Bataan (CVL 29) - Naval Cruise Book

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Qin' . V an -+4 V' 6 Sept. '45- The U. S. S. Bataan today steamed into Tokyo Bay. 'Ir ir 1k 'Ir -A' 'lr ak 'A' uk ir 'lr Majestic Fujiama was an ideal landmark. She was a proud little lady on that cold misty morning in 1943. when she slid off the ways. of the Delaware. enroute She sat high and Hrm on the murky blackness world has ever conceived. to be commissioned into the greatest Navy the Her name was taken from the scroll of history. Her crew came to her from every walk of life. from the middle and four corners of the nation. From the farm and the factory. from the office and school. From the schooner-laden shores of northern New England and the rolling blue hills of Tennessee and Kentucky: from the swamplands of the Gulf Coast and hot and dusty plains of the Old West : from the Great Lakes and the mining towns of Pennsylvania .her crew was America. In harmony together-in sweat. fortitude and bravery--they wrote their names in gold across the broad expanse of the Pacific. V They achieved their initiative which was revenge. and then went on to greater glory and victory and peace. It cost them for they paid with the lives of their shipmates, sons of the defiant little lady. These were to be Immortal Sons, whose heroic deeds were never to die in the foaming wake as they were left behind. Her rendezvous with destiny was not denied. The U. S. S. BATAAN. Page One Hundred Ninety-one

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if ra mu' -f .- , 'ml Will Illlllllllllllllllluu ll I t Sutter- r umttffrfcr1'cfl I X A ' .:., 5 Ti- Q if . 2 gi A 5 - QTEP 2 N' f ,J if' WA-1, ff' .f 6 Sept. '45-The BATAAN steams into Tokyo Bay, thus fulfilling the destiny forecast by the ship's song. We drop anchor between Yokosuka and Yokohama, about 5 miles off shore. Telescopes and binocul-ars are in great demand for long range rubberneck- ing, particularly at the battleship NAGATO, one of Air Group 47's targets. The sky line of Tokyo, marking the end of the line, is visible on the northern horizon. We pick up our Tokyo landing detachment, who bring with them stories of the trophies that got away from them: a few little souvenirs stuck with them, as is evidenced by considerable scratching on the part of the returning invaders. In the afternoon. the ship sails out of Tokyo Bay, bound for Okinawa to pick up passengers for the long trip home. At dusk, with Fujiyama on the starboard beam, the usual order Darken Ship is heard. Then. after a few seconds, the boatswain's mate calls out, Lighten Ship. The lights go on again to the sound of cheering, for the war at last seems really over, and the BATAAN is homeward bound. 8-10 Sept. '45-The ship is anchored in Buckner Bay at Okinawa. Pass- engers, 549 of them, are taken aboard, but unfortunately no fresh provisions. Spam and apple butter remain the mainstays of our meals. On the tenth, we weigh anchor and are off for Pearl Harbor. l0-20 Sept. '45-Underway for Pearl Harbor. Spam. spam, spam and more SPAM. 20-25 Sept. '45-Pearl Harbor. We lose our West Coast passengers, pick up some more East Coast ones and receive some badly needed fresh provisions. Peace--it's still wonderful: fresh vegetables- they're wonderful, too. On the 25th we are homeward bound again, this time for Panama. We ily the Homew-ard Bound Pen- nant, stretching from mainmast to flight deck, and buoyed up by some optimistic balloons. lt's a gay and happy sight. 25 Sept. - 8 Oct. '45-Underway for Panama. The demobilization con- tingent is hard at work. 9-ll Oct. '45-The BATAAN tr-ansits the Canal successfully, in spite of a perceptible starboard list: many feminine spectators lined that side of the locks. Liberty was enjoyed at Christobal and Colon on the Atlantic side in a very orderly fashion. The ship's crew did its share in balancing the Panamanian budget by buying souvenirs and gifts for their families and friends, and by other expenditures of a less permanent nature. l2-17 Oct. '45-Underway for New York-the last lap. 17 Oct. '45--The U. S. S. BATAAN is greeted by the Lady with the Torch. The long journey is over. Page One Hundred Ninety

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DEMGBILIZATION BEGINS EXECUTIVE QPPICERJS MEMORADUM No. 24R-45 29 August 1945. From: Executive Cflicer. To: All Hands. I do not like to tell you people of the BATH!-KN good- bye, and it is impossible for me to put my feeling for you on paper. Your performance of duty during the time I had the privilege of serving With you has been superb. Your ability to fight, Work, take it on the chin, and your unbeatable spirit, makes the BATAAN hands down the best ship I have ever seen or heard of during my entire Naval Service. I can find nothing in my heart but praise for you all-you have produced the goods to a man and I feel that We all share the same pride in our fine ship. We can all look any man in the eye and ask him Where he was during the War and We Won't have to make up any lies to our children either-We were in the front lines. I-Iere's hoping that they send the ship back to the States soon. The best of luck always to the lighting men of the U. S. S. BATAANIII Good-bye-l , F. M. REEDER, Comdr., U. S. Navy. O H cl' d Ninety-two