Coast Guard LST Follows LCIs to Cape Sansapor

Image size: 1600 x 1253 pixel. 774 KB
Date: Saturday, 29 July 1944
Place: Cape Sansapor, Vogelkop Peninsula, New Guinea
Photographer: Photographer's Mate First Class Harry R. Watson

At the end of July 1944, US Army General Douglas MacArthur sent an amphibious expeditionary force to Cape Sansapor, New Guinea. By doing so he made a 200-mile jump from his previous most advanced position. The Coast Guard-manned LSTs 18, 22, 26, 66, 67, 68, 170, 202, 204 and 206 all took part in the landings and the follow-up activity. The Coast Guard-manned frigates Bisbee, Coronado, Eugene, Gallup, Glendale, Long Beach, San Pedro and Van Buren performed offshore patrols during the landings. MacArthur's planners sped up the operations in New Guinea, bypassing Japanese strongholds. Cape Sansapor was selected because of its ability to support Tank Landing Ships (LSTs). Here elements of the US Army's 6th Infantry Division, their anti-aircraft guns manned in case of air attack, follow in the wake of Infantry Landing Craft (LCIs) to the Vogelkop Peninsula. 

Source:

NARA (National Archives) Record Group 26: Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, 1785 - 2005 (ARC identifier: 355). Series: Activities, Facilities, and Personalities, compiled 1886 - 1967 (ARC identifier: 513164). NAIL Control Number: NWDNS-26-G-2839

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Columns_of_troop-packed_LCIs_trail_in_the_wake_of_a_Coast_Guard-manned_LST_en_route_for_the_invasion_of_Cape..._-_NARA_-_513184.tif

http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii1049

Coast Guard LST Heads for Cape Gloucester with Elements of 1st Marine Division

Image size: 1408 x 1600 pixel. 381 KB
Date: Friday, 24 December 1943
Place: Cape Glucester, New Britain, Solomon Islands
Photographer: Unknown

"Crammed with men and material for the invasion, this Coast Guard-manned LST nears the Japanese held shore." Troops shown in the picture are leathernecks from the 1st Marine Division. On Decembert 26, 1943, two days later, the 1st Marine Division landed on Cape Gloucester, New Britain using Coast Guard-manned LST’s 18, 22, 66, 67, 68, 168, 202, 204, and 206, and many other US Navy ships. The LST-22 shot down a Japanese "Val" dive bomber while LST-66 was officially credited with downing three enemy aircraft. Two of her crew were killed by near misses. LST-67 brought down one Japanese dive bomber while LST-204 shot down two and the gunners aboard LST-68 claimed another. The LST-202 claimed three enemy planes shot down. 76 LSTs were crewed by the Coast Guard during World War II. 

Source:

NARA (National Archives) Identifier 513188. Record Group 26: Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, 1785 - 2005 (ARC identifier: 355). Series: Activities, Facilities, and Personalities, compiled 1886 - 1967 (ARC identifier: 513164). NAIL Control Number: NWDNS-26-G-3056

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Invasion_of_Cape_Gloucester,_New_Britain,_24_December_1943._Crammed_with_men_and_material_for_the_invasion,_this..._-_NARA_-_513188.tif

http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/Steichin/Steichin.html

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/07bfea708d4892a1.html

http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery3/index.php/wwii1031