This book is from the files of SHIPS DATA SECTION, Room 1221, Division of' Public Information, K-ZCI1 Navy Department, and should be returned by borrower as soon as it has served its purpose, Your cooperation in our effort to minimize possiblities of its being lost will be appreciated, Others will want to use this book also, ' IHC Ja aw-- 0eIebP-Vim 31 I Q oy ' ' CX kraw ffal alum ovumouten IS. n dia :tw 15- J ug vnu ga in w7lc n Guadakanz? lf' 'I I N Qfpzfszzdf 've-3 '!haGwmml 'M QQKL Qix Cymwbfwkr X 9, Il L'uZcf.'I'0n 3 -if is i il Q lzfunvhbvvanv- Y .-M1111 71 L 0' wa A 111, 013 .Bun hi-ui Dear Shipmate: Now that you Hnally have your pictorial log, it is my sincere hope that you are pleased with the results. You will, no doubt, find many things missing that you would like to have had included, but please bear in mind the many decisions that l have had to make and the obstacles that confronted me before l left the Ship and since. For instance, I would like to have included Awards and Citations of our Squadron, but it was utterly impractical to do so in view of the fact that they left the Ship before their list was complete and were disbanded shortly thereafter. Rest assured that this book has received my constant attention ever since leaving the Ship. The delay in publication has been due to no fault of mine or the pub- lishersg it was caused by the general labor situation, primarily because the Chicago area, where our engravings and covers were made, went on a 2-1 hour work week during the coal strike. lf you are glad to have your book, think how happy l am to finally have it behind me. Edwards 81 Broughton Company, our publishers. feel that we have a good book. and that some of you may want additional copies. Consequently, they have gambled on printing approximately 100 copies over and above our contract, and if you are interested you may order extra copies from them at 55.00 each. sending check or Money Order to Edwards 81 Broughton Company. Raleigh, N. C.. and they will Hll the orders as long as they last. They will, of course. return checks after the supply is exhausted unless the orders justify another run of books. Your books have come to you insurecl without return receipt slip for the reason that it would be very difficult for me to file over l.000 postal receipts. Please. therefore, cooperate with me by signing and mailing the enclosed postal card so that I will know you have your books. Now, one last shot at you guys! If our Country should engage in another war in our generation. there is nothing l would like better than for the entire personnel of the LUNGA POINT and VC 35 to put the l,i7NC,-X POINT back into commission. because you are the grandest bunch in the world. Good Luck! S. LINTON SMITH. l.ieut. Comdr.. VFNH. l,ock Drawer 55l, ,ll NTI IICIUI fl IGIATIOI DIVIIIU GUI N UIUC llunolu law NPAITIIIT Raleigh. N. C. party M Ca!! fampaz' nf QSNUW 919 ffm -LLL Q, 'zmamg 'li v SHJPWDOLOHJ INN S I Il1DIfI'lOlt0Hfl SIUNIIII OWJIHD .50 5Nl.f1VHUNEI Hf:?I'I'I0 a'-9 AHF! :IH,L ,IH C1.r1.J.ICIUHd 51211 .Ml Hu 'SIUNITTI 'UUVDIHCJ :JU .l.N'I'11 I YOU HL1H'.S' 'H 'S' PIHL .IH SIUVW SYJSVD NI UN'HO H GNT 'V,fN'I'IOHV.fJ 11,.l.E10.X' fi11J1H'll 2l :IO .l.YVfll'1'U.'9 .N OJJH.9x'10HH 9 'UH HI-LL .IH 6Hdl,L f6I'l'11.l21f41.YSVH I-1d.l ,1.0. NO11 fl.-X 1.811 '?lfrIdVd 'IHWVN3 Se.NngHHV.'H .NU C12l,L.K'1Hd 5'V.H ..,1,.N'1Od l'U.NH.Y'l-- 'S .S . I PIHL :IO JHOLSIH 15+ s' 1 ' a 1 I ! Q , , L . , Y , 1 f 5 1 Q . sf V :lx 1 . . LK. ff K X LN if 1-:ff M? . ,, ,. ,, l 5 A i A .4 ' a A ,, K , K X X M, x. . V .' . THI BOCJK Ufas fvzrlnlislzvff zzmiw' flu' a11Il10r1'Inv Qf Captain G. .X. T. XYz1sl1lmrn CWONINILIIIKIIIIIIQ' USS. I,l'XQJ POIXQ' It -was 'ZUVI-ffl'II by amz' f7l'I'1lfl'lI7 IIIIIIIUI' ffzf' f1'1'm'f1'011 QI' I,t. S. IAIIIOII Smith. l7.S.N.R. A JI. n 5 E Q X T s ? gx 5 u 4 2 E 1 2 1 Q 5 S i 1 f 9 1 1 7 1 X i A 9 5 5. GASSING PLANES! , 1-'U QD THE SMOKING LAMP IS OUT THROUGHOUT THE SHIP! JL al U.S.S. 1,z111ga 1,0l.Hf A ,, g 'X U.S.S. PQI T CVE 94 .fmg 4 . 'lx V - f'.A ,' KJXL ' L ' A Pictorial Log cfozferizzg the H Shzfs Career in the Ufar 6lff6lZ.lI SIL the AUS X. O f ' X 4 , S F , 5 5 ' - I u arp' ' lyxx 7 lc- - M f 1 p my 1 Q 2 ' -I . K ' f I r fd! X : I f 1,1 -.AX X 4 - Ai , X ,f 2 5' 'U xxx' ' rid Q1 ,915 ' W. I X If Y M X j s ' 'X M i x .fu . Eastman 1 H May' 19M li Nluy, 19.15 'u A w. . A B ' X 'N Our ship has been recommended for a Presidential Unit Citation by COMESCARFORPAC and a Unit Clima- tion by COMAIRPAC. We regret that either or both were not awarded prior to publication. WEMZ It has been regretted for some time that, because of Wartime restrictions, personally owned cameras are not allowed on board, and it has been impractical for the Photo Lab to attempt to furnish all hands with pictures of the places we have visited and of the many interesting, thrilling, exciting and even hair- raising experiences that we have had during this, our Hrst year as an integral, fighting part of our Fleet. Considerable thought also has been given to devising some means whereby the memories of our many experiences, and our everyday life aboard, might be preserved in a definite and concrete form, because, regardless of how anx- ious we are to get back to our families, and re- gardless of how arduous, trying, and nerve racking our experiences have been, when the time comes for us to leave the Lunga Point, it is confidently believed that our happiness in re- turning to our families will be mingled with a genuine feeling of regret in having to leave the many-friends we have made on board, not to mention the regret we shall feel in leaving the Lunga Point, which has, after all, been our home for many months now. We feel that we can say without fear of contradiction that the Lzmga Point and those who have served in her will have a very warm spot in the heart of every Officer and man who has been privileged to fight her, and that place in' our hearts will ever increase as the years roll by. The Lunga Point has had a glorious record. of which every officer and man can be -justly proud, whether he was on a gun or in the '4Black Gangng whether he was an Aviation Mee or a Signalmang whether he was a uplane pusher or a Radioman, whether he was a Steward's Mate or a Photographerfs Mate, whether he was an Officer-of-the-Deck or a C.W.O., whether he was a Carpenteras Mate or a Quartermaster, whether he was a Yeornan or a Baker. VVherever they served, and what- ever their duties might have been, proper execution of their duties was essential to our success. The job assigned us simply could not have been done without the loo per cent co- operation of all hands. It is felt, however, that we have closely approached that goal of per- fection our Captain set for us on I4 May 1944. Every officer and man should, therefore, re- ceive due credit for the part he played, and for that reason, the name, rank or rate, and home address of every member of our Shipis Com- pany will appear in this book, except for some few who have been transferred without leaving their addresses. In the above paragraphs, this book has its genesis. It is not a perfect book by any means. There have been many obstacles, some of which it was impossible to surmount, but it has been our earnest endeavor. as nearly as possible, to completely and faithfully chronicle our first year for you. lf this book achieves its purpose of preserving those friendships and memories of the past year. we will have been well re- warded for our efforts, because. as your Editor, we will have that deep sense of personal satis- faction that can come only from the knowledge of a job well done. It's been a grand cruise, Shipmates. Au revoir! And God Bless you all. if E S. LINTON SMITH, Lieut., USNR .f43K7! .7f'e73llf 9177 'P , 4 f2.fQfQ, f1.7f'? 2 -Of? 'P Qf' T Ensign WILBUR FRANCIS BERAUER, USNR, Q5 November 1944 Next of kin. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Berauer, Box I7 5, Wlaldroii, Indiana EMMETT DOUGLAS FORT, JR., ARMQC, USNR, 25 November 1944 Next of kin. Mrs. Dorothy P. Fort, Q22 9th Ave., Bessemer, Alabama GORDON MALCOLM GREENE,,AMM3C, USNR, Q5 November' 1944 Next of kin. Mrs. Arthur Cobb, 17385 Kentucky Ave., Detroit, Michigan X Ensign WILLIAM ALEXANDER READ, USNR, 24 December 1944 ' Next of kin. Mrs. Cylvia Read, 2510 California St., Denver, Colorado Lt. Cjgj DELBERT MONT OERLACH, USNR, 1 Miareh 1945 ' Next of kin. Mrs. June Cerlach, 520W South St., Rapid City, South Dakota RANDALL WHALEN BROOKS, ARM1c, USNR, 1 March 1945 Next of kin. Mrs. Ruth Randall Garwood, 5391 Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California KENNETH PHILLIP VIOSIAS, AMMQC, USNR, 1 March 1945 Next of kin. Mrs. Jeannette Marie Josias, 3137 Louisiana Ave., St. Louis 18, lXf1issouri PAUL MATTHEW HUNT, SIC, USNR, 2 March 1945 Next of kin- Mrs- E- A- Hunt, 1209 Leigh Court, Long Beach, California Lt. ADRIAN STANLEY BAZZELL, USNR, 6 April 1945 Next of kin. Mrs. Emma L. Bazzell, 609 Plantcr St., Bainbridge, Georgia HGREA TER LOVE HA TH NO MAN THAN THIS, 7411.411 'I' MAN LAY DO WN HIS LIFE F012 HIS 1f1e1E.N11s. , 1011.1 1 5: 1 f, E7eA7 'Cff'c,1f41i. f icy cf T '21, if: at 1 tj fs A ff W ' NIT T10 I R DI. AN D Q I lfur fnlmu un flu' l,l '.Nf1'.l l'fll.N 'I NQXYY CROSS , . I cf1llJl.f A I. VVASIIICI IIN, USN LEGION OF MFRI l Capt. G. A. T. VVASI-IBIIRN, USN I . . SILYI-.R S'I.XR Ll. fly' R'IAXIMl1.l.-KNA1. I'AI.I.x.A, IQSNR l 4 BRONZE S'l'.XR Commanclm' R. E.-xs'I'woI.D, USN 2 l.l. f:UH1dI'..I.-'kkiI.S R. TII1PIfr'I, AIR., USNR Lt. Comdr. R. I... CIIRKRAN. -IR., USNR 2 IJ.. uj. H. fVI. 4.RRl'.'l'T, USN Lt. C0mclr.kS. LINTIIN SMIIII. USNR I,l. XV.xI.'IIiIc XY. KAIJII-.YI.R.,IR., L'SNR ' Lt. Cjgj H. D. I'I.Ax'I1:IIIaI4, l'SNR I.IiT'l lYRS OI' flOMMliND.X'l'ION fC:UI11lll1'Ilil2iIiOI1 Rilmlurm :IIIllIoI'iZm-Ill Capt. G. T. X'VAsI-IHIIRN, USN l.1. rjqu I1Im',xI1Im.I. BIIIN. USNR Lt. Comdr. R. L. CIORRR.-XN,-IR., USNR LI, fkigl ffH.XRl IIS E. SAllx1SflN.-IR.. KSNR Lt. ALVIN H. BIQRNIJT, USNR CIIIII-Y NfIII'lIiIIisI XXKI 'II-R 'l. MITIJII I I . LASN Lt. KENNli'FlI B. l,lT'l'l.l'I. USNR 'l'IIIm.xq H. l .xI'I. I-ifiggr, LSNR SIII-1I.ImN M. PI'.'I l'll'. flMjgI', VSNR N. Q- Y-.. A Pl!RI'I.l . HI KRT I t.-Qolndr. R. T!lI'l I'1'l'T, AIR., USNR III xx ww lf. fill xm Icx, Sw. VSNR QIIIIIN S. SIHRP. SIC. LYNR C hw! Pay CIII-rk fl. M, ffHI'I-1I.XNI1, USNR M.IIII4II:I-1 I. V111 I I-,lIUl'l'. Snr. l'SNR FI Xll'R P. SI'I'x'I-xsow. Fw, USNR FI I.Ix DIL M,xk'I'Is, .XMFXl2I', USNR 'I XNIIIS CT, Ilrluml Sw. l'SNR HIIQSI' P. Al-I'RRl'l I. S241 VSNR Mus I . VVAIfI'I-,I4Ir:II, lfflfgr, IFSNR lin! Y, R XXHRIQX, Sw. l'SNR .XRNIII Iw I.. 'I'IIuxIsIN. SIC. IQSNR AMERICAN 'I'HI'l.X'I'Rl'. .XSI,Xl'llI-l'XlIlI-'III X llTl'URY PHll.ll'l'lNF. l.IBER.XTlON .Xl.l. H XN ,x .4 l - i ,-. . A Y A I... T r ,L ,j I .Nl ' .. li I J A .. K ,fx T- lf.-fb ,A -Z ' 4 L 1' fy, V I I ' I ,. R I' Q ' Lf lx. lx Lx ILR- Lf tsl' lj! Qi' X.- ll i l 71- . 11' if? Z' ,fr in-,. W4 , -4 4a.....,W.,fcN r , 5 . . if tx , . - , v W' 4 1 A ' I ' i j ' ' 1 l limi l . Ei' .. ,i - . - 1 yf. ,-'fn ,fu f ' fi i ' fl Kk fAA l,'Lfl.f'k., Lk Mgr K.. L.. L-af tk., LA luv. ,, fzrflffj V Commanding Officer C-. A. T. WASHBURN Captain, U. S. Navy U.S.N.A. Class of 1923 As I look back on the momentous year of associating with the offi- cers and men ofthe U.S.S. Lzmga Poinzf, it is with a real sense of pride in our accomplishments. It is my hope that each and every one of us will always remember the uspiritw of the Lunga Pom! and carry that spirit on in the Navy or in civilian life. As your Commanding Cfliicer, to each and every one of you a CCWELL DONEP! Y A M W a ,4 W. , , ls. ,WA . if dx - l V- Vpgg rx A ,vu ...Wg fin! . WCf?ff7C ff.f?'ffffffclf4iffVG ,fr if ct' .rii ' Lffff' f if t...f'G'i fir Ci ' xl' I 1' 4 tl L, Li U'!L' 12 JUNE 191.9 C 'U EX CA THEDRA - . I3 This ship has been trained and has operated with the thought If you are going to do a job at all why not do it as well as possible? the driving spirit As is usually the case you have little tangible to show for your hard work other than the knowledge and personal satis- faction of a job well done We have had our anxious and trying mo- ments you have all worked long and hard and you can all feel proud of the part you have X , 1' ,fir till Executive Officer E. R. EAsTwoLD Commander U. S. Navy U.S.N.A. Class of 1932 played I trust this book will serve in later years to help you re-live your life on the Lunga Point and also to give you a certain amount of personal satisfaction in the record we have achieved. I have enjoyed being Shipmates with all of you and I hope that you xx ill alvx ays haxe the same soft spot in your heart for the Lunging Lunga that I will have. FM M z I x s A a X r 3 f ' 7 n i ' ' CC 7 1 , D HS ' . , 3 . E . , 1 I 7 f v CC I . jg x 9 P l 1 S CYCENAYCXVCJ i7cAy 'fygfQgy?y'Q3,,Ai 'gL,fC,,,fQ. 141 .S.S. LU GA PCI T CVE Q4 Built By: Kaiser Company,.II1C-s Vancouver, Washington Keel Laid: I9 January 1944. Launched: II April 1944 Commissioned: I4 May 1944, with Captain G. A. T. VVASHBURN, USN, Commanding. The U.S.S. Lunga Point is named for the battle which took place between American and japanese Naval forces off the coast of Guadalcanal on the night of 30 November 1942. The main Japanese installation on Guadalcanal was an airheld built near Lunga Point, which, when captured by our forces, was named Lunga Field, and, Hnally, Henderson Field. It was at Lunga Point that the amphibious assault by the First Division of the United States Marine Corps, under the command of General Vandegrift, was made on Guadalcanal, 7 August 1942. On the night of 30 November 1942, an American Task Force, under the command of Rear Ad- miral C. H. Wright, USN, was proceeding to Guadalcanal to intercept any Japanese force which might attempt to reinforce their garrison. This force consisted of Five cruisers g the United States Ships M inneapolis, New Orleans, Pensacola, Honolulu and Norllzarnplon, and six destroyers: the United States Ships Perkins, Drayton, Fletcher, Maury, Lawson and Lardner. Upon arriving ofl' Guadalcanal contact was made with the enemy approaching from the north of Lunga Point, presumably to re- inforce their troops ashore. The battle was fought that night, and the results, as regards the total number of japanese ships sunk, are not known. It is believed that the japanese lost at least two large destroyers or cruisers, four medium-sized destroyers, two transports, and one ammunition ship. Our losses were the Cruiser U.S.S. Northampton, sunk, and the U.S.S. Minrzeapolis, U.S.S. New Orleans and U.S.S. Pen- sacola, damaged. The Battle of Lunga Point, though now known oHicially as the Battle of Tassafaronga and some- times referred to as the Fourth Battle of Savo Island, was the last major Japanese attempt to rein- force their forces on Guadalcanal, and, thus, the turning point of the campaign for the Solomon Islands. L 16 MX .. N Air Ollicer Q1OIHIll2ll1dCI' IC. Ci. Osmnw. USN, V 1 v ' 4 - Lu S. N. A. Cllalss of 19:33 I4 Slay 1944 2 l cbrL1z11'y 1943 Viral I,if'lIll'llJIllf I.l4llIlIl.IIIl fiHlIlIllJlllfll'I' I. I. SNHIII, VS reg. .,..,. .Ai X ,A .5 is .. 5 . ' 4.: 4 , -Jil' fi, , w 3 ,f W v1 g A I if ,z, Ii. A N V i 1 .Xir Olfirvl' , , . . , , . , l I ' I . 1 . . 2 In IJIIIJIIN' lq4', 4 . Clhivl' l211gi11c'c'1' I,iC'LllCI1211'll.l. H. Chxlzui-1'1'41'. USN. ,1 . LA, , ',..n.m-um .zmv ,, .. ...H .M-a..,a-.n . , N Cinnnwx Milam-I Communications Oiiioer i,it'llll'Ilillll li. l,. fiHl4lxl4X'N. VIR.. IFSNR filglxx Ui HH: 8 SL'lJll'll1lJi'l' 19.4.4 ti- if O x 'I eg .L 4 1 i 2 , Lieutenant ROBERT HOMANS, USNR 5- in Navigator Lieutenant C. V. H. KING, USNR V fy: g X ,..,-gay. A Senior iX1cdic'al Ufiiccr Lieutenant CiOlT1Il12lIlCiCl' P. C. PLA1 t ' 1 ', CIWCD. USNR. I2 December 194115 .. .,1, fit if it if 34,41 FQ X . Qw,AwAw. tem' it Zi, i , 4 ss. . . XM 3 i 'S f 6 i f 5 Q :N Q f ug-,QM I , ,.,T,1 ,etn l Supply Ollirm' 1 l.ic'11tv11n11t l'o1111111mclv1' I . l'. IXloo1ua, ujlc., QSCT5, USNR Senior Mediczxl Qilficer Commander C. IW. rFIRRELL, QNICD, USNR, 14 May 1944713 November 1944 4 Chaplain LiCL1tC11ElIlllJOHN D. LEE, fChCJ. USNR 'sr bg .3 1 , K rf v :J I' V . fpx ', Cl111111c'1'y Olliwl' l.1c-111111111111 B, B. L'm:111r1u:11. VSXR Ll Many 11144 851-1111-111lw1-1' IQI44 sl X ,WW l 0 1 f X a f 1 7? X 4 X If x W IJli'LllUIl2llll S. l,lN' Aid to llxc'c'L1lix'c Oll ivc'1' VVClfa1'C Oll icfc1' Wal' Bond Qllicm' Editor PiCl01'iz1l Log Wardrooln Mcxss Catcrcr if l ' f .1 M ,gym Q ff : f VW! 1 ,Y I Clullzillclw 7 IDN SMl'l'll. USNR l'c-rsonm-l Olllcfcr ll lllulivs Voting Olliccr lllSlll'2illf'L' Ollicfcr Bzmllcry .l ll Qfliccr Ass'l. Public Relations Oflivvr .My ' 4. .