PT-309 “Oh Frankie”
The PT-309 is a 78′ Higgins Motor Torpedo Boat. She was laid down April 9, 1943 by Higgins Industries in New Orleans, LA. She was completed January 26, 1944 and placed in service with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWENTY TWO (PTRon 22) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Richard J. Dressling.
PTRon 22 was assigned to the Mediterranean, based at Bastia, Corsica, and St. Tropez, France, and had action along the northwest coast of Italy and southern coast of France, operating under the British Coastal Forces.
After the end of the Mediterranean campaign in April 1945, the squadron was shipped back to the United States for reconditioning and reassignment to the Pacific, but the war ended while the squadron was still in New York and she was placed out of service November 15, 1945. She was later sold to a private owner in 1960.
Between 1999 and 2002 the ‘Oh Frankie’ underwent restoration by the Texas group Defenders of America Naval Museum. L and T Services volunteered our crane expertise to assist with the installation of an engine during her restoration. We are proud to have had a part in the preservation of this piece of American history.
The ‘Oh Frankie’ currently resides in a static display at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.
