After landing on Red Beach 3 this LVT-1 became canted on the seawall and likely stuck. For the first two days the LVT was used as a CP by Major Crowe who led 2/8th Marines and held Red 3 during the early difficult stage of the landings. LVT 23 was also a shield from small arms fire for the many wounded Marines on Red 3 and those holding the seawall. According to the LVT recovery log book the damage to the LVT did not appear to be severe at least externally. At this point I am unsure if LVT 23 made a single trip to the beach or multiple trips to the beach before becoming lodged on the seawall. In any case LVT 23 did it's job for the 2nd Division.
Major Crowe behind LVT 23 on Red Beach 3.
Major Crowe on the field phone taken a few minutes after the previous photo.
D/1/8 Marines take cover behing the seawall and LVT 23.
Photo with the identified Marines from the Karcher Family originally published in "Follow Me", the 2nd Marine Div Association newsletter.
Rear Deck of LVT 23
Click here for larger version of this image of LVT 23.
LVT 23 along with some of the 22 recovered amtracs at the Naval Landing Force Equipment Depot, Albany CA.
Note besides LVT 23 are LVT 52, LVT 11, and LVT 16. In front of LVT 16 is LVT 33. To the left of LVT 23 and in front of
LVT 11 is LVT 1 as identified by the damage and just a small trace of the number seen in front of the added armor plate over the side window. Proulx Collection.
Notes:
Information collected from the LVT recovery record book.
Thanks to Scott Sanders for photos
Identified Marine photo courtesy of the Karcher family.
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copyright 2010 T.O.T.W.
Created 8 November 2020 - 9 February 2021
