Ernie Otteson (inset) in this 1945 photo manning the 20 mm gun on the deck of the U.S.S. LST-929. The LST 325 in the photo is similar to the one Otteson served on during the war.

by Warren Haacke, Press-News Reporter; Oct. 14, 2008

When Osage resident Ernie Otteson returned from the 19th reunion of his World War II buddies who had served on the U.S.S. LST-929 and LST-1051, he had some special memories to bring home. The reunion held in Evansville, Indiana on September 25, 26 and 27 included the boarding and tour of an actual LST similar to the one Otteson served on during the war.

LST 325 sailed all the way from Greece where it had been stationed and was brought to Evansville where it was repaired and will now be permanently stationed as a naval memorial. "They didn't think the old girl was going to make it all the way from Greece, but she did," said Otteson. "They fixed it up real nice and we were able to use golf carts to drive down and get aboard. Touring the ship brought back lots of memories." Otteson was a young, wide-eyed 17-year old when he volunteered for service in the Navy on August 26, 1944.

"I was right out of high school at Prairie Du Chien when I volunteered, so I didn't know what to expect," said Otteson. "My dad had fought in World War I, so I felt I should volunteer too. Military service runs deep in the Otteson family as Otteson had a great aunt, Julia Otteson Flikke, who was the first woman colonel in the U.S. Army and served in the Nursing Corps during World War I.

Otteson was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Station located near Chicago for his basic training. He spent approximately 10 weeks there. After basic training, the Navy then sent Otteson to Camp Bradford in Norfolk, Virginia for amphibious/LST training. He spent the months of January - March in training at Norfolk.

LSTs (Landing Ships - Tanks) were ships designed by the Bureau of Ships to transport troops and supplies, especially tanks, from shore to shore for amphibious assaults during the War. "We jokingly referred to the ships as "Long, Slow Targets on Long, Slow Trips", said Otteson. The ships measured 328 feet with a 50 foot beam and had a bow door opening of 12-14 feet to accommodate transported vehicles. 1,051 LSTs were built during World War II and they served a valuable purpose for the Allies. Only 26 were lost because of enemy action.

Otteson's second ship was LST-929. He transferred to that craft in December 1945.

In late March 1945 on LST 1051 Otteson and his crew members got underway from Dravo Shipyards in Pittsburgh and began to make their way down the Ohio River, eventually feeding into the Mississippi River at Cairo, Ilinois. They were bound for New Orleans. They reached New Orleans on April 6.

After spending over a month practicing maneuvers and drills in the southern states area Otteson and his crew began their trek to the Panama Canal on May 12, 1945. Their trip through the Canal and up the coast lines past Mexico into California lasted another month before they were bound for Pearl Harbor and eventually Okinawa to join a fleet of ships for a possible invasion of Japan.

On August 15, the crew received word that the war was over and that Japan had surrendered. There was quite a bit of celebrating on the ships - firing of guns, horn blowing, etc. As they finally anchored near Okinawa, they could see thousands of ships in the area. "I never saw so many ships in my life," said Otteson.

Following the war, LST-929 and LST 1051 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until late May 1946. Otteson recalls moving around 800 Japanese prisoners from an island encampment back to Japan as one exercise performed by the ship and crew. "I remember the exercise was around the equator and it was hot, somewhere around 108 degrees," Otteson stated.

Otteson got out of the service on June 24, 1946. "I think about serving my country for several years before I was even 21 years of age," he said. " I was 19 years old when I got out of the service and then I got married at the age of 20 and still wasn't even of legal age."

Otteson moved back to the Prairie Du Chien/MacGregor area where he became a funeral director.

The soon-to-be 82 year old moved to Osage with his wife Violet about six years ago to be closer to his daughter Sarah (Kent Shultz). Unfortunately, Violet has suffered several strokes and now resides at the Osage Rehabilitation Facility. "Osage is a wonderful town and has welcomed us with open arms," said Otteson.

Recalling his time in the service, Otteson is proud of the fact that his dad was a Legionnaire, along with himself and his son Michael. "I am proud of my service to my country," he said. "I've attended about 15 of the 19 reunions of our crew and I still have very special friends and fond memories of those times."