USS LCI(L)-598

Evidence

14 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-14).

1. [1]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS LCI(L)-598 (10/15/150598) - construction, commissioning, campaigns, unit chain, specifications, disposal [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource 10/15/150598.htm - class line, timeline, campaign table, specifications block, photo caption

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource timeline for this hull: LCI-351 class Landing Craft Infantry (Large); laid down 24 March 1944 at New Jersey Shipbuilding Corp., Barber, N.J.; launched 20 April 1944; commissioned USS LCI(L)-598 on 26 April 1944, LT. D. J. Schalk USNR in command; assigned Asiatic-Pacific Theater - Leyte landings 20 October 1944, Lingayen Gulf landing 9 January 1945, assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto 28 June 1945; earned three battle stars; decommissioned date unknown; struck from the Naval Register in 1946; transferred to the Maritime Commission 29 December 1947; final disposition unknown. Spec block: 236 t. light / 419 t. loaded; length 158' 5.5"; beam 23' 3"; speed 16 kts max; complement 4 officers + 24 enlisted; troop capacity 6 officers + 182 enlisted; propulsion two sets of 4 General Motors '6051 series 71' diesels (4 per shaft), GM main reduction gears, twin variable-pitch propellers, 2,320 shp; two diesel-driven 30 kW 120 V DC ship's-service generators. Page displays NHHC photo NH 86185 (via Vallejo Naval and History Museum) showing the hull underway in San Francisco Bay circa late-1945-1946.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-1947

   Population

   Construction trades, New Jersey Shipbuilding (1944); crew (1944-46); Maritime Commission custody (1947-)

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer secondary compilation, not a primary registry - its milestones were corroborated here against NARA records (muster rolls, action reports, Group 57 war diary) and the NHHC fleet-organization document. Page verified live at navsource.net on 2026-09-30. Its Okinawa unit chain (Flotilla Thirteen / Group Fifty-Seven / Division One Hundred-Fourteen) conflicts in part with the primary documents - see ev-13 correction row. Contains no asbestos content. '6051 series 71' is NavSource's rendering; the standard late-production LCI(L) fit was GM 6-71 series diesels.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-01

2. [2]NHHC, 'United States Pacific Fleet Organization, 1 May 1945' (Navy Department Library, online reading room) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   NHHC fleet-organization document, 'LCI FLOTILLA FOURTEEN / LCI GROUP 41 / LCI DIVISION 81' table (page ~80)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The official 1 May 1945 Pacific Fleet organization document lists 'LCI 598 (GF) - Lt. D. J. Schalk (USNR)' in LCI Division 81, LCI Group 41, under LCI Flotilla Fourteen (Comdr. LCI Flotilla FOURTEEN Capt. T. W. Rimer). '(GF)' marks group-flagship service; the commanding officer matches the commissioning CO on NavSource and the signature on her action reports.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1945-05-01

   Population

   Crew and group-flagship staff (May 1945)

   Limitations

   Administrative-organization snapshot as of 1 May 1945; operational task assignments differed - her own action reports (Leyte, Lingayen) and the Group 57 war diary (Okinawa) document the operational chains. The same document anomalously lists 'LST 598' under LST Group 62 with the same CO name (Lt. D. J. Schalk); DANFS shows LST-598's actual CO was Lt. Marion V. Reeder USNR - a probable transcription error in the document, flagged so the LCI entry is not confused with it. No asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-02

3. [3]NARA NAID 139856235, RG 38 (WWII War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories): 'LCI(S&FF)-598 - Rep of ops In the amphibious assault on Leyte Is, Philippines 10/20-24/44' - ship's own action report, cover letter serial 0001 dated 13 November 1944 (enclosure dated 10 November 1944), signed D. J. Schalk; endorsements through Commander Seventh Fleet [other_primary]

