page_title: USS PC-598
section_title: Flagship for Commander Task Unit 78.1.7
hierarchical_section_title: USS PC-598 / Invasion of Lingayen Gulf / Flagship for Commander Task Unit 78.1.7
caption_attribution_description: English: This U.S. Navy poster shows the San Fabian Attack Force at the Lingayen Gulf landing on 9 January 1945, including a depiction of submarine chaser USS PC-623 acting as a control vessel at the White Beach landing area. Artwork signed "Dwight Shepler USNR Luzon January 1945."
context_page_description: USS PC-598 was a 173' metal hulled PC-461-class submarine chaser that saw duty in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It was converted to an amphibious landing control vessel during the war and reclassified a Patrol Craft - Control or PCC. It participated in six amphibious invasions as a control vessel.
context_section_description: On 9 January 1945 the San Fabian Attack Force commenced the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf at 0345.  Released from anti-submarine duties at 0630, PC-598 assumed the duties of Senior Control Vessel, acting as Flagship for CTU 78.1.7 at its assigned position on the line of departure for White Beaches, 4,000 yards off shore.  Naval and Army officers and their staffs came aboard to use the ship as an observation and control center.  Landing operations were controlled by Captain Barchet, who had been on board the ship since New Guinea.
  The first wave of the 43rd Infantry Division was dispatched towards the beach at 0902.  By 1840 the PC was anchored 2000 yards off shore near White Beach 2.  The ship's crew sighted three enemy aircraft and fired at one plane which escaped flying very high.
  PC-598 remained anchored near the White Beaches, occasionally maneuvering to support operations.  Near midnight on 11 January the ship came under fire from beach installations with shrapnel falling nearby from shell bursts in the air.  The enemy guns were silenced within minutes by counter fire from destroyers in the Gulf.  Captain Barchet and his control communications team left the ship on 15 January, replaced by Lieutenant Commander J.B. Avery who had been assisting Barchet since 14 January. The ship continued as flagship for Commander Task Unit 78.1.7 and later 78.1.11 until 28 January.  On 29 January the ship was relieved of its duties and reported alongside the landing craft repair ship Amycus for minor repairs, which were completed by the morning of 31 January.  That evening PC-598 reported for duty as a screen vessel for a convoy departing from the Lingayen Gulf to Leyte.
caption: PC-598's sister ship, PC-623, depicted acting as White Beach 2 control vessel, 9 January 1945.  San Fabian Attack Force by Dwight Shepler, USNR. Luzon, January 1945.
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