Welcome to a site about the LCI(L) 336, a World War II infantry landing craft.

I've always been interested in the Navy. My father Lawrence J. Thomas was a Navy man. So was my Uncle Bob, Robert J. Thomas.

My father-in-law Arthur F. Walendzik was Navy as well. This site is a tribute to Art. He was proud of his service in the Navy and World War II. Creating this site as a historical reference to LCI(L) 336 is a way to mark Art's presence in this world and sacrifice to family and country so that we all have a better and free place to live.

Here's an email I received from Vincent Robinson about Art's time on the LCI 336:

From: Vincent L. Robinson
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 10:56 PM
To: Joseph C Thomas
Subject: Records.

Dear Joe:

The information I have about your Father-in-law covers a little over  five months while he was served aboard LCI (L) 336.   

Arthur was assigned to the ship on April 15, 1944, after being sent from Navy Receiving Station 131, located in Noumea, New Caledonia. He arrived just as the ship was leaving with a load of Marine reinforcements bound for Bouganville, in the Northern Solomon Islands.

During the following months, many more landings were made through the Solomon Islands and for this he was awarded the gold star for participating in the "Consolidation of the Northern Solomon Islands".

During one of the operations, during a heavy sea, his ship was mistaken for a Japanese submarine and was fired upon with two salvos, by U.S. artillery.  Lucky, the signalman was able to make contact, and the shelling stopped.

When the ship was underway, Art stood his watch at the helm in the conning tower, keeping the ship on course. When In port, his other duty was to strap on a side arm and make sure only authorized personal came aboard or left the ship.

On August 26, 1944, he was sent back to the states for R & R and reassignment.

After locating Art in late 1990's he never sent the news letter of his activities after leaving the 336 or never was able to make any of the yearly reunions

I'm sorry, I don't have any more information.

I do have a couple photos of him, but they may be the same ones I sent him after we located him.    

 

Vince Robinson

 

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