Russell Lince - WWII LCI(G)-725 Pacific Theater 1943-1945

Russ Lince age 19, 1931

 Russell Sidney Lince is my much-loved maternal grandfather. I was very blessed to grow up with such a wonderful grandpa! My most vivid memories of him are of his laughter, light hearted teasing, sillyness and jokes, and lots of hugs. Also, as far back as I can remember, the subject of his time in the Navy during World War II was taboo - the only thing I ever knew was that the big cut glass bottle of shells that sat in the dining room came home with him from the south seas.  He passed away some time ago, so I recently began a search for information on his military service; thanks to my Dad, I have found out that he served as a Fireman, enlisting October 4, 1943, on a LCI(L) 351 Class Landing Craft, which was fitted out in 1944 as a gun boat:  LCI(L)-725/LCI(G)-725, launched at Portland, Oregon; assigned Flotilla 6 and Flotilla 3. These craft were not named like the bigger ships, only known officially by number, but Mother remembers being told that Grandpa and his shipmates called her The Portland Rose.

That's Grandpa hanging out the window! (1932)
Also Joanne (Reemston) Lince, and her mother, Catherine Reemston

LCI(L) craft are small ships with flat bottoms, with a crew of about 185, designed to be used in beach landings.  Of course, we needed everything we had during that time, and these ships travelled thousands of miles out to sea - feeling every wave along the way - and provided, among other things, close-in fire support for landing troops, troop transport, and evacuation of wounded and dead.




The Portland Rose participated in the following**:

Marianas operation Capture and occupation of Saipan 15 June to 28 July 1944	Western Caroline Islands operation; Capture and occupation of southern Palau Islands, 6 September to 14 October 1944
Tinian capture and occupation 24 to 28 July 1944	Okinawa Gunto operation Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 26 March to 14 June 1945

LCI(G)-725 and LCI(G)-726 give fire support for landing craft forming up for assault waves on Saipan,
June 15, 1944**

The Battle at Saipan was a nightmare training ground for the taking of Iwo Jima and Okinawa - Saipan was heavily fortified, with many troops underground, and strategic heights well utilized. In the end, almost the entire garrison of troops on the island—at least 30,000—died, as well as 22,000 civilians.  Very few Japanese surrendered, preferring banzai and kamikaze attacks, hara-kiri, mass suicides, and brutal killing of their own, including women and children.  For the Americans, the victory was the most costly to date in the Pacific war, with 3,426 Americans killed and over 12,000 wounded, out of 71,000 who landed.  For a detailed description of the action at Saipan, see http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Saipan/index.html



He recieved the following Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon:

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending LCI)(G) FLOTILLA THREE, AMPHIBIOUS FORCES, PACIFIC FLEET for service as follows
"For outstanding heroism in action in support of amphibious landings on enemy Japanese-hold Kwajalein and Eniwetok Atolls in the Marshall Islands, and on Saipan, Guam and Tinian in the Marianas, from January 31 to July 28, 1944. Operating dangerously in poorly charted waters off the reef-studded shores of those heavily fortified hostile bases, LCI(G) Flotilla THREE preceded the assault waves to deliver concentrated rocket and gunfire at perilously close range against beach entrenchments, pill boxes and blockhouses, repeatedly navigating unswept channels to carry out their missions, the ships of Flotilla THREE suffered serious damage under heavy Japanese gunfire and the intense cross-fire of our own ships and, despite numerous casualties, rendered substantial aid to our invasion forces. Gallantly responding to the many calls for close-in fire, the units of the Flotilla provided smoke and protective screens for the large combatant and auxiliary vase. sole against hostile aircraft,$ submarines and small craft; they disrupted potentially dangerous counterattacks by Japanese landing barges and they defied enemy fire to conduct daring patrols in support of reconnaissance and demolition parties, The unique and varied service rendered by LCI(G) Flotilla THREE was directly instrumental in breaking down enemy resistance on these.fiercely defended islands and reflects the aggressive fighting spirit of the officers and men who braved fanatic Japanese opposition to fulfill their missions."
All personnel serving in the Following ships which constituted Flotilla THREE during the period of this citation are hereby authorized to wear the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION Ribbons 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.
 /s/ JAMES FORRESTAL
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy

(from http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/15000031.htm )


Grandpa, you are my hero. I don't know how you kept your sanity, much less ever smiled again, after your experiences in the South Pacific  - I love you so much, and God bless you!

Russell Lince (right) and shipmates aboard 725

Russell Lince (left) and shipmates aboard 725

Russell Lince (center, bottom) and shipmates aboard  725

Russell Lince (Right) and shipmates aboard 725

LCI(G)-725 at Peleliu**

** chart/photos from ** http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/15/150725.htm

If you can identify any of the sailors in these pictures, or if you have any corrections or questions, please leave a comment. I am not a military historian by any means, this is just a hobby, and I apologize if I have unintentionally misrepresented any facts or persons.