   Locator

   NARA NAID 139856235; report cover + 3 narrative pages + endorsements (images 0194-0199 of Roll A1402 extract)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Ship's own action report (digitized, 6 images): letterhead 'USS LCI (S&FF) 598'. She operated in CTG 79.6 (Capt. T. W. Rimer USN, Commander LCI(L) Flotilla 14, aboard LCI(L) 738) under Rear Adm. F. B. Royal (CTG 79.2) and Vice Adm. T. S. Wilkinson (CTF 79); objective - landing and supporting the 96th Infantry Division on Blue and Orange Beaches, Leyte, Jig Hour 1000 on 20 October 1944. At 0800 she took station on the line of departure port/seaward of SC-1369 off Blue Beach as standby for salvage and fire-fighting work; at ~1610 closed the torpedoed USS HONOLULU for salvage standby and smoke coverage until she was taken in tow by tugs; on 21 October joined LCI(L)-738 and six LCI(G)s to rake the beach north of Liberanan Head (firing 0925-1045, 1,420 rounds from guns one, three, and five), embarked press correspondents from flagship Rocky Mount (CTG 79.2) for Army GHQ, assisted smoke coverage over LSTs burning on Blue Beach from mortar fire, transferred the press party to AGC-9; on 22 October salvaged LST-482's lost stern anchor (~200 fathoms of 1-1/4" cable) off Blue Beach #2, returning it 23 October. Departed Leyte Gulf 24 October for Hollandia, New Guinea, in cruising disposition 79.14.5 (Capt. W. J. Marshall, USS Erben DD-631). 1,762 rounds of 20 mm expended altogether; no close shot at an air target; no damage or injuries. Second endorsement (Forrest B. Royal, Comdr. Amphibious Group SIX, 22 November 1944): 'USS LCI(L) 598 was specially equipped as a salvage and fire fighting LCI(L). The performance of subject ship was very good, and it is recommended that the use of a limited number of LCI(L)s for this purpose be continued.' Third endorsement (T. S. Wilkinson, Comdr. Third Amphibious Force, 4 December 1944): use of a requisite number of LCI(L)s for salvage and fire-fighting duties 'is regarded as a desirable practice and has been followed by this Force in recent operations.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-10-20 to 1944-12-11 (action period + endorsements)

   Population

   Crew (Oct-Nov 1944); salvage/fire-fighting parties; embarked press correspondents

   Limitations

   Primary ship-generated record establishing her salvage/fire-fighting role and Leyte service. 'S&FF' is the designation on her own letterhead - salvage and fire fighting, per the endorsements' plain-language description of her equipment and duties. Establishes the mission profile only: no equipment manifest, no materials list, no asbestos content. Digitized scans provided via Fold3 microfilm partnership (Micro Serial 106693).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-03

4. [4]NARA NAID 139862052, RG 38: 'LCI(S&FF)-598 - Report of operations in the amphibious assault on Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island, Philippines, 1/9-13/45' - ship's own action report, cover letter LCI 598/-1(h) serial 0001 dated 31 January 1945, signed D. J. Schalk [other_primary]

   Locator

   NARA NAID 139862052; report cover + narrative + endorsement (images 0513-0519 of Roll A1408 extract)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Ship's own action report (digitized, 7 images): she was part of Task Unit 79.8.3 - salvage LCIs under Capt. T. W. Rimer USN (CTG 79.8 / ComLCIFlot 14) - moving to the objective with Tractor Group Baker (TG 79.6, Capt. Seay) within the Lingayen Attack Force (TF 79, Vice Adm. Wilkinson); mission - salvage and fire-fighting work on Orange and Green beaches, Jig Hour 0930 on 9 January 1945. On 9 January standby at the line of departure, closed LCT-1013 to aid bringing a causeway to the beach (assistance not needed), took aboard 275 sacks of U.S. mail for Tractor Group Baker, gave smoke-screen cover to AGC-7 (175 gallons fog oil). On 10 January assisted beaching the mine-disabled LST-1028 with LCI(S&FF)-335; 335 broached and her stern-winch clutch burned out on retraction attempts. 11-13 January: salvage retraction of broached landing craft, mail delivery to units, fresh water, dawn/dusk smoke screens for Orange/Green beaches (SOPA Adm. Royal on AGC-3). 20 mm AA fired at enemy aircraft on four days (~1,003 rounds); report credited her fire with probable contribution to downing a Japanese Betty bomber on 10 January. First endorsement (Capt. Rimer, CTG 79.8, 31 January 1945): 'Subsequent to the assault phase salvage operations of this unit was outstanding.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1945-01-09 to 1945-01-31

