Invasion Crews of L.S.T.'s

2015.026

Poem

Poem written by unknown author (LST crewman from WWII) on the service of LST crews for landings in invasions; title printed and underlined twice at top, handwritten words at bottom stating "A poem written by an LST man I thought you'd like to read"; Stamp in blue in on right "PASSED BY NAVAL CENSOR"

Very thin paper with extensive staining (appears to be cup/mug ring and coffee)


Poem:
Invasion Crews of L.S.T.'s

NOW WE LAY US DOWN TO SLEEP
ON L.S.T.'SOF THE INVASION FLEET,
PUNY CRAFT WITH RUGGED CREWS,
SLEEPY MEN FROM HAPPY HOMES,
SLEEPY MEN WITH ACHING BONES;
INVASION CREWS OF VOLUNTEERS,
OLD IN KNOWLEDGE, YOUNG IN YEARS;
MEN WHO WILL WILLINGLY DIE TO TELL,
THE WHOLE DAMNED WORLD,
"TO GO TO HELL."

NOW WE GET UP AT DAWN,
SMOTHERING A SLEEPY YAWN,
TO FACE A DAY OF DARING DO,
'TWOUND BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU OR YOU.
WE CARRY LIMEYS, TANKS OR WOPS,
TWO CHIEF BOS'NS ON OR HOPS;
LISTEN TO BOMBS WHISTLE CLOSE,
KNOWING JUST ONE IS A LETHAL DOSE;
AND WE DO ALL THIS JUST TO TELL,
THE WHOLE DAMNED WORLD,
"TO GO TO HELL."

WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY AGAIN,
CAN'T TELL WHERE, CAN'T SAY WHEN,
A LITTLE DASH ACROSS THE BLUE,
TO CHUM AGAIN WITH OLD SNAFU;
WILL DASH AGAIN UPON SOME BEACH,
TO A SHORE WE CAN'T QUITE REACH,
AND THERE WE'LL STRUGGLE MIGHT AND MAIN;
WE'VE DONE OUR BEST, JUST TO TELL
THE WHOLE DAMNED WORLD TO,
"GO TO HELL."

A SIX-MONTH TRIP THEY TOLD THE CREW,
A SIX-MONTH TRIP AND YOU'LL BE THROUGH;
SOMETHING HAPPENED BETWEEN NOW AND THEN,
THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS AND WE MOVED AGAIN;
A CONFERENCE HERE AND A CONFERENCE THERE,
RUMORS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR,
THE NET RESULT IS BOUND TO BE,
THE INVASION FLEET PUTS OUT TO SEA;
SO IF ON AN L.S.T. YOU DWELL,
WE'LL SEE YOU ON THE WAY TO HELL.