Ship background
From: Elmer Wallace Email address
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000
In 1945 the LST-973, under the command of Cmdr. George I. Purdy, was
parcially sunk(in shallow water) in the Phillipines.After being repaired,
the 973 was decommissioned and turned over th the U.S.Army to shuttle
supplies to various islands in Japan. At the outbreak of the Korean War
in 1950, LST-973 was re-commissioned under LT. Robert I. Trapp.
On Sept. 15, the LST-973 landed on Red Beach, the Seawall at Inchon,
under fire. The 973 took several hits with mortar fire, and at least
three sailors were wounded.
There were more than 12 or 13 LSTs there. We were in TASK ELEMENT 90.32
with LSTs 799,857,859,898, and 975. I have a copy of the Citation from
Secretary of the Navy that autorizes Task Element 90.32 to wear the
'Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon'.
Thank you for doing a good job on Korea.
Elmer E. Wallace
Lancaster, Texas
Ship info and pics
On Sun, 19 Dec 1999
Elmer Wallace Email address wrote:
In the last year or so, I have been contacting my old shipmates of
LST 973.
It seems that of all the Korean War info I have read has not mentioned
the 973. I know that the Navy records are all fouled up, but we got a
unit Citation from the Secretary of the Navy of that time.
My question to uou is 'Would you be interested in a copy of that
citation, and pictures of The 973 hauling prisoners of war'?
If so please E-mail me and I will forward them to you.
Elmer E. Wallace