   Population

   Crew (January 1945); salvage parties alongside sister LCI(S&FF)-335

   Limitations

   Primary ship-generated record establishing Lingayen service and continued salvage/fire-fighting employment under Flotilla 14. No equipment manifest or materials content; no asbestos content. Digitized via Fold3 microfilm partnership (Roll A1408 extract).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-04

5. [5]NARA NAID 140064970, RG 38: 'COM LCI(L) GR 57 - War Diary, 5/1-31/45' (LCI(L) Group 57 war diary, signed Lt. Comdr. A. J. Ormston USNR, dated 1 June 1945) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NARA NAID 140064970; war diary pages listing ship assignments (images 0542-0545 of Roll A1682 extract)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The LCI(L) Group 57 war diary for May 1945 names this hull directly: 'LCI(L)s 598 / 1093 - These ships operate in OKINAWA area under CTG 31.6 Service and Salvage force.' Under 'OKINAWA SHIPS': 'LCI 598 was converted to salvage and fire fighting vessel and has been engaged in those duties.' The same diary records that ComPhibsPac letter A3 serial 01454 (30 April 1945, effective 1 May) redesignated the command from LCI(L) Group EIGHTEEN to LCI(L) Group FIFTY SEVEN with a change of ships, and routes copies to ComLCI(L) Flotilla NINETEEN. Comdr. Group 57 = Lt. Comdr. A. J. Ormston USNR (aboard LCI(L)-1062) - the same officer NavSource lists ('Ormstom' sic) for this hull's Okinawa chain.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1945-05-01 to 1945-06-01

   Population

   Crew at Okinawa under Service and Salvage Force (May-June 1945)

   Limitations

   Confirms the Group 57 attribution and the salvage-and-fire-fighting conversion at Okinawa; the war diary does not state a division (NavSource's 'Division One Hundred-Fourteen' is unverified) and its routing to Flotilla NINETEEN - plus the NHHC 1 May 1945 org chart's nesting of Group 57 under Flotilla Nineteen - conflicts with NavSource's 'Flotilla Thirteen' attribution (see ev-13). Digitized via Fold3 partnership; no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-05

6. [6]Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, 1953, Part IV, Section 2-16 (campaign participation credits; verbatim transcription on HyperWar/ibiblio) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Awards-IV-16.html, LCI(L) 598 entry

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The official awards manual lists LCI(L) 598 with three campaign participation credits: '20 Oct 44 P31-1' (Leyte landings), '9 Jan 45 P32-2' (Lingayen Gulf landing), '28 Jun 45 P34-1' (assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto). Corroborates NavSource's three-battle-star credit and the operation dates.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Crew at each operation

   Limitations

   Official publication via transcription mirror (HyperWar/ibiblio) - page verified live 2026-09-30. Campaign credits only; no asbestos content. The 28 June 1945 Okinawa credit is a late-phase date (the main landing was 1 April); consistent with her salvage-force assignment documented in the Group 57 war diary.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-06

7. [7]U.S. Navy Radio Call Sign Book (WWII), Section 18 - LCI(L) call signs (verbatim transcription on HyperWar/ibiblio) [other_primary]

   Locator

   CallSigns-18.html, LCI(L) numeric sequence

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   The WWII Navy call-sign list assigns 'LCI (L) 598 - NPEK', matching the NPEK call sign displayed on her NavSource page.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Limitations

   Identity corroboration only; no asbestos content. Transcription mirror; page verified live 2026-09-30.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-07

8. [8]NARA Special List 44 (by ship number), 'List of Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Miscellaneous Units, 1801-1947' - PDF p. 26, 'LCI(L)-598 4/26/1944 6/30/1945' [other_primary]

