Before the war, Ralph participated in the Citizens’ Military Training Camp (CMTC) at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was in Company I during the summer of 1939. Ralph graduated from Wellston (OH) High School on May 21, 1940. From December 1941 to October 1942, he installed equipment for the Western Electric Company in Columbus, Ohio. Ralph and his parents, Ralph Sr. and Ruth, lived at 1498 Genessee Avenue in Columbus at the time of his enlistment.

This site is a work-in-progress. I am adding more material weekly and still working on the layout. Many thanks to the following people for contributing to this project: John Onufer Jr., John Hardy, Robert Shearn, Chris Davis, Terry Kaiser, Charlyn Davis, Virgilio Cajipe, Daniel Huard, Sue Knapp Riley, Annie Pelle, Nancy Bekkering Palmer, Roslynd Fuller, Gordon Bauschka, Jeff Cole, Tracey Cole Pisarski, Francie FitzHugh, Connie Chesnik, Jerry Bradford, Joe Logan, William Kazupski, Anne Cady, Anne Sears, Wayne Osborne, VDR, Byron, Lester Letson, Gary Boughton, Kathi Swan, Caryn, Janis Franco, Kim Cowdrey, Louise Pfeiffer, Ray Sanford, Bill Silliman, Mannie Dalton Crone, Jim and Cheri, Sue Edwards, Phillip, Gregory McCullough, Jill Brandenburg, Margaret Sweet, and Barb Bohn. Without all of you, this project would not have been possible.

If you have any comments or questions, please contact me.

Enlistment, Training, and Deployment | Tunisia Campaign | Allied Invasion of Sicily | Operation Avalanche | Operation Shingle | Operation Overlord | Back to the States

Learn More About The USS LCI(L)-11 Crew

Using various sources, including the U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, I have gathered information on the crew of USS LCI(L)-11. Please click on the above image to view a list of the men who served on USS LCI(L)-11. You can click on certain crew members to learn more about them. I’ve also produced a YouTube video dedicated to my grandfather, the USS LCI(L)-11 crew, and their families. Enjoy!

August 4, 1942
USS LCI(L) [Landing Craft, Infantry (Large)] #11 keel laid down by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. The LCI were several classes of sea-going amphibious assault ships of World War II utilized to land large numbers of infantry directly onto beaches.

September 23, 1942
USS LCI(L)-11 launched.

October 21, 1942
Enlisted in Class V-6, Apprentice Seaman, of the United States Naval Reserves for a period of four full years at the Naval Recruiting Station in Columbus, Ohio. Was placed on active duty and entitled to pay.

Dog Tag: Ralph S. Williams; Service Number: 570-06-78; Tetanus Toxoid (Vaccination) Received 5/1944; Blood Type O; United States Naval Reserve; Religion: Protestant

October 23, 1942
Reported to the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, Illinois.

October 28, 1942
USS LCI(L)-11 commissioned.

Ralph Williams Jr. U.S. Naval Training School (USNTS) Great Lakes, Illinois - November 17, 1942

November 10, 1942
Following her fitting-out, USS LCI(L)-11 departs New York for underway training at Solomons, Maryland.

November 20, 1942
Completed recruit training and advanced to S2c (Seaman 2nd Class.)

December 3, 1942
Reported to the Naval Training School (Radio) in Evanston, Illinois for a period of 16 weeks.

USS LCI(L)-11 arrives in Baltimore, Maryland for conversion completion at the Maryland Drydock Company. Conversion was completed on December 13, 1942.

January 1 – January 3, 1943
Lt. (jg) Joseph Robert McGonigle, Commanding Officer of USS LCI(L)-11, reported to Flotilla Commander with orders attaching the ship to LCI(L) Flotilla Two, the first Amphibious Flotilla in the United States Navy.

January 15, 1943
USS LCI(L)-11 assigned to LCI(L) Flotilla Two, Group Five, Division Nine, under Division Commander Lt. (jg) Wallace Mason Skinner.

January 16 – January 17, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two moved from Little Creek, Virginia to Solomons, Maryland. Flotilla administrative offices set up at Amphibious Training Base, Solomons, Maryland.

February 5, 1943
Separated from RM (Radioman) School in Evanston, Illinois. Did not graduate due to lack of ability to do practical work of specialty. Qualified for duty as S2c (Seaman 2nd Class.)

LCI(L) Flotilla Two moved back to Little Creek, Virginia to prepare for service overseas.

February 10, 1943
Reported to the Receiving Station at the Naval Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Instructed in the ND (Navy Diaphragm) Gas Mask.

