Keith Larson joined the Navy shortly after graduating from high school in 1948. Due to lack of military funding, he was discharged from the Navy in early 1950, only to be recalled in July following the start of the Korean Conflict. He was assigned to LST (Landing Ship - Tank) 1077 which arrived off the Korean coast in December 1950. His ship participated in numerous operations for the next 18 months.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Movie Contempt
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Larson’s youth during WW II and early service in Navy
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Service with U.S. Navy off coast of Korea on an LST
Transcript
Related Materials
Picture Captions
Detailed descriptions of the pictures listed below
Photos
Caption
This 1934 picture is of Keith Larson and his dog Shep. This picture was taken in front of Larson’s childhood home in Jerome, Illinois when Keith was only four years old.
Where:
Jerome, Illinois
When:
1934
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
This picture was taken in 1942 when Keith was twelve years old. Keith was wearing his new “Tenderfoot” boy scout uniform.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1942
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
This 1948 picture is of Keith Larson’s high school graduation photo.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1948
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
This photo of Keith was taken in 1952 in San Francisco.
Where:
San Francisco
When:
1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Refueling duty Davis Straits Newfoundland, 1949 aboard the U.S.S. Waccamaw, (AO-109) fleet tanker. Taken near Greenland with a deck winch in the background, this day was a balmy -67° outside.
Where:
aboard the U.S.S. Wassaman
When:
1949
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Getting ready for a battle station drill off of the California coast, circa 1950.
Where:
of the California coast
When:
circa 1950
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Part of the Pacific Mothbase fleet, circa 1946-1953.
Where:
Unknown
When:
circa 1946-1953
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Large photo of LST 1077 with caption “LST 1077 was laid down on 21 March 1945 at Hingham.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator
Caption
Repairing #2 Diesel Generator in the auxiliary engine room; Yokosuka, Japan; May 1951. This was one of several times this troublesome engine was rebuilt on LST.
Where:
Yokosuka, Japan
When:
May 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Off loading supplies; Kunsan, Korea, 1951. Army troops carrying plywood up high hill for their use.
Where:
Kunsan, Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
To repair damage; Kobe, Japan; April 1951. Port bow door damaged during a landing, repaired by Japanese shipyard workers.
Where:
Kobe, Japan
When:
April 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Tanks waiting to load; 1951; local people come to watch loading.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Trucks and Equipment wait for loading; circa 1951; same location as picture 12; this shows trucks to be landed after tanks. Tanks below, trucks on the top deck.
Where:
Unknown
When:
circa 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Jet engines being shipped to Korea stored in metal drums with a movie projector used to show a movie every night to the crew.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Yokosuka, Japan; January 1951; Shopping when I first arrived in Japan.
Where:
Yokosuka, Japan
When:
January, 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
A North Korean (volunteer) paints the shaft alley to earn more privileges during a six day voyage to Inchon, South Korea; February or May 1951. The crew ended up doing the job over due to the shoddy work.
Where:
Inchon, South Korea
When:
May 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Ark. Nat. Guard Long Toms; 155 MM Self Propelled; February 1951. This unit was ambushed by Chinese troops, approximately one month later.
Where:
Unknown
When:
February 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Tide is out at Inchon harbor in 1951. This ship is showing her flat bottom; only 8 feet of water was needed to float. Larson is seen checking things out.
Where:
Inchon harbor
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Off loading ducks; Inchon, 1951. This outfit was with us for 3 weeks waiting to be landed where needed. The crew made many friends.
Where:
Inchon
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Loading off; Sokcho Ri, Korea; March 1952; resupplying front lines.
Where:
Sokcho Ri, Korea
When:
March, 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
February 1952; stopping off at Guam island with Long I beam cargo heading for second tour of duty in Korea.
Where:
Guam
When:
February, 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
“Mothership” to Flotilla of R.O.K. PT boats outside of Wonsan Harbor; February 6, 1952 or April 1952; sign made from old movie screen by myself (on left) for picture taking.
Where:
outside of Wonsan Harbor
When:
February 6, 1952 or April 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Wonsan, Korea in April 1952; this rescue helicopter was used to fish out pilots who ditched their planes over the ocean. Most died in frigid North Korean waters.
Where:
Wonsan, Korea
When:
April, 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Wonsan, Korea; April 1952; view of LST from PT boat on the test run.
Where:
Wonsan, Korea
When:
April, 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Aboard P.T. Boat (R.O.K.); Wonsan, Korea; April 1952; making ready to come along side of LST after test run.
Where:
Wonsan, Korea
When:
April 1952
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Dry dock in Yokosuka, Japan in May of 1951. The main repairs were made at Hunter Point shipyard in California after the LST’s return to the states on June.
Where:
Yokosuka, Japan
When:
May of 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
This type of boat was used by the North Koreas to lay mines. A chute or ramp is used to slide mines into the water.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Marie Nelson, circa 1950-1951, while she and Keith were corresponding.
Where:
Unknown
When:
circa 1950-1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Wedding day for Keith and Marie Larson on July 22, 1951 (in Springfield) during Keith’s mid-tour leave.
Where:
Springfield
When:
July 22, 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo