Entertainment

Ken Rupp on Navy’s WWII-era LST 325 coming to La Crosse

Published

8 months ago

August 23, 2023

FILE - LST-325 stranded at low tide on 12 June 1944, while delivering materiel to the Normandy beachhead. (National Archives)

A week from now, a World War II-era vessel is headed to Riverside Park in La Crosse. The Navy’s LST 325 (landing ship tank) was used on D-Day to bring troops and equipment to storm the beach.

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays 6-9 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Veteran Ken Rupp, who works in the engine room on the ship, joined WIZM’s La Crosse Talk on Wednesday just minutes before the LST castoff on its journey from Evansville, Ind., to La Crosse over the next week.

Rupp talked a bit about the trip itself, the tours of the ship happening from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 at Riverside Park and some of the ship’s history. More info on the ship can be found here. Tours will cost $15 for adults and $7 for children.

Rupp, and possibly some other members of the crew, will join La Crosse Talk PM at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30.

Rick Solem

Host of WIZM's La Crosse Talk PM | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduate | Hometown: Greenville, Wis | Avid noonball basketball player and sand volleyballer in La Crosse