Updated 6/24/09

	Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships: Okinawa 1945: The previously untold story of one of the most ferocious and prolonged air/naval battles ever. Written by Association Historian Robin L. Rielly, this book documents the previously untold story of the battle at the radar picket stations during the American assault on Okimawa in spring 1945.  448 pp, 71 photos, 6 maps, and 12 drawings.  Published by Casemate.  ISBN 978-1-932033-86-1.  It is available through all bookstores or on line at www.BarnesandNoble.com or www.Amazon.com.  It may also be ordered from the author: R. Rielly, 20 Chalfont Lane, Manchester, NJ 08759. The price is $30.00, which includes postage and handling.
	Mighty Midgets at War: The Saga of the LCS(L) Ships from Iwo Jima to Vietnam.  Written by Association Historian Robin L. Rielly, this book is a detailed history of the ships from their development through World War II and their use in the Vietnamese conflict.  299 pp, 101 photos, drawings, and plans.  Published by Hellgate Press, Central Point, OR, 2000.  $25 - ISBN 1-55571-522-2.  It is available through all bookstores or on line at www.BarnesandNoble.com or www.Amazon.com.  It may also be ordered from the author: R. Rielly, 20 Chalfont Lane, Manchester, NJ 08759. The price is $25, which includes postage and handling.
	Fighting Amphibs The LCS(L) in World War II was written by former Association Historian Donald L. Ball.  This is a comprehensive work on the exploits of the Mighty Midgets during World War II.  Based on personal interviews and official Navy documents, it details life on board the ships as they fight their way from island to island in the Pacific Theater. 322 pp, 49 photos. Published by Mill Neck Publications, Williamsburg, VA.  ISBN 0-9659055-0-0  Order from Don Ball, 1 Cole Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23185.  The price is $10, which includes postage and handling.
	Mighty Midget U.S.S. LCS 82 was written by former crew member John Rooney. It describes life aboard an amphibious gunboat during World War II in the Pacific from commissioning to Japan and back.  Voices of the crew members highlight the narrative as they describe working together, lazy days, scrounging, shenanigans, the tense hours fighting kamikazes and suicide boats at Okinawa, and 50 year afterthoughts. 210 pp.  It is available from John Rooney, 2 Emery Lane, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Phone (610)935-0902.  The price is $17, which includes postage and handling.
	Boston to Jacksonville (41,000 Miles by Sea).  Written by Earl Blanton, who served as a Gunners Mate on board the LCS(L) 118, this interesting book has many excerpts from the ship's log and individual diaries.  The 118 was at Okinawa during the initial assault and continued to serve there on various duties until 10 July 1945.  227 pp, 23 illustrations.  Order  from Earl Blanton, 116 Blanton Drive, Seaford, VA 23696.  The price is $15, which includes postage and handling.
	Ten Thousand Men and One Hundred Thirty "Mighty Midget" Ships.  Written by former Association Historian/Archivist Raymond A. Baumler, this ground-breaking work was the first to detail the exploits of the fleet of 130 ships in the Pacific. 81 pp, 6 photos plus maps and three large fold-outs of the ships plans. Order  from Raymond A. Baumler, 9704 Aldersgate Rd., Rockville, MD 20850.  The price is $22, which includes postage and handling.
	On a Ship With No Name (The U.S.S. LCS(L)(3) 28 in World War Two) by Kenneth R. Krayer.  This account of the exploits of LCS(L) 28 explores her experiences in the conquest of the Philippines and Borneo as well as her post war assignments in Korea and China. 84 pp. 26 photos plus maps. Order from Kenneth R. Krayer, 1107 East Grandview, Erie, PA 16504-2731.  The price is $12, which includes postage and handling.
	U.S.S. LCS(L)(3) 86 "The Mighty Midget" by William J. Mason. The 86 was involved in saving the Braine DD 630 after she was hit by a kamikaze at RP 5 on 27 May. She also rescued many men from the Porter DD 579 when she was sunk and from the LCS(L) 122 when she was hit on RP duty.  This book gives detailed accounts of these events as well as personal information about the crew and early reunions.  It includes many excerpts from the ship's log and official Action Reports. 336 pp, 150 photos.   Order from William J. Mason, 2960 20th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132.  The price is $20, which includes postage and handling.
	Dolly Five: A Memoir of the Pacific War by Charles R. Thomas.  This is a history of the exploits of the LCS(L) 35 during World War II.  LCS(L) 35 saw action on the radar picket lines, and this well written account gives all the details of radar picket duty.  405 pp, 19 illustrations.  Order from Charles R. Thomas, 11975 Quay St., Chester, VA 23831. The price is $22, which includes postage and handling.
	Kamikaze Patrol: The LCS(L) 61 at War.  Written by Association Archivist Robin L. Rielly, the book was printed for members of the 61's crew.  It presents the history and exploits of the ship during the battle for Okinawa.  This book is out of print, but copies are in the L. Richard Rhame Collection at the Operational Archives Branch of the Navy Historical Center and  in the Navy Historical Center Library.  Both of these organizations are part of the Navy Historical Center, Washington, DC Navy Yard.
	LCS(L) History Book by Turner Publishing Company is a collection of photos and letters from former LCS(L) sailors telling of their first-hand experiences and adventures during WWII.  144 pp.  120 photos.  It is available from the publisher, Turner Publishing Co., PO Box 3101, Paducah, KY 42002.  The price is $54.95, which includes postage and handling.
	The Hooligan Navy was written by H. N. "Sam" Houston, who served as the CO of LCS 86 and who also skippered an LCI.  It is a humorous account of events on both ships.  150 pp.  Order from William J. Mason, 2960 20th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132.  The price is $10, which includes postage and handling.

VIDEOS

The following videos are available and can be purchased for $20 each, postpaid.  Orders for videos should be sent to William J. Mason, 2960 20th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132.  The checks for the videos of The Last Battle, Home Away from Home, A Day Remembered, and Mission Accomplished should be made payable to the USS LCS(L) 86 Fund.  The checks for the videos Little Ships and LCS(L) Description and Deployment should be made payable to the National Association of USS LCS(L) 1-130.

Videos Produced by William J. Mason LCS(L) 86

A Day Remembered  shows the duties of an LCS at Okinawa, two kamikaze planes hitting the Braine DD 630, and subsequent fire fighting and rescue work by the LCS(L) 86.  It features photos of all the officers and enlisted men on board the 86.  Length 45 minutes

Mission Accomplished shows the role of and identity of each of the Mighty Midgets in the battles of the Manila-Bicol Operation, Southern Philippines, Iwo Jima, Borneo, and Okinawa.  Action film from the National Archives is included.  The LCSs that were sunk or damaged and the names of the 133 shipmates who died in battle while aboard an LCS are included.  Length 48 minutes

A Home Away from Home has about 100 photos of the living and working conditions aboard an LCS(L).  Life aboard an LCS(L) is detailed through the use of these photos.  Length 18 minutes

The Last Battle is the story of the Mighty Midgets at the battle for Okinawa.  Length 50 minutes

The Little Ships.  This video contains photos of almost all of the 130 LCS(L)s.  It was initially produced by James Nettles and, after his death, was edited by William J. Mason.  Length 90 minutes

U. S. Navy Training Film

LCS(L) Description and Deployment.  This is a training film produced by the U.S. Navy.  It shows the operation of the ships from an official perspective.