What do you think?
Rate this book
Lucky Thirteen: US Coast Guard LSTs in the Pacific
The images of soldiers and marines coming ashore on hostile shores are embedded in our collective memory of World War II. But what of the sailors who manned the landing craft, going back and forth under fire with nowhere to take cover, their craft the special targets of enemy gunners?
In this book, Ken Wiley, a Coast Guardsman on an Attack Transport in the Pacific, relates the intricate, often nerve wracking story of how the United States projected its power across 6,000 miles in the teeth of fanatical Japanese resistance. Each invasion was a swirl of moving parts, from frogmen to fire support, transport mother ships to Attack Transports, the smaller Higgins boats (LCVPs), and during the last terrifying stage the courageous men who would storm the beaches.
The author participated in the campaigns for the Marshall Islands, the Marianas the Philippines and Okinawa, and with a precise eye for detail relates numerous aspects of landing craft operations, such as ferrying wounded, that are often discounted. He conveys the terror and horrors of war, as well as, on occasion, the thrill, while not neglecting the humor and cameraderie of wartime life.
An exciting book, full of harrowing combat action, Lucky 13 also provides a valuable service in expanding our knowledge of exactly how World War II's massive amphibious operations were undertaken.
In this book, Ken Wiley, a Coast Guardsman on an Attack Transport in the Pacific, relates the intricate, often nerve wracking story of how the United States projected its power across 6,000 miles in the teeth of fanatical Japanese resistance. Each invasion was a swirl of moving parts, from frogmen to fire support, transport mother ships to Attack Transports, the smaller Higgins boats (LCVPs), and during the last terrifying stage the courageous men who would storm the beaches.
The author participated in the campaigns for the Marshall Islands, the Marianas the Philippines and Okinawa, and with a precise eye for detail relates numerous aspects of landing craft operations, such as ferrying wounded, that are often discounted. He conveys the terror and horrors of war, as well as, on occasion, the thrill, while not neglecting the humor and cameraderie of wartime life.
An exciting book, full of harrowing combat action, Lucky 13 also provides a valuable service in expanding our knowledge of exactly how World War II's massive amphibious operations were undertaken.
334 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2007
88 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Ken Wiley
12 books2 followersKen Wiley was the sixth of seven children born to Troy and Dora Thompson Riley. After service in the US Coast Guard during WWII, he graduated from Hillsboro Junior College and Oklahoma A&M. In 1952 he took a job with Bell Helicopter as a hydraulics design engineer, and worked in a variety of skilled and managerial positions until his retirement in the 1990s. He has four grown daughters and is the founder of Veterans Video Museums program. He lives in Mountain City TN with his wife Deane.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 18, 2018
This was a very enjoyable read where Ken Riley takes you along on all his many adventures during his time in the Coast Guard during World War 2 from his early life, through training and into action. This is very much a story of a young boy becoming a man and through the book you can see him change from boy to man. He really takes you along with him into the thick of the action and it is really interesting to see how yet another and important aspect of the forces during World War 2 operated, namely getting men and supplies to the front to fight. Also a very funny part of his story is how much these young men thought and talked about girls. Only negative in the book is some poor editing in places and some of the writing is repetitive, but it is still a 5 star read.
September 12, 2017
An excellent account of the Invasions of the many islands in the South Pacific by the Coast Guard cox'sun of one of the Landing Craft. Thirty landing craft on each Coast Guard manned Attack transport. Wiley named his boat Lucky when he learned his LCVP was #13. Very descriptive writing of the life spent taking Marines, and some army to the beach under fire. Also on page 283 he tells of CG Cdr. Jack Dempsey staging his photo Op invasion, (2 days after the fact) of Okinawa. Trying to do the MacArthur type return to the Philippines which was also staged, which the author viewed.
February 10, 2019
Little known Coastguard action
Now here is something I knew little about. This book is very powerful and informing. Once you get into the story on these pagers,you will find it's hard to put the book down. You surely learn why they are call the greatest generation.
Now here is something I knew little about. This book is very powerful and informing. Once you get into the story on these pagers,you will find it's hard to put the book down. You surely learn why they are call the greatest generation.
November 17, 2022
Prior to reading this book I was vaguely aware that the U.S. Coast Guard did important things during WW2, but wasn't sure exactly what. This book brushed away that vagueness. When it comes to operating small boats in costal areas, who else would you turn to but those who specialize in such things? The Coast Guard of course!
Ken Wiley's book is a well-told war story and coming of age story.
Solid 4 stars.
Ken Wiley's book is a well-told war story and coming of age story.
Solid 4 stars.
August 22, 2012
CXN Wiley opens up a whole vista on an unseen part of World War II with this high action adventure. A must read for WWII buffs. I've since met Ken Wiley. He's the real deal and a hero in my book and a great contributor to the nation he helped to save.
