Remembering the Forgotten Forty-nine | USS Guam LPH-9 – USS Trenton LPD-14
LCPL Paul L. Asplund (CO C BLT 1/6, USMC, USS Guam), lost his life on active duty, 17 January 1977, in Barcelona, when the liberty boat (LCM-6) he was on struck a freighter and capsized. He was 19 years old.
LCPL Asplund was born in New Albany, Indiana. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 26, 1975 at the age of 18. He was survived by his parents, Lawrence “Buzz” and Glee Asplund, and three siblings. He is buried at Kraft‑Graceland Memorial Park, New Albany, Indiana.
Remembering SGT Charles Brock Allen, Jr. (CO A BLT 1/6, USMC, USS Guam), who lost his life on active duty, 17 January 1977, in Barcelona, when the liberty boat (LCM-6) he was on struck a freighter and capsized. He was 20 years old.
SGT Allen was born in Chicago, Illinois. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 7, 1974, at age 17. He was laid to rest at Fort Sheridan Cemetery, Highwood, Illinois.
One hundred, twenty-four sailors and marines from the USS Guam and USS Trenton were on the liberty boat that night. Forty nine lost their lives.
Shortly before 2:00 am on January 17, 1977, a U.S. Navy LCM-6 liberty boat embarked from the foot of the Muella de Barcelona (Pier of Barcelona), carrying 124 Sailors and Marines back to the USS Guam LPH-9 and the USS Trenton LPD-14.
Minutes after launching the LCM-6 rounded the end of the pier and made a wide turn directly into the path of the Spanish merchant ship Urlea. The Urlea struck the liberty boat on the starboard side amidships causing it to capsize and throwing all passengers and crew into the icy harbor waters.
Many of the men were trapped under the overturned LCM-6. Some were able to climb on top of the boat or swim to the shore.
Almost immediately Spanish tugs and fishing vessels got underway and began picking up survivors. The Barcelona fire department and ambulances were on the scene within minutes. Divers from the fire department, the Spanish Navy, and a local diving club volunteered their aid in the recovery effort.
The final body was recovered on February 2, 1977, bringing the total number of dead to 49.
Memorial services were held on the USS Guam LPH‑9 shortly after the accident. One year later in a solemn ceremony conducted by the Barcelona Council of the U.S. Navy League, a 12‑foot granite and iron memorial was installed on the Muelle de Barcelona and dedicated to those who lost their lives. In 1998 the monument was rededicated in a formal ceremony when it was moved to its current location on the Moll de les Drassanes, making way for construction of Barcelona’s World Trade Center.
LCM-6 Accident - Barcelona, Spain - 17 January 1977 