Evidence
12 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-12).
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[1]research packet pg-packet.md (3 sources cited) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-lci-l-453-lcil453-pkt-pg-packet-md
-
[2]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS LCI(G)-453 ex USS LCI(L)-453 (1943-1945) - construction dates, builder, commissioning, redesignation, campaign history, disposition, specifications, awards (history sourced to Mr. Paul Harig and USS LCI 'Landing Craft Infantry' Vol. II, Turner Publishing, 1995) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 150453.htm - history block, campaigns table, specifications block, awards block
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- LCI-351-class landing craft laid down 2 July 1943 at New Jersey Shipbuilding Corporation, Barber, N.J.; launched 21 August 1943; commissioned USS LCI(L)-453, 31 August 1943 at Barber, N.J. Converted to a Close-in Fire Support Vessel at San Diego, CA and redesignated Landing Craft Infantry (Guns) LCI(G)-453, 15 June 1944. Assigned Asiatic-Pacific Theater: LCI(G) Flotilla Three (CDR Micheal J. Malanaphy; from 14 May 1945 CDR R. Eikel USNR), 'LCI Group One' (LCDR J. F. McFadden USN - see conflict note in gaps), LCI Division Fourteen. Campaigns: Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls (31 January-8 February 1944); Saipan (15 June-28 July 1944); Tinian (24-28 July 1944); southern Palau Islands (6 September-14 October 1944); Okinawa Gunto (26 March-14 June 1945). Decommissioned, date unknown; struck from the Naval Register, date unknown; transferred to the U.S. Army 26 February 1947, fate unknown. Five battle stars; Navy Unit Commendation as member of LCI(G) Flotilla 3 (31 January-28 July 1944); Combat Action Ribbon. Specs: 246 t. light / 419 t. loaded; 158'5.5" x 23'3"; 16 kt; two sets of 4 GM diesels, 1,600 BHP, twin variable-pitch propellers; LCI(L) complement 4 officers + 24 enlisted, LCI(G) 5 officers + 65 enlisted.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1943-1947
- Population
- Crew (LCI(L): 4 officers, 24 enlisted; LCI(G): 5 officers, 65 enlisted - class figures); embarked troops (to 188)
- Limitations
- Secondary compilation sourcing to the Turner Publishing LCI volume and a named contributor - the vessel-history spine, not an asbestos source. Contains no asbestos information whatsoever. Decommissioning and striking dates are 'unknown' in this source; complements and specifications are class-type figures, not muster-verified. The printed 'LCI Group One' assignment conflicts with the official NHHC fleet-organization listing (LCI Group 7, same commander McFadden) - carried in gaps.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-01
-
[3]NARA, NAID 633400356, RG 38 'World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories': 'LCI(G)-453 - Rep of ops in the invasion of Saipan & Tinian Is, Marianas 6/15/44 - 7/28/44' - the ship's own six-page action report, digitized (Fold3 images 0578-0583) [other_primary]
- Locator
- catalog.archives.gov/id/633400356 - 6 scanned pages (medialz partners rg-038/4697018/1527/0578-0583.jpg); full text reviewed via OCR
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The ship's own action report (letterhead LCI(G)453/A9-8, serial 063, c/o FPO San Francisco, dated 11 October 1944; CO signature Lt.(jg) John H. Terry, USNR; forwarded via Commander LCI(G) Flotilla THREE and Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific, endorsement by W. C. Mott): departed Maalaea Bay, Maui, T.H. 25 May 1944 in TG 52.19 under Capt. Armand J. Robertson USN in USS Bailey (DD-492) as convoy commodore; staged at Eniwetok 7-9 June; arrived off Saipan the morning of 15 June (D-Day). Assault phase under TG 52.6 (Commodore Theiss) and TU 52.6.5 Gunboat Support Unit (CDR M. J. Malanaphy); mission was close fire support ahead of the assault waves to the reef edge, then smoke coverage, anti-aircraft fire, and anti-small-craft patrol over the anchorage. Logged events include: 26 June 0300 proceeded to aid LCI(G)-438 under attack by Japanese barges off Tanapag Harbor (assistance not needed on arrival); 7 July 2250 fired on a low aircraft crossing her stern; Tinian phase 24-25 July - rocket and gun runs on landing beaches and on target areas 616/623 on CTF 52's order. 'We suffered no battle dammage at all' and 'no personnel casualties of any nature.' Ammunition table: 15 June Saipan beaches 1,228 rds 20mm + 928 rds 40mm; 17 June 116/22; 7 July 98/7; 24 July Tinian beaches 1,392/1,364 + 208 barrage rockets; 25 July targets 616/623: 1,160/608 + 12 rockets. Departed the Marianas 28 July 1944 for the Southwest Pacific via Eniwetok.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 15 June - 28 July 1944 (report dated 11 October 1944)
