This image is copyrighted by the artist and all reproduction rights are held by the U. S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. Reproduction or other use without the permission of both parties is strictly prohibited.
Theme D-Day Landings
Period 1944—1946
Artist Tony Falcone, Prospect, Connecticut
Size (framed) 11’-6” wide x 9’-0” high
Champion Elmer Sorensen & Jim Umberger, Class of 1962
Sponsor Tidewater Marine
Story In early 1943, the Navy asked the Coast Guard to man many of the landing craft to be used in World War II, including the Pacific theater and the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and Normandy. These included twenty-eight 160-ft. LCIs (Landing Craft, Infantry) and seventy-six 328-ft. LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank). Flotilla 10 was composed of 28 LCIs. Depicted in this mural are LCIs of Flotilla 10 landing at Omaha Beach, Normandy. In the background two LCIs can be seen burning on the beach. This portion of Omaha Beach was arguably the most heavily defended section of the Normandy beachhead; four LCIs were either lost or seriously damaged. The LCIs depicted had a ramp on either side of the bow to permit troops to disembark after beaching the vessel. Eight diesel engines allowed these craft to cruise at 14 knots. Their flat bottoms made them extremely uncomfortable at sea. Two hundred soldiers with field gear plus a crew of 24 made for cramped conditions on the ship. Following VE-Day, an LCI flotilla was sent to the Pacific to take part in the Okinawa campaign.