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Attack Transport: The Story Of The U.S.S. Doyen
Attack transports formed the backbone of the Amphibious Forces in World War Two.
It was these ships that carried the bulk of the troops and equipment to the bloody assault beaches of the overseas landings.
The Japanese military had swept across Pacific Ocean conquering and fortifying hundreds of small islands that the Allied forces would have to conquer one by one in order to defeat their enemy.
Despite being unarmored and having little fire power, attack transports continued to make a monumental impact in the fate of the war. Not because they could defeat the Japanese on their own but because they carried in their hulls the war’s one essential combat element: the troops that fought on the ground.
U.S.S. Doyen was one such attack transport that served with honor and made its contribution felt through the course of the war.
Lawrence Marsden’s fascinating history of this ship uncovers the action of the Doyen from commissioning through to her last operation in World War Two and of course exposes the lives of the men who sailed her through treacherous waters to do their duty.
This book provides brilliant insight into the Pacific War as it was seen from one small unit in the fleet as they were involved in some of the most important operations of that front, including the invasions of Kiska, Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima.
“In war, transports seldom rest. Between assaults, on long and dreary voyages they carry out to distant bases replacement and service troops and freight, and carry back to home ports our casualties and essential war materials. They are the unsung, battle-scarred work horses of the Navy.” Richmond K. Turner, Admiral, U.S. Navy, Former Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet.
This book is perfect for readers who wish to learn more about these fascinating boats, the men who fought aboard them and the impact that they made throughout the war.
Lieutenant Commander Lawrence A. Marsden served on the U.S.S. Doyen from May 1944 through to the end of the war, and was involved in the landings at Saipan, Guam, Leyte Gulf, Luzon and Iwo Jima. After the war he resigned his commission and became a textile company executive. His book Attack Transport: The Story of The USS Doyen was first published in 1946 and he passed away in 2005.
It was these ships that carried the bulk of the troops and equipment to the bloody assault beaches of the overseas landings.
The Japanese military had swept across Pacific Ocean conquering and fortifying hundreds of small islands that the Allied forces would have to conquer one by one in order to defeat their enemy.
Despite being unarmored and having little fire power, attack transports continued to make a monumental impact in the fate of the war. Not because they could defeat the Japanese on their own but because they carried in their hulls the war’s one essential combat element: the troops that fought on the ground.
U.S.S. Doyen was one such attack transport that served with honor and made its contribution felt through the course of the war.
Lawrence Marsden’s fascinating history of this ship uncovers the action of the Doyen from commissioning through to her last operation in World War Two and of course exposes the lives of the men who sailed her through treacherous waters to do their duty.
This book provides brilliant insight into the Pacific War as it was seen from one small unit in the fleet as they were involved in some of the most important operations of that front, including the invasions of Kiska, Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Guam, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima.
“In war, transports seldom rest. Between assaults, on long and dreary voyages they carry out to distant bases replacement and service troops and freight, and carry back to home ports our casualties and essential war materials. They are the unsung, battle-scarred work horses of the Navy.” Richmond K. Turner, Admiral, U.S. Navy, Former Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet.
This book is perfect for readers who wish to learn more about these fascinating boats, the men who fought aboard them and the impact that they made throughout the war.
Lieutenant Commander Lawrence A. Marsden served on the U.S.S. Doyen from May 1944 through to the end of the war, and was involved in the landings at Saipan, Guam, Leyte Gulf, Luzon and Iwo Jima. After the war he resigned his commission and became a textile company executive. His book Attack Transport: The Story of The USS Doyen was first published in 1946 and he passed away in 2005.
- GenresWorld War IIHistory
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2018
228 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 21, 2019
Definitely a different tale concerning the Pacific War. How many of us have even considered the crews that manned the transports that were the lifeline and lifeblood of the men who fought in the campaign? I for one never really thought about it until now. This is an excellent description of the men who ferried our boys into the teeth of the dragon. While this isn’t a harrowing tale, it brings home the cost of war. The men on the Donley did more than just transport men, material and munitions to the front, they were the first stop for those wounded on the beaches. That information alone is worth the two hours you will invest in this excellent recounting.
November 19, 2018
A true picture of life on a attach transport
As I started reading this I enjoyed learning about everyday life on board ship. What seemed to be missing was what it was like under battle conditions. That was soon to come.
Near the end of the book the description of the ship becoming pretty much a hospital ship. Some of the descriptions were difficult to read.
A great read for any WWII history buff. This ship served in the South Pacific theater.
As I started reading this I enjoyed learning about everyday life on board ship. What seemed to be missing was what it was like under battle conditions. That was soon to come.
Near the end of the book the description of the ship becoming pretty much a hospital ship. Some of the descriptions were difficult to read.
A great read for any WWII history buff. This ship served in the South Pacific theater.
November 12, 2018
Very Gripping Narrative of Island Hopping Campaigns in the Pacific
This book drew upon the experiences of the crew of USE Doyen, an Attack Passenger Transport participating in many of the most famous landings during the Pacific War. Almost all the books about the naval battles were about warships. This story provides a much different but very interesting viewpoint. I found especially poignant the observations of the medical teams working on the wounded brought off from shore and the operations of small boats plying the waters. Any reader interested in real life challenges of combat will find the book of merit.
This book drew upon the experiences of the crew of USE Doyen, an Attack Passenger Transport participating in many of the most famous landings during the Pacific War. Almost all the books about the naval battles were about warships. This story provides a much different but very interesting viewpoint. I found especially poignant the observations of the medical teams working on the wounded brought off from shore and the operations of small boats plying the waters. Any reader interested in real life challenges of combat will find the book of merit.
October 23, 2018
Interesting WW2 memoir from an interesting perspective. This memoir was written shortly after the war (1946), and it details the life and work of an attack transport - its role bringing troops to battle and handling casualties. One drawback to this book is its short length (roughly 125 pages). The Iwo Jima campaign discussion is probably the most compelling, but this book will give insights into the experiences of navy sailors on attack transports in the Pacific.
June 14, 2021
I found Marsden's account of the Doyen an informative and thoroughly enjoyable read. The chapter recounting the crossing the equator ceremony and initiation of pollywogs into Dave Jones realm is very amusing. I laughed out loud about the story of the sailor assigned the task of "leveling" the ocean, where during his shift of duty he had to fill a pail of water from the port side, walk across the ship's bridge and dump it over the starboard side only to repeat this again and again and again.
My Dad served on the USS Ilmstead, an Attack Transport ship, as a Navy corpsman and participated in the landing of Marines in Lebanon in 1958. I was able to tour this vessel as an eight year old when it returned to Norfolk, VA from this crisis. I'm sure my Dad would have enjoyed reading this book.
My Dad served on the USS Ilmstead, an Attack Transport ship, as a Navy corpsman and participated in the landing of Marines in Lebanon in 1958. I was able to tour this vessel as an eight year old when it returned to Norfolk, VA from this crisis. I'm sure my Dad would have enjoyed reading this book.
December 11, 2019
Good flavor of the war from an unusual viewpoint.
This is the first WW II book I have read, told thru the eyes of someone in a “supporting role”, rather than a pilot or an infantryman. Although the author did not routinely “fire a shot in anger” he, his ship, and his shipmates, certainly played a critical role in supporting those who did.
Not all of the book was a narrative of battle, but included lord of stories of shore leave in unusual locales.
This is the first WW II book I have read, told thru the eyes of someone in a “supporting role”, rather than a pilot or an infantryman. Although the author did not routinely “fire a shot in anger” he, his ship, and his shipmates, certainly played a critical role in supporting those who did.
Not all of the book was a narrative of battle, but included lord of stories of shore leave in unusual locales.
October 30, 2018
A fascinating tale
I was a midshipman in the late 50's but never received any information about attack transports in my Naval History classes beyond Learning that they existed. A must read for anyone interested in the Pacific war. These ships and their crews were heros of the island campaigns.
I was a midshipman in the late 50's but never received any information about attack transports in my Naval History classes beyond Learning that they existed. A must read for anyone interested in the Pacific war. These ships and their crews were heros of the island campaigns.
November 21, 2018
Something new
I had no idea as to what I was going to read. But it was very readable. This book was about a very different side of the war in the Pacific. The U.S. Was very dominant in the area of.military logics but it is often rarely written about. Maybe it is rarely read but what ever this is a good read.
I had no idea as to what I was going to read. But it was very readable. This book was about a very different side of the war in the Pacific. The U.S. Was very dominant in the area of.military logics but it is often rarely written about. Maybe it is rarely read but what ever this is a good read.
January 12, 2019
A valuable book in knowing the history of ship and her crew, the horror of war. How the fighting men and women of the United States fought so bravely in all kinds of action. Bless them all!
A valuable book in knowing the history of a ship and her crew, the horror of war. How the fighting men and women of the United States fought so bravely in all kinds of action.Bless them all!
A valuable book in knowing the history of a ship and her crew, the horror of war. How the fighting men and women of the United States fought so bravely in all kinds of action.Bless them all!
August 29, 2019
A great time story about Pacific during the war
If you enjoy stories about the South Pacific during the second world war , this is a great book . You can almost feel the pain and suffering of many of the sailors and marines that serve so honorary . Really enjoyed this book
Mike
If you enjoy stories about the South Pacific during the second world war , this is a great book . You can almost feel the pain and suffering of many of the sailors and marines that serve so honorary . Really enjoyed this book
Mike
September 10, 2018
World War 2 Story
This is a typical World War 2 story, written shortly after the war. It is not that well written and the only battle detailed I do Jima. The racial jokes and allusions are grating, though common at the time. This is really not worth the time and effort
This is a typical World War 2 story, written shortly after the war. It is not that well written and the only battle detailed I do Jima. The racial jokes and allusions are grating, though common at the time. This is really not worth the time and effort
October 9, 2018
Endless excitement!
As opposed to stories from front line soldiers attacking the enemy, this story is told by observers of the battle, treating the dead, dying, and surviving soldiers.
As opposed to stories from front line soldiers attacking the enemy, this story is told by observers of the battle, treating the dead, dying, and surviving soldiers.
