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| 2003 Reunion and Salute to Johnnie Hutchins and LST 473 on the 60th Anniversary of the Attack |
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| Shipmates, Hutchins familymembers and friends of LST 473 gathered in Eagle Lake, Texas September 5-7, 2003 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the attack on LST 473 and the loss of Hutchins and 7 other shipmates. The Eagle Lake VFW Post sponsored a wonderful dinner Friday night. The next morning a special ceremony was held at Johnnie Hutchins' grave site. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Prarie Edge Museum. Refreshments and decorations were provided by the Eagle Lake American Legion and VFW Posts. Everyone who attended these events were touched by the love and friendship exhibited by all. |
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| 2001 Reunion Celebrated at Grand Opening |
| of the Pacific Wing of The National D-Day Museum |
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| The Hutchins Family along with former LST 473 shipmates and friends met in New Orleans for the December 5, 2001 Grand Opening of the National D-Day Museum. As special guests of the Museum they proudly viewed a beautiful display that contained Johnnie's Medal of Honor and the citation that describes Johnnie's heroism. The exhibit also contains a photo of Johnnie and his ship, the USS LST 473. The viewing of Johnnie's exhibit along with the rest of the Museum was a very emotional one. Those present for this wonderful event were: |
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| Hutchins Family |
| Hutch and Lorene Hutchins |
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| Former Shipmates |
| Kenneth E. Knight and his wife Betty |
| Joy Knackstedt and his wife Pat |
| Harold Marlette and his wife Marjorie |
| Don Murray and his friend Bertt Siefker |
| Glenn Van Wieringen and his wife Nola |
| Ed Waltenspiel |
| Hank Zimnicki and his son Mike |
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| Family of Jake Dodero Who Was |
| Killed in Action on LST 473 |
| Joe Dodero |
| Frank Dodero |
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| Friends |
| Scott and Carolyn Lockridge |
| Joe Guarino |
| Mike Guarino |
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| LST 473 COMBINES FIRST REUNION AND WREATH LAYING IN EAGLE LAKE, TEXAS |
| September 2000 |
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| Former crew members of LST 473 gathered in Eagle Lake, Texas over the three day Labor Day weekend (September 3-5, 2000) to hold their first reunion. Eagle Lake was the home town of their Medal of Honor recipient, Seaman First Class Johnnie David Hutchins. |
| Crew members participated in a special wreath laying ceremony that took place on Labor Day, September 4th, exactly 57 years to the day and hour (September 4, 1943) that their ship came under Japanese aerial attack during the first amphibious assault in the Southwest Pacific at Lae, New Guinea. Hutchins and 7 other crewmates were killed in action that day and another 14 were seriously wounded. Hutchins, although mortally wounded by bombs that hit the pilot house, steered the 473 away from two aerial torpedoes that were bearing down on her. In death, Hutchins’ hands had to be pried off of the wheel. Hutchins’ heroic actions that day are credited with saving hundreds of Australian troops who were aboard the 473, most of his crewmates and his ship. |
| Over 300 people braved record breaking Texas heat to attend the emotional wreath laying ceremony at Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake. Former crew members of two ships that heroically went to the aid of the stricken LST 473 immediately after she was hit were special guests at the ceremony. They represented the destroyer USS Conynghan (DD-371) and the USS LST 454. |
| Eight former LST 473 shipmates (and a number of family members) were in attendance. 473 shipmates present were Eddie Huntsman of Cameron, Texas; Kenneth Knight of Phoenix, Arizona; Donald Lanes of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Sylvester Modglin of St. Louis, Missouri; Ed Waltenspiel of Moraga, California; Harold Marlette of Paoli, Indiana; Nelson Tudor of Danville, Kentucky and Henry “Hank” Zimnicki of Dearborn, Michigan. |
| Shipmates and special guests stayed in Sealy, Texas at the Best Western Inn. Sealy is located 17 miles from Eagle Lake. |
| Shipmates and guests attended a special banquet at Tony’s Restaurant in Sealy on Sunday night, September 3rd which was graciously hosted by the Hutchins family. Johnnie Hutchins’ brother, two sisters and a number of nieces and nephews were in attendance. |
| The wreath laying took place the following day at 1:30 p.m. A Color Guard from the Naval Reserve Center in Houston presented the Colors. Kenneth Knight spoke on behalf of surviving crew members and recounted the exploits of the 473, Hutchins and her crew. Harold “Hutch” Hutchins spoke on behalf of the Hutchins family. Harold was five years old when his brother was killed. Sylvester Modglin read aloud the names of all shipmates killed in action. Modglin read the names to the sound of a drum roll provided by members of the Rice High School band. As echo taps played in the distance, all eight shipmates present walked a wreath to the Hutchins gravesite and placed it there. The wreath was covered with white and red carnations with blue ribbons attached that bore, in gold letters, “USS LST 473” and the names and home states of each crew member killed in action. |
| Many dignitaries were in attendance. They included the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center, Houston, officers from the Texas LST Association, representatives of the Navy Leagues of Houston and Galveston as well as officers and members of many veteran organizations. U.S. Congressman Ron Paul’s office presented American flags that had flown over our nation’s Capitol to the Hutchins family and the other families present whose loved ones were lost on that fateful day 57 years earlier. Letters commemorating the ceremonial tribute from Governor (now President) George W. Bush, historian and founder of the National D-Day Museum Stephen Ambrose, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark and from the Australian Ambassador to the United States were read. Event Coordinator Mike Guarino served as master of ceremonies. Guarino’s father, Judge Joseph M. Guarino of Houston, a WW II veteran who served aboard LST 494 and LST 375 was present as a special guest. |
| A wonderful reception was held after the wreath laying at the Prairie Edge Museum in Eagle Lake. The reception was hosted by the local VFW and American Legion Posts as well as the Hutchins family. |
| Those who attended this reunion and Labor Day ceremony were truly touched by the love and fellowship that was shown by all involved. Our three days in Eagle Lake and Sealy, Texas will long be remembered. |
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| LST 473 Wives in Attendance |
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| Betty Knight - Evelyn Lanes - Marjorie Marlette |
| "Teenie" Tudor - Jennie Zimnicki |
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| Some Great Photos of |
| Eagle Lake Ceremony at |
| Johnnie Hutchins Gravesite |
| Click Here |
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