| Rockets streak toward the beach from a United States Navy Landing Craft Infantry, Rocket (LCI (R)), during the Invasion of Brunei Bay. Ship is probably LCI (R)-338. USS LCI(R)-338 was laid down on September 22, 1942, at Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas, and launched into the Houston Ship Channel on October 24, 1942. USS LCI(L)-338 was commissioned on November 26, 1942. She then sailed through Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico in February 1943. She transited the Panama Canal on February 17, 1943. Due to wartime necessity, the ship crossed the Pacific under her own power. As a flat-bottomed amphibious craft, seasickness was rife among the crew of USS LCI(L)-338 as the small ship was tossed by the sea. Arriving American Samoa on March 15, 1943, she joined Task Unit 36. USS LCI(L)-338 arrived in New Caledonia on April 1. Ran aground at the Amedee Islands, Nouméa, the same day and remained damaged and aground until April 4, 1943. Repairs took 2 weeks. USS LCI(L)-338 arrived in Sydney, Australia on May 1, 1943. Conducted maneuvers off Queensland for a month. Left for Milne Bay, New Guinea, on June 16, 1943. Trained Australian troops in amphibious operations through August 1943. Delivered 180 officers and men of the 9th Australian Infantry Division onto Lae Beach on September 3, 1943. USS LCI(L)-338 sustained an air attack on September 4 that blew off the starboard ramp. USS LST(L)-339 was sunk in this attack. On September 20, 1943, USS LCI(L)-338 delivered 270 officers and men of the 9th Australian Infantry Division at 1929 Hours onto Lae Beach. Disembarkation took 30 minutes. After repairs and practicing landing operations in October and November 1943, USS LST(L)-338 assisted in landing 190 officers and men of the United States 1st Marine Division on Cape Gloucester on December 26, 1943. On January 2, 1944, USS LCI(L)-338 delivered officers and men of the United States Army 126th Infantry Regiment to Saidor Beach. From April 21-25, 1944, USS LCI(L)-338 transported troops during the Hollandia operation. Further New Guinea operations included Toem, Wakde, and Sarmi on May 17, Biak on May 27-28, and Noemfoor on July 27. Before the Leyte Gulf operation, the ship was redesignated USS LCI(G)-338 and equipped with unguided 4.5-inch rockets on her well deck. She was part of Task Uni 78.2.8, consisting of 6 rocket-equipped LCIs and 2 gunboat LCIs. USS LCI(G)-338 was ordered to lead in the 1st wave of landing craft while laying down a rocket barrage on the beach on October 20, 1944. USS LCI(G)-338 served in this capacity until October 26. From December 12, 1944, USS LCI(G)-338 was part of Task Unit 78.3.7, composed of 5 rocket-equipped LCIs, 4 gunboat LCIs, an Erie-class gunboat, 1 SC sub chaser, 1 PCE sub chaser, 1 demolition LCI and an oceangoing tugboat. Task Unit 78.3.7 covered the landings at Mindoro, Philippines until December 18, 1944. As part of Task Unit 78.5.8 with 6 rocket-equipped LCIs and 2 gunboat LCIs, USS LCI(G)-338 was tasked with rocket fire support on Blue Beach, Lingayen Gulf, Luzon on January 9, 1945. 436 rockets were expended during this operation. USS LCI(G)-338 provided fire support for the landings on Corregidor Island as part of Task Unit 78.3.8 on February 16, 1945. She expended 498 rockets on February 15 and 354 on February 16. She was hit 4 times by Japanese shore batteries. 2 men were killed, 3 were seriously wounded and 1 received minor shrapnel wounds. Troop Compartment Number 4 flooded to 2 feet (1 meter). As part of Task Unit 78.2.12, with 3 LCS(L), 4 LCI gunboats, 8 rocket-equipped LCIs, and 1 LCI(L), USS LCI(G)-338 provided fire support for the landings at Green Beach, Mindanao, on April 17, 1945. She fired 504 rockets. The ship was redesignated USS LCI(R)-338 sometime prior to June 12, 1945, and detailed to Task Unit 78.1.37, with 1 LCI(L), 2 LCS(L), 2 gunboat LCIs, 2 rocket-equipped LCIs, and 1 LCI(S). This Task Unit was given the close fire support mission for the landings in Brunei Bay on June 10, 1945. USS LCI(R)-338 fired 479 rockets during this operation. On July 1, 1945, USS LCI(R)-338 and detailed to support the landings at Balikpapan, Borneo as part of Task Unit 78.2.8. USS LCI(R)-338 was with 10 LCS(L), 8 rocket-equipped LCIs, and 6 gunboat LCIs. She fired 975 rockets. USS LCI(R)-338 continued operations in Borneo until June 26, 1945. Following World War II USS LCI(R)-338 was assigned to Occupation and China service in the Far East from September 29 to October 5, 1945, and September 29 to December 14, 1945. Decommissioned on April 16, 1945, USS LCI(R)-338 was struck from the Naval Register in 1946. USS LCI(L)-338 earned 9 battle stars in addition to the Navy Unit Commendation for during World War II. She was transferred to the Maritime Commission, April 28, 1948, for disposal. Registered in 1949 as fishing boat Betty Cole, he final disposition and fate are unknown. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1988.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.27 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5719 x 4489 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | June 8, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Tarakan |
| State or Province | North Kalimantan |
| Country | Borneo |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-K-5854 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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