November 13, 2018
Yet another first person account
Good to see that this fellow’s recollection of his war time experiences was saved. It’s a bit uneven, and unpolished, but certainly authentic. Bravo!
Good to see that this fellow’s recollection of his war time experiences was saved. It’s a bit uneven, and unpolished, but certainly authentic. Bravo!
November 17, 2018
An actual account of ships action in WWll.
This is a very graphic of a support ship during the
Struggle of the invasion forces and their heroic
Efforts and support ships and crews actions in treating the wounded.
This is a very graphic of a support ship during the
Struggle of the invasion forces and their heroic
Efforts and support ships and crews actions in treating the wounded.
December 7, 2018
A first person narrative about the war in the Pacific as seen from the deck of a large support ship bringing troops and supplies to the amphibious landings.
Although not exactly gripping, it is an easy and pleasant read and a unique, must read for any students of the Pacific war.
Although not exactly gripping, it is an easy and pleasant read and a unique, must read for any students of the Pacific war.
January 25, 2019
Great read,
Gives one insight into the rigors of transport operations in the Pacific theatre during WWII. The physicians letter describing the work done to save the lives of wounded marines at Iwo Jima drives home the horrors of that bloody battle.
Gives one insight into the rigors of transport operations in the Pacific theatre during WWII. The physicians letter describing the work done to save the lives of wounded marines at Iwo Jima drives home the horrors of that bloody battle.
Read
August 11, 2019Good story
My dad was on Spa 91 Hrs Adai
Me dad. was on the U.S.S. Adair never got to talk to him about the war. This fills in what he went through during that terrible war. His ship was APA 91.
My dad was on Spa 91 Hrs Adai
Me dad. was on the U.S.S. Adair never got to talk to him about the war. This fills in what he went through during that terrible war. His ship was APA 91.
September 9, 2019
Not the usual
Many war stories follow the fighting ships. Here we look at a ship in many fights but primarily because of the troops she carries. My Dad served on one of these and seldom ever talked about what it was like. This made me feel O understood why.
Many war stories follow the fighting ships. Here we look at a ship in many fights but primarily because of the troops she carries. My Dad served on one of these and seldom ever talked about what it was like. This made me feel O understood why.
Read
May 26, 2020A different kind of war story
One usually doesn't read books about support units, but this story is incredible. This "support ship" was front line all the way. It's role was important in winning the war as much as any ship. It's crew just as heroic.
One usually doesn't read books about support units, but this story is incredible. This "support ship" was front line all the way. It's role was important in winning the war as much as any ship. It's crew just as heroic.
November 14, 2020
What happens
Every day atmosphere what we see or thing we see. Just every day going on as if someone is having a conversation with you and you don't have to answer. I was a tin can sailor. I couldn't put into words all that was there. Thank you for your service. Good read.
Every day atmosphere what we see or thing we see. Just every day going on as if someone is having a conversation with you and you don't have to answer. I was a tin can sailor. I couldn't put into words all that was there. Thank you for your service. Good read.
November 26, 2018
It was a true picture of war
This account was filled with the boredom and the pain of combat. The humanity of it all was educational for those of my generation.
This account was filled with the boredom and the pain of combat. The humanity of it all was educational for those of my generation.
February 4, 2019
Ship transport
Interesting first hand account ending was too abrupt no idea of final sailing and possible involvement in Okinawa battle and final disposition of boat
Interesting first hand account ending was too abrupt no idea of final sailing and possible involvement in Okinawa battle and final disposition of boat
March 3, 2019
This is a amazing read.
This book really went into detail about this ships actions. It is well written and very informative. I enjoyed it very much
This book really went into detail about this ships actions. It is well written and very informative. I enjoyed it very much
March 17, 2019
In the action
Quite a first person accounting of their experiences. For someone who could only imagine what they experienced, I was there.
Highly recommended if ww2 is your interest
Quite a first person accounting of their experiences. For someone who could only imagine what they experienced, I was there.
Highly recommended if ww2 is your interest
May 27, 2019
Very refreshingly direct. Written within a year of WW2 end, it has a beguiling down-home, sitting just across from you intimacy.
January 6, 2020
Interesting
Nicely written. Good content and kept you wanting to see the finished story. Some parts not relevent to story. History
Nicely written. Good content and kept you wanting to see the finished story. Some parts not relevent to story. History
January 15, 2020
Very good reading
Very good book. And good reading too.
Very good history reading too and if you like war story's it fit.
Very good book. And good reading too.
Very good history reading too and if you like war story's it fit.
September 24, 2018
Combat, injuries,recovery, and death from a hard pressed Medic's view point.
Only someone who had been through the living he'll of combat under these conditions could ever write a book like this!
Only someone who had been through the living he'll of combat under these conditions could ever write a book like this!
December 29, 2018
Well done ,moving narrative
A well done narrative of the "adventures" of a we2 transport . Not enough tribute has ever been paid to the " get-em there" navy. M. Gillen has done some excellent tribute to the liberty ship crews, also a good read.
A well done narrative of the "adventures" of a we2 transport . Not enough tribute has ever been paid to the " get-em there" navy. M. Gillen has done some excellent tribute to the liberty ship crews, also a good read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews