List,
Some additional comments regarding the "old" amphibious Navy,
some of its nomenclature and one of its ships follows:
"Papa boats" (LCVP's) had one engine -- a GMC Grey Marine
671 diesel -- one rudder, one screw and a bow ramp. The sides
were made of plywood.
"Mike boats" (LCM's) had two such engines, two rudders, two
screws and a bow ramp. They were all metal.
Here my memory dims, but I seem to recall that the LCP is like
the LCVP, except that it had a bow rather than a ramp. It was
used by the wave commander when engaged in amphibious
operations and as the officer's liberty boat when in port. It was
the same as the captains gig, but not as pretty.
LCT is unknown to me. I doubt that it is a "Landing Craft Tank,"
since it takes a ship to haul those things, thus "LST."
The "parent" ship numbers were on the bow of both LCM's and
LCVP's. If you check the movie of "Away All Boats" you will
see "PA-218" on most all of the landing craft. This signifies that
they belonged to APA-218, which was the USS Noble. This was
also the ship used in "D-Day, Sixth of Juine."
The Noble was my first assignment as a newly commissioned
ensign in 1956. It was a good ship with a good crew.
Thanks MV-listers for this chance to reminisce.
Maughan Lee
M151A1
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