Vintage vehicles and airplanes are all part of LST 393’s “Air Raid Muskegon.” James “Doc” McCloughan, Medal of Honor recipient.
Vintage vehicles and airplanes are all part of LST 393’s “Air Raid Muskegon.”
James “Doc” McCloughan, Medal of Honor recipient.
America’s heroes went ashore during the D-Day invasion from an armada that included USS LST 393. That ship will again host a commemoration of the anniversary of the important day June 6-7.
To mark that event, one of Michigan greatest heroes, Medal of Honor recipient James “Doc” McCloughan, will give the keynote address and be on hand to greet the crowds.
The commemoration will be the 11th community-wide remembrance of the sacrifices made during the invasion of Normandy and throughout World War II. The event is sponsored by USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, a ship that was at Omaha Beach on D-Day for the invasion of Normandy that is now located on the Muskegon waterfront. All proceeds benefit the museum and area veterans.
Part of the event marking the anniversary of D-Day will be World War II reenactors participating on board Muskegon’s USS LST 393 and the grounds. They represent military personnel you would have found on D-Day in 1944: Sailors, Marines, soldiers, airmen. nurses and civilian fighters from nationalities including American, French, British, Australian and German military.
An added attraction will be performance by the “Andrews Sisters Tribute” singers. They’ll perform their many hits including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” a song based on a real Army trumpeter who was from Muskegon and whose statue stands near the ship’s bow.
The first day of the weekend, Friday, will be an evening outside the museum to meet and talk to the reenactors as they explain what life was like during the war. Visitors will get a perspective from different countries, Allied and Axis. And on display will be a number of World War II-era vehicles.
Friday evening will also feature a special edition of LST 393’s popular free film series “Movies on Deck.” To be shown inside the ship’s cavernous tank deck will the D-Day episode of the Band of Brothers TV mini-series. “Day of Days” starts at 8 p.m. and runs just about an hour and a half. Concessions will be available, please bring your own seating.
The “Aquastar” cruise boat is expected to offer cruises throughout the weekend including a cruise with the Reenactors. Also planned are tours of a restored Vietnam War-era river patrol boat, a “PBR.” Tours will be available from the bow of LST 393.
Saturday will offer even more to see and do starting with the Northside Lions Club offering an “all you can eat” pancake breakfast beginning at 8 am. Dodgers Doggies will serve food all day long.
McCloughan hails from South Haven and was a medic during the Vietnam War. During one two-day battle, he was credited with saving more than 10 of his comrades and keeping their position from being overrun.
You won’t want to miss “Air Raid Muskegon,” with replica anti-aircraft guns blasting away at a mock aerial attack on LST 393 by the Hooligan’s Flight Team flying vintage aircraft, along with a narrated ground skirmish between Allied and Axis forces.
Tours of LST 393 Veterans Museum will be discounted to $10 per person Saturday, so as many people as possible can learn about the ship and understand the sacrifice of America’s veterans. It’s a great place for kids to learn about the “Greatest Generation,” and the other generations who gave them the America we have today.
LST 393 is a “landing ship tank” vessel, built in 1942 to help America defeat the Axis powers in World War II. She has three battle stars and made 30 round trips to Omaha Beach during the invasion of Normandy, delivering weapons of war. After a career as the car freighter Highway 16 on Lake Michigan, local enthusiasts began the process of restoring the ship to its military appearance and creating a museum honoring America’s veterans.
USS LST 393 Veterans Museum is located at the Mart Dock adjacent to Heritage Landing County Park on the downtown Muskegon waterfront. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday Memorial Day through Labor Day; tickets are $17.50 for adults, $12.50 for students; a family discount ticket is available. Special guided tours are available and group events can be scheduled by calling 231-730-1477. More information is available at www.lst393.org.