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Looking for information on activities of World War 2 Marine troop lander LSM 5 in Pacific.

PoppyK

Father was on board LSM 5 in Pacific. We have heard that he might have been at Iwo Jima but not sure of the ship's activities or father's. Would like to find more information. Info has been hard to find. 

Thanks

  • 0

     

    Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

    We recommend you begin your research by reviewing the U.S. Navy Deck Logs for the USS LSM-5. These records are located under the following records data:

    Record Group 24, Entry P 118-A2

    Series: U.S. Navy Deck Logs

    Box 2476-2477

    Dates: May 29, 1944 - July 9, 1946

    We will be happy to make the records and their finding aids available to you or your representative in the Textual Research Room (Room 2000) here at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Please visit our website for information about visiting the National Archives in College Park, MD, including how to schedule a research visit.

    We hope this assists you with your research! 

    Sincerely,

    Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)

    RR2RR 23-62878-JAH

  • 0 in reply to Textual Reference Branch, Archives II

    Thank you for your reply! We really appreciate your help. Is there a way to hire a researcher nearby to do the research for us?

  • 0 in reply to PoppyK

    PoppyK

    Thank you for posting your question on History Hub!

    We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck logs of the USS LMS-5 for May 29, 1944 thru July 9, 1946 in Boxes 2476-2477; and World War II Action and Operational Reports in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Record Group 38) that may include reports submitted by the USS LSM-5. For more information about the non-digitized deck logs, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RR2R) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

    We also located the Records Relating to United States Marine Corps Operations in World War II, 1939 - 1949 in the Records of the U.S. Marine Corps (Record Group 127) that consists of records documenting the principal amphibious assaults and ground combat operations of the Marine Corps during the World War II era, as well as occupation of formerly enemy-controlled areas. For more information about these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RR2R) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

    If you are unable to visit the National Archives at College Park (RR2RR), you may hire a private researcher to do research for you. The history departments at some of the local universities may be able to help you. Several possibilities are history departments at the University of Maryland and American University.

    A list of private researchers who are familiar with National Archives facilities is available on NARA’s website. We hope you find this information useful.

    Please contact the Naval History and Heritage Command about the availability of a ship’s history for the USS LSM-5.

    Also see USS LSM-5 for more information.

     

    We hope this assists you with your research!

    Sincerely, 

    Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RR2RR)

    [RR2RR 23-65574-LP]

  • 0

    Regarding the USS LSM-5: The LSM-5 (landing ship medium) was commissioned on 22 May 1944 and decommissioned on 9 July 1946. During WWII she was stationed in the Pacific Theater: specifically, the USS LSM-5 was attached to LSM Flotilla One, LSM Group Two, LSM Division Three. The ship in general earned the following awards in relation to its WWII service:

    • the American Campaign Medal
    • the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
    • the World War II Victory Medal
    • the Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

    However, that does not mean that anyone who served on the ship during the war is entitled to all of those medals. You would have to figure out when they were actually stationed on board in relation to the award's eligibility timeframe.

    Also, the ship did not earn any campaign stars during the war, which by default means that it was not involved in the Iwo Jima operation (assault & occupation/naval bombardment). A search of the LSMs that were involved in the Iwo Jima invasion also does not list it as being involved (the lowest numbered LSM was LSM-43).

    I can't say the exact nature of the ship's mission during and after the war [it *might* have been a resupply ship], but it was not involved in active combat operations.

  • 0 in reply to thebluetuna

    Oh my, Thank you so much for helping us out. We live out west and so getting to Maryland would be difficult. If I could ask a final question, Where can we find out specifically about our quarry, Thomas Darrell Dinsmore, who was aboard the LSM-5. We have never seen a record of his service. 

  • 0 in reply to PoppyK

    Military Service Records can be obtained from the National Archives by either the veteran, the deceased veteran's next-of-kin, or by members of the public depending on various circumstances. Their link is here [ https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records ].

    Generally speaking, "Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after they leave the military. (Which would be 1960 or prior) Records of any veteran who separated from the military 62 (or more) years ago can be ordered by anyone for a copying fee (detailed below under “cost”)."