- Population
- Ship's company under Lt.(jg) John H. Terry, USNR (CO, Oct 1944)
- Limitations
- Primary ship-generated document - the strongest hull-level source in this record. Establishes operations, task organization, ammunition expenditure, and the ship's own report of zero damage and zero casualties for the Marianas; contains no asbestos or construction-materials information. Commanding-officer name read from the signature block ('John H. Terry, Lieut. (jg), USNR'); the diary/report does not document the construction yard's materials.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-02
-
[4]NARA, RG 38 WWII War Diaries: USS LCI(L) 453 war diaries - 8/31-9/29/43 (NAID 78202627, 7 images, reviewed), 10/1-31/43 (NAID 135974668, 17 images), 11/1-30/43 (NAID 136016537, 32 images); plus muster rolls LCI(L) 453 (NAID 120322539) and LCI(G) 453 (NAID 120322600) [other_primary]
- Locator
- catalog.archives.gov/id/78202627 (Roll A595, images 0159-0165, OCR-reviewed); NAIDs 135974668, 136016537 (Rolls A653, A709); muster rolls NAIDs 120322539, 120322600
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The hull's own war diary opens on commissioning day, Tuesday 31 August 1943. The September diary (7 pages, reviewed) records the transit down the New Jersey coast 23-24 September (Gedney, Shrewsbury, Avalon Shoal, Stone Harbor, Hereford Inlet buoys; positions ~40N/74W to 37N/76W); arrival Chesapeake Bay and Amphibious Training Base Solomons, Maryland, where she moored alongside LCI(L)-423 and was inspected by Commander Malanaphy (later her flotilla commander); embarked a draft of 48 men and 4 officers for passage to ATB Little Creek, Virginia; beaching/landing drills and night beachings off Little Creek with LCI(L) Group Nine, in company with LCI(L)-452 (carrying the flotilla commander), -454, -455. Officers signing the diary: Lt.(jg) P. H. Kues (approves the pages over the 'Commanding Officer' line and also signs as Navigator), Lt.(jg) D. F. Jones, Ensign J. W. Baikie, Ensign Weaner. The October and November 1943 diaries (17 and 32 images) and muster rolls under both designations are digitized in the same NARA series but were not page-reviewed this session.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 31 August - November 1943
- Population
- Ship's company and embarked trainee draft (48 men + 4 officers passage entry)
- Limitations
- Ship-generated primary record: daily operational detail for the commissioning/shakedown period. 'Approved ... Commanding Officer' signature reads P. H. Kues - the commissioning-period CO by that signature, though NavSource names no commissioning CO; treated as documented. Ensign Baikie aboard from September 1943 consistent with his later command (see ev-06). No asbestos or materials content. Later-period war diaries for this hull were not located in the catalog - deck logs remain the continuing record (ev-04).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-03
-
[5]NARA Special List 44, List of Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Miscellaneous Units, 1801-1947 (ship-number sort), PDF page 17 [other_primary]
- Locator
- sl-44-ship-number.pdf, page 17, LCI(L)(G)-453 row (pdftotext -layout verified)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NARA's official logbook inventory lists Navy deck logs for LCI(L)(G)-453 covering 8/31/1943-6/30/1945 - the hull's commissioning through the end of the Okinawa campaign. The logs are held at the National Archives (RG 24) but are not among the deck logs digitized in the National Archives Catalog (navy-online index checked 2026-09-30; the only LCI-family hull digitized is Kestrel, AMCU/MHC-26/LCI-874).
