Thomas Aubut
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Thomas Aubut
Thomas Aubut entered the Navy on March 2, 1943. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.
He served as a Motor Machinist''s Mate Third Class aboard LSTs 282, 550 and 1051 in the European and Pacific Theaters. Arrived in Plymouth, England, aboard LST 282 in February 1944. On practice landing maneuvers near Slapton Sands, German torpedo boats infiltrated the defense and sank two LSTs with high casualties.
Participated in the D-Day landings on Utah Beach, Normandy, on June 6, 1944, unloading equipment under heavy enemy artillery fire. Returned to England the next day with casualties from the beachhead. Made another landing at Omaha Beach on June 8 to unload tanks, again returning with casualties to England the next day.
June 10 unloaded British troops on Gold Beach and upon pulling away from the beach, tore a hole in ship's stern damaging the propeller. His LST was dry-docked in England for repairs. Loaded British tanks at Plymouth and sailed through the Mediterranean and Straits of Gibraltar to Bizerte, North Africa, with fuel and supplies. Arrived on August 8, 1944, in Naples, Italy, to unload tanks and take on artillery, Jeeps, trucks, ammunition and troops.
Sailed to Southern France from Naples. About nine p.m. August 15, headed for Green Beach, St. Raphael, France, to unload troops. About 200 yards from beach, the ship was struck amidship by a radio-controlled aerial bomb from German plane. Ammunition aboard exploded and LST 282 totally destroyed with heavy casualties.
From September 2, 1945, after-action report of Lieutenant L.E. Gilbert, commanding LST 282:
"The crews' quarters aft, officers' country and tank deck...were almost completely ablaze within approximately one minute. Within five minutes the forward and aft portions of the ship were completely cut off from each other by fire and explosions. The elevator platform was collapsed in such a way that it was inclined downward and aft providing a means of exit for troops on the tank deck. Its downward side rested on vehicles parked below it...The ship immediately listed to port as the explosion blew out the port side of the hull...The cargo hatch was partly blown open. Fire fighting attempts by the forward repair party...were futile. The abandon-ship order was given by the Executive Officer...and by the First Lieutenant. Attempts to operate the landing machinery forward were useless as all power leads forward were instantaneously destroyed - abandon ship discipline was excellent!"
"...The ship was on the bottom with her bow 40 yards from the beach when abandon ship was given forward...All hands assisted in evacuation of injured of both ship''s company and army personnel...The ship was abandoned approximately fifteen minutes after the fire started. Ammunition in ready boxes and in gun tubs had already started to explode as had explosives and gasoline in vehicles. Noteworthy was the complete lack of antiaircraft fire from any point on the beach or from any ship previous to the actual flight of the bomb...As far as is known, there was no air cover visible during the period from sunset to evening twilight, although air cover had been markedly visible during the day. The great quantities of smoke being made by small craft and by units on the beach hampered rescue operations considerably. The ship drifted over to the left flank of Green Beach Area and the bow settled on the rocks. She had moderate way on at the time of impact and the rudders were jammed hard left. The ship was still burning the next day and was almost totally destroyed by the fire."
"It is again desired to emphasize the fact that, from all reports, the crew of LST 282 conducted themselves in conformity with the highest traditions of the Naval Service."
Aubut returned to Naples on another LST. He also served at Oran, North Africa. From there returned to the United States to receive new uniforms and equipment and two weeks survivor's leave in Duluth. He received advanced amphibious training at Bradford, Virginia and reported aboard LST 550 at Brooklyn for duty in Pacific.
On March 8, 1945, took on supplies and troops at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, for the invasion of Okinawa. Participated in the invasion under heavy bombing and Japanese Kamikaze suicide attacks which sank and damaged many ships. On May 1 he took on Army troops for landings on the beach at Leyte, the Philippines. From May 6 to August 24 he shuttled troops to and from the islands of Guam, Saipan, Okinawa and the Philippines.
August 15, in his words: "Japanese surrendered. Celebrated the end of the war at anchor in Buckner Bay, Okinawa. Skipper ordered all beer in stock and some of his private booze to the tank deck. The next day he declared a holiday so we could recuperate from the hangovers. What a feeling it was, that we didn't have to invade Japan, and happy to be alive."
Returned to U.S. at Treasure Island and assigned to shore patrol duty.
He received the following: Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star, Navy of Occupation Medal with Asia Clasp and one bronze star, American Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Aubut was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 27.