-'.,, Pictorial Log Staff, 20 ..1, f i 9 Q- V Q 5 if 5? , . U s ? A' 3' 1? Y Y Double bottom section being installed in Lunga Point. Here beginneth the stogf qf Hull 340g an inani- mate hulk cyf iron, steel, eolblber ana' brass. Follow her through these pages as she takes on lyfeg as she becomes just another shzlb rj the United States Fleetg as she grows through youth into rnaturz'Qf,' as she gradualbf but surebr becomes the CCPrz'ele cj the CVE's.', Experience with her again the thrill of growing with her,' enjoy again the 'cHajJfry Hoursp' ...xiii Installing flight deck section on Lunga Poinl. and the CCSea Storfesfl Pull up 'your chair to the hreg light your jnlbeg and, in the smoke rings, draw onyour rnernoriesfor a rejrla 1' qf tlzejoys and sorroztfs. the thrills and exezfternenf, the labor and foil, and, abooe all, eryoy the genuine Sfllliff-dCll.OIZ of lZClZ'Z.lZg clone -your jrart in fl'f1lI.lf0l'l7YIiIZg Hull 340 into the ll.S.S. Hlsunga Pofntfl the Shzjr zvillz a Soul. 4 4 ,,1,, Q f s Wf Q if , wr' ef M f 2 Z' ' ' t l' 7 f Xl' f , ' 'X f f 1 Q '-1 I' 'i ....i........ , Y' ZW y 7 , f X X - , ' ,J fn ,Z f w, ff,,,!,,,,, Y ,f if I . ,A 3,31 I ,, J W W7 , .....u Nm 'sxhh Z Jeff l B Ir' Kaiser Carriers on thc: ways. Iillllgl! l'nfnl uvxl to IIN- 1-ml. lnmgu Porn! :mil sislvr ships :il outlining dork- ,, ' 'Xltl l .1 ii CHRISTENING, COMM I SS l ON l NU AND SHAKEDOWN The cCLunga Pofzztw zefas hw' nanzc' As she wentfortlz I0 wizz lI6'I'!ffllI7f'. Designated a C- V-E, An Aircraft Carrz'e1', infacl, was sian f'Baby Flat-Zopn is plain a1nb1'g1z1'll',' For shflljfght her wqy out Qf 011s611r1h'. CHRISTENING At the Kaiser-Vancouver Shipyards, Van- couver, Washington, on II April 1944, a great event took place. Another of Henry Kai- serls many ships was being launched. It was just another mass of iron and steel that was to be sent down the ways into the Columbia River. There was, however, something differ- ent about this particular launching, something in the air prophesying a grand and glorious future for Hull 340. It was an auspicious occasion when, at exactly 1225, with her Matron-of-Honor, Mrs. R. L. Bowman of Coronado, Calif., standing beside her, holding her bouquet, Mrs. James H. McKay, also of Coronado, Calif., our Sponsor, gave that hull a soul as she slammed a bottle of Champagne against the shiny, new bow, and said, HI christen thee Lunga Pointlw Milli i4ll 1 N1 Lzmlgn l'n1nl going clown thc wav' COMlX1lSSlONlNG The night bcforc our Shi p was c'o1n1nissioncd the Officers had a cocktail party at thc Ufliccfs Club, U.S. Naval Station. Astoria. Oregon, which proved to bc a most dclighlful 0C'C'2lSlO1l. Our Sponsor and her Matron-of-honor, Ch I , .1 arnpagm. And a liolllv of Clrwa-flolu would havc dom' jllS! as wt-II. We were highly honored in having as Captain and Mrs. Washburn's guests, Captain and Mrs. J. D. Barner, Captain Barner being the Com- manding Officer of the U.S. Naval Station there, and later, Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Shangrz'-La. Since there was little doubt but that we were to be shipmates for a long time, this party was an excellent means of getting the Officers ac- quainted with each other. Moreover, it af- forded an opportunity for most of the wives of the Officers to meet each other for the first time, since most of our wives had followed us, with very little urging, to that beautiful Oregon country. Many Sea Stories were swapped among the Officers, and many a new hair-do was described in minute detail. By mid-night, the air thick with smoke and a spirit of con- viviality prevailing throughout the Club, the Officers and their wives began saying their Good-byesn to Captain and Mrs. Washburn, because a great event was to take place the next morning, and it was to be followed by weeks of hard work, and we needed all the rest we could get. The chairs soon were all empty, but there remained a lingering presence, the ghost of good fellowship rare. Our first log entry: 'cSunday, 14 May 1944: 0930-1200 Assembled the Officers and Crew of the U.S.S. Lunga Point CCVE 945 at quarters on the hangar deck. 0945 Captain Barner, USN, Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon, came aboard. 0950 Lt. Cjgl Lee, CChCD, USNR, delivered invocation. 1000 Pursuant to Com13th, Serial: 9505, dated 14 May 1944, the Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon, Captain Barner, USN, read orders directing the U.S.S. Lunga Point QCVE 945 to be placed in full com- mission in active status in accordance with Article 637 Ciaj and Article 638 CID U.S. Navy Regulations. 1005 Captain G. A. T. Wash- burn, USN, in obedience to Endorsement 5, Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon, with reference to BuPers speedletter 92206 dated 20 March 1944, as- sumed command of this vessel, the U.S.S. Lunga Point CCVE 943, and ordered the watch to be set. Moored starboard side to Berth 9, Pier 3, U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Oregon, with the following lines in use: Bowline 8 manila, forward bow spring IM wire, after bow spring iM wire, forward quarter spring IM wire, after quarter spring IM wire, stern line 8 manila. No. 1 and No. 2 boilers in use for auxiliary purposes. Receiving fresh water and telephone service from the dock. Ships present: CVE's 91, 92, Q3 and various small craft. SOPA in U.S.S. Makassar Slraitsf, The commissioning of a Naval Vessel is al- ways a gala occasion and this was no exception, although it is only natural that there was a more serious atmosphere prevalent upon this Wartime commissioning. It lacked none of the color attendant on a peacetime commission- ing, though, in that the usual formalities were rigidly adhered to and there were a goodly number of the fairer sex, dressed in all their finery, to give our commissioning the glamour that appeals to a Navy man. Captain Wash- burn, Captain Barner, Commander Eastwold, and the other officiating Officers took their places at the forward elevator, while Mrs. Washburn, Mrs. Barner, Mrs. Eastwold, and our other guests, many of whom were the wives of our officers and men, had seats down the port side of the hangar deck. Opposite them, in a column of twos, facing inboard, were the Ship's Officers. Amidships, facing forward, were the Chief Petty Officers, and behind them the enlisted personnel were formed by Divisions. To put it mildly, it presented a picture in keeping with the dignity of the occasion. Immediately after reading his orders, Cap- tain Washburn extended a word of welcome to our guests and greetings to the Ship's Com- pany, following which, he accepted from Mrs. Warren K. Berner, the wife of the NSkipper', ., 5'., 1,101,311 litllillf aneliored in Columbia River the day before Com- missioning. of the rllakassar Sifaify, a beautiful silver tray, a gift to the ship from Mrs. James H. lVIeKay, our Sponsor, who was unable to be present for the commissioning. Following the formal cer- emonies, Captain Washburii invited our guests down to the Wardroom, the C.P.C. Mess and the Crew's Mess for refreshments, and many of our guests took advantage of the opportunity l Captain Barner addressing ship's company at commissioning exercises. to look around the ship, but many of them got lost, for even their cfguidesw were unfamiliar with all the many ladders and passageways at that time, not one member of the Shipjs Corn- pany having been allowed on board before oggo that day. Soon, our guests all departed, leaving us with a feeling of pride in the fact that our home for months to come had appro- priately been commissioned on Mother's Day, a day that is dear to the hearts of all of us. At 1300 that day, Captain Washburn assem- bled the entire Ship's Company on the hangar deck where he talked informally to us for an hour, telling us exactly what he expected of us and what we could expect of him as our Com- manding Cfficer. He had just returned from nine months in the Pacific with the fast carriers and knew what he wanted. He emphasized over and over again that, in order to success- fully fight our ship, it would be necessary to give more than our best. He admonished us time and again that he wanted our best ffplus 25 per centf' He told us quite frankly that he realized the great majority of us were ffBootsm in the Navy, and, for that reason if no other, it would be necessary for us to give that H25 per Captain VVashburn reads his orders at commissioning exercises centj' extra. To further emphasize his deter- mination to whip us into a first-class lighting unit in record time, he told us that, starting that day, we could expect many drills and classes in various duties. He warned us, also. that he expected us to conduct ourselves in keeping with the dignity of the uniform we wear, stressing the fact that, while he intended to do all he could for the comfort, happiness and wel- fare of his men, he could make a man feel mighty small at Captain's Blast. Conse- quently, few men doubting him then, few have l' ' ' - - .. . . ' ' ' , Laplain liainti nialses commissioning address. iv I l x. x, if I I Captain BQIIKIIVI' t'Ull1.Ql'LlllIlk1ll'S Captain XY2i5lllJlIlll at tomniission ing exercises. was a C'Perleetionistf' although he denies it at this writing, only admitting to 'striving for perfeetionf, In either ease, 'tbeingw or Hstriyingf, at the Conclusion of his remarks, we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we had a long road of indoctrination ahead of us before qualifying to Hstrive for perfection. Following the Captainls talk. all hands turned to on litting out and all that goes with it. The three weeks following our Commission- ing were heetie ones. Wlithout having gone through it, it is impossible for anyone to appre- ciate the tremendous amount of work involved mountains of stores. supplies and the usual geai xii A '?i.1 .,iQ,w-s..- Htl 5 if fs f i H3 Q K X SlllIilS1lIlll'l'IN.lI 1-.use llllllIlLQ rolliliuissit mm. ext nam in putting a new ship in serviee. The hangar deek was piled high with what appeared to be Dance on hangar deck at Astoria. that is needed to adequately outfit and supply a Naval vessel, and there was even more in the warehouses on the adjacent dock. All hands turned to with splendid cooperation, though, and we all worked long days, passing up many liberties in order to speed up our job. Many of the Officers and men had their wives with them, so that, on their liberty nights, they had someone- to rub liniment into their sore muscles and joints, because both officers and men were doing heavy work in trying to finish up with a tough job as soon as possible. The housing situation in the Astoria area was about the same as in every other West Coast port, and Lunga Point wives were scat- tered all up and down the Columbia River, some even staying in Portland, Oregon. Most of our couples, though, were able to find places in either Astoria, Gearhart or Seaside, however, we feel that those who stayed at the Gearhart Hotel, Gearhart, Oregon, were the most fortu- nate of all, because the wartime shortage of labor had made it probably the Oountry's most unique hotel. We were fortunate enough to have gotten rooms there, and it was at the Gearhart that we first operated a passenger elevator, because the Elevator Boy had gone to war. It was also here that we tipped the Bellboy for bringing our bags to our room on arrival, and he promptly drew himself up to his full height and told us with great dignity that it just so happened that he was the Man- ager and Oo-owner of the hotel. The Gear- hart had its own switchboard in the office, but, when you called for ice to be brought to your room, almost invariably you heard the voice of the wife of another Ofhcer saying, UGO get it A Lzmga fjlllillf lovely and lien' Ixus-lmml al :Inner alioarrl ship at ,'XSltll'l2l. yourself, Dearieg itls in the pantryfl lwlany a Navy wife learned to be a switchboard operator at the Gearhart, and Room Service is some- thing we just learned to do without from the very first day. W7hen a guest went to check out, he would nearly always find a Navy wife behind the counter, handling the books and cash register just as though she were regularly employed there. They just all pitched in and helped where they were needed, and it seems they were needed ust about everywhere except in the kitchen and dining room and as maids. And speaking of the dining room, you were a total stranger if the waitresses didn't call you by your first name on your second day there, and, of course, they were always expected to join the Navy couples in the bar for a beer after dinner, and the bar tender was practically always a guest of the hotel. lXfIixing drinks, handling the cash register and cracking ice gave the guests invaluable training forjobs after the war. Probably due to insufficient ration points, they served no lunch at the Gearhart, but the Manager himself served coffee to the wives every afternoon before the big stone fire- place in the lounge. We assume that he felt he simply must give the wives some rest from their daily chores about the hotel. Not only was the Gearhart Hotel unique, but it was a real pleasure to have been fortunate enough to stay there. There was a spirit of hospitality and congeniality there that has made us determined to go back for another visit after the war. lt was a very spacious and comfortable hotel and has long enjoyed an ex- cellent reputation as a resort hotel, being situated mid-way between its own golf course and the Pacific, and commanding an excellent View of each. There were so many Navy couples there, in connection with the CVE commissionings, that we never lacked for con- genial companionship, consequently, we were never lacking for something to do. Another advantage in staying at either Gear- hart or Seaside was the beautiful drive in to Astoria, with the highway literally banked on both sides with Scotch Broom, its yellow blooms giving you a feeling of driving down a highway of spun gold, through the stately pines and hr of the Coast Range, with Saddle Mouiitaiii rising in the distance. This was, however, a much prettier drive at sunset than at sunrise as many an officer and man from the Lunga Point will agree. During our fitting out, we were constantly stumbling over shipyard workers who were putting the hnal touches to our ship, pointing up this and tightening up that. Despite the general confusion, however, we finished with our work in record time and were ready to put to sea. Consequently, the Crew was given a dance on the hangar deck on the evening of Saturday, 3 june, and it was a most enjoyable occasion. The forward half of the hangar deck had the various signal flags and pennants hang- ing from the bulkheads, forming a very appro- priate and pretty setting for the dance. The Astoria Naval Station Orchestra played for the dance, and many a Krug was cut to smith- ereensw by the jitterbugs of the Lzmga Point. vf Y-vp F Refreshments were served throughout the evening in both the C.P.O. and the Crew Mess to as lovely a group of ladies as ever graced the Lunga Poinl. Sunday, 4 ljune, found most of the Lunga Ptllillf wives en route home or preparing to leave, because Scuttlebutt, straight from the Chow Line, told us that we would soon be getting underway. ANCHORS AWEIGH! Stand Navy down the field, Sail set to the skyl Wttall never change our course, So Army, you steer shy-y-y! Roll up the score, Navy, Anchorjs aweigh! Sail Navy down the field And sink the Army, sink the Army Grey! Hlvlonday, 5J'une 1944: 08-12 Moored as before. Set Condition Baker. 0820 Stationed all special sea details. Made all preparations for getting underway. 0857 Underway from Pier 2, Berth 4, U.S. Naval Station, Astoria, Gregon, on various courses and speeds. Pilot, Lt. Cdr. Clark, at the conn. Captain, Executive Officer and Navigator on the bridge. 0909 Pilot, Lt. Cdr. Hansen, USCG, relieved Pilot, Lt. Cdr. Clark, at the conn. 0944 Exercised at General Quarters. 