   Locator

   sl-44-ship-number.pdf, page 26, LCI(L)-598 line

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Special List 44 inventories Navy deck logs for LCI(L)-598 covering 26 April 1944 (commissioning) through 30 June 1945 - the wartime logbook accession window. The logbooks themselves are held at NARA; a catalog search of the digitized deck-log series found no digitized logs for this hull.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-04-26 to 1945-06-30

   Population

   Crew named/described in deck logs (1944-45) - research lead

   Limitations

   Archival lead: the coverage listing establishes that logs exist for the period; it is not evidence of contents and does not extend to post-June-1945 logs (later accessions). PDF downloaded and page verified 2026-09-30. No asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-08

9. [9]NARA NAID 120241171, RG 24 'Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities': 'LCI(L) 598 - Muster Rolls' - 195 digitized images (Ancestry partnership scans); first roll dated 26 April 1944 (commissioning day) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NARA NAID 120241171 catalog page

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Digitized muster rolls for this hull are publicly available in the NARA catalog - the ship-specific personnel record for exposure-relevant research (who was aboard, rates, dates). First muster roll dated 1944 April 26, matching the documented commissioning date.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-09-30

   Study period

   1944-04-26 onward

   Population

   All hands aboard (1944-46) - named individuals in rolls

   Limitations

   Archival lead: establishes that a digitized personnel record exists; individual crew names were not extracted for this record. RG 24 file unit page verified live 2026-09-30 (195 images, transcription not started). No asbestos content in itself.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-09

10. [10]Era inference built on: NavSource spec block (all-diesel LCI(L), no steam plant); ship's own reports documenting confined-beach salvage/fire-fighting duties; GAO HRD-80-2 (see ev-11); WWII-era Navy practice (asbestos items in firefighting outfits - era-common, not documented for this hull) [other_primary]

    Locator

    NavSource specifications; NARA action reports (S&FF role); GAO HRD-80-2 product page

    Finding type

    asbestos_application

    Finding

    A diesel-powered welded-steel amphibious craft built March-April 1944 sits inside the Navy's documented asbestos-use era. Era-standard asbestos applications aboard a small diesel craft of this type: thermal insulation, diesel-exhaust lagging, gaskets, valve packing, and electrical insulation in the confined hull volume. No steam plant aboard - the boiler/turbine lagging pathway does not apply. Her documented salvage-and-fire-fighting (S&FF) conversion is relevant context: Navy firefighting equipment of the era commonly included asbestos suits, gloves, and blankets, and salvage work on burning vessels is a disturbance pathway - but the contents of her S&FF fit-out are undocumented.

    Verification

    inferred

    Role

    supporting

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-09-30

    Study period

    1944-1947

    Population

    NJ Shipbuilding trades (1944); crew (1944-46); salvage/fire-fighting parties during operations

    Limitations

    Class/era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material list, or S&FF equipment manifest located. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials. No quantity. The firefighting-equipment asbestos point is era practice, not documented for this hull. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-10

11. [11]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]

    Locator

    GAO product page HRD-80-2 highlights

    Finding type

    gov_survey

    Finding

    GAO reviewed the Navy's asbestos-exposure protection efforts at Long Beach and Norfolk Naval Shipyards - covering use of asbestos in Navy ships, removal costs, and disability-compensation programs - and documented the Navy's policy of leaving asbestos insulation in place unless damaged (1975), modified in 1979 to selective replacement in high-maintenance areas. Spans this hull's entire build/service era; asbestos insulation was the Navy-wide norm for ships built in 1944.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-09-30

    Study period

    1979

    Population

    Navy shipyard workers (program scope)

    Limitations

    Program-level documentation; supports era context only, not any fact specific to this hull - fieldwork yards were Long Beach and Norfolk, and a 158-foot amphibious craft at an emergency builder is at the periphery of its scope. Full PDF not retrieved (gao.gov returns an HTML block page to direct fetch, confirmed 2026-09-30); content via the official product-page highlights.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-11

12. [12]Civilian Production Administration, 'War Industrial Facilities Authorized July 1940-August 1945' (Form T-13U1, 1-5-46) - GovInfo digital publication [other_primary]

