During WWII, my dad, Jim Henry, served on LST 782 in the Pacific Theater. It was one of three flagships he would serve on. Jim was a 20mm gunner and coxswain of a Higgins boat, providing transportation for marines and supplies to the shores of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
As is well known, there was a great loss of life during such battles. It left my dad and surely countless others questioning many aspects of life, its purpose, and whether the all-powerful bullet or megatons of bombs could snuff out life for all eternity. Or do such deadly mechanisms only have enough power to propel an individual from this life into the afterlife?
Towards the end of his 97 years, my dad had shared many recollections of battle, hardship, casualties—some permanent, others fatal—which often led to conversations about whether or not the afterlife exists. If indeed it does exist, does the afterlife then ultimately negate the power of the almighty sword? Many of these rich discussions led to even more existential questions with no definitive answers.
Fast forward to mid-September 2025, when I was given the privilege to serve aboard LST 325 while docked in Muscatine, Iowa. Each day began with Quarters on the upper deck of this mighty ship, where it seemed as if the 20mm and 40mm guns once used to defend our country stood at attention in honor of the Greatest Generation, with whom they had once served.
The morning preparations were followed by a stream of visitors of all ages throughout each day. Among them were school-age children, educators, families, service men and women, law enforcement, and local officials. I was assigned to the gift shop, where I had the opportunity to meet many of the approximately 12,000 visitors. I was also given the opportunity to hand out two of my previously published articles on my dad’s wartime service aboard LST 782.
Among the several memorable guests I encountered in the gift shop was one gentleman who, while waiting for me to ring up various souvenirs for his family, picked up my articles. When the gentleman glanced at the picture of my dad, he instantly declared that he had just seen him on the upper deck. I began to explain that my dad had passed a couple years earlier, when this visitor cut me off, becoming quite animated. He excitedly held onto the article with both hands and stared intently at the picture of my dad. In a boisterous manner, he declared even more avidly, “This is the man I saw! It was this man!” I stopped myself from attempting to correct him, realizing there was nothing I could say to convince him differently. Quietly I said, “Maybe you did see him.” At that moment, I recalled having heard stories that LST 325 housed a resident ghost. So, who was I to say that this gentleman hadn’t really see my dad?
What happened next riveted my attention even more strikingly than this person who was absolutely certain he had seen my dad. Despite the hundreds of souvenirs and the countless combinations that were rung up each day on the registers, the next several sales I rang up came to the exact amount of $12.84. I was not so much startled the first or second time, but by the third sale of $12.84 I was a bit shaken. My parents’ home address, where they lived for many years and where my mom just passed earlier this year, was 1284.
Days later, another unique set of circumstances played out at the register. A couple leaned in to quietly talk with me. The woman said she had heard that someone once closely associated with LST 325 had passed, and that unusual events subsequently occurred at times onboard. I nodded, indicating I had heard the same thing. She shared that she was a paranormal and had sensed a male presence on the ship. She said she attempted to chat with him but he did not reciprocate. On the heels of the previous visitor claiming he had seen my dad, all I could do was smile and reply, “I’m sure that was my father! He would never let small talk interfere with a task at hand.”
This woman further shared that she had also sensed a female presence on the ship. Interestingly, both my parents toured LST 325 in 2018 while docked in Dubuque, and my mom again in 2023. Although my parents were always together in life throughout their 67-year marriage, I had no way to confirm they were the two to whom the paranormal referred. I can confirm, however, that after this conversation, when I returned to the register, once again I had several sales in a row that totaled $12.84!
Throughout my time in Muscatine, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing many visitors reminisce about their loved ones who had served on an LST and looking for ways to memorialize their experiences.
The visitor who touched me the most was an older gentleman who, prior to exiting from the ship, approached me to share some of his personal stories about life aboard an LST. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have been on LST 325, as if he had been visiting with a long-lost friend. I attentively listened to his recollections while he became noticeably moved. As we continued toward the exit ramp, I held his arm because of a previous misstep. Just as we were about to part ways, he whispered with heartfelt emotion, “You take good care of her now.” On behalf of the entire crew, I replied, “We will.”
From this opportunity to serve on LST 325, I’ve been afforded new friendships and new experiences, which included Captain Kubota giving me the opportunity to fire a 40mm gun. I was also reminded to remain open to all the little coincidences and inexplicable circumstances that may come our way. For who knows, these may actually be unexpected blessings hidden in plain sight!
Through all of these encounters, I believe I was given an answer to one of the questions my dad and I had pondered—whether there truly is an afterlife: a resounding Yes!
Dad’s service to God and country remained unwavering, regardless of his quest to solve the enigma of the universe. I believe that his questions have now all been answered. As for me, gaining the full understanding of existence that my dad now possesses, well, I can wait!
Written by: Terri Severin