0957 Sighted blimpg identified as K-87, U.S. Petting umlerwnv lrom .Xslorian 27 Navy. IOO5 Passed from Inland to Inter- national waters. lOO6 Secured from General Quarters. Set Condition IH, Section 3, 1021 Pilot, Lt. Cdr. Hansen, USCG, left the ship. Took departure on course I3IOiT and p.g.e. 1110 cfc to 164OT and p.g.c.,' The above log entry was not needed to con- vince everyone that we were finally underway on our ccMaiden Voyagef, Notable among those who needed only the pitch and roll of the Lunga Point to convince them that something new had suddenly come into their lives were Lieutenants DeAngelis and Ray, as well as many men scattered throughout the Crew's Quarters trying in vain to calm the seas by laying flat on their stomachs in their bunks, with their agonized heads burrowing futilely into their pillows for comfort, which was no- where to be found. It was during this period that Lt. DeAnge1is introduced a new piece of gear to be carried topside to the open Bridge Top: Seattle from a row boat, bottom: Seattle from air, showing Bremerton ferry. VVateh just a plain bucket. After erossing the Columbia River Bar, we by the Ullieer-of-the-Deck when relieving the , found ourselves in the Paeifie for the first time. 'lihe Paeiiie was everything but what its name implies, however, and our ship pitched and tossed like a cork in the mountainous waves, and the plates of the ship resounded with a boom throughout that first night at sea as they gave under the impact of the heavy seas. lt was, therefore, a relief to all, and particularly those unhappy Usea-sick sailorsf' when we entered the quiet and peaceful waters of Puget Sound the next morning. For the next few days, we enjoyed smooth sailing in what is probably the most picturesque sound in the world, while we called at Port Townsend, lllahee, Bremerton and other points in Puget Sound, taking on various stores, ammunition and other gear, and going through various tests of precision instruments preparatory to our Shakedown Cruise, which was next in our schedule. As we cruised along through the narrow straits of Puget Sound we could not help but feel that we were being allowed much the same view as met the eyes of Captain John Smith as he brought his ships into Jamestown, in the Colony of Virginia, in 1607, because the beau- tiful pines, Hrs and spruce so typical of that beautiful northwest country came right down to the crystal clear wateras edge, as virgin in appearance as one could possibly hope to see. Despite the fact that huge lumber mills were humming beyond the hills and that we were cruising through waters that are literally a highway of commerce between the United States, Canada and Alaska, the view that met our eyes convinced us in our own minds that we were the Hrst ship to chart a course through that panorama of evergreen beauty. While we enjoyed the cruise from a scenic standpoint, we had hardly gotten underway from Astoria when we were made to realize that this cruise was not only a preliminary to our shakedown, but that it was the beginning of an indoctrination period that was to grow in its intensity until such time as all hands had been trained to do the job for which they were best Htted and to do thatxjob well. Drills of all kinds were the order of the day-..,GQnQ-ral Quarters, Fire Drill, Collision Drill, Abandon SIUP Drill and many other exercises that, thOrOLlgh1Y mastered, would enable us to fight our Shlp SUCCessfully when we had reached that point of near-perfectionl' for which the 4'Ulcl Man strove so hard. It was just like going to school again, not only because we were having drills of some kind every day, but be- cause we were going to school in fact. The officers were having classes every day in Qllicer- of-the-Deck duties, aircraft and ship recogni- tion and so on, while the enlisted personnel were having lookout and recognition classes, too. Actually, it appeared to us that we were being Nsereenedf, While, no doubt, the Cap- tain was a little apprehensive at the tremendous number of Hdry land sailorsw he had under his command, we donit feel that he ever thought he had a hopeless job on his hands, but that, rather, his job was to try us all out in various duties until he had found the job best suited to our individual capabilities. With this feeling in mind, we all went about our duties cheer- fully and with a determination to absorb all we could from our various training courses and exercises, and, in retrospect, we can now say with justifiable pride that we do feel that we got off on the right foot and that we have been well rewarded for our efforts. After several days cruising in Puget Sound and with all hands ready for a liberty or so after our along cruise, on 'CFriday, 9 june 1944: I2-I6 Steaming as before. 1442 Completed measured mile runs. 1445 Set course 3ooOT and p.g.c. Speed 18 knots. 15oo c fc to o8oOT and p.g.c. cfs to I5 knots. 1524 Cn various courses and speeds proceeding to dock. Lt. Cdr. Willard, Pilot, at the conn. Captain, Executive Officer and Navigator on the bridge. 1544 Moored starboard side to Pier 91, Berth How, Naval Station, Seattle, Wash., with two ION manila lines and six ik wire lines doubled. The Captain, of course, being in the know as to uwhen and wherel' we were going, al- ready had things arranged, and he simply had to walk down the gangway and be driven to his home overlooking Lake Washington to see his Skipper, while the rest of us, the proletariat, walked the four miles in to the Seattle business section for much-needed Srest and recreation. This, of course, was not our first visit to Seattle, because we had all spent several weeks in Brem- erton, at the CVE Pre-commissioning School prior to going to Astoria to commission our ship, however, we were all kept so very busy J-?..1xvwn-. ...v l 1 ' ' ' 0 . if l X N ' . ., , if V , ll ffszswiss X at ,SQ:.3::SL?,?:2Ia1f 1 gl ' 4 ' ':f1f iii Q . lui 'SM' A -' it ' '52 411-fn W' - T 5 3 gp X .. , 1 1, . A . Q., I - jf, T , ' , Y I' R ji!-5' X - 1 - ' I , . f , ,N ii - S I l 7 ' rf-..., t' while in Bremerton, attending classes, holding personnel inspections and so on that we had heretofore seen very little of Seattle proper. Seattle had much to offer us in the way of diversion from our shipboard duties, and we found the typical Northwest hospitality much in evidence, what with various Service Clubs and Fraternal Crganizations, as well as the hotels, ready to welcome us with open arms. As a matter of fact, on arrival in the Cocktail Lounge of the Hotel Olympic a short Cvery shortj while after we had docked, we found quite a number of Lunga Point men already en- joying their 'crest and recreation. The whole city was crowded that night, as well as all the time we were there, because we were not the only Naval vessel in port, and the Bremerton crowd from the Puget Sound Navy Yard was sufficient to over-flow the city, anyway. De- spite .the usual Seattle wartime crowd, though, we could eventually find a restaurant where we didn't have to stand in line more than an hour, and we even found a couple of night clubs that had room for us. Quite a number of our men from the Seattle-Tacoma area had the pleasure of a short visit with their families. All in all, our first night, as well as the days to follow, in Seattle were most enjoyable. It was also while in Seattle that we in the Wardroom were served that never-to-be-for- gotten dinner-A--three courses of themlon Sat- urday, IO june 1944. It made such a lovely impression on our guests that we shall ever be grateful to our NVardroom lNIess Caterer, Lt. tjgj C. C. Smith, for his ingenuity in planning such a delicious menu. As long as we live we shall blush at the sight of a Boston Baked Bean. Having finished our loading of stores in D D Seattle, on Monday, 124111110 1944: 12-Ili lkffoored as before. 1232 Underway from Pier 91, Berth How, U.S. Naval Station, Seattle, W'ashington, on various courses and speeds. Land sighted bearing But where to? There are two important censorship regula- tions that the Navy always manages to keep a deep, dark secret, and they are the time of de- parture and where we are going. In this par- ticular instance, our Executive Officer pulled a fast one on the Ship's Service Cflicer before leaving Seattle. He had intimated that we were going to Alameda CSan Franciscol, Calif. At this particular time the carbonators had not Civic center, San Diego. been installed in the Ship's Service Store and we were selling bottled Coca-Cola. Conse- quently, in order to conserve space, which is always at a premium aboard ship, we took on just enough bottled c'Cokes', to last until we reached 'cFrisco, but we didn't even come yyilhill sight of Seal Rocks, much less without our '4D0pcs for a couple of da s beca use on 1 pass tlirough the flolclcn Cate, and wc had to go Y 1 fliil f,1bI 4 144' OT 41'-'ray un' ic... 08-12 Steaming as before on course of 270 and p.g.c., 2540 p.s.c. Speed IQ knots. 0810 Exercised at Steering Casualty Drill 0818 Secured from Steering Drill 0920 Casualty , 1iSfO'li' II Qt C 0 .1 - .J ff t 32oOT and p.g.e. Passed Bell Buoy A abeam to port. II33 Stationecl all special sea details. Standing in to San Diego Harbor, Calif. on various courses and speeds. Captain at the conn. Executive Oflicer and Navigator on the bridgef, Instead of arriving at Alameda, we made our first call on N.A.S., North Island, San Diego, Calif., where those of us who were for- tunate enough to rate liberty had a brief but pleasant visit in the beautiful cities of San Diego and Coronado. lt was destined to be a short stay though, because after all, there was a war going on and we had work to do. Therefore, the next day, Saturday, I7 ,june 1944, we got underway from North Island for several days at sea on various tests and exercises incident to preparing a ship for its Shakedown Cruise. At this point, in addition to our drills and classes of instruction, the Captain introduced another indoctrination program, which was to have various Department Heads address the ofhcers on the functions and operations of their At DesBase, San Diego, California. respective departments, which was, of course, designed to give all ollieers at least a superficial working knowledge of those departments in which they had no direct interest. This plan not only made us more familiar with our ship as a whole, but it instilled in us a sympathetic attitude toward the particular problems of our fellow officers. Therefore, with our indoctri- nation program well underway, and feeling that we were ready for our Shakedown, on 'fSaturday, 24 june 1944: 16-20 Steaming as before. 1610 Sighted Far- allon Islands bearing 189OT. 1611 cfc to IOOOT and p.g.c. 1656 Passed Buoy A abeam to port. Maneuvering on various courses con- forming to channel into San Francisco Har- bor. 1834 Stationed all special sea details. 1835 Passed from International to Inland waters. Passed Bonita Point abeam to star- board. 1843 Passed under Golden Gate Bridge. 1857 Passed Alcatraz Light abeam to port. 1934 Passed under San Francisco Bay Bridge fSome folks call it Oakland Bay Bridge+Bd.D. 1938 Passed Goat Island Light abeam to port. 1954 Anchored in Berth 9 in IO fathoms of water with 60 fathoms of chain out to the port anchor at the water's edge, on the follow- ing bearings: Ferry Building 297.5OT, Goat Island 0o5.3OT, Red Dock 27oOT and Alca- traz Light 313OT. Secured main engines. We now found ourselves finally anchored in San Francisco Bay, where we were to move to the dock at N.A.S., Alameda, the next morning. Upon docking at the Alameda pier, all hands turned to on loading stores and other gear for our Shakedown Cruise. It being the policy of our Government to make these Shakedown Cruises pay for themselves, among other things, we took aboard quite a number of planes as cargo, and a large number of officers and men as passengers. We had so much gear to get aboard that it took a couple of days hard work, which meant a couple of liberties for those in the liberty section. Consequently, thc Lungfz Point was very much in evidence around San Francisco, at the Top o, thc Mark, l islierinan's Wharf, Cliff House, Seal Rocks, the Saint Francis and even Trader Vicis over in Oakland. Many a Lunga Pain! man could also be seen hanging precariously on the little cable cars as they climbed slowly but surely up lclegrapli Hill. This was the first visit to Frisco for many men on thc Lunga Point, and the quaint- ness and charm of this lovely West Coast me- tropolis, with its most genuine Chinatown and Latin Qiuarter, was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us. Yes, we all had had a good time, and well we might, because we had a long journey ahead of us, which held the unhappy propect for many of us having to go through the ordeal of being f4Pollywogs', until Hcrossing the line,H at which time we would be well initiated into the ancient and honorable ranks of the fCShell- backswg so on Shake her down! Shake her down!! HTuesday, 2 7 June 19441 12-16 Moored as before. 1215 Stationed all special sea details. Made all preparations for getting underway. 1310 Pilot, Lt. Cdr. H. S. Stengel, USCG, came aboard. 1312 Under- way from Carrier Pier, Berth 7, N.A.S., Ala- Ai tl lnpg Golden Hale liridgcg bnllnm: View from Twin Peaks, lookin down lWai'kel Street, San Francisco. meda. CIZllIl'Ol'l1lLl. Pilot at tl1e 1'111111. fill!!- tain, Exeeutive Ullieer and Nax'ig11t111' 1111 tl1e bridge. Proceeding on x'ari11us eourses g1111l speeds out of San Franeiseo Bay. 1335.1 l,2lSSt'tl Alcatraz Island abeznn to stt1rl111z11'd. 1.1.1111 Passed under Golden Gate Bridge. 1418 l'a1sse1l from Inland to International waters. Speed I5 knots. Passed between Bonita Point and Seal Rock Lighthouse. Gn various eourses Conforming to swept Channel. 1501 Stopped. Lying to. Pilot left the ship. 1510 Ahead s s. Set course QOIOT, 2020 p.g.e., and IQIO p.s.e. Exercised at General Quarters. 1519 Seeured from General Quarters. Set Condition Ill. 1530 efe to 148011 and p.g.e. 1540 US. Navy Blimp K-105 reported for duty. 1547 es to 16 knotsf' Heard among the HSky-larkerswz 'CI got it straight from a Givil Service Quar- terman Laborer on the dock at Alameda that weare headed straight for Brisbane? HNI3 1.111l lIllt'lltl '- llllllglff l1.1-A .1 lltlfltly who ' Ims gl sl-.l1'1Nl11-l11xx xx111l11l1Lj .lt Illt' I'il'Clt'I'21l I lilllltllllglll I111111.11111sl11's.1t-A111-'11-1l1'l11'1ilely l L11111111 l11 l'1'.ll'l.'L 'ZX xx.11te1 111 1l11 I.IIllIx- R1-s1.1111e.111I t11l1l mf XXt'ill't'Qt1lllL1 111 l l11l11 .Xt11ll. XXllf'l't'Xl'l' that ig Boy. they 1l11 l1.1x1' u11111l I l111xx NI1-111 Stl that l,t9lllS, 11111, Stl lllill XX.Illt'l lllllsl kllflxxl wl'1at l1e's t11ll4i11g 11I111111. Nong listen. y1111s1- Lllllf'-if l'x1-got tl1e dope and l z1i11't llillllit'l'lIl. 111 tell Xtlll. lllll. itiv1111 must l41111xst. llt'l'l' it is, XX1911- goin' 111 seal Now. l1z1x'i11g I't'2ll.y gotten 11111l1'1e11:1x' 1111 our Sll2lliCCltJNN'll tlrnise. all llltlltlm XNt'I't' told the lirst night. by 11111' l'lxe1'11lix1e Ollieer. that W1 were VII route 111 l'li11s1'l1:1l1'11. New Guinea Vile are zilwnys told. lllllt'l' getting llllClt'I'X'N'Hy CX2lt'llY wliere we 1ll't' going, lJt'l'2lllSt'. alter all no one is so z111xio11s 111 let 11111 1l1e i11l'111'1nation as t11 want t11 swim 2lSllUl't' with it. 