Our Original Photo

Rod's Photo

The Zuni turns out not be at a pier or anchorage but instead on the beach at Iwo Jima! As you can see even Rod's photo is somewhat cropped. Using the magic of Adobe Photoshop I have combined the two photos as you can see below:

Here are Rod's recollections: Our load for Iwo Jima was a battalion, or maybe part of a battalion, of an Army Anti-aircraft outfit. I believe they were intended for use after the island was secure but were called in early to support our attack (that`s what I remember) - we had air superiority, as you may recall, so I don`t think they were needed for an AA role at that time. My guess is they were probably used in a ground fire support role until after the island was secure and then set up for a defensive AA role to further support the island "emergency landing for B-29" function after the island was secure. I believe there was an emergency landing of a B-29 before the island was secure. I believe they were a 90mm unit or perhaps a 120 mm unit but I think 90mm is right. As to the Zuni. In my memory, there are two versions - the first is that the LST 944 had lost main engine power, probably in only one engine (she carried two main engines) and the ZUNI came alongside and helped power the 944 to the beach and then stayed alongside to assist the 944 in maintaining the proper attitude to the beach... remember the surf at Iwo was terrific at times and it was difficult to keep from broaching with two engines, let alone one. The second version is the LST 944 was able to beach alone and the Zuni came alongside after the beaching to assist in either, (1) maintaining the beaching without broaching, or (2) supply some type of auxillary power - although since I don`t know the Zuni capabilities I don`t know what kind of auxilliary power the Zuni would have furnished - the question arises, was the LST 944 power out to the extent it needed outside power for winches, lights, bow doors, ramps, etc. or only power to maintain the beach position? I don`t remember. My guess would be the Zuni probably not equipped to supply all the auxilliary power needed to operate the LST heavy ramps, doors, etc. Possibly the Zuni did take us off the beach and under tow for repairs In reviewing the photo, I have noticed "one ball" on the LST 944 flag hoist. If memory serves that indicates a problem (an engine gone) with the vessel - I think two balls meant out of control. In April 2002, Rod emailed us the following: I have been searching my memory and trying to remember the details as to the beaching with the Zuni and I keep coming back to one inescapable conclusion. Part of the discussion about the event was "Did the 944 beach and then the Zuni came and and beached or what were the circumstances?" I think the answer lies in the fact that the reason the event was played up in the Our Navy Magazine is that: The LST 944 was unable to hit the beach under her own power and the Zuni took the 944 alongside offshore from the beach and powered her (the 944) onto the beach and remained alongside. I believe that is the correct sequence of events because "Our Navy" magazine published the event because it was the only beaching of that kind to ever occur (at least to then). That premise precludes the other possibilities. Hope this helps to "get it straight". LCDR Gabrielsen sent us an email that helped clarify what the Zuni was probably doing: Your captions on the photo mention the "one ball means and engine casualty, two balls means out of control." Acutally, these "day shapes" are part of the International Navigation Rules, one ball means "Anchored" usually, in this case it means made fast to the ground (ie, moored), which for an LST is "beached". (Two balls would mean "Not under Command", which is shown for vessels that cannot control their own movement while underway because of some engineering problem, such as lost power, lost steering). Also, you describe with some conjecture the manner in which Zuni may have been assisting LST 944, but did not mention the fact that there are in fact two (2) LSTs in the photo. Look carefully, there are two identical masts with a flag and a mooring ball day shape on each. So Zuni was assisting two LSTs, perhaps providing more direct support to LST 944 because of the engine casualty, but perhaps also supporting two LSTs by helping them maintain their positions on the beach next to each other in the surf. Zuni also would have had the duty of assisting the LSTs in getting back off the beach after the offloads if necessary. As an ocean going salvage tug vessel, Zuni was designed with exceptional power in order to tow disabled combatants displacing 10 times her weight. It would seem more likely than not that Zuni had substantial auxiliary power as well, in order to operate her own towing winches and ground tackle, probably enough to operate the auxiliary plant of LST 944 with some creative application of Casualty Power Procedures. Respectfully, Karl J. Gabrielsen, LCDR, USCG United States Coast Guard Office of Defense Operations Bob Leonti emailed us some info about the Tam's engineering setup: Although I was a Quartermaster I was quite familiar with the Tamaroas engine room. I had much interest in her power plants which were (Four V12-278 GM- EMD's, 12 cylinders @ 278 cu. in. PER cylinder, or 3,336 cu. in. displacement per engine). GM is General Motors and EMD designates Electric Motor Division. Each engine turned a generator which in turn fed electrical power to four electric motors in the motor room. These electric motors faced each other in pairs and were connected to a huge reduction gear into which one drive shaft was connected. The electric motors could be powered with any combination of power from the main engines. One main engine could power the four electric motors to drive the shaft or any combination thereof. We often patrolled with one main engine "on the line", which gave a maximum speed of around 4 knots. When more speed was needed more engines were "put on line" to feed more power to the electric motors.The ships auxiliary electrical power was provided by 2 GM 6-71's and one GM 3-71. This was adequate for her electrical power but I dont' think that it could power the LST's power demand that is question. BUT, I do think that the Main Engine (12-278) Generators COULD be put to use for auxiliary power. I seem to remember that this WAS DONE when needed a few times while I served aboard Tamaroa from 1966 to 1970. I think I may be right. What we need is some input from an Engineman (SNIPE) or a Ships Electrician. Our thanks to LCDR Gabrielsen and to Bob Leonti! We can use some more help here folks. Rod recalls an "Our Navy" article about this beaching due to the fact that it was unique and several aspects had never been done before. He belives the article appeared a couple months after the invasion (February of 1945). Rod is pursuing various sources but if anyone out there knows of a good archive of "Our Navy" magazines, or maybe has the issue with the article in question, please let us know!