Tracing USS LCI-12

[Eric Alley]

I would like to trace the USS LCI-12 or any of its crew members who rescued me in Anzio Bay Italy 25 February 1944 when my ship the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Inglefield was sunk by a glider bomb.
Eric Alley

[forcedj]

Eric,
Are you sure the hull classification of the ship was "LCI"? I checked Naval Vessel Register (NVR) at http://www.nvr.navy.mil/index.htm and don't find any ships (former or current) with that hull type. Do you know what the name of the ship was or it's mission type? Base on the "L" I'd guess it was some sort of amphibious ship.

Dan

[forcedj]

A little more…
I’ve discovered that the LCI hull classification was for Landing Craft Infantry.
I came across this site dedicated to their memorial. They list many of them but I don’t see anything for LCI 12 http://www.usslci.com/index.html

I found LCI 12 listed on this site http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-lc.html but the note says it is/was on loan to the U.K….nothing saying if it was ever returned or what it’s current status is.

Dan

[Battleshort]

Eric,

Navigate around this site.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-lc.html#lcil

I was stationed in USS Anzio CG 68 and am familiar with the heroic effort of the WWII heros who participated in that battle.

Thank you for your service, Shipmate.

[Battleshort]

Beat me by a minute, Dan.

[Eric Alley]

Dan

I got the information from Morison's History of the United States Naval Operations in World War 2 Volume IX page 366. He says "Air attacks came every night. on the 25th HMS Inglefeild was hit by guided bombs. U.S.S. LCI-12 equipped as a salvage vessel closed the sinking destroyer in a strong sirocco and heavy sea and managed to rescue 23 of her crew under extremely hazardous conditions".

As you can imagine when I was hauled aboard the rescue vessel I really had no idea what it was but it was great to hear those welcoming American voices, be taken down to the mess, wrapped in blankets, and plied with wonderful hot coffee.

Anyway many thanks for your interest maybe you can find something out from that information.

Eric

[Eric Alley]

Hi Battleshort

Thanks for your thoughts and the quotation that is sometihing these days we do not bear in mind. I am not sure of I can add an attachment to these links otherwise I could send you all a picture of my dear old ship. I made a pilgrimage to Anzio on the 60th Anniversary, 2004, and laid a poppy tribute over her resting place. Unfortunately illhealth prvents a similar trip this year so I will remeber at home.

All good wishes shipmate

Eric