    Locator

    GovInfo HTML, 'B' operator block; shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencysmall/newjersey.htm

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    The official wartime facilities authorization list records 'new Jersey shipbuilding co PERTH AMBOY N J' with product 'LANDING CRAFT INFANTRY' - government corroboration that this hull's builder was an authorized wartime LCI producer. shipbuildinghistory.com (secondary reference) adds: the Barber NJ yard was an LCI assembly line on the Arthur Kill, managed by Todd Shipyards at the Navy's request from 1942 and closed after the war.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-09-30

    Study period

    1940-1945

    Population

    New Jersey Shipbuilding trades (1942-45)

    Limitations

    Yard-level program documentation - names the builder and product line, not this hull and not materials. The Todd-management detail rests on a respected secondary compilation, not the primary doc. No asbestos content.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-12

13. [13]Batch-5319 search ledger (this record): NavSource; NHHC DANFS (no entry) and fleet-organization document; NARA catalog (SL44, action reports NAID 139856235/139862052, Group 57 war diary NAID 140064970, muster rolls NAID 120241171); NVR; USCG Historian; CourtListener API v4 (authenticated); GAO product page; GovInfo; HyperWar transcriptions; secondary web sweep [other_primary]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-01 through -16

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or docketed case naming LCI(L)-598/LCI(S&FF)-598 was found in the public sources searched (see search_ledger). CourtListener was searched this session over the authenticated API: quoted hull-number queries '"LCI(L)-598"' returned 0 opinion results and 0 docket results, and '"LCI(L) 598" OR "LCI-598" OR "LCIL-598"' returned 0 opinion results - a verified negative litigation finding. A secondary web sweep surfaced no qualifying asbestos litigation and, unusually for the class, no law-firm marketing pages specific to 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 - she was scrapped or otherwise disposed after 1947 with no documented material handling. CourtListener covers published opinions and RECAP dockets; unindexed filings, settled claims, and non-U.S. records are out of scope. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-13

14. [14]Chain-of-command cross-check: NavSource (Flotilla Thirteen / Group Fifty-Seven / Division One Hundred-Fourteen for Okinawa) vs NARA Group 57 war diary NAID 140064970 (598 operates at Okinawa under CTG 31.6; Group 57 reconstituted from Group 18 eff. 1 May 1945; copies to ComLCI(L) Flotilla NINETEEN) vs NHHC fleet org 1 May 1945 (LCI 598 (GF) in Flotilla Fourteen / Group 41 / Division 81; Group 57 nested under Flotilla Nineteen) [other_primary]

    Locator

    NavSource 10/15/150598.htm unit-chain block; NARA NAID 140064970 (war diary text); NHHC fleet-org document (LCI Flotilla Thirteen/Fourteen/Nineteen sections)

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: NavSource's Okinawa unit chain for this hull is only partially supported by primary documents. Group Fifty-Seven is confirmed - the Group 57 war diary names LCI(L)s 598 and 1093 operating at Okinawa under CTG 31.6 (Service and Salvage Force), and its commander Lt. Comdr. A. J. Ormston matches NavSource's 'Ormstom'. But the flotilla attribution reads 'Flotilla Thirteen' in NavSource while the war diary routes to Flotilla NINETEEN and the NHHC org chart nests Group 57 under Flotilla Nineteen (Flotilla Thirteen's commander, Comdr. M. B. Brown, matches NavSource's flagship line - NavSource appears to have combined fragments). 'Division One Hundred-Fourteen' is unverified - Group 57's ship list in the war diary differs from the org chart (a 'complete change of ships' on reconstitution).

    Verification

    partial

    Role

    correction

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-09-30

    Study period

    1945-05-01 to 1945-06-28

    Limitations

    Corrects a unit-attribution detail, not a material or asbestos claim. Administrative flotilla assignment may genuinely have differed from operational task organization at Okinawa (the June 1945 operation plans task-organized LCI flotillas); Flotilla Thirteen cannot be ruled out for the operational phase, but it is not supported by the documents located. No asbestos content.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-lci-l-598-lcil598-14