February 18, 2022
Great book, well written, a relaxing read. Wiley lead an interesting life during his time with the Coast Guard during WWII. . A great book detailing life on the boats that shuttled Marines from ship to shore.
August 17, 2012
The author leads us to believe that a landing craft roamed the Pacific Islands like a superhero...Really? Simplistic and for the simple-minded.
May 22, 2019
Disclaimer: I retired from the U. S. Coast Guard so my opinion of this book may be a bit biased but even having said that, I do not believe for a second my Coast Guard career influenced my review of this book.
There are two titles for the same book. The first one is Lucky Thirteen. If you search for it on Amazon it will appear as a very expensive book but you can purchase a good used one for less than $6.00. The second title is D-Days in the Pacific with the US Coast Guard and it is available as a book or a Kindle Read. For the record I purchased both the book and the Kindle version.
Also, before I provide you with a review of the book, I did a little research to discover Coast Guard involvement during World War II. The numbers surprised me. From the Internet:
Source - US Coast Guard http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScas...
241,093 personnel served in World War 2, including 12,846 women. There were 574 deaths in action including 1 POW, wounded not known, and 1,343 deaths from other causes, e.g. crashes, accidents, disease or drowning etc., and 4 POW of whom 1 died
Links to the books on Amazon:
Lucky Thirteen, U. S. Coast Guard LSTs in the Pacific
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Thirteen...
D-Days in the Pacific with the US Coast Guard; the Story of Lucky Thirteen
https://www.amazon.com/D-Days-Pacific...
This book reads like a Hollywood fictional thriller. It is NOT Hollywood but it IS a thriller and it reads like a thriller. This is one very exciting book to read. I rarely spend so much time dedicated to reading a book as I did Lucky Thirteen. I could not put it down and I didn’t.
As I read the book I could not help but examine my own convictions when I was a boy of just 17 had I been thrust into a World War. How would I have reacted? How would I have been able to handle the rigors of war? How would I have been able to handle the death of war?
This book reads like a history book thriller. Any one of the stories author Ken Wiley describes unto itself would be a great read. But when you realize how many “close encounters” Wiley and his boat crew were involved in is just beyond belief. By war’s end Wiley was still only 20 years old and most of his stories occurred when he was just 17 to 19 years old.
I cannot do this book justice by trying to explain how overwhelmed I was reading it and proud to have served in the same branch of the military as Ken Wiley. Suffice it to say I think it is very well written. It puts you right in the middle of the action. Why it has never been made into a movie is beyond me; it should be a movie and it would be a big hit at the box office once the word got out about its content.
Who should read this book? Anyone interested in World War II, especially the War in the Pacific. Anyone interested in reading about courage and determination literally “under fire!” Anyone who enjoys reading about growing up and doing so under tremendous stress. EVERYONE IN THE COAST GUARD!
Would I give this book as a gift? Probably not because the subject may not be of interest to everyone. It would nonetheless still make a great gift IF they would read it.
Would I read the book again? Probably not but only because it was so compelling the first read I don’t think I could possibly gain any further insight into what Wiley and he crew experienced.
There are two titles for the same book. The first one is Lucky Thirteen. If you search for it on Amazon it will appear as a very expensive book but you can purchase a good used one for less than $6.00. The second title is D-Days in the Pacific with the US Coast Guard and it is available as a book or a Kindle Read. For the record I purchased both the book and the Kindle version.
Also, before I provide you with a review of the book, I did a little research to discover Coast Guard involvement during World War II. The numbers surprised me. From the Internet:
Source - US Coast Guard http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScas...
241,093 personnel served in World War 2, including 12,846 women. There were 574 deaths in action including 1 POW, wounded not known, and 1,343 deaths from other causes, e.g. crashes, accidents, disease or drowning etc., and 4 POW of whom 1 died
Links to the books on Amazon:
Lucky Thirteen, U. S. Coast Guard LSTs in the Pacific
https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Thirteen...
D-Days in the Pacific with the US Coast Guard; the Story of Lucky Thirteen
https://www.amazon.com/D-Days-Pacific...
This book reads like a Hollywood fictional thriller. It is NOT Hollywood but it IS a thriller and it reads like a thriller. This is one very exciting book to read. I rarely spend so much time dedicated to reading a book as I did Lucky Thirteen. I could not put it down and I didn’t.
As I read the book I could not help but examine my own convictions when I was a boy of just 17 had I been thrust into a World War. How would I have reacted? How would I have been able to handle the rigors of war? How would I have been able to handle the death of war?
This book reads like a history book thriller. Any one of the stories author Ken Wiley describes unto itself would be a great read. But when you realize how many “close encounters” Wiley and his boat crew were involved in is just beyond belief. By war’s end Wiley was still only 20 years old and most of his stories occurred when he was just 17 to 19 years old.
I cannot do this book justice by trying to explain how overwhelmed I was reading it and proud to have served in the same branch of the military as Ken Wiley. Suffice it to say I think it is very well written. It puts you right in the middle of the action. Why it has never been made into a movie is beyond me; it should be a movie and it would be a big hit at the box office once the word got out about its content.
Who should read this book? Anyone interested in World War II, especially the War in the Pacific. Anyone interested in reading about courage and determination literally “under fire!” Anyone who enjoys reading about growing up and doing so under tremendous stress. EVERYONE IN THE COAST GUARD!
Would I give this book as a gift? Probably not because the subject may not be of interest to everyone. It would nonetheless still make a great gift IF they would read it.
Would I read the book again? Probably not but only because it was so compelling the first read I don’t think I could possibly gain any further insight into what Wiley and he crew experienced.
August 21, 2018
Author Ken Wiley recounts his World War II service as a CXN of a 36' LCVP (landing craft, vehicle, personnel - or Higgins Boat) in the Pacific Theater. The book is not a work of high literature or great prose. In his own words, Wiley recounts his Coast Guard enlistment in 1943 at age seventeen, training, participation in seven important amphibious assaults, and many interesting associated adventures/assignments. Its the life of a junior enlisted sailor fighting a dreaded enemy far from home in the middle of the twentieth century. Its also a story of a boy becoming a man under extraordinarily dangerous and brutal circumstances.
As we all know, our WW II veterans are passing on at fast rate now. I think its very important to document their experiences and accomplishments before its too late. In that vein, this is an important part of the written record of 'our boys' in WW II. This is a 3.5-4 star read.
As we all know, our WW II veterans are passing on at fast rate now. I think its very important to document their experiences and accomplishments before its too late. In that vein, this is an important part of the written record of 'our boys' in WW II. This is a 3.5-4 star read.
July 2, 2018
You have seen them in old newsreels and in the movies. All the little boats circling and then heading into the landing beaches full of Marines or troops, getting shot at out on the water, sometimes being hit and sunk. Well, this book puts you in the boat with the driver, the cox’n.
The author was one of those young men, a US Coast Guard volunteer who spent WWII in the Pacific, witnessing and participating in many of the seminal and legendary island invasions of the Pacific war.
This kind of book is a valuable addition to the historical record of the Pacific war from the front row seat. In addition, it is well written and keeps you coming back to see what the next adventure or missadventre will be. I highly recommend this book!
The author was one of those young men, a US Coast Guard volunteer who spent WWII in the Pacific, witnessing and participating in many of the seminal and legendary island invasions of the Pacific war.
This kind of book is a valuable addition to the historical record of the Pacific war from the front row seat. In addition, it is well written and keeps you coming back to see what the next adventure or missadventre will be. I highly recommend this book!
July 12, 2018
A cracking read.
This is story of a part of the second world war I knew virtually nothing about. I found it fascinating and very easy to read. I have seen old black and white films of US Marines hitting the beaches, but never gave a great deal of thought to the men that manned the landing craft. This book has certainly opened my eyes to their contribution to the war in the Pacific.
This is story of a part of the second world war I knew virtually nothing about. I found it fascinating and very easy to read. I have seen old black and white films of US Marines hitting the beaches, but never gave a great deal of thought to the men that manned the landing craft. This book has certainly opened my eyes to their contribution to the war in the Pacific.
July 20, 2018
This is a wonderful account of a Coast Guard Bos'n in WWII. I didn't realize the CG's role until I read this book. I learned a lot about LSTs and LCVR's work. Ken Wiley was a Bos'n on the Lucky 13 LCVR (Landing Craft Vehicle/Resources) for two years in the Pacific. The book is full of stories and many instances of heroism, as well as humor and friendship.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in WWII Naval History.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in WWII Naval History.
June 13, 2018
My father served on the same ship, held the same rank, and also ran a landing craft during Mr. Wiley's time on board, and what few stories he told me about his service during WWII fit exactly with the author's story. He didn't talk much about the war and now I understand why from Mr. Wiley's first hand account of the various engagements in which the USS Arthur Middleton took part.
September 26, 2018
Excellent story teller.
The book was written with humility of a small town kid. The episodes portrayed true humanity . Because I have read many books from the marine, army and air corps, this was educational to see how the coast guard played a significant role in the Pacific war. I highly recommend this book.
The book was written with humility of a small town kid. The episodes portrayed true humanity . Because I have read many books from the marine, army and air corps, this was educational to see how the coast guard played a significant role in the Pacific war. I highly recommend this book.
