"The Landing Craft, Infantry (Large) ....was a large beaching craft intended to transport and deliver fighting troops, typically a company of infantry or marines, to a hostile shore once a beachhead was secured. The LCI was an important ship and widely used for amphibious warfare in World War II.
The LCI carried passengers, but could not transport vehicles. LCIs were 158 feet long and 23 feet, 3 inches wide at the middle. They typically had a crew of 24-60 sailors, and carried 200 soldiers, who descended from ramps on each side of the craft during landings. LCIs were not originally designed for cross-ocean journeys, but did so out of necessity and urgency during WWII. They sailed from shipyards in the United States to the European and Pacific Theatres. Their flat-bottom hulls were designed for beaching, which meant the men aboard felt every wave, and many sailors and soldiers ended up seasick non-stop. The hull or skin was made of a quarter-inch steel plate. LCIs were propelled using two sets of quad General Motors 6-cylinder diesel engines (8 engines total)." (Source: http://usslci.org/facts/ )
Among my father's papers I found the following poem explaining the role of the Amphibious Man. I apologize for the small type. I have added below the words to this poem.
You've heard of the air force
and the Marines and Paratroops
But think as hard as you can
Though you've heard of the Army
And of other groups,
Have you heard of the Amphibious Man?
The Amphibious Man is a real rugged sort
But unlike the Fleet
He has no home port
Goes where he's needed
Does what he can
This poor Orphan sailor
the Amphibious Man
You might be a battleship sailor
From a cruiser or off a tin can
Maybe fresh out of Boot training
Or perhaps a second cruise man
The pick the man at random
How else could the provide?
A few might choose the duty --
But they are usually Shanghaied.
You've heard plenty of the Navy
Of ships, both for and aft,
But we'll bet a pretty penny,
You've heard least of the landing craft
And they've got to have the LCI's
to win this doggone war.
They're loaded from the transports,
In the middle of the night
Sail around to rendezvous,
Can't even show a light.
Find their way in Darkness
And land upon the shore,
Through bombs discharge their cargo
Then go right back out for more.
Bringing in the first wave
Doesn't end the job.
For the troops upon the beach
Can't live without this Gob
He brings in reinforcements
And everything they use
His Job is full of danger
But he never makes the news
For when the beach is taken
And the radio start to tell,
You'll hear of the Marines and Soldiers
And how they went though Hell.
You'll thrill to front page stories
Of their Heroic Job
But You'll never hear a word
of the poor Amphibious Gob!
And when this war is over,
And he back in Civvie life
How in Hell will he explain,
To his Kiddies and his wife?
They love he's in the Navy
But he's the subject of a Gyp
He's just an orphan sailor,
A Gob Without a ship!
