THE GELA LANDINGS COMMENCED FOR REAR ADMIRAL . . . (10, July 1943)

Admiral John Lesslie Hall Jr.

The Gela landings commenced for Rear Admiral Hall’s DIME Force at midnight of the 10th along a 5000-yard stretch of beach.  Aboard transport Barnett was Col. John W. Bowen’s 25th Regimental Combat Team and the gifted novelist Jack Belden.  When the first wave of LCVP’s struck out for Beach Blue, a long, rough ride from the line of demarcation, Belden was present.

USS Barnett on 19 February 1943

From: The United States Navy in World War II
Compiled and edited by: S. E. Smith