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- archival_lead
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1943-1945 (log coverage)
- Limitations
- Log-coverage dates, not commissioning/decommissioning dates - the hull's disposition ran to Army transfer in February 1947. Deck logs record position, weather, and events; any materials/maintenance detail would require pulling the physical logs.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-04
-
[6]Attack Landing Order, ComTransGr3, 5thPhib No. 17-44 - U.S. Third Fleet, Western Attack Force, TG 32.3 Peleliu Transport Group; A4-3(2), Serial 00012; Pavuvu, Russell Islands, 23 August 1944 (NavSource-hosted document scan) [other_primary]
- Locator
- 180782a.pdf single-page fold-out chart, sections 32.13.7-32.13.9 (Gunboat Support Unit / Units ONE and TWO)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The official attack landing order for the Peleliu operation names this hull in the task organization: section 32.13.9, 'Gunboat Support Unit TWO' under Lt. Comdr. Eikel, USNR, lists 'LCI(G)'s 452, 453, 455, 456 (F), 458, 459, 460, 46-, 463, 470' (last digit illegible). Companion unit 32.13.8, Gunboat Support Unit ONE under Lt. Comdr. McFadden, lists LCI(G)'s 77 (F), 78, 79, 81, 82, 347, 454, 725, 726.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- August-October 1944 (Peleliu operation)
- Population
- LCI(G) gunboat crews of Units ONE and TWO, TG 32.3 (Peleliu)
- Limitations
- Official wartime document preserved as a NavSource-hosted scan of a large fold-out organization chart; hull numbers read by direct inspection of the high-resolution scan (OCR partially garbles the numeric sequence - Unit TWO list verified visually). A task-organization document: establishes that 453 was assigned to the gunboat support unit for Peleliu, not her detailed employment. No asbestos or materials content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-05
-
[7]NHHC, United States Pacific Fleet Organization, 1 May 1945 - LCI Flotilla THREE / LCI Group 7 / LCI Division 14 (G) roster [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- Pacific Fleet Organization 1 May 1945, LCI Flotilla THREE / LCI Group 7 / LCI Division 14 (G) block
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Official NHHC fleet-organization listing places LCI 453 in LCI Division 14 (G), LCI Group 7 (ComLCIGrp 7 Lt. Cdr. J. F. McFadden), LCI Flotilla THREE (Comdr. M. J. Malanaphy / Comdr. R. Eikel, Jr. USNR), commanded by Lt. (jg) J. W. Baikie (USNR) as of 1 May 1945 - corroborating NavSource's note that Baikie was in command by May 1945, and documenting a command change from Lt.(jg) John H. Terry (Marianas action report signature, October 1944). Division 14 (G) mates: LCI 452, 453, 454, 455, 725, 726.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1 May 1945
- Population
- Commanding officer Lt. (jg) J. W. Baikie, USNR; ship's company
- Limitations
- Roster listing only - establishes assignment and command, nothing about materials; no asbestos content. The listing's 'LCI Group 7' conflicts with NavSource's printed 'LCI Group One' under the same commander (McFadden) - the official listing is carried (see gaps).
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-06
-
[8]NavSource, LCI(G) Flotilla Three page - Secretary of the Navy Navy Unit Commendation citation text for LCI(G) Flotilla THREE, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet (signed James Forrestal) [other_primary]
- Locator
- NavSource 15000031.htm - NUC citation text and vessel list
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- The SecNav commendation - 'For outstanding heroism in action in support of amphibious landings on enemy Japanese-held Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atolls in the Marshall Islands, and on Saipan, Guam and Tinian in the Marianas, from January 31 to July 28, 1944' - explicitly lists the hulls whose crews are authorized the Navy Unit Commendation ribbon: 'LCI(G)'s 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 345, 346, 347, 348, 365, 366, 371, 372, 373, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 470, 725, and 726.' LCI(G)-453 is named. The citation describes rocket/gunfire support at close range, unswept channels, smoke screens, and patrols against barges and reconnaissance parties - matching the hull's own action report.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 31 January - 28 July 1944 (citation period)
- Population
- Crews of the 37 listed LCI(G)s (Jan-Jul 1944 window)
- Limitations
- The underlying document is an official Secretary of the Navy citation, but the accessible text is a NavSource republication - the archival original is at NARA. Ship-specific award documentation; contains no asbestos or materials content.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-07
-
[9]Historic American Engineering Record (NPS/LOC), LCI(L)-713, HAER No. OR-180 - written historical and descriptive data for the LCI-351 class [haer]
- Locator
- HAER OR-180 data pages 1-3 (measurements, propulsion, description, historical information)
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- Official HAER documentation of a surviving sister ship fixes the class design: LCI-351 class, Bureau of Ships design, welded 1/4-inch steel plate, length 158 ft 5-1/2 in, eight General Motors 6-71 diesel engines (four pairs) on two shafts with variable-pitch propellers, ~1,051 vessels of the type built in ten U.S. shipyards during WWII - the same class and diesel plant as LCI(L)/LCI(G)-453.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1942-1945 (class construction)
- Population
- LCI-351 class construction workforce (ten yards, 1942-1945)
- Limitations
- Class documentation on sister hull LCI(L)-713, not this vessel; contains NO mention of asbestos or insulation materials - it fixes the diesel propulsion design (no steam plant) only. Sister-hull construction details are not transferable as hull-specific findings.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-08
-
[10]Era inference built on: NavSource specifications for this hull (eight GM diesels, twin variable-pitch propellers; conversion to close-in fire support vessel at San Diego June 1944); HAER OR-180 class record (Bureau of Ships design, welded 1/4-inch steel, no steam plant); WWII Navy asbestos-use era documented at program level (GAO HRD-80-2) [other_primary]
- Locator
- inference synthesis - no underlying hull document
- Finding type
- asbestos_application
- Finding
- As a 1943-built diesel-powered combatant, this hull's asbestos-relevant systems were the era-standard applications aboard small diesel craft: thermal/acoustic insulation in machinery spaces, diesel exhaust lagging, machinery and flange gaskets, valve packing, electrical insulation, and galley/accommodation insulation. No boiler, steam piping, or turbine lagging pathway applies - the design carried no steam plant. Her June 1944 conversion to a gunboat at San Diego (added 40mm gun tubs, rocket launchers, magazine and accommodation changes for a crew nearly tripled) is a second construction-disturbance window of the same era.
- Verification
- inferred
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1943-1947
- Population
- New Jersey Shipbuilding construction trades (1943); San Diego conversion workers (June 1944); crew 1943-1947
- Limitations
- Era-consistent inference, not a hull record - no ship-specific survey, specification page, or abatement record was located naming LCI(L)-453/LCI(G)-453. The conversion's material scope is undocumented; it is noted only as a period event. Does not establish that any particular product was installed, in what quantity, or that any remains; the hull left government service in 1947 and its fate is unknown.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-09
-
[11]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]
- Locator
- GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked, HTTP 403, 2026-09-30)
- Finding type
- gov_survey
- Finding
- GAO documented the Navy's asbestos-protection program and its 1975/1979 insulation-removal policies, confirming asbestos insulation was in widespread use aboard Navy ships of this hull's construction era - program-level context for the WWII asbestos-use period in which she was built and converted.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- context
- Documentation level
- class_or_era
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 1979 (report); 1940s-1970s (use era)
- Population
- Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review
- Limitations
- Program/yard-level documentation, not hull-specific; fieldwork was at Long Beach and Norfolk Naval Shipyards in the 1970s - long after this hull left government service. Does not establish what was installed aboard or removed from this hull. Full text not retrieved this session (gao.gov returns HTTP 403 to automated fetch, re-confirmed 2026-09-30); content via product-page description.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-10
-
[12]Batch-5170 search ledger (this record): NARA Special List 44, digitized-logs index, and RG 38 file units (action report, war diaries, muster rolls); NHHC fleet-organization listing; official attack landing order scan; NavSource hull and flotilla pages; SecNav NUC citation text; LOC/NPS HAER OR-180; GAO HRD-80-2; CourtListener ship-name searches; usslci.org; general web sweep [other_primary]
- Locator
- search_ledger rows sl-uss-lci-l-453-01 through sl-uss-lci-l-453-14
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, specification page, or litigation naming LCI(L)-453/LCI(G)-453 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener: all six planned queries completed with zero results each ('LCI(G)-453', 'LCI(L)-453', 'LCI-453' across both type=o opinions and type=r dockets/recap documents; authenticated via helper). Full negative result on litigation for this hull.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-09-30
- Study period
- 2026-09-30
- Limitations
- Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - WWII-era construction materials on small combatants are poorly documented at hull level. The hull was transferred to the Army in 1947 and its fate is unknown, so post-service abatement or survey records, if they exist, are not in public hands.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-lci-l-453-11