Commanding Officers of the U.S.S LST-451
Name |
Dates of Command |
Detached at |
Lt. J.R. Platts |
January 1943 to February 1943 |
San Diego |
Lt. H.A. Swartz |
February 1943 to March 1944 |
Pearl Harbor |
Lt. R.D. Flynn |
March 1944 to July 1944 |
Saipan |
Lt. E.T. Coleman |
July 1944 to July 1945 |
Pearl Harbor |
Lt. T.B. Brooks |
July 1945 to June 1946 |
San Francisco |
Lt. R.H. Bruns |
June 1946 to July 1946 |
San Francisco |
Lt. E.T. Coleman
Lt. E.T. Colman from Waco, Texas took over the commance of the ship in between the Saipan and Tinian invasions; whereas he captained the ship throughout the rest of the 451's battle history. He was a good skipper, who made the ship get the reputation of being "the Cleanest and Neatest LST in the Fleet". He was an ardent lover of sports, especially baseball and basketball.
Lt. T.B. Brooks
Lt. T.B. Brooks from Chester, South Carolina, was unlike the strict and forceful ETC, but nevertheless accomplisthing just as much if not more respect. He was the joyful, intermingling, easy-going skipper that everyone enjoys to serve under. He, too, was a lover of sports but not as much as MR. Coleman, His sports where more of wine, women, and song... and boy how he loved San Diego.
Executive Officers
Names |
Dates of Command |
C.M. Kimbrow |
January 1943 to March 1943 |
K.E. Stover |
March 1943 to October 1943 |
J. Palozzi |
October 1943 to February 1944 |
R.D. Flynn |
February 1944 to March 1944 |
J.H. Quinn |
March 1944 to September 1945 |
J.A. Wynne |
September 1945 to October 1945 |
P.B. Cordes |
October 1945 to October 1945 |
R.H. Bruns |
October 1945 to June 1946 |
R.D. Martin |
June 1946 to July 1946 |
John H. Quinn
John H. Quinn perhaps the most valuable and best-liked officer the 451 ever had. He spent over 31 months on a ship and 18 of which he was the XO. He comes from Stratford, Iowa but resides in Munci, Indiana.
Robert Doud Martin
Robert Doud Martin, the giant of 451 officers, towering at 6'6". Lived in Tacoma, Washington as his home. A good athlete, especially in swimming. He became the First Lieutenant when RHB took over as Executive officer in October 1945. He had the unplesant experience of losing the stern anchor while back in the states.
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