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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

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  • 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”)."

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