'l'l1is in- 1 11' 1 Top 141, A good place to pass b E - . - y Alcatrazg lop rzglzl: Calisthe ' 1 fl' 1 ..,. . bouom fight: Calisthcnics on HigHiSC8:1gk 1.lx, lllllflllll lffft CIz111lki11t:K CJIIIUI1 lhutzuil en route to New Guineal seems . . , Y IU lil. lmving cl l1z11'1l Illlllq. formation was received with ripples, in fact, waves of excitement throughout the ship, be- cause it had been a long time since we had been to New Guinea Cnever, for most of usj. As a matter of fact, it had been so long that we had forgotten all we ever knew about the place, so much so that we were half hoping to find it populated with gobs of those beautiful South Sea sirens, the kind that Samuel Goldwyn had accustomed us to expect, waiting for us on the beach. This happy prospect almost made us forget the unhappy prospect of our coming initiation before King Neptune. Meanwhile, the ffCivilian Oflicersl' of the Ship's Company turned to in their determina- tion to prove to the Executive Qfficer that he was wrong. For it was none other than Com- mander E. R. ffSwede,' Eastwold, USN, who, in his first informal talk with our Qfhcers in Bremerton on 4 April 1944, said, and we quote him verbatim as follows: ffWell, Ifve been looking over the Oflieeris Roster and I find the Reserves Che meant civiliansj in the majority. I understand that other CVE,s before us have gone out under the same uncertain and shaky conditions, though, which proves it can be done, so all I want you to do is to prove it to me. I donit see how it can be done, but it's up to you. Do the job, that's all I want? The Exec, however, couldn't have realized how far wrong he was in estimating the ability of his officer personnel. He simply hadn't, at that time, interviewed all the officers to see just what their Naval qualifications were, because we were so fortunate as to have lawyers, engineers, chemists, bookmakers, radio crooners ta Na- tional hook-up, tooj, insurance men, football coaches, petroleum engineers, business men, lumber dealers, rising young business men, dry ice manufacturers, prominent young business men, lawyers, flying machine drivers, dentists, doctors, farmers Cgentleman farmers, of coursej, lawyers, school teachers, Harvard men Ca Yale man, too, and also a son of old Nassauj, law students to be, salesmen, public welfare work- ers, Ministers CMethodistj, law students, paper cup salesmen, filling station operators, three graduates of the United States Naval Academy, classes of 1923, 1932 and 1935 Cadding up and dividing by three gives an average of 1930, therefore, we were somewhat comforted to know that three members of the class of '30 were with us to keep us off the coral reefs that lay aheadj, detectives, lawyers, lawyers, one child of the Streets of Paris, hauling contractors, L certified public accountants, lawyers, boxing instructors, G.M.A.C. Bird Dogsf' lawyers, obstetricians, and lawyers. For the life of us we can't understand how anyone can feel that all these qualifications canlt add up to at least f fl' Qfiif, f f M ' ' ,,f ' I X .ff 1 af , ,.,,., , , ,mf 'Z-' ,A ,. , it , . r... ' Wx z A , ,,,, I A L fb, . I cf, 44 V ' . v I 3, I X, I y ' with . lv, ,Y 04 911 4,-AL E51.: . . 1 .. l - s- - V-M .. 1 'M-e -...ff 5l'lllp-N t' -. dl. - ' -1' T14 . ' 'I op: Our escort out of San Francisco enroute to New Guinea: rmznm' A part of our hangar deck cargo on Shakedown to New Guinea, lmllnm: Hangar deck cargo and passengers en- route to New Guinea. one qualified Otiicer-of-the-Deck L1l1C.ll'I'Wf1Y.- And besides, the Exec completely overlooked the fact that at least one officer got lns coinnns- sion on the basis of having, for many yc21l'S. made periodical trips to Cape Lookout and the Gulf Stream in a 50-foot cruiser in pursuit of his favorite hobby of deep sea fishing witlwlll Once getting sea sick. But all this IS actually beside the point, we had the 'cboat' out there in the Pacific, and we had to drive it: so we figured we might as well drive it on down New 4. ,s , ,T lining up the- Nt-opliytcs ahead of time, him for his Nliellhg-u'k cmtcl. hc had to Mm thzit. cvcn though ht' gmthiatvd at Annapuk in io--32, he was gin liuinhlc. lowly Pclllywq. 8oo odd gcnuint- and uiicilihzirrzisscd Pollvw 'non th'it xi ' ' thru' stripfr I2 C ' of tI'4l 'limi A going through theord 4 V' 1 5, V ' 'rt'zi:'cl lltbfllllldt' 8 grini dctcriiiinzitioii to iiiiclrrgo our coming ordeal like nit-n ol' thc Nyvt-e ofold. wt' went XfN't-Il,lto sax' tht- least, it was some' comfort to w to k ' . x t' h.itl .1 ' ' . jf 311 UU! I I D ull C31 Htl U So with lllt st nd E about our daily tasks, trying to forget that li Davcv jones would stroll he ruining up throug may---..-e -fZ.',Ll'. . the hawse pipes with our Royal Suinmonses un- P til on Sunday. 2 .july 1o4.4,. we- received a dis- XC ' NN patch on bozird rt-ncliiig :is follows: Q jg- X 't ,Q .Q.'H-all-32 y 4 g 1 Y t :i , lg IM HFROM: HRH Nlil l'UNlS Rink 5 X ,ni 44 rijfi' i E 3775? Ai?-Z TO: Uss LUNGA PCJINT ccg:vE 943 'E -I ul ' 1 i , N i Y I XX IIg,j t.,. . 302330 Ps inf. i 'W .6 Ns IT I-IAS BEEN fRl2POR'l'l'iD THAT THE l , Uss LUNoARo1 NT, wrriai A FUI-.L CoM- Q PLEMENT or csRoss ifoLI.vwoGs is ABGUT TO liN',l'ER MY ROYAL DO- . .... i MAI' I MAIN X l'li IS HEREBY DIRECTED 1 A A 1 - T A rs G . h d b ld d c H- THArl ALL ,NIV LOYAI. SHlf,l.,LBACIx Wglgfiabvgigiasiiltid ioufeiigtiil to O Cm ABOARD INS'l5l'.ll'U'.l:E A ROYAL'CGUR'g Sailing, sailing ooer the bounding main, And many a stormy wind shall blow Ere jack comes home again. There followed many pleasant days of cruis- ing on the quiet waters of the South Pacific, and we all enjoyed the pleasant company of a fine group of passengers, because, at that time, we hadn,t begun to fight, and we had some leisure time on our hands COh, how we long for the leisure, nowb. It was the first time in those waters for most of us, and we really enjoyed the beauty of the Pacific, with its crystal clear, emerald green water, and its many species of flying fish, not to mention an occasional whale and school after school of porpoise, dolphin and shark. As the time went on, we drew nearer and nearer to the Equator, and the great ma- jority of us, being Pollywogs, looked forward to crossing the line with grave apprehension. It was, however, on E minus 49' Cfour days be- fore crossing the linej that the secret leaked out. He had tried to keep it a secret as long as he could, but when Neptune's representatives, MAY BE BoUND nv THF COMPANY o REAL SEAFARING MEN X IT IS DI RECTED THAT A REI-'ORT Loo B KEPT BY A TRUSTY SHELLBACK s THAT NO IMPERTINENT PoLLvwo MAY ESCAPE DUE PUNISHMENT FO His RASHNESS X ALL SUCH or- BENDERS SHALL BE BROUGHT T0 TRIAL UPoN MY ARRIVAL GN BOARD AT THE EQUATOR X THis SHALL BE PROMULGATED TO THE CREW AT QUARTERS X TO 'IRY ALL SUCH POLLXWOGS A , J F E O G R X 30233053 We continued with our classes of instruction and our various drills with renewed intereSt and vigor in hopes that we could momentarily forget our impending doom, but even the con- tagious smile of our popular instructor, Com- mander E. G. Osborn, USN, did little good ifl lifilping us to get our minds off our coming initiation, because on Monday, 3 july, WC FC' ceived another dispatch which read as follows: . fbi: it T '- A v. 'VN ,A-. King Neptune and l Royal Court, HFROM: HRH NEPTUNIS REX TO: USS LUNCA POINT CCVE Q45 IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CUSTOMS ESTABLISHED SINCE MEN HAVE SAILED BEYOND THE SEAS AND INTO MY REALM THE COMMANDING OF- FICER IS REQUESTED TO HAVE ALL LOWLY POLLYWOCS FALL IN AT QUARTERS ON JULY FOURTH AT 1400 TO RECEIVE SUBPOENA DIRECTINC THEM TO APPEAR BEFORE MY ROYAL COURT ON WEDNESDAYJULY FIFTH X UNIFORM FOR SUCH LOWLY CREA- TURES SHOULD BE AS FOLLOWS CO- LON OFFICERS COMMA FANCY GREY OR KHAKI TROUSERS BLUE SERVICE TOP COAT AND WHITE CAPS EN- LISTED PERSONNEL WHITE TROU- SERS BLUE JUMPER FLAT HATS PEA- COATS AND WOOLEN GLOVES X UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL SUCH PERSONS BE PERMITTED TO WEAR SHOES OR SOX X SPECIAL OF- FICER LOOKOUTS SHALL BE POSTED IN THE EYES OF THE SHIP ONE HOUR PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF MY ROYAL SCRIBE DAVEY JONES X UNI- FORM AND EQUIPMENT FOR LOOK- OUTS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY THE SENIOR SHELLBACK ABOARD XB 'fTuesday, 4July 1944: I2-I6 Steaming as before. 1405 Davey Jones welcomed aboard by Captainf, Sure enough, at exactly 1400, our ollicer lookouts, being ever on the alert, sighted Davey Jones climbing the down haul chains out ofthe depths of the briny deep, right up the bow of our ship and through the hawse pipes, and they immediately reported the arrival of our dis- tinguished guest to the OOD, who, in turn, reported it to the Captain. The Old lNIan promptly invited Davey up to the flight deck where he extended him a warm welcome aboard, whispering in Daveyfs car that he hoped the Royal Court would give us Pollywogs H--- the next day, particularly the Exec. be- cause it was with a feeling of utter contempt that the Skipper had learned that his Executive OHicer, with all his years at sea, had never gotten nearer the Equator than the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal. DaveyJones expressed his appreciation to the Captain for the warm welcome, and the11 looked down upon the supplicating Pollywogs with a supercilious and gluttonous expression on his weather-beaten face, and commenced reading the charges, most of whicl1 were faked. against the individuals bowing in great humil- ity and fright before his lNfIajesty's emissary. Davey seemed to enjoy the suffering of tl1e ,Pollywogs immensely as they stood about tl1e flight deck, barefooted, and in pea coats and top coats, with that Equatorial sun beating down upon them tand usD, and the perspiration dripping from their chins. His expression seemed to warn the poor un-initiated that where beads of perspiration dropped that day. drops of blood wo11ld be dripping on the IHOP- row, after they had been convicted without trial before the Royal Court, and were re- ceiving their just punishment. After warn- ing the Pollywogs to be prepared for trial at ex- actly 141.00 the next day. Davey left the ship via the hayysg pipes as quietly as he had come aboard. Wednesday, 5 july 19445 I2-I6 Steaming as before. 1400 ceremonies incident to crossing Conducted Equator. Oh, me! Oh, my!! The Royal Court convened on the flight deck promptly at 1400 and had rendered swift and Ujusti' sentences upon the 800 odd Pollywogs at exactly 1401. It is only meet and right that the names of the individuals comprising a Court that can render equitable punishment so rapidly should be preserved for posterity, therefore the entire Court is given below as follows: 3 HRH King Neptune .... C. B. Wagner, CCM HRH Queen Amphitrite ..... H. Beall, YIC Royai Scribe ........... Lt. C. C. Smith Royai Royal. Royai Royai Royae Davey Roya- Royai Royai Royai Royai Chaplain ..... R. O. McCormick, CSF Doctor. . . ...... Cdr. C. M. Tirrell Dentist. . . .... F. Handley, Cox Sheriff. . . ........ W. L. Baker, CSF Bear. . . ......... L. E. Ewing, CSK Jones ...... B. C. Ammons, MoMM2c Baby. . . .... W. W. A. Feurer, CRM Nurse ........ C. R. Wallace, AMM3c Barber. . . ...... W. W. Partin, YIC Barber ........ W. W. Atkinson, CSM Navigator ........ L. Nihem, QM3c l L Preparing the ducking tank'i for the Pollywogsf' l 7 Lowly Ulnollywogn kisses Royal Baby. Immediately after the sentences had been rendered, King Neptune extended a warm and cordial invitation to all Pollywogs to join the Court on the hangar deck, where certain secret and ugly looking gear had been set up for the Utorture of the damned, and the invitations weren't R.S.V.P., either. The only consola- tion we could find in the proceedings was that nearly all our passengers were Pollywogs also, and they, poor hapless things, constituted near- ly half the number being initiated. Wle of the Ship's Company would, at least, soon be c'giV- ing it back? After getting us on the hangar deck, they herded the entire lot of us down to the after crew mess, where we waited our turn in line for the privilege of running the gaulitllif of Shellbacks the length of the hangar deck to the forward elevator to pay homage to, and re- ceive treatment from the Royal Court. Pictures can tell the story of what happened far better than words. Sullice it to say that WC were a motley looking crew of Shellbacks whCH they had Hnished with us, with. crosses of silver nitrate on our foreheads that remained thCI'C nearly as long as we had to sit on the edge of our chairs at chow, which, in at least one ease, WHS all of a month. And the haircuts presented such a tonsorial array as has never before Ol since been equalled in originality. The inge- nuity of the Royal Barbers was siinply lll1ll'- velous. ll'r'n' II 111111171 tif .S'l1wffln1rA'.x', .w'Yuze'f liaf Hn! lla! .lnfl Il lmflff' if mm. Hrzearw all fnzefr l,1IU1'It IltLf.Y, 'Cr111.w' our l1'111v'.i' mn' In mnzw. The war having interrupted the education ol so inany ol' our Ship's Company, this eruise did serve the purpose ol' giving all hands something that, at least, had a vague reseinblanee to a diploma, because, in consequence of our suller- ing, we were all presented with Shellback Cer- tificates as ornately decorated as any Sheep- skinw we've ever seen, each being appropriately inscribed with the name, rank and for rate of each new Shellback by Ens. Stuve, our Cata- pult Kingf, Now, we were about to receive a pocket-sized Diploma, because on C'Saturday, 8-Iuly 1944: Qo-24. Steaming as before 21124 Clornrneneed blowing tubes and pumping bilges. Qozo Clonipleted blowing tubes. Qofjo Completed punlping bilges. 2245 Crossed Ilitllll Mcfrid- ian at IOOS. Latitude. Advanced ship's eloeks 24 hours. Crossing the I8Ulll Meridian was more or less uneventful, since the usual initiation was waived by the Captain at the request of the Senior Mcfclicral Ullieer, because he had made an examination of the elleets of the Shellbaek initiation on the crew and decided they'd had enough for one week. VVe were, however, ae- eepted as Loyal Nlembers of the 'Society of the Golden Dragon, and presented with appropri- ate cards testifying to that eifleet. The only occurrence worthy of note, in this connection, was the fact that we lost a Sunday, having fop lfjl: Captain extends welcome to Dave ones' lui Jill: IJ ynl , f ng: :Ivey jones responds to CTaptain's welcome: insert fr-'fff l'ollxwogs reporting to Davey-jones on 4.lulyg lntwfr l'1IQflf.' Pollywogs crawling the gauntlet ol' blood thirsty shellbacks. jumped from mid-night Saturday to mid-night Sunday with very little elliort, the principal effort being for the Qiuartermasters to inove the ship's chronoineters forward L24 hours. Con- sequently, we held Divine Services on Mon- day, but all hands were looking forward with pleasant anticipation to 'cgetting that Sunday backi' on our return journey to 'fUncle Sugar, which eouldn't be too soon for us. Cruising along over the broad expanse of the Pacific, it suddenly occurred to us that the civilian Nyvee was doing a remarkable job, because we were almost to our destination, and we hadn't Hgotten off the roadw even once, though, one of those lawyer OODJS did Hrun us out on the shouldern about 5oo miles a couple of times, but he was assisted to some extent by our Navigator, who is actually a dry ice salesman in civilian life, the extent of his navigating heretofore having been to plot a course from his home to his plant in San Fran- cisco. At any rate, it seemed perfectly un- canny that we were, at least, in the general vicinity of the South Pacific, and not too far from Finschafen, New Guinea. In all fairness, however, we must admit that we had had some help in getting the cfboatw that far, because, to be honest about it, there were scattered remnants of the ccOld Nyveen to be found here and there in more or less strategic parts of the ship. Our Air Cfficer, in charge of Hflying Lowly Pollywog receives nourishment. Ti' machine operations. was of the 'fairly old Nye,-4-X having graduated lrurii the Naval Aeadeniy in iiijgf, l ortuiiatrIy, our Head Meeliaiiif' fSUlllt'iAUlliSt'2llllllllllll1'fililil'iiEI1gi- neeri was of the l ightiiig Nyrc-e. and he had live other regulars to help him grind the valves, put in new rings, clean the spark plugs, remove the earbon, ehange the oil, adjust the .. '-tff 't 4 gig' .614 N :' ' s .4 J ,rs . Y N Q, -. fi. PX4. Q ' P ji'-.Q Z f rf Q 55 '- - 1 X f 2 :Q-E s HN S ,. T - S h . ' ! I x F1 I ., as -at , 1 'X :N L ' ill . points on the distributor head, and keep her otherwise tuned upf, Then, we had a Boat- swain Cpronounced Bos'nMj to pull in the anchorf' We had a fellow down in the C. 81 R. Department to teach us wood-carving as well as to repair leaks in the plumbing. Then there was another one up in the Radio Shack to get the news out of the air for us. We also had another one up there as CXMO. Then, there was a long, lean and lanky guy known as the Cunner,', who was supposed to teach us to shoot, but we never see him when the shootin's going on. There was also a fellow known as the c'Gas King, his job corresponding to that of the corner filling station operator, because it was none other than Hthat guyw who was constantly and eternally outing the smoking lampi' while he filled the tanks of our uflying machinesf, Then, we had a HShipis Scrive- nern Qsome call him the Ship's Clerki, and, believe me, we needed him because anyone who has ever attempted to write an official letter the Nyvee way is thoroughly eonvineed that it takes a specialist of long standing to write it ccaccording to the bookf' Last but not least, we had about twenty-live Chief Petty OfhCCl'S and possibly fifty enlisted men to form a nucleus on which our Skipper had to work in training us into a first-class fighting crew. Therefore, taking everything into consideration, it must be admitted that the civilians didn't hdrive the boatw down that far all by themselves, al- though, evcn the civilians, at that point, as 21 result of their intensive indoctrination pI'O- gram, were beginning to take on the appear- ance of 'fOld Saltsfi which was quite surprising m considering tl1e l'z11't that 711 per 1'e11t ol' tl1e Sl1ip'sCo111pz111y had never even been to sea be- fore. lt was not, lllt'I't'liUl't', too lllllfll ol' ll sur- prise when on Saturday, 15.l11ly 11144: 12-Iti Steaniing as hel'ore. 12117 Pilot eame aboard. 