Keith Larson joined the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in 1948. Due to lack of military funding, he was discharged from the Navy in early 1950, only to be recalled in July following the start of the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship - Tank) 1077 which arrived off the Korean coast in December 1950. His ship participated in numerous operations for the next 18 months.
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This 1934 picture is of Keith Larson and his dog Shep. This picture was taken in front of Larson’s childhood home in Jerome, Illinois when Keith was only four years old. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1934Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
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This picture was taken in 1942 when Keith was twelve years old. Keith was wearing his new “Tenderfoot” boy scout uniform. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1942Ownership:
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This 1948 picture is of Keith Larson’s high school graduation photo. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1948 Ownership:
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This photo of Keith was taken in 1952 in San Francisco. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1952Ownership:
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Refueling duty Davis Straits Newfoundland, 1949 aboard the U.S.S. Wassaman, (AO-109) fleet tanker. Taken near Greenland with a deck winch in the background, this day was a balmy -67° outside. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Getting ready for a battle station drill off of the California coast, circa 1950. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Part of the Pacific Mothbase fleet, circa 1946-1953. (May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator)Where:
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Large photo of LST 1077 with caption “LST 1077 was laid down on 21 March 1945 at Hingham,Where:
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Repairing #2 Diesel Generator in the auxiliary engine room; Yokosuka, Japan; May 1951. This was one of several times this troublesome engine was rebuilt on LST. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Yokosuka, JapanWhen:
May 1951Ownership:
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Off loading supplies; Kunsan, Korea, 1951. Army troops carrying plywood up high hill for their use. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1951Ownership:
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To repair damage; Kobe, Japan; April 1951. Port bow door damaged during a landing, repaired by Japanese shipyard workers. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Kobe, JapanWhen:
April 1951Ownership:
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Tanks waiting to load; 1951; local people come to watch loading. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1951Ownership:
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Trucks and Equipment wait for loading; circa 1951; same location as picture 12; this shows trucks to be landed after tanks. Tanks below, trucks on the top deck. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Jet engines being shipped to Korea stored in metal drums with a movie projector used to show a movie every night to the creww. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Yokosuka, Japan; January 1951; Shopping when I first arrived in Japan. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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January 1951Ownership:
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A North Korean (volunteer) paints the shaft alley to earn more privileges during a six day voyage to Inchon, South Korea; February or May 1951. The crew ended up doing the job over due to the shoddy work. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
South KoreaWhen:
May 1951Ownership:
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Ark. Nat. Guard Long Toms; 155 MM Self Propelled; February 1951. This unit was ambushed by Chinese troops, approximately one month later. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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February 1951Ownership:
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Tide is out at Inchon harbor in1951. This ship is showing her flat bottom; only 8 feet of water was needed to float. Larson is seen checking things out. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1951Ownership:
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Off loading ducks; Inchon, 1951. This outfit was with us for 3 weeks waiting to be landed where needed. The crew made many friends. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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1951Ownership:
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Loading off; Sokcho Ri, Korea; March 1952; resupplying front lines. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Sokcho Ri, KoreaWhen:
March 1952Ownership:
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February 1952; stopping off at Guam island with Long I beam cargo heading for second tour of duty in Korea. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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February 1952Ownership:
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“Mothership” to Flotilla of R.O.K. PT boats outside of Wonsan Harbor; February 6, 1952 or April 1952; sign made from old movie screen by myself (on left) for picture taking. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Wonsan, Korea in April 1952; this rescue helicopter was used to fish out pilots who ditched their planes over the ocean. Most died in frigid North Korean waters. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Wonsan, Korea When:
April 1952Ownership:
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Wonsan, Korea; April 1952; view of LST from PT boat on the test run. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Wonsan, KoreaWhen:
April 1952Ownership:
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Aboard P.T. Boat (R.O.K.); Wonsan, Korea; April 1952; making ready to come along side of LST after test run. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Wonsan, KoreaWhen:
April 1952Ownership:
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Dry dock in Yokosuka, Japan in May of 1951. The main repairs were made at Hunter Point shipyard in California after the LST’s return to the states on June. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
Yokosuka, JapanWhen:
May of 1951Ownership:
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This type of boat was used by the North Koreas to lay mines. A chute or ramp is used to slide mines into the water. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Marie Nelson, circa 1950-1951, while she and Keith were corresponding. (Narrator’s Photo)Where:
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Wedding day for Keith and Marie Larson on July 22, 1951 (in Springfield) during Keith’s mid-tour leave. (Narrator’s Photo)
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July 22, 1951Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo