Excerpted from
Memoirs: My Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
By Chet Moyers
Korean War
“Wars and rumors of war.” Matthew 24:6
The Korean Was started during my senior year of high school. Although I considered attending
the Mineral Area Junior College, I had no definite interest and felt that it would be too costly and
a waste of money for Mom and Dad. I always had a desire to serve in the Navy and I asked dad
to give his authorization. I was only 17 and to do this was possible only with parental
permission. The cruise would last until one day before my 21st birthday. The Navy called it a
“minority cruise”. A normal enlistment was for 4 years. My tour of duty turned out to be 3
years, 7 months, and 15 days. Three years and 18 days were spent at sea! During that time, I
had a total of 50 days leave in three trips home. I received good advice from a MAJC professor,
after I told him that I would not be attending the college. He had been an officer in the Navy.
He agreed that I was making a good choice and advised me, “Keep your mouth shut and do not
volunteer for anything.” The draft was in force and it would have only been a matter of time
before I would have been notified. This allowed me to have some control over my destiny.
My basic training (Boot Camp) was done at Camp Elliot, a Navy Marine base, near San Diego,
CA. We were assigned to this base because the main Pacific Coast Naval Training Center was
full. Unknowingly, this training was good for the Amphibious Ship assignments, which many of
us later received. Because the Good Lord blessed me with very high marks on my aptitude test
scores, I was allowed to choose any specialized training. First, I volunteered for flight training
and later submarine training. Both times, I was rejected because I was only 17 years old and was
told that I should re-apply after I turned 18! It was lonely walking by myself twice back to my
barracks! I vowed never to volunteer again and selected Electrician Mate’s schooling because I
determined that it would give me a skill needed to find a job after my discharge. I did not have
the confidence in myself to apply for more difficult training such as electronics or nuclear
schools. It was then that I regretted that I had not taken high school more seriously. However, I
never suspected that the field I selected would be the foundation for my college degree in
Electrical Engineering.
Boot Camp was very demanding and weeded out several enlistees. It was very tough and the
time period spent there seemed as long as the rest of my tour of duty! Those who kept a good
attitude and played the game got through best. I even gained weight, from 156 to 162 pounds! I
met three very tough men in our company from Alabama who loved to sing gospel, almost as
much as they loved to fight! They were always in trouble fighting, yet were very good men,
especially to have as your buddies! We started a quartet and would sing usually when our
company of 80 men was scheduled to wash our clothing, by hand. The company did everything
together. Large tables with running water were provided for us to scrub our clothes. Other
fellows would often join in with our singing. No one objected but encouraged it. Everyone
should experience Boot Camp!
The Electrician’s Mate School consisted of 14 weeks of intensive 10-hour days filled with
lectures, study, tests, and hands-on experience. Those who successfully passed the course were
given ship assignments. My first and only ship was the LST 902, USS Luzerne County, where I
served three years and 18 days. Three cruises were made to the Far East. The initial crew of 110
men was a mixture of WW II veterans, reservists, and new recruits, like me. The ship was taken
out of the WW II “mothball fleet” and it was our duty to quickly restore it to fighting condition
and to develop as a team. We would practice landings on the California coast, discharge tanks,
trucks, artillery pieces, marines, or army personnel on land and/or launch amphibian personnel
carriers at sea. We then reloaded the ship. We would practice over and over until we got it right.
The 328-foot ship had to be beached in heavy surf. The ship was then winched off of the beach
with a stern anchor attached to a large cable, which was dropped some 100 yards out from the
beach, along with the aid of reversing the ship’s twin screws (propellers). LST was the acronym
for Landing Ship, Tanks. 15 Sherman tanks could fit in the tank deck and 14 large supply trucks
and artillery pieces would fit topside. The LST became the “work horse” of the Navy because of
its versatility. It was designed to carry 2500 tons. It was the largest ship in the amphibian group
of ships and proved its worth in WW II both in the Pacific and in European invasions. It did
bother me at first when we found out that in battle it was rated for one landing! If it survived,
additional landings would be an extra blessing! This is the real fact of war. In WW II, many
LSTs were lost while landing troops and equipment under intense enemy fire.
My responsibility aboard ship was to supervise the onboard Electrical Shop with its 6 man staff,
oversee all electrical equipment and wiring, three diesel driven generators, two navigation
gyrocompasses, and the main distribution switchboard. This also included degaussing the ship to
protect against magnetic mines. It always amazed me that so much responsibility was given to
people my age! There was always plenty of work to do. It proved to me that having faith in a
person and their abilities usually pays off; however, there is also the need to quickly remove
those with bad attitudes and poor work habits. We depended on each other to perform well
under adverse conditions.
From enlistment day until discharge, all officers and sailors were scheduled to stand watch. At
sea, the watches were continuous, 4 hours on and 8 hours off. During General Quarters (GQ),
the schedule was 4 hours on and 4 hours off, with full staffing during actual combat. Those with
the electrician’s mate rating stood watch in the electrical power generating room, which
contained the diesel generators and main distribution switchboard, or were assigned to repair
parties. The electrical power generation room was located in the lower deck aft of the propulsion
engine room. Maintenance work was done between watches. At sea, 4-5 hours of sleep at night
was normal. If the ship was ever in a situation where the enemy would take it, we each had an
assignment to scuttle (destroy) the ship. My assignment was to destroy the electrical power
station. Not a good thought! We practiced drills over and over for every conceivable situation.
For the entire 3 years aboard the LST 902, I also served as ship’s chaplain. A notice had been
posted requesting a volunteer. I immediately came under conviction and made a pact with the
Lord to do it if no one responded in two weeks. It immediately identified who I was. To my
surprise, the officers and crew, with a variety of denominational backgrounds, readily received
me. I tried to implement the unity of all believers and appreciated the earlier teaching I had
received on John 17, “that they all might be one.” Sunday church services and weekly Bible
studies were held along with serving communion and performing baptisms. Family situations
and personal problems were addressed, often with men much older and with higher ranks than I!
The fleet chaplain, located in Yokosuka, Japan, or San Diego, CA, our two homeports, would
provide support as needed. In port, fleet chaplains would occasionally visit the ships. One very
nice fleet chaplain, of Lutheran persuasion, tried to convert me and he would send me books on
Martin Luther! At sea, 25-30% of the crew attended Bible studies and services. We studied
every book in the NT, except we only studied one of the gospels. Several men accepted the Lord.
I was afraid to tell anyone back home that we baptized with salt water because it might have
started a new sect! Really, it is more difficult to baptize in the ocean than one might imagine.
We had to wade out quite a distance and time the waves! On the last cruise, we had a gospel
tract translated and passed out in various Japanese port cities. We transported Japanese soldiers
and equipment that were assigned to bases in Japan, relieving American troops. While the
Japanese were on board, I contracted a Japanese soldier to translate a gospel tract. When he
completed the task he would not take any money because he said, “You are helping my people.”
The Japanese people received them with mixed reactions. A few months prior to discharge, a
“Captain’s Mast” was held to honor outstanding performance. I received recognition for
excellence in performing the work done in maintaining the ship’s electrical systems and for
performing the role of ship’s chaplain. Two other shipmates were also honored for their
performance in their assigned areas. In the Navy, the age-old expression of approval is, “Well
done.” Interestingly, that is exactly what we are striving to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good
and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
At the 2004 LST 902 reunion, I was fortunate to meet the person who posted the memo
requesting a volunteer chaplain. We also found out that he, and 3 other crewmembers, had
become pastors following their discharge from the Navy. Janet, along with me, was amazed that
at the reunion there was no drinking and no swearing! I was also fortunate to meet and thank my
Jewish Executive Offer for challenging me to take advantage of the GI Bill to further my
education. He was happy to know that I listened. Mr. Kohn also took eight of us to a University
of California football game and showed us around the campus in order to broaden our
perspective. He was a neat officer who cared for his shipmates.
It would take our ship around 30 days to sail from San Diego to Yokosuka, Japan. We would
normally stop at Pearl Harbor for repairs, re-fueling, and to take on supplies. On the first cruise,
one propulsion engine needed repairs and we were tied up for two weeks directly across the
harbor from the Battleship Arizona that had been sunk in WW II. This was several years before
the memorial was constructed. While on liberty, I was walking down the street in Honolulu,
Hawaii, when I was suddenly hit or pushed off of the sidewalk. Looking up, I was very
surprised to see one of my high school classmates. It was Norman Jensen, dressed in civilian
clothes, who also was in the Navy stationed in Hawaii. The five times we docked in Hawaii we
always tried to get together. He had it easy, with his own car and all! On our return stopover
from the war zone, the ship would be greeted with hula girls and Hawaiian music, along with the
Navy band. Totally, I saw four of my classmates overseas, two sailors and two marines. Sadly,
one marine killed himself shortly after being discharged.
Our ship received two battle stars. Each star represented six months in the combat zone. Besides
being in combat, being at sea also had exciting moments. On one occasion, we were caught in a
typhoon that hit Japan. Our type ship was not known for a smooth ride because it was designed
with a flat bottom in order to land on the beach to disperse heavy equipment. LST was often
defined as “Lousy Sea Travel”, along with “Long Slow Target”, instead of “Landing Ship,
Tanks”. Even though it was longer than a football field, in normal seas it rolled and pitched,
making for a very rough ride. In 1954, our ship was chained to a buoy alongside two other LSTs
in Yokosuka harbor. One third of the crew was ashore on liberty. Bad weather was forecasted
due to an approaching typhoon, but we thought we were safe in the harbor. During the night,
GQ sounded for the crew to go to battle stations when it was discovered that our bow chain had
come loose from the buoy. The Navy had Japanese harbor workers under contract and they were
desperately trying to secure the ship. The two other ships were also in danger. In the process of
trying to secure our ship, one shipyard worker was killed. Our Captain ordered our ship to cast
off and he chose to fight for survival by leaving the harbor, which was as large as one of our
great lakes, to try to get out to sea and run with the typhoon. This we were able to do, with a
reduced crew. Once we cleared the harbor, we went with the typhoon for three days, over 300
miles. The waves were huge and the whole stern of the ship would lift out of the water as the
waves crested and then the ship would slide (fall) down into the trough of the waves. The twin
screws would make a high pitch whine as they came out of the water, followed by a thud when
the ship bottomed out. In addition, the ship would constantly roll back and forth. Standing
watch in the Electrical Power generating plant was very difficult and even more so for those with
topside duty. No one slept or ate anything the first two days. We had to strap ourselves into our
bunks in order to try to sleep. It was a very scary ride but, thankfully, I did not get seasick.
Several did get seasick because we had a few Army and Marine personnel and shipyard workers
who got caught on board when we hurriedly left for open water! When the ocean calmed enough
to turn around and head back for port, we saw many damaged ships, including a freighter that
had broken in half. Only the stern half of the ship had washed ashore. Considerable damage
occurred to the Yokosuka Naval Base. It took us over a week to return. I was reminded of the
apostle Paul’s “storms, shipwrecks and perils at sea.” 2 Cor. 11:26 Later, the Skipper informed
our families how the ship had fought for its life. (Typhoons and hurricanes are equivalent,
except typhoons occur in the western Pacific or Indian Oceans.)
During our last mission to Korea we were part of the largest armada of ships since WW II. It
included two battleships, the USS Iowa and the USS Missouri, and virtually every other type of
ship assembled to participated in several mock invasions of North Korea. We left San Diego
fully loaded with Army personnel and equipment in convoy with five other LSTs. As we made
our journey, we would join or be joined by other groups of ships almost every night. When we
got to Korea there were ships in every direction as far as one could see. The tactic was to fake
several landings up and down the coast of North Korea before a final landing would take place.
Heavy shelling from the cruisers, battleships, and rocket ships were directed at the apparent
landing site. LSTs would take on troops from the troop ships and launch fully loaded, personnel
amphibian vehicles or prepare for an actual landing if tanks were on board. We would get within
a few hundred yards of the beach and then withdraw, if it was a fake landing. It was a dangerous
game as the ship next to us did take a direct hit. The object was to force the enemy to react with
troop movement and, when they did, air strikes were launched from carriers. This was done
three or four times before an actual landing was made. On two occasions, the convoy received a
sub alert and GQ was sounded. The destroyers were under full speed weaving around the troop
and supply ships, such as ours, trying to find the sub while we awaited our fate. We knew that
Russian subs were in the area but they had been neutral, at least up until then. This display of
power played a large role in the resulting cease-fire negotiations.
Passage to Freedom (1954)
We were scheduled to depart for the USA when we were notified that we were re-assigned to
Vietnam. Our skipper was asked if he would volunteer our extension. How could he say No? In
reality, the entire crew was more that willing. We had joined the Navy to see the world! In
Vietnam, the LST 902 first served as a floating platform to support Marine surveillance
helicopters. We were anchored at the 17th parallel on the Ben Hai River. There was concern that
the peace agreement would be broken. After the French were defeated, an agreement was made
to allow anyone living in North Vietnam to move south and vice versa. Only a few went north,
but thousands of people came south and many were floating down the river 24 hours a day in
boats, rafts, and even woven straw baskets. We helped as many as we could while remaining on
station, providing a landing and launching pad for helicopters. Later, the 902 was used to
transfer battle weary French Foreign Legion soldiers and their equipment from the north to south
of the demarcation line, the 17th parallel. They came onboard with their milk goats and wine
cart! Each company of troops had one French officer and one non-commissioned officer. The
soldiers were composed mostly of large African black men. It was reported that many were
convicted felons.
Before we left San Diego on our first cruise to Korea, via Japan, two of our crewmembers
volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team training. UDT was a group also known as
Frogmen, and then, SEAL. Now, almost three years later, we found them living and operating
out of a small boat on the very filthy Ben Hai River. They recognized their old ship and readily
came onboard for showers and decent meals! They had been operating in the area for several
months serving as advisors, helping the French. We were so thankful that we had not
volunteered with them! Their lifestyle did not look as glamorous as it did the times we saw them
practicing with high-speed boats in the San Diego harbor!
One pleasant experience occurred when we left Vietnam after we participated in the operation,
Passage to Freedom. From Vietnam we went to the Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippine Islands,
for repairs and to take on equipment for our return to Japan and eventually, San Diego, CA. Our
Skipper received permission for our ship to visit Hong Kong so that the crew could take a few
days Rest and Recreation (R & R). It was very enjoyable. Although Mainland China was a
restricted area, we were able to visit the city of Kowloon only during daylight hours. We were
very well received because they welcomed our business.
Little did we know that our effort was setting the stage for the Vietnam War that would break out
in 1965. The LST 902 would again be brought out of the “moth-ball fleet”, having been
decommissioned in 1955. It was reactivated for the second time to serve in Panama and later
assigned permanently to Vietnam as part of the “brown water navy”. The ship stayed on site for
several years and the crews were rotated. This proud ship was later decommissioned and
eventually scrapped.
One other assignment we had was to visit the port of Osaka, Japan. We were assigned the task of
launching target drones for the purpose of anti-aircraft firing practice for various ships. The 902
became a miniature aircraft carrier. A launching rail was positioned the full length of the main
deck and the radio- controlled drones would be catapulted off of our deck and would fly over
other ships for them to shoot at. The drone had approximately a 20-foot wingspan, and, with its
speed, simulated a jet aircraft. After being shot at, it would be brought back over our ship in
order to parachute close enough for it to be retrieved and reused. Manually operated 20 and 40
mm guns never hit the drone! While on this assignment, which was really a reprieve from the
war zone, several of us visited Nagasaki, Japan, the second city destroyed by an atomic bomb. It
was scary and sad to see the destruction even after some 10-12 years. The outstanding feature
was the remaining wall of a church building. At the time, no one seemed concerned about
lingering radiation.
Overall, I enjoyed my time in the Navy. It was an unforgettable experience. I did have a few
regrets. One was an offer from my engineering officer to teach me celestial navigation. Another
regret was that I did not learn Japanese, Korean or Spanish. Our only Mexican shipmate was
homesick to speak in his native language and wanted me to learn Spanish. I appreciated Captain
Smith for his effort to encourage me to stay in the Navy. I had already qualified to be promoted
to First Class. He wanted to put me on a fast track to become a Warrant Officer. However, I
made the decision to take advantage of the GI Bill and attend college instead.
Coming home also was an experience. Few seemed to appreciate the 54,000 American service
men that lost their lives, the 103,000 wounded and/or those mentally impacted for life in just
three short years of intense fighting. In fact, it became known as “The Forgotten War”. Like
WW II veterans, we just wanted to come home and phase back into society, remembering the
good things. I never fully realized the impact that the Korean War had on me until I viewed the
Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. I finally broke down and cried, after some 40 years.
However, I had it easy compared with others less fortunate. I visited the Memorial during the
Promise Keeper’s Million-Man March with a surgeon and brother in Christ whose dad also saw
action in Korea. His silence, with understanding, was a blessing. He said that he understood his
father more, after our visit. Our effort seemed to have been in vain because the politicians sought
compromise instead of victory.
Service Metals earned:
Navy Good Conduct; Korean, with two battle stars; United Nations; American Defense; and
ROK Korean.
Commemorative Metals authorized:
US Navy Service, Overseas Service, Combat Service, UN Military Service, and 50th Anniversary
Korea Defense
Patches:
US Navy Emblem; Naval Amphibious Forces; and Korea, The Forgotten War
Honorable Discharge:
May 5, 1955, at San Diego, CA.
Home Ports:
San Diego, CA and Yokosuka, Japan
Obtain Gail’s dad’s book at www.GailMcWilliams.com.