1212 ciOllll1'1Cl1l't'Cl standing i11 to Fin- SCl'12lllCll, New Guinea liarbor on various courses and speeds. Pilot, Captaiii Bell, Royal Aus- tralian Navy, at the eonn. Captain, Executive Otlicer and Navigator on the bridge. 1233 Stationed all special sea details. 1326 A11- chored i11 Dreger Harbor, FlIlSCl13liCl1, New Guinea, in I5 fathoms of water, mud a11d eoral bottom, with 45 fathoms of chain out to the port anchor o11 the following bearings, Left tangent of lylatura Island 03901-N, right ta11ge11t of Nussing Island IQIOFF, Nababa11gd11 Point ooo.5OT. SQPA: U.S.S. Luzzga Point. 1355 secured special sea details. Set Condition ol' Readiness HI, Material Condition Baker. Cut out generator 3, cut in generator 2. Gen- erators 1 and 2 in use. All engines in standby condition. 1400 Set clocks back one hour. New Guinea presented a picturesque sight to us from the ship soon after the first landfall, with her stately coconut palms swinging gently in the breeze, but after coming to anchor we had a close-up view that was not so pretty, be- cause we then saw the ravages of war at first hand. The outer islands were entirely burned out of all undergrowth from shellfire, and even the graceful palms still standing were shell- scarred and broken. While this was a horrible sight to us then, it was to be a common sight to us in the future, since most every island we visited during our Hrst year bore such mute evidence of the ravages of warg damage to nature's beauty that would take generations to restore. Shortly after arriving in Finschafen we se- cured doeking space and shifted over to the pier where we immediately started unloading our cargo of planes and disembarking our many passengers. Not a one of our passengers knew exactly where he was going, their orders merely designated various bases with eode names, however, they all disembarked at Fin- schafen for further transportation to their 111- timate destinations, and they were a funny, yet pathetic sight as they stepped from that quickly thrown up dock into the foot-deep mud of New Guinea, not knowing how or when they were leaving there or where they were going. lrlziving gotten our ship down there, we were quite prepared lor most any kind of a surprise. 'l'he entire W1-st Coast ol' the United States was, at that time, operating under Hdim-outa, con- ' '5 XY S4 4 45, . 4..1.4 'I 11115 D111-l11-11 ill l'llIlSCl12llit'l1, New fillllltill 1'z'11l1'1.' .Xqiia-planiml' at New fillll1t'2iQ Imll1m1.' Nliillllti Camp at New Guinea. ditions at night that closely resembled a Hblack- out, and all the way down we had religiously darkened ship one-half hour before sunset each evening, and no one was allowed to smoke in any exposed location. What could have been more surprising to us, then, than to learn that there would be no black-out in Finsehafen, even in our ship? That night, Finschafen and the surrounding military installations looked like Times Square. It seemed quite bold to us, what with thousands of japs entrapped just north of us around Wewak. At any rate, we had no attack that night and were able to pro- ceed with our job of unloading unmolested. We had another surprise in the distorted picture we had had of the natives. Naturally, we had all read books, and we had all seen movies about the South Pacific, and we ex- pected to find the natives not bad to look at to say the least. Since our stay there was to be short, very few were allowed to leave the dock. Fortunately, however, the Captain needed some khaki pants, and when the Old Man needs khaki pants the Shipis Service Officer has to go into action, in fact, when the Skipper needs anything, somebody has to go into ac- tion. The only good thing that ever came out of being Shipis Service 0Hicer was the oppor- tunity to go shopping for the Gaptainis pants in New Guinea. We, being Ship's Service Gflicer at the time, bright and early the next morning, took our Number 2 Jeep, hoping to find the Gaptainas pants at an Army Post Ex- change we had heard of about ten miles up the coast. We took along Bos'n Luck and Dr. MacDonald, UBoats,' to help us weigh an- chor in that mud, and Dr. MacDonald to treat us in case of snake bite, because we had already heard of an eight foot python crawling in the bunk of an Army Ofhcer his very first night there. W - After leaving the dock, we found that the SeaBees, as usual, had done an excellent job of building roads up and down the coast, so we headed north along a very good dirt road, only occasionally running into deep mud, We passed camp after camp of Army and SeaBee unitsas we drove along through the hot, humid groves of coconut palms. We finally found the Post Exchange we were looking for, but they didn't have the correct size pants for the Captain, so we began our return ourney to the ship. ' On the way up we had seen numerous natives in British uniform, patrolling the roads, but we hadn't seen any natives in their native dr road, we saw 'two intlivicltizils with a very g'sun-burn emerging from the jungle on port hand. Slowing down to get a good look it turned out that they were none other t New Guinea's lJagwood and Blondie,' out for a Sunday morning stroll. NVe had always heard that the natives in these parts made the women do all the work, and these two con- firmed it. Pop'i was out front, wearing a loin cloth and nothing else, and carrying about a six foot stall' in his right hand. He seemed to be awfully well built and in the best of shape physically. lt was, of course, impossible to tell his age, but, though he didn't look it, we guessed his age as about fifty. L'Mom was trudging along about six feet astern, wearing a length of what appeared to be brightly colored, but dirty, gingham wrapped around her body from her arm pits to just above her knees, and she was carrying a heavy burden on her back, suspended in a sort of sling from her head. She was diminutive to say the least, and appeared to be about I 5 years old, but not holding her youth too well under the burden imposed on her by being Dagwoodas spouse. She was everything but the Dorothy Lamour type we had expected to find. ess. lrilmlly, returning to the ship along this jungle dark our 9 han Returning to the ship, we found them load- ing old planes and a few passengers for trans- portation back to the States. We also found lots of visitors at our Gedunk,' Stand, buying ice cream and anything else we could sell them. These Army lads and SeaBees had been there a long time without too much in the way of luxuries, so it was a pleasure to let them have anything we could spare, including our upre- cious cargo. We also found three Army Nurses, not too glamorous looking in their cover-alls, waiting for the Shipis Service Gfiicer to see if he would sell each of them one of the pretty leather compacts that were reserved for the Ship's Company. After one good look at them we realized that they were in desperate need of something to combat the effects of the New Guinea climate on their complexionsg so we let them each have one, and they were three happy girls if we ever saw any. As 3 matter of fact, we believe they would gladly have paidfive times the price we charged them. The sight of these three girls, undergoing the same hardships as the men in New Guinea, convinced us of the many sacrifices they HFC :fn .,f- ' lixuwuw XIIHX mlumx nlmml nl lummllauivlm. Part of our cargo of army planes on Hght deck at Espiritu Santos. making in this war, and they are doing it happily, too. Having completed our loading of cargo and passengers, on 'cSunday, 16 july 1944: 16-18 Moored as before. 1617 Underway from Pier 11, Dreger Harbor, Finschafen, New Guinea, on various courses and speeds to con- form to channel. Pilot, Captain Bell, at the conn. Captain, Executive Officer and Navi- ,...,IW,5,,,,.!,., .,,, ,, .3 ,, , ,.. . ,. . .,, V ffiyyf My . G! f, ff , f . 1 ' . 'fvffcf gator on the bridge. 1631 Passc-cl Red Drum Buoy abeam 'to port, distance 50 yards. 1635 Pilot left the ship. 1637 Witli Nussing Island bearing o5oOT, distance M mile, took depar- ture. Ahead sys. 1642 Set base course 27o.5OT, 2700 p.g.c. and 260.50 p.s.c. 1645 Ahead full speed. 1735 cfc to oo5.5OT, oo5O p.g.c. and 357.50 p.s.c. 1738 Darkened ship? Again, we were underway for somewhere, and, shortly after leaving New Guinea, where we had been for little more than 24 hours, we were told that we were en route to Espiritu Santos, New Hebrides, where, if we were for- tunate enough to get on the beach,'j we might have the opportunity of trying out our French on the natives. The cruise up to Espiritu Santos was uneventful, just the everyday rou- tine, drills and more drills, classes and more classes, the entire Ship's Company being oc- cupied in teaching or learning to Hman a shipf' It was at this point that we began to see the re- sults of our indoctrination. The Captain, who had heretofore felt it advisable to remain on the bridge nearly all the time, except for a few hours at night, began to spend a little less time up there. There was also a definite atmos- phere of mutual confidence developing be- tween the Captain and the Shipis Company. S. Kg . Harbor view at Espiritu Santos. 2 T H8l1Q'll' deck p'rsse-nge-rs returning to Uncle Sugar l-l'Ul'I'l lNew Guinea VVe were getting the fffeel of the sea., Cur Gunners were staving Hon target more and more in our Gunnery Exercises. We had a definite feeling that our f'Progress for Combat ' was shaping up to the satisfaction of all con cerned, and a definite feeling of pride in our ship and in ourselves was beginning to develop. We not only felt, but we knew we were 'on our way, and that we had reached that near state of perfection with our many drills and exercises. It was, therefore a happy and more confident crew that on ESPIRITU SANTC8 Thursday, 20 july 1944: 3 16-18 Steaming on various courses and speeds preparatory to entering harbor of Esprrrtu Santos, New Hebrides. 1616 Dead in water Captain at the conn. Executive Officer and Navigator on the Bridge. 1631 All engines ahead 113. Maneuveririg to enter Segond Channel. 1631 Passed through anti-subma rine nets 1653 Passed Beacon A' abeam to starboard 1708 Passed Beacon C abeam to starboard. 1714 Passed Beacon ' G abeam to starboard. 1720 Maneuvcring to moor at Buoy 16. 1728 Line aboard buoy. 1 43 Moored to Buoy 16, Segond Channel, Espiritu Santos Island, with ro manila bowline and wire preventer. Various cargo and repair craft moored in harbor. SOPA: U. S. S Briaius 1743 Sludge birge reeeiveel alongside Secured main engines. I7-,7 lixe cuted colors lhe sun having set just as we anchored, we saw no prospect of getting ashore that night and Scuttlebutt, straight from the Chow Line, having pretty well convinced us that we would be getting underway sometime the next day our hopes for getting ashore rapidly diminished Fortunately for us, however, the Captain still hadn t gotten his khaki pants, so he sent us rn at o8oo on the QISY to try again to get them for him We found the pants right aw ay, which we didn t mind very much, because after all there were no more places of interest to shop in between Esprritu and Uncle Sugar and we had every reason to believe we were returning to the States Our boat was not to return for us until IIOO, so we had over two hours to w art We decided to use that time to look up some friends at our Seaplane Base so we hopped a ride down there in a eep Bn route, we w ere immediately impressed with the fact that the New Hebrides were a much prettier and more cn ll17td Gunto than we had expected Phere w as not as much mud as rn New Guinea and the SeaBees had built perfect sand and more afllue nt crtize ns were of Fre nch extraction and lived rn xery attractrse homes scattered :long the roads and many of them had their own lrench automobiles though thex were of 1 rathc r old x int rge luxe n the natrxes lrxed in more enxrlmd hornes than were found rn New flume 1 howexer we saw noxrllages the homes me ic ly be ing se rtte red sparse lx tlong the roads with ple nty ol l eibenstraurn .1-....i. 1, 4 1 1 1 T f ' I , 'YB x 1 1 ' A 1 ' 1 w v y Q - 1 1 ,H n - , . . . , ll s 3 - Aw D l ' w a - - ' - .x w 7 3 A . N . , . . l . C 77 ' . , . 3 7 ' 3 7 . . . . K E , 1 N . I 7 . r i n f ' ' . . . cc ' ' ' , ' 1 -1 'I V v U 1 . F 1 L '. ee a ' y x -. 1 yn'h fx .. - 1 e . ' ,' ' 4 te as , , , 'V 4 1 1 L- 'Y N-1 yl '1 N 'I l Y V . - l s s x f ce a - s ss. . ' ,. s 1 , C I . e r cc an ... . , d d , , ' d . .' gravel roads all up an own the rslan . The c nv , , , ' ' , . V J -1 s Y - ' , . 1 . . , ' X ' ,x. 1 V Q ' y s s , s . . . 1 ' x r 1 1 f X I 7 e K ., n V 'W ' , , ., . , . . . 1. . , . .. ., ' L' u 1 ll . ., ,. .' Y, ., Bvx -'sv 'vs ' ' C' I X . L , '. 'f '.7..'Av sk- L rx- ' ' Y Y ' sf - 'yy vs- wx sf lv v. 1 -ws 3 s , 4 , , . g ., .. ' I-, J C J, x. . ,., X' - it sz e-s xv 4 ,tux yi - y - . s . .. . e 7- 1 1-9, xv. Y r v i 53 JA' V x rw -f N55 . 43 Having spent a very pleasant hour witl1 our friends at the Seaplane Base, we hopped another jeep ride back to the boat landing. En route, we passed three natives, dressed 111 their best loin cloths, with their arms full of miniature out-rigger canoes, which we felt cer- tain they were taking to the landing to sell as souvenirs to the Army, Navy and Nfarine per- sonnel stationed thereg so we asked our bene- factor if he would mind stopping long enough for us to buy one. We approached the elder of the three and said, 'fHow much?', Not a grunt was forthcoming, even after the third attempt. Then, in our very best French, which we hadnjt used in 18 years, we said, f'Qu'est-ce que le prix? Immediately, the words came back, ffFifty Centsfi We finally got out of him that the only English they spoke was f'Money, and we can well understand that, because we later learned that, two years before, American service men could buy boars teeth from them Top: Sailing off Long Beach, below: Rainbow pier and Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach. for Q5 cents, wliercas, now that they have learned that all .Xinericans are rich, they cliargctl 'l'cn llollarii for ll'H'll'l, and they got it. XfVilh the Ciaptain's pants and our out-rigger C'2lllOL', we returnecl to the ship perfectly con- tent with our three-honr visit to the New Heb- rides. Upo11 arriving at the ship, we saw that the main reaso11 for our calling at Espiritu Santos was to take on a large l'll,lIl'llXTI' of Army, Navy 2l11Cl Marine personnel for transportation back to the States. Our flight deck and hangar deck were loaded with planes, and there were row upon row of cots all up and down the hangar deck for the enlisted pas- sengers, and every inch of space in Cfiicer's Country was taken up with oflicer passengers. They were a most cheerful lot of passengers, be- cause they were all going back to the States, either on duty or leave, after many months in the New Hebrides getting our various bases established. We, too, were in a cheerful mood, because the prospect of an early reunion with our families meant much to us also. There- fore, it was one happy ship when on f'Friday, QI july 1944: 12-16 Moored as before. 1422 Stationed all special sea details. Made all preparations for getting underway. 1458 Underway from Berth 16, Espiritu Santos, on various courses and speeds proceeding out of Segond Channel. Captain at the conn. Executive Cflicer and Navigator on the bridge. 1546 Passed through anti-submarine netsf' The Plan-of-the-Day for Saturday, 22 july, had thereon the note, 'fEn route San Diego, Uncle Sugarf, which was most welcome, but not altogether unexpected news to all ha11ds. Until then, we had been afraid they might, by some remote chance, transfer our cargo and passengers at Pearl Harbor, and send us on the road to Tokyo without another good look at the U.S.A. before starting on our business tripfj O The cruise back to the States was a very pleasant one, with most of our spare time spent either in classes of one kind or another or out on the forecastle or fantail, watching the many species of flying fish as they sailed excitedly away from our ship, and otherwise enjoying the PCQUFY Of the Pacific waters, while telling and listening to all manner of Sea Stories. We could not have desired a nicer bunch of W, , passengers than we had on our rt'turn trip, antl many friendships were l'ornit'tl aniongst tht-in, The enlisted personnel were a partieularlv wt'll behaved and orderly group. antl at least one ol' them was a rather enterprising young t'hap. He was a lNlarine l'rivatt'. antl he hatl with hiin one of those niiniaturt' Singer sewing inat'hint's. Our Tailor Shop is always rushetl with work prior to returning to tht' States. ht't'aust' they have much work to do, not only in pressing, but also in sewing elean Xvateh tape antl Rating Badges on uniforins, so that tht' inen will look their best when they set' their one antl onlyf, Consequently, this lNl,arine, not wanting to overlook a good thing. just st't up business right there on the hangar detk, and ht' did sueh a thriving tailoring husint'ss that there is no telling how inueh he did inakt' on that t'ruist'. Everytime wt' passed his eot, ht' st't'int'd to have all the business he could handle. As an important part of our training, wt' never overlooked an opportunity lor Gunnery Exercises. Frequently. whilt' at sea, we would have one of our own plant's tow a sleeve targt't for us to practice on, but nearly always, just before entering, or just after leaving port. we would have one or more planes from tht' beach tow targets for us, because wt' felt pretty certain that we would soon be grateful for all the gun- nery practice we could cram into our routine. Our first contact with the States on our return therefore, was with planes from North lsland towing targets for us. NVe could. at that point, see concrete evidence of the results of our many hours firing at towed sleeves in the hot tropical sun, because we were hitting the target pretty regularly. We had hardly secured from Gun- nery Exercises when on c'Saturday, 5 August 1944: O8-I2 Steaming as before, 0804 cle to 0ti4O'll and p.g.e., 0560 p.s.c. 0807 cfs to 1b knots. 0838 Sighted outer buoy bearing 063018, distance 2 miles. 0839 aye ahead Q xg. 0901 cfs to IO knots. 0917 Ciommeneed maneuver- ing on various eourses and speeds to conform to channel. 0931 Pilot, 'lf -lohnston, came aboard. 0957 Passed Point Loma. abeam to port. I03O Nloored starboard side to Pier Item, North Island, San Diego, Calif. IISQ Passengers disernbarkt'd.', 1 8 . Everyone on board was happy that morning as we docked at North Island, but nont' wert' happier than our passt'ngers who wt're return- ing to tht' States after many months duty in the South l'at'ilit', antl they nearly went wild with t'ht't'rs wht'n tht-y saw tht'ir first American girl sinet' leaving tht' good 7olt' U.S.A. She was a civilian einployet' of tht' Air Station, driving a tractor on tht' dotrk, but sht' looked like a glam- tariffs. -ru.. ' U.. 'infix Beaeh antl Tennis Club, del Coronado Hotel: t't'rz!o'.' de tloronatlo llotelg lmllnm: .Xerial view of San Diego. 415 orous Debutante at the Stork Club to those boys that morning. Having disembarked our passengers and un- loaded our cargo of planes, liberty started for the Port Watch at 1600, and that night the telephone lines were busy from Coronado and c'Dago to all sections of the country, as Ltmga Point men awaited their turn in line to call their wives and families. It being pretty well under- stood that we would be in and around Dago and Long Beach for several weeks at least, many Lunga Point wives were given orders to return to that area with least possible delay, since many of them had returned to their homes, scattered all over the country, after we shoved off from Astoria on 5 June, exactly two months before. The next day, 6 August, we got underway for Terminal Island, Long Beach, Calif., where r,.,7.....,.,...,,,-Wi ..,. -.......-- . Y, , Two views of Captain at personnel inspection, North Island. we were to go into the Yarcl to lincl outqjust how well we had shaken her tlownf' Most ofthe men spent their first few :lays there trying to lind a room, any kind ol' a rooni, for their wives, because the housing situation was something terrible. lN4any a wife was en route, not know- ing where she would stay, however, they were all taken care of one way or another, either in hotels, apartment houses or private homes. Wllile at Long Beach all hands were offered Eve days leave, with most of the single men go- ing to Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco and San Diego, and most of the married men remaining in Long Beach with their families. Quite a few Ltmga Point men were able to get rooms at the Hotel Hilton or the Villa Riviera in Long Beach, while those in the upper bracketw stayed at the Biltmore in Los Angeles. Actually, we had one representative from our ship in that upper bracket. It mattered not to us of the 'cproletariatfa though, because we could get to Los Angeles on the Pacific Electric in forty-five minutes. In any event, it was here at Long Beach that many lasting friend- ships were made amongst the wives of the Lunga Point men, friendships that were going to mean much to them during their lonely hours awaiting our return from the fighting front later on. One event in particular did much to cement the friendships amongst the wives of the officers, and that was the luncheon that MI'S. Wasliburn gave for them in the Rendez- vous Room of the Biltmore in Los Angeles dur- ing our Long Beach sojourn. We husbands, of course, did not rate,' the luncheon, but were told all about the delicious food, the lovely centerpiece, and some of the gossip that night. ' vi-s Q--at . Personnel inspection, North Island. ' 3, 3 E A i 5 i i E l rl! 5 . . . t . . 0 ft 4 -: ,.,, , f' 1 ' +ff.,gffq , W -5 eg.. H. , i were, all together about thirty of and the held wide open lor gossip dis- of the latest styles, the lata st hair-do, ,Qu latest book, and the new movies lihe was at 1300, howtvcr it w'is 1700 j the tlme they returned to Long Bt.'1l.l1xjLlSf tallied out U 'lhtre is no doubt but that that luncheon was the starter for m my friend- ships because, even that night in the hotels oi Long Beach the gals started all over again, talking about the han-do that hadnt quite set when they left the Rendc zvous Room. After necessary work had bee n completed on our ship most of our wives followed us on down to Dago from where we were scheduled to operate for several weeks and after another frantic rush to hnd rooms, most of the wives settled down to wait, because that is just what they were doing a good part of the time there We went out on short cruises, lasting from two to ten days, going through various exercises and tests, and of course, our wives never knew when we were coming back' so each time we came in we got just about as big a thrill as we did on returning from our Shake- down Cruise Lunga Point wives could be found in almost every hotel and apartment house in Dago and Coronado therefore, the Lunga Point was al- ways very much in evidence around the U.S Grant Hotel and the El Cortez in Dago and the del Coronado in Coronado In fact, our men and their wives could be found almost any- where you went in that area. Our stay in the San Diego area was not only a pleasant and happy one, but also an interest- ing one, since many availed themselves of the opportunity to visit places of interest in the vicinity while on liberty, not the least interest- ing of which were Tia uana and Agua Cal- iente, Mexico. There, one could see the races on Sunday afternoons or spend an evening browsing around the many gift shops of Tia Juana, buying leather goods and Mexican silver, after a delicious dinner at the American Club, highlighted by one of those tempting Romaine salads. The San Diego area was a most pleasant one in which to be from another standpointfthe fact that it is truly the Cross-roads of the Navy There is seldom a day passes that you don't run into friends you have known some- where else 1n the Navy or in civilian life. This IS particularly true at the del Coronado Hotel, over in C oronado, where almost everyone feels pt ilk etly at home, walking into the lovely and sp icious, high-domed dining room or into the C oektail I ounge, because you are almost Cer . X y . -LE J Q1 . - - I- JJ., I 1 .. g X' fe 0 f ' -Q! .- ff uh' tain to meet up with friends even before you have had a chance to sit down. This only adds to the gaiety that seems always prevalent at this charming hotel VC-83 REPORTS ABOARD On 16 August, our Squadron, Composite Squadron Eighty-Five CVC 85D reported aboard for duty and we promptly got under- way to qualify them. Right from the start they made a most favorable impression on us, and they went about their ' Shakedown aboard the Lunga Point with a seriousness of purpose that was bound to have been most pleasing to our Old Man. From that point on, until we left on our business trip a good part of the time for the next several weeks was devoted entirely to shaking down our Squadron. We made several short cruises with them, and they left the ship once for a couple of days special training at one of our nearby land bases. They worked hard and long, and were really shaping up into a fine Squadron, but, because of the intensity of their work, we of the Ship's Com- pany were unable to get acquainted with them as quickly as we would have liked. We were determined to operate as one, so we decided to have a CVE 94-VC 85 Dutch Treatn Cock- tail Party at the Ofhccrls Club, North Island. The party was given in the Sun Room of the Club on Wednesday, 4 October, and it was a 47 .. if .3 -1 ,,. ,. , 5' 'Yr , ., ,Q , ., .,. , . great success. Practically all of the officers illifl their wives were present, and it allordedusueli a pleasant atmosphere for us to get 2lCC1ll2llllli'd in that we are convinced that that party played a definite role in making us work so well to- gether in the long months of combat that followed. Most of the couples remained at the Club for dinner following the party,'getti11g together in informal groups. Captain and Mrs. Washburn, Commander and lXIrs. East- wold and Lieutenant Commander Herriman, the Squadron Commander, occupied the 'fhead table. The only bad thing about the party is the fact that, as we sit here pounding out this story just off the shores of Okinawa, we can just taste those great big hunks of lobster that literally covered the Hors d'oevres platters, while all we have to look forward to for dinner tonight is more pork chops, because we've al- ready seen the apple sauce on the tables in the Wardroom. It was while operating off 'Dago that we learned about HTHE CHAIR.', Until this particular occasion, no one had paid any spec- ial attention to that high chair that occupied a good part of the space on the enclosed part of the bridge. It looked comfortable enough, and, no doubt, had been sat in by many an OOD during the long, dark hours of the Mid Watch, however, Lt. Tippett, our popular Second Division Officer, was found enjoying its comfort on the Forenoon Watch by our Skipper one day, and the Old Man told him off as follows to wit Quote Young Man, Ijll have you know that it took me twenty-five years to earn the privilege of sitting in that chair. That chair is the CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, and no one else is to sit in it. If I ever catch anyone else sitting in my chair he will enjoy the pri- vilege of counting rivets in his Stateroom for two weeks Unquote. The word spread rapidly about THE CHAIR,', and to this day, no one has been caught occupying the Captainis Chair, probably because the Captain, by this time, has sufiicient confidence in his OOD's not to bother about coming to the bridge during the Mid Watch. The only draw-back to our stay in the Dago area was nothing new in the life of a Navy man, it was not knowing when we were shoving off on our business trip, so that our wives could make train reservations home. Scuttlebutt had it that we would get underway about 1 5 Septem- ber, therefore, most of the Lunga Point wives crowded the ticket offices of the Santa Fe, liiiiuii l'z111ili1' gititl SUllillt'I'll l'at'ifir', hoping to get 1'ese1'x'11li1111s 5Ulllti'XX'llf'l't' iii the neighbgf. l111111lt1lill111l tlzxte. NNY- had 21 right good break i11 this respect. llUXNl'X'K'I'. It seerrls that some of the lllt'll Lllilll their wires had gotten rooms at the gh-I tI111'111'1111lt1 l'l11t1'l, z111'11111g' them being Cfaptziiii and Mrs. lN'z1sl1l1111'11. Along about 111 Septeiiiher, Mrs. W'z1sl1l111r11 casually rg- 1l'12'll'lit'Cl to Stlllit' of the wives that she had CHD- eellecl her 1'ese1'x'z1li1111s for Seattle for the 15th, By 11111111 the next clay the l't'Sl'I'YEifl0HS of allithe LIIIIKQII li'u1'11l wires had been ezincelled. Close tabiwas kept on Mrs. W'z.1sl1b1.11'11 thereafter, and, when she let it out that she had made res- ervations home for I7 October. the railroad ticket ofliees were again filled with the wives of our officers and men, inaking reservations for Hon or about the Vjlll. That time, Mrs. Wasliliurn did11't cancel her reservations, darn it, so, after fond farewells to wives and swectliearts, on Tojo, Here VVe Come! f'Monday, 16 October 1944: 12-16 Moored as before. 1231 Lighted off No. 3 boiler. I5I5 Made all preparations for getting underway. 1520 Pilot, H. N. Krog, came aboard. 1527 Got underway for Pearl Harbor in obedience to ComFairWestCoast dispatch o1o of 251702. Pilot at the conn. Captain, Executive Officer and Navigator on the bridge. Standard speed. Standing out of San Diego Harbor on various courses and speeds conforming to the channel. 1556 Pilot left the ship. Captain at the conn. 1559 Passed between Points Loma and Zuniga. Entered International watersf' We were finally en route to Pearl Harbor, and all of us felt pretty confident that our peri- od of indoctrination was rapidly coming to an end, and that we would soon bc showing those Sons of Heaven how the Lnnga Point could dish it outf' And there was good reason for that feeling, because we were, for the first time, cruising as a part of newly-formed CarDiv 29, with Rear Admiral C. T. c'Cal', Durgin, USN, in the capacity of ComCarDiv 29. The other ships in our Division were the U.S.S. Alakin Island CCVE 935, U.S.S. B2'.1mnrckSea CCVE 951, and the U.S.S. Salamaua CCVE 965, with our' Flag being in the fllakin Island. We felt very much at home, now, because we had come to know the officers and men of the other ships in our division just about as well as we knew each uni' I 1 Il 1r11v1 1111 vw , I11s 11 1 1 1 A111 1 I ' 1 11111 Slflllnff 1 1 S 1 Tl 11111111 If1ss111 V161 4 11 1I11f1111 111 s1f11I11161r I 11111 1I K11I111111,111 4111 C1111 I1 1 1 1 M5111 s 11111111111 15111 ff Il s 1 1 1 I 1111 s Il 1 111111111 pclSS1 ff 111111 111111 1514111111111 H1 I1 C111 11111 1I1111111If1111I11111111111 111 Y'--w. wI111'. . - I'1 I I1 I II 1 I 111 I111I11 I1 11111I f I1 ll 111 Ixmu 11111 I'11wI111l1N1'1'1'lN. IIUUUIIIIIIQh1'1l0F1 f1'fIf5 Yivw11l'I'I1m11I11I11I111si111'Ss 1 'III Ill! ' I I I in H I1 511111 II111111I11l1l I 1-'7 1125 All engines stopped. 1143 lX1oorecl star- board side to Quay F-3, Ford lSilll1Cl, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T. H. Early liberty was granted at Pearl, because they still had an early curfew, but, despite this. all hands were able to see something of Hono- lulu during our very brief stop, since both Port and Starboard watches had a liberty each. Hawaii was nothing new to the Old Timers aboard, but, to those new to the Navy, it was a place of great interest. All were impressed with the natural beauty of the islands, Oahu in particular, however, the most interesting thing to those of us who had never been there before was the fact that we found Honolulu such a thriving, modern and hospitable city, very much the same as our own cities back home. In this connection we were much impressed, the one afternoon we had in Honolulu, by several truck loads of school children, riding down one of the main business streets, going to a football game, and singing their school song to the tune of c'The Oaissons G0 Rolling Along. In their haste to see as much as they could while they could Lunga Point men scat- tered in all directions immediately on getting ashore, some going to Waikiki Beach, some to tlie illllI'lL1Qt'l' Club, some just shopping the streets, and some had a very unique experience. lt seems that most ol tl1e barbers in Honolulu are llt'lllilll'N. Sonic of o11r men had the uniqug experience ol' lil2lX'lIlLQ their hair trimmed by these l.iltly Bill'liK'l'S,u which is not only the last llllll' they have been near 21 woman up to this writing, b11t it is also the last non-Reg hair- cut they have had. So, with a boat loadi' of Hula Skirts, Leis, Ukuleles, and pleasznit memories of this most hospitable outpost of the United States, on Mlaleclnesclay, 25 October 1944: 08-12 lN4oored as before. 0816 Underway from ldcr F-13, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, 'll.H. Pilot, Lt. ,lames Oillcn, USNR, at the conn. Captain, Executive Officer and Navigator on the bridge. Maneuvering as necessary to clear berth. 0822 Clear of berth. aye ahead 113. On course lx53OT, 1550 p.g.c., and 1400 p.s.c. 0904 Passed lighted buoy No. 6 abeam to starboard, 50 yards. Pilot left the ship. Captain at the conn. 0907 Exercised at General Qiiarteiss. afc ahead QX3. 0911 afe ahead standard. 0916 took departure from Pearl Harbor, 'lf'.H., on base course of 253011, 255Op.g.c., and 244Op.s.c.w Diamond Head as se en from our ship, I,.EY'l'li C U I .F Layte Gulf uvlx ht'f.ffl'.S'f nfu'rf1l1'ur1, In herjighifar our gym! nalmn, With her Squadron, triwl mul haue, Flying awrni, over the blur. There she proved IIFIINt'ff1fllU-IQIAIIIY'11, Tkoumndx of fllliltkl' .vhfffl .w11'le'rl llllIlffUIl'll. Shortly after getting underway from Pearl Harbor we acquired a strange new word for our Vocabulary--- Eniwetokf' because we were told that we were en route there. After fran- tic scanning of large scale charts we found a pin point atoll in the Nlarshall Islands bearing that name. It was not thc last island or atoll we were to visit bearing an unfamiliar name, though. In fact, we have visited so many places perfectly strange and unfamiliar to us that we have long since lost confidence in our old brown 'fGeography of the Worldf' Now that we were on the outskirts of the combat zone our duties became heavier and the everyday routine was accomplished in a more serious and determined manner. Frivolity was on the wane, and seriousness of purpose was the order of the day. Everyone went about his duties in a grim sort of manner, know- ing that we might contact enemy undersea craft at any moment, and that we would soon be within striking range of enemy aircraft. Lookouts were constantly alerted and the Captain spent more and more time on the bridge, because he wanted to be there ready for any emergency. At this point, however, our training had reached such a degree that all hands had been more or less permanently settled in the job where they could serve best. The Captain had selected O0D,s in whom he had sufiicient confidence to turn over the bridge to a good part of the time. The Chief Engi- neer had whipped the Black Gang into a smooth operating organization, and the Gun- HCFY Officer seemed content with his gun batteries. In fact, we had practically finished our indoctrination, and were eager to get into combat to see the actual results of our long period of training, which had, quite frankly, reached the point of monotony at times, par- ticularly, as we on the guns stood out in the broiling hot sun at gunnery exercises, hour after hour, preparing ourselves to repel any- PA R' 1' II thing the ,laps might throw at us. Our Air Uflieer had built up a most efficient Air De- partment, and we could already see that we Welt' going to have a record in air operations seeond to none. Yes, our indoctrination pe- riod was virtually over, although we did con- tinue to have classes in aircraft identification, and they continue to this day, so that we can keep up with the latest models of enemy planes. lt was, therefore, with a feeling of mutual con- fidence existing between the Skipper and the entire Ship's Company that we sailed into the West, determined to do our utmost to bring glory to our Country, to the Lunga Point, and to VC 85. Our Squadron had long since sold them- selves to the Ship's Company, and, from here on out, VC 85 and CVE 94 were one and the same. We couldn't have desired a finer and better qualified group in any Squadron than we found in VC 85. The sole and primary purpose of an aircraft carrier being to serve its Squadron, we feel that, with pardonable pride, we can safely say that we had already achieved our purpose in that respect. The spirit of co- operation existing between our Squadron and the Ship's Company was certain indication of the joint success we were to achieve in action in the months to come. The only sign of friction ever existing between the Squadron and the Shipls Company resulted from the fact that the Squadron had better ffcard playersw than we had. Even so, it was all forgotten before breakfast the next morning, and plans were again being made for that eveningss wrec- reationf' Later on, even this friction was to be alleviated by the Execjs clamping down on HTen 0lClock Lightsfl Already, our planes had taken to the air, and were doing an admirable job in providing us LCAP fLocal Combat Air Patrolj, and LASP fLocal Anti-Submarine Patroll coverage, and to say that our planes overhead gave us a corn- fortable feeling is putting it mildly. Enough of our planes had already been launched and recovered by us to convince us that our pilots were able to handle any mission assigned them. We had also seen them operate enough to know that our LSO, Lt. fjgl Hatcher, and his As- sistant, Lt. Cjgj Whitehouse, were to be large- ly responsible for the very small number of flight deck crashes on our ship as compared with the number of such crashes customarily expected. Likewise, our Flight Deck Crews were already operating like veterans as they re-spotted the deck in record time, while our V-2 Division on the hangar deck was nursing', our planes so well that we were destined to have a plane availability of not less than 99.2 per cent at any time during our first year, whether in actual combat or just routine operations. In short, we felt ready. Finally, after a comfortable and uneventful cruise, on 'CWednesday, 1 November 1944: o4-o8 Steaming as before. o43o Sighted land on horizon. O457 Ceased zig-zagging. Re- surned base course 245011. o5oo Sounded Gen- eral Quarters. o525 Made preparations to enter Eniwetok Atoll. 0551 U.S.S. Yorktown passed on opposite course to port, 2500 yards. O556 Stationed all special sea details. 0701 Secured from. General Quarters. o732 axe Berth K-9, with no fathoms of ehain out to port anehor at water's edge in 27 fathoms of water stopped. o7j54 s e haek 2 rtjg. Anehored in ' ! in liniwetok Atoll, Marshall lslands. 075i Seeured speeiztl sea details. Set regular Sea watches. Since we were to he there only one day very few got on the heaehg however, it was an in- teresting stop, since it was our first call on a small Pacific atoll, and we did enjoy the View from the forecastle and fantail. Eniwetok, too, had been torn and burned by the ravages of war, resulting from our having taken the island a few months before, but, from the ship, it presented a rather pretty and typical picture of a small Pacific isle. The entire length of the island was only about two miles and it averaged about a half mile in width. Its highest point of elevation was probably not more than ten feet above sea level, but it was pretty, with its remaining palms swinging gently in the warm E l t 1 Eniwetok as seen from our ship. And., now that we had seen 9 November 1944: as before. og34 Lit oll' No. 2 4 boilers. 0945 Station:-d all special Made all preparations for getting 1041 Underway from Plertli K-tg, Marshall Islands, on various courses peels conforming to channel. Captain cowl. Executive Ollieer and Navigator the bridge. 1053 Secured all special sea Set Condition of I-leacliness lll. 1059 reduced to mile due to rain squall. cfs to IQ knots. tyc to 1l5O'l' and p.g.c., I' p.s.c. , This was to be a hshort hop, because on wSunday, 5 November 1944: I2-16 Steaming as before. 1234 Sighted land bearing 256oT and 253O'l', distance I5 miles. 1433 Entered swept channel entrance to an- chorage, Ulithi Atoll. 1533 Anchored in Northern anchorage, Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands, Berth 153, on the following bearings: Beacon NN 322o'I', Temporary Bea- con 336.5oT, Tower on Mangejang Island a57.5 T, left tangent Lolang Island o83.5O'l'.'i Although we were at Ulithi Atoll live days on this stop, only a chosen few were privileged to get ashore due to the shortage of boats to transport liberty parties to and from the many ships present. lt seems that a grave emergency existed in the Captains Cabin, because Port- holefi the Skipperls cat, was in dire need of a fresh supply of sand. Consequently, Boat- swain Luck was given orders to do the needful, and he did. He took, in addition to himself, one BMIC, two BMQC, three Coxswains, four Src and Five Sac, and the Athletic Officer, Lt. DeAngelis fto provide the fishing gearl, not to mention the No. 2 Motcar Whale Boat and its WSW of three, and the 'fBos'n's Gig, to get EBM bag of sand. They were gone all day on M recreation partyi' to Lolang Island, Qooo our starboard beam, and we happened on the foreeastle when they returned that with the Gig just loaded down kinds of coral, sea shells and other sou- witirely obscuring from view thc one bag Mr the Captain's cat. Looking up to- me aviation boom on the flight deck we me Portholeis head looking down at that one bag of sand, with a forlorn expression on INT Iliff-3 HS If to say, It doesnlt look like they got enough to last until we hit port again, bc. cause the Captain has told me where we'rc goingf' As soon as our forces took Ulithi Atoll the natives were all moved to the island of Fassari and some of us on the morning watch had 3 rather interesting experience one morning. We were anchored only about 2000 yards off lfassari, and, with our binoculars, we could get a very good view of the scattered native huts. 9 just as the sun was rising we had our glasses trained on a fairly large hut, and, as we watched closely, wc could see the matted grass curtains pushed aside by a lazy arm, and, there, right before our eyes, was the Fassari counter- part of Dorothy Lamour, stretching and yawn- ing, and, apparently, hating to leave her palm leaf mat just as much as a Park Avenue Debu- tantc hates to leave the percale sheets of her Simmons Beauty Rest mattress. But, being a Ulithi ufrauf, she had her chores to dog so, finally, she got up and made a dash for the surf, splashing water all over her face and body to thoroughly awaken herself. Having com- pleted her toilet, she returned to the hut to awaken HPop.H With no little effort, he finally got up, and, with spear in hand, walked down to the inlet about 200 yards from their place. After several dives into the breakers made by the coral reefs, he walked triumphantly back to the hut with their breakfast, which appeared to be two very nice fish. You could see them building a lirc and cooking, and, soon, we saw no more of them until about sunset when we happened to be on the Hight deck. They came sailing by in their over-sized outrigger canoe, with ffDorothyi' doing most of the work in sailing the craft, and 4'Pop', and the kids lolling in the waning sun. Somehow, there was much to be envied in their way of life. We couldn't help recall the Presidential election taking place in the States the following Tuesday and all the sorrow and disappointment that would accom- pany it, regardless of who won. Such trivial', matters never bothered Dorothyi' and her 'fOld Man',g politics was something they couldn't even read about. Then, we thought of income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, franchise taxes, capital stock taxes, excess prof- its taxes, tax surcharges, poll taxes, cigarette taxes, gasoline taxes, business licenses, auto- mobile licenses, amortizing the mortgage, life insurance premiums and the many other Kprivilcges we enjoy. Yes, there was so111e- thing to envy i11 this l'lilSS2ll'l lliinily alter till. The Captain pondered on this, too. So, i11 order to prevent wholesale 'fjuiiipiiig shipm to take 11p abode o11 Fassari, he decided to c'Friday, IO November 1944: 16-18 Anchored as before. 1632 lvlade all preparations for getting underway. Stationed all special sea details. 1645 Set Condition Baker. 1719 Sunset. 1725 Underway on various courses and speeds from Northern anchorage, Berth 153, Ulithi Atoll, Westerii Caroline Islands,on orders from Commander Seventh Fleet Dispatch No. OIO32I, dated IO Novem- ber 1944. Captain at the conn. Executive Cflicer and Navigator on the bridge. 1740 Stopped. Hoisted in No. 1 Motor Wllale Boat. 1745 afe ahead IO knots. 1759 Set course 215OT and p.g.c. 2120 p.s.cf' The Executive Ofhcer told us that night over the general announcing system that we were en rotite to liossol lioatls., l'11l.111 lslztndsi Our l,Qt'UQ,l'2llJlllt'N had liiilecl IIN atQ.1i1i. lieeatist' wtf were again l1e11decl lor il pliitte we had never lieartl ol, :ind tliis also 1x.1s to In-11 short hop, lieezitise on iisllltllllity, ll NUX't'IlIlJt'l' IKHQI 16-18 Stezuiiing' as lielort-, 16112 11 1- ahead if knots. 16114 e e to 172c ll and p.g.c.. llitio 1656 Aiieliored ill 15 l'z1tl1o111s ol' water, 75 liathoins oliehain at XN'2tlt'l'iS eclge, i11 Kossol Pas- sage, Berth No. 8, l,2Il2ill lslands, XVestern Caroline Islands. a ,fe stopped. Cn this Wforld Wfar l Armistice Day, we found ourselves in strange waters, anxious to prove the results of our long period of training, and determined to do our utmost to prosecute the war toia successful conclusion, and bring about another Armistice Day that would be more signihcant and lasting than that of II November 1918. Tl1e4'Old Swiinining Hole at Rosso! P assage, in-as ,Mr V W I lim-ww iluunmm , tlonxov ol lb l 's approau lung I.:-y te, Noveinber 11944. Even before we got there, we recalled that the Palau Islands had ,just recently been taken by our forces, in fact, all of them had not yet been taken, and haven't been at this writing. We were anchored about 8000 yards otl' Babel- thaup, one of the larger ot' the Palaus, and it added nothing to our peace ot' mind to learn. on anchoring, that thc xjaps still held that island. We understood, however, that though the island was heavily defended, all their big guns were pointed south in a tixed position. and fortunately, we were north of it. It was mighty fortunate for Hour side that the tlaps eouldn't train their guns on us, because the anchorage was literally full of all types ot' naval vessels. Naturally, we not only didn't get ashore here, but we had no desire to. It did atlord us much satisfaction, however, to listen to the radio in Combat and hear our Peleliu-based pilots talk- ing to each other as they bombed and strafed the Jap installations on Babelthaup, while, out- side, we could see the columns of smoke rising from the island, proving to our satisfaction that the attack had not been in vain. About the only recreation for all hands while in Kossol Roads on this particular visit was swimming over the side, which was enjoyed by the majority of otlieers and men, despite the possible presence ol' sharks that might be usyrnpathetie to thc enemy. Foreseeing this danger, however, thc llxee posted men with rifles on the forecastle and t'anta.il, and the Lite Guards in the No. 2 hflotor Wvhale Boat were 3180 armed. While the swimming was en- g, OO mjoyed, it was marred by an unfortunate oc- currence when Dr. Tirrell, our Senior Medical Ollieer, tried to keep up with the young Blue- jackets by diving from one of the Sponsons and came up with a broken arm, which later nec- essitated his being detached. Having taken on all the supplies and fuel we needed, on HlNlonday, I3 November 1944: 04-o8 Anchored as before. 