. 86 Appendix G: Bibliography......................................................................................................... 88 iii Preface My grandfather, Sterling Funck, enlisted in the United States Navy on Monday, December 8th, 1941. During World War II he participated in amphibious operations spanning the African, European, and Pacific campaigns. In 1998 I approached Sterling to learn about his experiences during World War II. At that time I had the idea that I might be able to produce a few pages of information that family members would find interesting regarding his role in the War. For various reasons, this project grew in scope beyond my original plans. This work is comprised of three key themes. First and foremost, it provides a record of Sterling’s personal experiences during his wartime service. Second, it sets the context of Sterling’s experiences within the larger operations and battles within which he participated. Third, it traces the evolution of the Navy’s approach and execution of amphibious operations during World War II and describes the impact of these changes on Sterling’s role as a landing craft coxswain aboard an Attack Transport. I hope that you find this work to be of interest. Christian A. Funck Lancaster, Pennsylvania July 2006 iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank Sterling for the many hours that he spent answering my questions, sharing his memories, and detailing his experiences from his wartime service. Like many of his generation, Sterling did not talk much about his wartime experiences in the years following the war. His willingness to answer my questions, along with his patience as I worked through the details of this project, are greatly appreciated. Second, I would like to thank Mr. John L. Cole for publishing the Calversion: Official Newsletter of the Men of the U.S.S. Calvert APA-32. The Calversion is a semi-annual newsletter dedicated to sharing the history of the U.S.S. Calvert and the experiences of the men who served on the ship during its years of service. Third, a wealth of information concerning amphibious operations during World War II is available in published form and on the World Wide Web. Finally, my appreciation and thanks are also owed to all of the veterans and the families of these veterans who are keeping their stories alive on the World Wide Web. The content presented in this work is comprised of information derived from both published and unpublished works. Sections that list no explicit source are based on conversations and dialog with Sterling Funck that occurred between 1998 and 2005. Footnotes are provided to indicate the source for content such as direct citations and content derived from published and unpublished materials. Maps presented within the document were created and compiled using the source(s) listed in each map’s legend. Most photographs are sourced from Sterling’s private photograph collection. Where photographs, charts, and diagrams are based on published information, the source information is also provided via footnotes. A complete Works Cited section