356th Harbor Craft Company

The 356th  was activated on 28 Feb 1944 at Camp Plauche, LA per general order #17, Headquarters, Army Service Forces New Orleans. 1LT Clayton L. Dakin was assigned as company commander. Organization called for 40 officers, 12 warrant officers and 224 enlisted men. Throughout the spring of 1944 men were added to the roster or transferred to other companies while they trained at the Slidell (LA) Rifle Range. On 15 May, the entire company left New Orleans by rail for Camp Gordon Johnston. At CGJ they began training on seamanship and vessel maintenance, including the warrant officers who were detached to Marine Engine School. On Jun 6, Dakin was replaced by CPT Jacob Quint.

Through the summer of 1944, training and specialized school attendance continued. On Jul 5, most of the men took furlough, and on return on the 24th moved to Carrabelle for boat training at Camp Belle. At this time CPT Quint was replaced by 1LT Douglas M. Robertson as company commander. The company left CGJ by train on 20 August to Camp Miles Standish, the main staging area for the Boston Embarkations. On 29 Aug, the Company, full strength at 40 officers, 12 warrant officers and 229 enlisted men boarded converted troop transport Mariposa and departed for Liverpool, alone without escort. The Mariposa docked at 1830 on 6 Sep.

The wartime history of this unit is not yet known, however there is an interview on file with the Library of Congress . This may offer up some insight.

The 356th lost one of their men, PFC Weldon Moore, on 16 Oct 1945. A  He is buried in Rhone American Cemetery in France.

Partial Roster of the 356th

From CGJ Orders:

From CGJ Orders dated 13-Jul-44

• Scypher William 2nd Lt 0546647

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