October 20, 2018
An interesting and informative read about landing craft Coast Guardsmen in the Pacific in WWII. The illustrations by Ken Riley add much to the story and are absolutely brilliant. One correction - the Sullivan brothers did not lose their lives on a destroyer, they were lost in the sinking of the USS Juneau, a light cruiser.
November 11, 2018
Responsibility.
Luck, dedication and grit was the foundation for these people. The basic desire to accomplish a given task, today it's called "can do". Not big letters, just the knowledge that responsibility was dished out to kids at a young age. Not money, toys, do-dads, personal responsibility....
Luck, dedication and grit was the foundation for these people. The basic desire to accomplish a given task, today it's called "can do". Not big letters, just the knowledge that responsibility was dished out to kids at a young age. Not money, toys, do-dads, personal responsibility....
December 2, 2018
Coast guard
Very interesting book. I never knew that the Coast Guard was involved in WWII. I always hatred the fact that some Navy people made fun of them and called them puddle jumpers, but I wouldn't want their job. I'm glad we have the Coast Guard to protect our coast and protect and save boaters, and hats off to them for there service during
The War.
Very interesting book. I never knew that the Coast Guard was involved in WWII. I always hatred the fact that some Navy people made fun of them and called them puddle jumpers, but I wouldn't want their job. I'm glad we have the Coast Guard to protect our coast and protect and save boaters, and hats off to them for there service during
The War.
May 19, 2019
Untold Story of the U.S. Coastguard.
An excellent book, that should be read by all members of the Sea Services. Whether they are Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen or Merchant Marines..The true story account of a WWII Veteran is spot on, whether he was talking about Boot Camp, life on a ship, and dealing with the horrors of War.
An excellent book, that should be read by all members of the Sea Services. Whether they are Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen or Merchant Marines..The true story account of a WWII Veteran is spot on, whether he was talking about Boot Camp, life on a ship, and dealing with the horrors of War.
June 17, 2018
The Coast Guard, a small quiet service.
This story needs to become required reading for all. Guess I'm just biased because of my years with that outfit, though not to the extremes - or anywhere near - those of the author. Well Done sir.
This story needs to become required reading for all. Guess I'm just biased because of my years with that outfit, though not to the extremes - or anywhere near - those of the author. Well Done sir.
June 29, 2018
Vell Done!
Excellent portrayal of life on a ship involved in landings on hostile beaches of many of the WWII campaigns. I read this book while also reading "O'Reilly's Killing the Rising Sun". They both complement on another.
Excellent portrayal of life on a ship involved in landings on hostile beaches of many of the WWII campaigns. I read this book while also reading "O'Reilly's Killing the Rising Sun". They both complement on another.
August 8, 2018
Good Read
I served aboard a WWII cruiser (in the 60's) and spent a year of shore duty in Vietnam. The book brought back a lot of memories about shipboard life and the camaraderie. Best time of my life!
I served aboard a WWII cruiser (in the 60's) and spent a year of shore duty in Vietnam. The book brought back a lot of memories about shipboard life and the camaraderie. Best time of my life!
November 8, 2018
Great view from the working end of the war
Great narrative from the working mans and of the war . Not grand strategy just great account of how things actually happened . Many details of how things happened that are never touched on.
Great narrative from the working mans and of the war . Not grand strategy just great account of how things actually happened . Many details of how things happened that are never touched on.
February 4, 2019
Having read oodles of World War II books over the years I didn't encounter one written by a landing craft driver until I found this one. Wiley does a great job communicating the sights, sounds and feelings of operating a landing craft.
April 8, 2024
I enjoyed and learned about: The United States Coast Guard's participation during WW2, the war in the Pacific, and "The Greatest Generation."
The battles and missions were well documented. The book was a documentary/memoir and read like a novel.
The battles and missions were well documented. The book was a documentary/memoir and read like a novel.
June 17, 2018
Gator forever
if you have served,it is a book to read. The chapters in boot camp was like reliving my past. It was cell done!
if you have served,it is a book to read. The chapters in boot camp was like reliving my past. It was cell done!
July 14, 2018
Great book. Never realized how big a role the Coast Guard played in the Pacific during WWII.
September 1, 2018
A well written and informative book about the Coast Guard duties in the Pacific. An eyewitness account from training to combat.
August 13, 2019
The real deal
Sometimes, reality is more exciting and much more profound than fiction. This is how you compress a lifetime into just two years.
Sometimes, reality is more exciting and much more profound than fiction. This is how you compress a lifetime into just two years.
February 21, 2023
Met the author- he had some stories...
July 26, 2023
4.5...gave me a different perspective of the war in the Pacific from a Coastguardsman's experience...a good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews