| Original caption: “Photograph of Members of the Headquarters Company, 480th Port Battalion Set Up Between the Columns of the Ancient Greek Temple of Neptune.” At desk, front to rear: Sergeant James Shellman (August 30, 1912 – January 1996), Sergeant Gilbert A. Terry (April 30 1921 – February 13, 1921), Sergeant John W. Phoenix (April 16, 1919 – April 17, 2001), Sergeant Curtis A. Richardson (July 3, 1919 – May 2, 1984), and Sergeant Leslie B. Wood (July 12, 1918 – February 24, 2013). In front of desk, front to rear: Technical Sergeant Gordon A. Scott (September 25, 1920 – January 15, 1995), Master Sergeant Walter C. Jackson March 12, 1919 – July 11, 2002), Sergeant David D. Jones (June 15, 1918 – October 24, 1976), and Warrant Officer Carlyle M. Tucker (August 7, 1905 – November 1978). The 480th Port Battalion arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, in February 1943. With the 6th and 379th Port Battalions, the unit provided much-needed military personnel to clear a backlog of unloading transports and transporting cargo. In addition, the unit salvaged captured equipment, evacuated wounded, and loaded Nazi German Prisoners of War for transit to the United States. The unit left Casbalanca on August 31. Arriving at Salerno on September 17, 1943, the 480th Port Battalion was bivouacked at the Temple of Neptune, which was later more accurately determined to be the 2nd Temple dedicated to Hera. The Temple is next to another Temple of Hera. The unit assumed control of the beach unloading operation fro the 531st Engineer Battalion, which then fell under the 480th Port’s control. The same day, 480th Port Battalion unloaded a convoy of 16 Liberty ships. With Italian labor brought to the Salerno beaches by truck and train, unloading of Allied cargo soared until a storm on September 28-29, 1943. Discharge of cargo continued until Naples was liberated on October 1; beach cargo unloading terminated on October 13, 1943. The 480th Port Battalion moved to Naples, Italy on August 19, 1944, aboard the transport USS Florence Nightingale (AP-70). 2 officers and 29 enlisted men were disembarked. Attached to the 2nd Port Battalion (Italian), the 480th Port Battalion was moved to Leghorn (Livorno) Italy in late 1944, after the city was liberated. Atlanta Daily World, reported on October 27, 1943: “With the 5th Army in Italy – (Special News Service) – “When a unit of soldiers of the United States Fifth Army landed in Italy, they cheered loudly the news of the fall of Naples. Louder cheers resounded when it was announced that their quarters in Italy would be the Temple of Neptune, a famed mansion of the Greek sea god.” “‘Just imagine,’ said Private Lilbon Streeter [(April 6, 1920 – August 22, 1984)], of 370 East 58th Street, Chicago, ‘We lived in pup tents and African mud now our bivouac area will be a line temple.” “‘I can’t wait to see it,’ exclaimed the overjoyed Private Frank Baker [(October 18, 1922 – May 27, 1996)], of 211 East 45th Street, Chicago. ‘Gee, but it must be pretty—we’ll live like kings!’” “‘Sure,’ added Private First Class Mason M. McAlily [(September 10, 1921 – July 19, 1969)], of 1403 East Preston Street, Baltimore, Maryland. ‘We hit lucky. Now, let’s hike up the road and have a look-see.’” “Fervor and enthusiasm mounted as the men hastened to their new home. The anticipation heightened as each step brought them closer and closer. “Let’s double-time — we’ll get there faster,” one yelled. ‘Behold, men. There she stands. Now pitch those pup tents on the dirt floor inside the temple ruins,’ the topkick roared.” “Private Streeter surveyed the 600 BCE ruins and summed his outfit’s thoughts: ‘It would have been a nice home, but we came two thousand years too late. Anyhow we till live like a king – a king in exile.’” “The next day the men were stripped to the waist and back to their routine duties. ‘Temples, pup tents, Greek gods — it’s all in an army’s day’s work,’ one smiled.” This article was circulated to the African American press in the United States in October 1943. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0639.jpg |
| Image Size | 969.33 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2194 x 2916 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 22, 1943 |
| Location | Paestum |
| City | Salerno |
| State or Province | Campania |
| Country | Italy |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-111-SC-181588 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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