Bringing Back a Hero

By Robert D. Jornlin Capt. LST 325

  From the book, THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO:

   Jackson L. Carter, CDR U.S. Navy, my Executive Officer, who passed away a short six weeks after our return.  He was instrumental in the success of restoring and returning the LST 325. I still miss him today.

  The twenty-nine men (later named the Gold Crew) who brought the LST back to life sailed her for forty-two days across the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic to the USA.

  The wives, significant others, and families left behind.  Although they remained at home they remained at home, they sailed every mile with us, gave us their full support, and prayed for our safety.

  This book is also enthusiastically dedicated to my wife, Lois, who allowed me to  do this, took care of the farm, harvested the crops, and navigated through the government farm programs while I was gone.  She sold seed corn to everyone I had sold to the previous year – and sold more and just by the telephone!  She was alone at home, experienced a terribly early winter in northern Illinois, and was snowbound most of December while I was with the crazy guys who were going to bring this “Hero Ship” home.  When I left for Greece, I told her I would not be gone not more than six weeks!  Actually, it took four months and ten days.

  Captain Bob