February 15 – February 28, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two moved from Little Creek, Virginia to Bermuda, B.W.I. The convoy of 24 LCI(L)s was escorted by USS Cole (DD-155), USS Moreno (AT-87), USS Chickadee (AM-59), USS Effective (AM-92), and USS SC 679. No damage was reported by LCI(L)-11 during the voyage. The Flotilla was berthed at the British Dock Yard, Ireland Island until February 25, when it moved to the Tender Piers at the Naval Air Station, U.S. Naval Operating Base, Bermuda.

February 25, 1943
Reported to the Receiving Station at Long Beach, New York.

March 3 – March 23, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two moved from Bermuda, B.W.I. to Gibraltar. The convoy of 24 LCI(L)s, 6 LSTs, and 10 British LSTs was escorted by USS Mattole (AO-17), USS Dallas (DD-199), USS Coin, USS Bernadou (DD-153), USS Herbert (DD-160), USS Chickadee (AM-59), and USS Moreno (AT-87). The Flotilla detached from the convoy on March 22 and proceeded to Gibraltar independently. It arrived at Gibraltar on March 23 with all ships making the passage successfully.

March 26 – March 27, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two moved from Gibraltar to Arzew and Mostaganem, Algeria. The convoy of 24 LCI(L)s, 6 LSTs, 9 British LSTs, and the Free French Transport HOSSAR was escorted by British Trawlers and a British Motor Launch. Upon arrival at Azrew on March 27, LCI(L) Flotilla Two, Group Five detached and proceeded to Mostaganem.

March 28 – May 22, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two, Group Five, remained at AATB (Advanced Amphibious Training Base), Mostaganem until April 14, then at AATB, Azrew until April 28 and thereafter returned to AATB, Mostaganem. It remained there, continued upkeep, repair, and the training program with the United States Army until May 22.

May 5, 1943
Arrived at the AATB (Advanced Amphibious Training Base) in Mostaganem.

May 21, 1943
Reported aboard USS LCI(L)-11.

USS LCI(L)-11 Photos

May 25 – July 5, 1943
LCI(L) Flotilla Two, Group Five departed Mostaganem for Bizerte, Tunisia and joined other ships of the Flotilla. The entire Flotilla, less USS LCI(L)-10, was based at one place for the first time in Northwest African waters. Training exercises were continued, including drills in raising and lowering ramps, embarking and disembarking troops, and beaching and retracting. Maintenance, repairs, and compass compensation were prosecuted. All ships of the Flotilla, except the Headquarters ships, were stripped of all disposable gear to reach light beaching draft. USS LCI(L)-11 is placed in LCI(L) Flotilla Two, Group Five, Division Nine, with USS LCI(L)s 10, 209, 211, 217 (Group Flagship), and 218. Ens. Robert William Shearn is USS LCI(L)-11 Executive Officer and Ens. Joseph Linville Rosson is USS LCI(L)-11 Engineering Officer.

July 9 – 15, 1943
Participated in the Allied Invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis (Italy and Nazi Germany.) On July 9, USS LCI(L)-11 proceeded under Lt. Commander R. G. Newbegin III, along with USS LCI(L) #s 217, 209, 211, 218, 15, 212, 213, and 16, to Sicily via Sousse in the second wave of Tunisian Joss Fast Convoy, Group Four LCI(L) Flotilla Two. They arrived off Licata, Sicily at 2235. According to Robert Shearn, they successfully disembarked 75 men and 2 officers from the British Army. There were no casualties aboard LCI(L)-11 during the operation. There are no records of USS LCI(L)-11 landing on Red Beach or returning to Bizerte, Tunisia with the rest of the second wave on July 10. Recommended by Lt. Commander E. W. Wilson that all officers and men of the two LCI Red Waves be cited for “the splendid manner in which they carried out their assignment…”

Ralph Williams Jr. and Jack Schraa

August 15, 1943
Promoted from S2c (Seaman 2nd Class) to Cox (Coxswain.) Navy boat coxswains are specially trained sailors who command small boats during shore landing and retrieval operations.

Ralph Williams Jr. (L)

September 4 – October 12, 1943
Participated in Operation Avalanche, the Allied Invasion of Italy. USS LCI(L)-11 departed Bizerte, Tunisia at 0530 on September 4 for Palermo, Sicily. USS LCI(L)-11 arrived in Termini Imerese, Sicily at 1000 on September 6. At 1445 on September 7, USS LCI(L)-11 loaded 258 troops from the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division, U.S. Army, at Termini Imerese. It departed Termini Imerese for SAFTA at 0200 on September 8. At 0200 on September 9, USS LCI(L)-11 arrived in the transport area, SAFTA. On September 11, USS LCI(L)-11 led the reserve wave consisting of USS LCI(L) #s 11, 83, 86, 211, 209, and 218 into the beach. The ships were beached on Red Two in wave formation at 0958. Troops were landed and ships retracted by 1030. At 2330 on September 11, USS LCI(L)-11, with SC 666, USS LCI(L)-83 and LCT #s 618, 354, and 27 proceeded to Maiori, Italy to reenforce the Rangers. At 0535 on September 12, all ships were unloaded and cleared of the beach by 1200. After this operation, USS LCI(L)-11 remained in the Salerno, Italy area until October 12. Duties performed in the Salerno area consisted of meeting, guiding, and issuing instructions to incoming convoys, and checking unloading of Liberty (Cargo) ships daily. USS LCI(L)-11 also carried wounded, delivered messages, ferried troops to Naples, Italy, lay smoke screens, and pulled smaller craft off the beaches. While in the Salerno area, USS LCI(L)-11 expended 356 rounds of twenty millimeter. There were no casualties aboard USS LCI(L)-11 during the entire operation. Damaged sustained by the ship was caused by operational activities: two lost anchors, one warped cathead, four holes in hull (one beneath waterline), and one ready ammunition locker damaged. Ship’s company behaved admirably and according to the best traditions of the service, especially during the first week when air raids were heavy and frequent. The personnel of all ships in the reserve wave were commended for their excellent control in withholding twenty millimeter fire rather than disclose transport positions to enemy aircraft. Individually commended for “untiring, cheerful, and efficient attention to duty while subjected to heavy enemy air attacks, and later under extremely adverse weather conditions for 37 days operations off the west coast of Italy.

The 45th Infantry Division Lands on Salerno

November 1, 1943
Transferred to the ATB (Advanced Training Base) in Bizerte, Tunisia for temporary duty.

January 22 – March 1, 1944
Participated in Operation Shingle, the Allied amphibious landings at Anzio, Italy. USS LCI(L)-11 beached on the right flank of Red Beach, south of the port of Anzio at 0239 on January 22. USS LCI(L)-11 successfully disembarked via ramps 118 officers and men of Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, Third Division, and retracted at 0250. Enemy opposition was slight, consisting of spasmodic machine gun fire. No casualties or material damage was reported and no ammunition was expended. All officers and men performed their duties courageously and efficiently. Individually commended for “untiringly perform[ing] his duties aboard … [USS LCI(L)-11] for the 2 1/2 months thereafter” and for “courageous, efficient, and cheerful performance of duty under severe conditions of enemy action and very inclement weather.”

April 1, 1944
LCI(L) Flotilla Two continued to operate from the Italian Port of Pozzuoli. Along with USS LCI(L) #s 3, 4, 5, 8, 216, 218, 9, 12, 13, 15, and 16, USS LCI(L)-11 proceeded to Pozzuoli Bay and after various exercises proceeded to beach on “Ranger” beach. Maneuvers and practice beachings observed by Admiral F.J. Lowry and his party. Admiral Lowry ordered a “Well Done” to all ships upon completion of exercises.

April 3 – 15, 1944
LCI(L) Flotilla Two ordered to Bizerte, Tunisia and given immediate availability. Availability continued until April 15.

April 15 – 29, 1944
LCI(L) Flotilla Two got underway at 0930 on April 15 and proceeded to Oran, Algeria, arriving there April 17 at 2200. The organized base band serenaded the flotilla prior to and while getting underway. Admiral Lowry signaled a “Well Done” as the ships proceeded down the channel. On April 20, at 0300, LCI(L) Flotilla Two, with the exception of USS LCI(L)-215, left Oran for the United Kingdom. At 1327, the task group joined convoy MKS 46. The convoy passed through the Straits of Gibraltar April 21 at 2345. On April 29, LCI(L) Flotilla Two detached from MKS 46 and in company with LCTs and Merchantmen proceeded to Penarth, Wales. Prior to the invasion of Normandy, the Flotilla was split into three groups: Plymouth, Southhampton, and New Haven. USS LCI(L)-11 was stationed in Plymouth, Devonshire, England.

Ralph Williams Jr. USS LCI(L)-11 Pictures

June 5 – 25, 1944
Participated in Operation Overlord, the Battle of Normandy, France. At 1430 on June 5, the Task Force got underway from Plymouth, Devonshire, England. Ships sailing from Plymouth were USS LCI(L)#s 11, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, [2]29, 231, 232, and 419. USS LCI(L)#s 3, 4, 5, 8, 325, 326, 349, and 350 joined the Task Force at Salcome, Devonshire, England.

On June 6, USS LCI(L)-11, now part of LCI(L) Flotilla Eighteen, participated in the Neptune phase of Operation Overlord, approaching Red Beach, Utah Area, in the assault. Aboard USS LCI(L)-11 were 200 officers and men comprising elements of companies G and H of the 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army. The troops disembarked into three LCMs (Landing Craft, Medium) between 1000 to 700 yards from the beach, about one to one and a half miles to the left of their objective, in all probability due to the mine sweepers insufficient allowance for the set of the tide in their initial sweep. Heavy shelling of the beaches and assault area were observed, and the absence of enemy air activity was very noticeable. On the night of June 7, enemy bombing attacks were encountered and aerial mine laying activities were observed. No casualties or material damage was suffered by USS LCI(L)-11 and no ammunition was expended during the initial operation. Upon unloading troops, USS LCI(L)-11 was immediately assigned duties at the beach. For 13 days, it unloaded troops from merchant transports, towed pontoon causeways and Rhino ferries, and aided in carrying out lesser details assigned by LCH (Landing Craft, Heavy) #s 10 and 95. On June 19, USS LCI(L)-11 sailed for the United Kingdom and assisted in the far shore “Build Up” and engaged in the “Shuttle Program.” My grandfather “Performed… duties cheerfully, untiringly, efficiently, and courageously.”

July 1, 1944
Promoted from Cox (Coxswain) to BM2c (Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class.) Boatswain’s Mates are masters of seamanship. BMs are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship’s deck force. BMs have a general knowledge of ropes and cables, including different uses, stresses, strains, and proper stowing. BMs operate hoists, cranes, and winches to load cargo or set gangplanks, and stand watch for security, navigation or communications.

September 28, 1944
Authorized to wear the insignia for the Amphibious Force, the American Theater Ribbon, and the European-African Theater Ribbon with one silver star (for participation in five major campaigns.)

October 1944
Ships of LCI(L) Flotilla Eighteen turned over to the Royal Navy under terms of the Lend-Lease Act. This was done in Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland. This marked the termination of the flotilla as an active unit of the United States Navy.

October 2 and 4, 1944
Dance held for the enlisted men of LCI(L) Flotilla Eighteen in the HMS Grasshopper Mess Hall in Weymouth, Dorset, England from 1930 to 2300. Two dances held so that men from both liberty sections of the crew could participate.

November 3, 1944
USS LCI(L)-11 decommissioned and leased to the United Kingdom. She later departed for the Pacific.

November 4, 1944
Transferred to the Vicarage Road Camp Barracks in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

Ralph Williams Jr. (Back L), John Peganoff (Front L), Ross Fike Jr. (Back M), John Hardy (Front M), and Jack Schraa (Back R)

December 28, 1944
Reported to the Receiving Station, South Annex, Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia.

January 4, 1945
Transferred to the ATB (Advanced Training Base) at Camp Bradford Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia.

March 1, 1945
Authorized to wear Amphibious Force shoulder insignia. Transferred to Naval Training School at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. On board LST (Landing Ship, Tank) #1132 when commissioned March 19, 1945 in Seneca, Illinois. Decommissioned on March 31, 1945 and converted to ARL (Landing Craft Repair Ship) #31, USS Bellerophon.

March 9, 1945
Received anti-aircraft training at the Anti-Aircraft Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois for a period of five days.

April 5, 1945
Reported to ATB (Advanced Training Base) at Camp Bradford Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia.

April 11, 1945
Reported for training to the ABATU (Advanced Base, Amphibious Training Unit) at Lido Beach in Long Island, New York for a period of one month.

May 9, 1945
Reported to ATB (Advanced Training Base) at Camp Bradford Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, Virginia for assignment to duty.

May 11, 1945
Granted 11 days crew leave in accordance with base policy.

May 15, 1945
Married Jean Williams in Jackson, Ohio.

May 27, 1945
Reported to Naval Barracks in Mobile, Alabama for duty aboard ARL (Landing Craft Repair Ship) #31, USS Bellerophon. Onboard when commissioned on July 21, 1945.

Ralph Williams Jr. Pictures - July 13, 1945

USS Bellerophon (ARL-31) Commissioning and Photo

August 23, 1945
Reported to Naval Receiving Station in New Orleans, Louisiana.

November 16, 1945
Reported to Naval Personnel Separation Center (Unit #3) in Great Lakes, Illinois.

November 19, 1945
Honorably discharged from the United States Navy.

Ralph Williams Jr. Military Shadow Box

March 17, 1947
USS LCI(L)-11 returned to the United States at Subic Bay, Philippines. Decommissioned and sold to Bosey, Inc.

November 20, 1949
Bosley Inc. resold to T.Y. Fong.

May 2, 1951
T.Y. Fong offered USS LCI(L)-11 back to the United States for the Korean War, but is declined by the Navy. USS LCI(L)-11 subsequently disappeared from records.

USS LCI(L)-11 earned five battle stars for her World War II service.