Admiral W L Capps (AP 121) - Naval Cruise Book

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ARMY TRAN PORTATION TAFF Since the main function of the ADMIRAL CAPPS was the transporting of troops, it was found necessary to assign a number of Army Officers and men whose duties were to load troops, care for them enroute, and prepare them for disembarking. To ac- complish this, the Army assigned three officers and four enlisted men. During embarkation, the Transportation Staff assisted the men in locating the berths assigned to them by the Staff and in straightening out any stoppages or slowing down of the loading. As soon as the embarkation is completed, troop officers are assigned as compartment commanders and hatch commanders. Details are then assigned, some 825 men being required for this duty, and the shipboard troop organization is then put into effect. One oliicer of the Transport Staff is assigned the duty of Special Services Officer. His function is to maintain morale during an otherwise boring voyage by organizing recreational facilities, publishing a daily paper, arranging for arrival telegrams to be sent and handling all troop personnel problems. As the voyage draws to an end, the troops are schooled in debarkation and drills are held to familiarize the men with the procedure to be used. When the actual debarkation takes place, the Army Transport Staff is present to insure that the operation runs smoothly. The Army Transportation Staff has done an excellent job in handling the troops. Due to their efforts the efhciency of the ADMIRAL CAPPS as a troop transport has been materially in- creased. Thc' Troop C O's ojicc' f.! The Ships Chaplz general and for their r He conducts fii'-ii those moments the 1 and the church pert? conditions warrant, f canopy for the airar. The Chaplain is as in any of the crews visor. The sjsmpathg. wherever American Po T.S. card. Yet, as adt to remove worry from someone share mi this need but uni The men look ., in this expectation. conf the last resort for a batting average wiil talents work on the Ex As aids in his recrea draws on the Red Cross tions. From these he ga cals, plans tours. condu the morale of the Arne serves.

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'I f-1 are tht rleslretl IC- f wil the record of fr :bw .incision has sp.-rw vx rhe service, spa-I if :han the average .gf-r Q-liners has been A fu in-I-I to in normal 'ir tfrmparrments. the rkmg up ship 0603.5 fha no tmop 05660 Tm has entailed C00- 1 1 DIVISICN . C ,- Mr -.... - . X .. a I is , i l . fry I ' ' The Troop OUieer's galley siderable more work for the division making it necessary to main- tain a large and flexible organization ready to meet the changing conditions found on each separate voyage. In this respect the men of WH Division have shown their versatility and capability in meeting and solving all the problems arising with the change in services for each new group of passengers. As a result our pas- sengers have been pleased with the care they have received and the record of the ship has remained excellent. In that period of the ship's history before the war ended, the men of WH Division all had their battle stations, knew their job at general quarters thoroughly and carried it out to the best of their ability. Our stewards and steward's mates were assigned duties ranging from stretcher bearers and ammunition passers to an active position in a gun crew. And those gun crews which they constituted had a record of team work and efficiency which was unsurpassed on the ship. In addition to their regular duties the men are assigned duties for fire, fire and rescue, collision and abandon ship. In the history of the Capps W Division has played an important, a commendable and a necessary role and the men who have made up this division can feel that they have rendered a fine service and contribution to the success of our ship. Preparing salads in the pantry

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THE CHAPLAIN The Ships Chaplain cares for the morale of the men in general and for their religious life in particular. He conducts divine services at least every Sunday. During those moments the smoking lamp is respectfully extinguished and the church pennant flies above the shipls ensign. When conditions warrant, services are held topside with the sky as a canopy for the altar. The Chaplain is welcomed in the ofhcers, wardroom as well as in any of the crew's quarters. He is confidant, confessor, ad- visor. The sympathy chit is associated with every Chaplain wherever American Forces gather and most men joke about the T.S. card. Yet, as all admit, there is a particular need for someone to remove worry from a troubled mind. It always helps to have someone share your misery and the Chaplain not only answers this need but many times gets a receding hairline for his worries. The men look to the Chaplain to go to bat for themw and, in this expectation, confer upon him his most difficult role. He is the last resort for a man hoping to gain a special favor, and his batting average will depend mainly on how well his persuasive talents work on the Executive Officer. As aids in his recreational work, a collateral duty, the Chaplain draws on the Red Cross, the USO and the local welfare organiza- tions. From these he gathers athletic equipment, arranges theatri- cals, plans tours, conducts socials. Such activities mean much to the morale of the American youth whom the Chaplain proudly serves.