0630 Stationed all special sea details. blade all preparations for getting underway. O657 Underway from Kos- sol Roads on various courses and speeds con- forming to channel. Captain at the eonn. Executive Ullicer and Navigator on the bridge. O71 5 Exercised at General Quarters as modified by special sea details. o726 Passed through Kossol Passage: took departure on course 275017 and p.g.e., 2780 p.s.c. Steaming at I5 knots. o74Q Secured special sea details. O747 e s to 18 knots. o75o Proceeding to position tooo in cruising formation 5-LS at IQ knots? We were linally underway on our first actual operation of thc war, and that night the Cap- tain Hgavc us the wordf, It seems that things were not going too well with General Mac- Arthur's invasion of Leyte as far as his supply line was concerned, and the Old Man told us that they had called on the Lunga Point and VC 85 for support. This talk of the Captain's was the tirst he had made to us to keep us in the know, but, from then on, he never failed to address all hands over the general announcing system every night that he had something of interest to tell about our own operations or the progress of the war in general. He constantly kept us informed as far as he could conscien- tiously do so, and this expression of confidence in us undoubtedly made us try a little harder to deliver the goods. Between 1930 and Qojgo nearly every night while underway, it became quite common for us to hear the Boslnls Malta' sound attention over the general announcing system, followed by, 4'Testingg I-Q-3, Uh, this is the Executive Cfiicer speaking. I have the Captain here to talk to you, so everybody stand by. Everybody stand byf, Our mission in the Leyte operations was to proceed with CarDiv 29 to Leyte Gulf where our planes were to cover the convoys as they sailed through the Gulf in to the Leyte beaches. Our planes did a magnificent job of covering the convoys as well as our own Task Unit, and 74011-' i'Pollywogs', in supplicating attitude on occasion of our second crossing oi the line, bwlnw: Four 'tljollywogsi' with new 7 hair-do s, the work of the Royal Barbers. uianv at ship got salelx through to l.t-vie that might not otherwise hate inade it had it not been for our pilots. In tart, all the Squadrons in Cfarlliv QQ turned in a inost creditable per- fornianee. I nzs'r IM' I'i sixrvii. Tuesday, QI Noveinlier 1944: 08-ig Steaming as before. o9r,Q Sighted .lap 'Francis'. Ship went to Cieneral Qluarters. Plane passed overhead tiring her guns. Dis- tance about Boo yards. 11953-japanese plane disappeared bearing jgQ5O'.l'.'5 At 0952 uthat gong rang out its doleful notes. ln a llash, all hands were at their Battle Stations. Wfith all our speed, however, we did not fire a round at him. The Jap had paid us a surprise visit. Not a ship in our Division had picked him up until he was virtu- ally on us, having just sneaked in as they do occasionally. He came zooming by the Bis- marck Sea QCVE 955, which was dead ahead of us, crossed our bow, and new down our port side at about Qoo knots or better and only about 8oo feet above the water. He was strafing as he Hew by, but his strahng hit the waters of the Pacihc only. We could have opened fire with our Condition III guns very easily except for the fact that the Captain saw that our range was fouled by the Bzsmarclr Sm CCVE 955 and the iUa!fz'n Island QCVE 935, and they probably failed to open fire for the same reason. That Son of Nippon missed a golden opportunity to score, because it is not often that an enemy plane can get in that close without our knowing heas coming long before he gets within range of our guns. We will never know what he was up to, and, as he flew over the horizon, we again settled down to our routine with some- thing to talk about for the remainder of the Leyte operation, because it was the first Jap plane most of us had ever seen. We had a most unfortunate occurrence on the morning of 25 November when two of our Torpedo Bombers collided in mid-air at about 6ooo feet, within view of our ship. The cause ofthe collision was undetermined and resulted in the death of Ensign Wilbur Francis Bcrauer, USNR, the pilot of one of the planes, and his two Air Crcwmen, Emmett Douglas Fort, Jr., ARMQCT, and Cordon lvfalcolm Greene, AlXfIlVI jgc. The other plane made a successful forced landing and the entire crew was picked up by one of our screening destroyers. The loss of ghggr men was kt-1-iilytkilt hy .ill Ship rind sonnrl, hut wats iirtrptt-tl ill tht- . ngble spirit that is .tltxttys liotttid on tht- hg of one's Shiplliatrs, strontgly t-x1tl1'11t'1-tl ln, a grim determintttion to txirry on .ind lirintg honor to our ship :ind stittiidroii with t't'l'liIlll knowledge that thost' who hint- gout- lN'liUl't' tll't' equally responsililt' for httttrt' Alt'lllt'X't'llll'lllS. The Captain gittcttdt-tl the Mt-111o1'i41l St-1'x'i1-1-s the Squadron held lilbl' these 1111-11 411 l'Ullillll .Xir Strip on I7 Ijl'l't'lllllt'l' while tw txt-rc Qlllt'llHI't'tl at Mantis, i11 the .Xdinirtilty lsltinds. R 1f.v1aNo1-1 IS Sw 111113 1' After il rather lll't'SUlllt' sind 11ot too i11tt-1't-st- ing an ope1't1tion, and with our mission Sllt't't'SS- fully Complt'tt'd, wt' llt'2lill'l'l south, and tht- idea Oferossing the l'itittz1tort1g11i11zippt-ztllt-d to IllUSl of us on hoard, liergittst' the gl'l'2l.l. tiiatiority had at this time hceti trusty old Slit-llharks for at least four months, and the idea ol' gvttitig rt-- venge for all we took at tht' hands ol' King Neptune when we dt'st'rtt'd the ranks ol' tht- Pollywogs was most pleasing. WR- crossed the line this time on Sunday, Qti Ntivt-iiilit-t', and tht' great majority ol' ottr Pollywogs wt-rt' in tht' Sttll2itll'Ull. As at matter of fact, the only ones wt' 1't't'11ll otttsidt- oi' the Squadron that walked the fonts on this st-cond crossing were Lt. Cdr. Sands, l.t. tlorkran, Wat-r, Sic, Longoria, Flc, rind Mtilntosh, llA1t'. In any event, we had 111-otiiirl 1511 to work on, and when it was all ow-1' wt- lk-lt that, after all, it was worth being itiitizttcd jttst to wreak vengeance on that inno- t't-nt Zlllll ttiisuspt-citing hunch of 'cland- l1tl1l1t'1's.l' Wt- had hardly gotten the ship looking ship- shzipt' l1l'l.l'l' tht- crossing the line ceremonies NN'llt'Il till t'Mo11dziy, 27 Novcinher 1944: 118- 1 2 Str-arniiig as ht.-fore. 0813 Changed to 'lii111t- font- og st-t ship's clock hack one hour. o84o t' s to 414 knots. 0841 Stationed all the ztnrhoi' dt-tail. ogto Commenced manuvering on variotts courses and speeds to enter Seeadler llarhor, Adiniralty Islands. IOIO Anehored to tht- starhoard anchor in I2 fathoms of water, 43 fathoms of chain to the waterjs edge, in St't'2.lCllt'I' Harbor, Wlestern part of Admiralty Islands, in Berth XV-go. 1032 Secured the zinrhor detail. Set normal port routine. .' 't will Sol l . lictwvt-11 ollicers and chiefs 11t Pityilu. 57 THE ADMIRALTIES Long before reaching Manus, our base at Seeadler Harbor, we had begun to suffer from the heat worse than ever before. While the Top: Tango on Pityilu with his ration of beer, below: Liberty at Pityilu. i Santa Claus collects nickels and dimes at c'Times Squaren on Christmas Eve. air was hot and humid in New Guinea, we weren't bothered by it much because of the eX- citement of our first visit to a South Pacific island as well as the fact that we were hardly there long enough for it to Htake hold? We had now been cruising for several days in the Equatorial heat, and the Admiralties are prac- tically on the Equator. At first, the heat was almost unbearable, and nearly everyone aboard went to Sick Call daily for heat rash treatment. Even at night, we would lie in our bunks liter- ally wringing wet from perspiration, Al- though, it seemed impossible at first, we did finally become pretty well accustomed to the climate, in addition to which we were to have ample opportunity to swim in the beautiful, crystal clear waters of the Pacific, and this alleviated our discomfort from the heat some- what. Probably more than anything else, we simply became reconciled to the heat, because we had already heard the most reliable Scuttle- butt, straight from the Chow Line, that we . S ,if ' v. L.. Vit I :iii xtviiil- liAr'lltt s tt: .ill li.iiitls .tt i.liitsliii.is l.uty. . 1 , would ht' in iiiitl tiitiiiiitl Xl.ll1lIsltJl'slJIIlt'XX't't'liS bcfort' our iii-xt tipt't'4lIttili. Wt-hacl,1it this tiiiit-, ht-vii mit ol tht Nt itis sincc' iii Urtolwi' 'iiitl i-su-pt lot tl vviw' lvw ' vt' lmtl iAt't't'tx'i'cl no lettvrs awaiting its .it llithi, x f il is thi- om- thitii ut mail sinu' lt-4ix'iii4. Nl.ii ' look lorwaircl to iiiort' than .iiivthitig vlst- lit-iiii-' sCConcl only to aivtiiiilly t' 't i t irtiiiif' to tht' X-titvs 5 i I i Consvqttviitly. iiothiiig uiiiltl h.ix'i- pltuisvtl its tht thi sit ht ol' iii lC'Nl hill til. iniil fl'10I'l' - ' f Il voiiiing zilongsiclt' our ship cvvn hvforc we had cli'oppt'cl our hook in Svc-acllcr Harbor. XVC it-t't'ix't'cl thirty odd hags all told. and nothing c-tiiilcl liavt' inaclt- tis happier at that point than thi' inaiiy lt'ttt'i's wt' 1'cCQix'cd that aftcrnoon, liwgiiist' our invn in thc' Post Qflicc had worked likt' 'lioiatis to gvt it up for us at thc Carliest possihlt' inmnvnt as thtiy always do. Also, the-ii' tlvsirti to got our mail to us as soon as possihlt' inadt' an t'x'c1'lasting iniprcssion on us i dn: It - 'in' lv E f . e Zn, 1 ' ,Al xx --Nw ,.' X . 'if' ,pl-OA H. X' A . lil- fit. 5' ,V Y W, ' 'ff .qv 3-N V l.iiImi, fXl.1i1iis. I Hi llplp- Ntiillllil l i l l i i i i t 4 l VU -J Santa Claus passes the quarter deck as he approaches the stage. Santa Claus delivers the goods. of the excellent service that the Manus Naval Base rendered the Fleet. As a result, we be- lieve that all hands really enjoyed their stay in Manus more than at any other place we have called up to this writing. Native hut on Pityilu. There were many things to interest us at Manus, not the least of which was the oppor- tunity to visit with friends from the many ships in the harbor, as well as with friends attached to the Naval activities ashore. The recrea- tional facilities here were, by far, the best and most complete we have seen in the Pacific. On Pityilu Island, where we have an air strip, there was an unusually nice enlisted men's recreation area, featuring 'cDuffy,s Tavern, where our liberty parties were allowed from two to four bottles of good, cold beer or Coca- Cola per man per day, depending upon the supply on hand. There were ball diamonds, basketball courts, hand ball courts and tennis courts, not to mention a beautiful white sand beach right out in front of Duffy's Tavern. It was a rather picturesque sight to see the hordes of soldiers, sailors and Marines from the many ships present as they lounged about the tables in the tavern and otherwise made use of the facilities at hand. There were always many of them taking advantage of the oppor- tunity to hunt 'feat eyesw and fftiger eyes' and the many other literally thousands of various sea shells peculiar to the Admiralties. Some of the cat eyes found were very pretty, and there is many a None and only back home now wearing a cat eye ring made on board our ship from a piece of stainless steel which was also 'cfound on the lJC2lCl1.i, Another favorite 1.11111141111-1111-11111111.111111111111.1.11.1111. spo1'111'11s1-1111111111g1111-1-111-1111111 11.111115 1'111'1-111-11- n11ts,1111111111g11 111111, 11115 11111 111-1-1-15111-1-, 1111111141- 01111 C1111111 111111 1111 111 1111-111 111- 11.11111-11 1111 1111- g1'o1111d. 1111'11s 1'1l'l'1', 11111, 111111 111' 11'1l1'll1'11 111111 111 6211 1'111'1111111s 11111111111 11-11 -1.111 111111 111N1'1Jl1l- 1sOI'I1l1g il1'11'1' 1-111-115. .X111-1 11 11-11 11111-11 11-ss1111, 11-'C 11-111-111-11 111111 1111- 1111114 11 111111114 1111111 1111- gn-1-11 11111's 111111 1111- 1111-111 1-1111-11 1113111 1111- V1171' Om-s, 1111- 12ll11'l' 111-1113 1111- 1411111 x11 11111111 1111-11 ha1'1- S1-111 11111111- 11s s11111'1-1111-4. 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H1111- CVC1, 111- 11'1-1'1- 1-1111s11111111- 1'll1lI11l1Q' 111111 1,I'11'I1C1S atth1-C1l1111s11-11111111111-1-4111111 1J1'1'S1'l11. 111111 S111111- Of us 11'1-1'1- 1.Ul'1lll12l11' 1-111111g'11 111 111111- 1'I'11'I1C1S based 1111-11-1 111111 11-1-11- 1411111 1-111111q11 111s111111- IIS 1111: 1's1g111s 111' NIZIIIIIN, 1111- s1Q111s 1-1111s1s1111Q primarily 111' 21 X'1'I'1 1J1'1'11Y 1X'il11'l'112l11 111111111 ll 1T1l1C 1I'UII'l 1111- 111111-, xVCC.11C1 1121X'f' 1111- 11111111111111111' 11111- 11111-111111111 0f111:1ng1,11-11-1-11 111' ll 11I'1f'1lf1 111 111111-1-11 1111 111 1111' 53111 CI1111s11111-111111 11111111111111 111'211111I1211'11'1'S. 3.13Ol1fI11I'1'1'l1l111'N1'1'11111 1111'f,1111'1'1'1Sc111l15. 111 driving 111111111111 1111141- 111111111-1 1111- 2l11lIl11'i111U11 WC 31I'C2lC1y 111111 1111 1111- S1'il111'1'N 1111-11-11s1-11 11-11- fold. U111111- s111111 111111 Q11111-1 1111111. yflll 1l1f'l ally Could 1'l211'1'111' 11-1- 112111121111 111I'Ull1.1'1l 1111- dense g1'1111'1,11 111' 1111x111-s, 111111-s 111111 111-1-11s 111111 1111111111 1111' 11111-11 111 1211'Q,'1'l'1l'1f1'S11Jg'1f1V1'11fI' H18 Umg, 11l1'lf' 1111-11 il Q'l'1'2l1 V2lI'11'1y 111' 111-1111111111111 111111111-11 1111111 1111111114 111111111 1111-1111g11 1111- 11111-s, .11111 111- 111111111111 111-111 11111 11-1-1 that 501111: 111 '1 WT 1111112 1-x1-111-1111' away 1111111 the -1111111 11111 1111111111 111 1111111' 1111141- S1-1111-111 1311mm1m 111 111111 11111111111 N1'X'1'I'11l1'11'SS, 1111: S1:g1B1:Qg 111-111 1-111111 1111-11111411 111211 s111111: swam11y11ung11: .11111 1111111 11l1JS1' l'1l21l1S, 111111 111 11-1-11rd timc, 1110. 1S1'1I11'11l1'1l1 11 11-111 1111 1'111'1111 1s1111111 111311 KS1:1111y,,, our 1l1.Ix1'1I1, 111' 11-1111111 1-1111 11-111 111-ar 1111111- later, got 1111 1111- 1J1'2l1'1l 1111 1111' 111-51 1111117 S1I'l1i1'11'ZlV1Hg thc: S12l11'S 1111 111fJ1'l111J1'I'. U11 1111s11a11115111a1 day, 1111 1-1111-1-141-111-1' 1'X1xl1'11 111 111111 1111- Exec and S1'N'1'l'211 1J1111'1'I'5 111111 111111-1' 1,f'11y fJ111C1TI'S had 1111111- 111g111 111I11' 111 11111141- 11131 111111-111'1s1:, they 11-1111111 111s1- 111111 111g'111 Ilily. and, 21111-r a11, what 11111-s ll 1112111 g1-1 11'111gs111111'11111111111-1111at111ght 11111'.' S11 11l1'1' 111-11111-d 111 1111 1111-1' 111 Our air 1 1 5,-mm 1111-- - l11f1- 111111111111 Mass 1111 f111I'1S1lll2lS 11111: 111'f11ffr' 1'l'0TPS12lI1l DiYil1C S1-11-11-1-S, c111I'1S1I112lS Day. Preparing Christmas dinner in the wardroom galley. strip on Pityilu and put in their flight time. We went along with them and carried Scotty with us, because we couldn't wait to see him ccrnake love to the first tree he had seen in so many weeks. He accomplished the purpose of his first visit ashore with due diligence and des- patch, and, since we wanted to get a ride back to the ship before lunch, we started walking down the road to the enlisted recreation area, hoping to find a ride there. The heat was terrilieg so much so that Scotty, with his heavy coat of black hair, just fell over in the road with heat prostration. We carried him in our arms the remaining mile to Dullyis Tavern, where he rested in the shade for an hour, and, when he appeared to be all right, we returned with him to the ship. Soorrv Cons HA.W.C.Lf, Despite the fact that Scotty showed no further indication of wanting to get ashore, he was destined to see more of Pityilu. One day, one of our Chiefs carried him to Pityilu, and, when the time came to return to the ship, Scot- ty wasn't to be found. He had gone com- pletely CcA.W.C.L. Unable to locate him, the Chief returned to the ship. The next morn- ing we sent word to the Chief Master-at-Armsl Shack on Pityilu for them to be on the lookout for him, and, if they found him, to turn him over to our liberty party returning to the ship that afternoon. Sure enough, when our party returned to the ship, Scotty was the first to leave the boat, none the worse for his experi- ence of roaming the ccwilds of Pityiluw all Codsey, SFIC, leads Christmas chow line. l 'lI'111. luwix' 1l11v thf' l1a11'l1111' St'l'IIlt'll t11 1 , 1 l11'11111111 1-11-11 Illtlllt' 111'11w1l1'1l w1tl1 ships 11l :1ll 11 111--1, 11111 il lt'XN' 11l lllf'lIl l11-ing t1'z111s11111'ts l11z1,1l1-1l with 111111111 'Illlt'l't' wus 11 QI't'2ll z1i1' 11l' 51-1f1'1-1'y .1l11111t tl11- xhip, :1111l 1-v1-1'y11111- vvnis Ql1t'fiSlIlt.f as 111 wl11'1'1' wf' XN't'l't' guiiig. XVhil1r 1111 11111: was t11l1l11l11-1'1-w1-w1-1'1-1411i11g,w1-1li1lk1111wtl1z1ttl11: 1 flllllllli 11111-1'41ti1111 was t11 l11' 11l'g11'1'z1t 111z1g1'1it111l1', I11-1111111-, with :ill tl11- l111111l1'1-ds 11l ships and tl11111sz1111ls 11l lllt'll lll th1- l1z11'l1111', w1: w1'1'1: told tl111t lxlillllli wats i11st11111-11l'tl11: l1z11'l111rsi11whicih tl11- l'llt't'l was l11'i11g 2tS5t'IIllJlt'Cl. l l i11z1lly, l11wz11'1l Illltl-IJt't't'IIllDt'I', w1:l1-lt1111z1 l'2tlllt'l' 111yst1-1'i1111s 1'1'11is1', hut, z1l't1'r gvtting 11111l1-1'wz1v, th1' Olrl N1ZlIl t11l1l us that w1: w1-r1f 1 -f QlIlIlQ 11111 l111' St'Yt'I'2ll fl21yS 1111 21 p11z11't1111f 111- tillllNl 11111 1-I 1-111- 1 -111ll1- I 1-1ff -1l 111'-L x'11si1111. 'l'l1z1t, 11111, was 1111it1f lI'lU'Iat'SliUQ, hut l111'l1i11g i11 tl11- 1-x1'it1'1111-111 that z11'1f11mpa111i11s night. Thtll WM' lmm.U.l.' 1111. l.1st ti1111- tl11- I't'2ll tl1i11g'. .'Xl't1-1' lJt'lI1Q.Ul,1xl2t fcwdays S1111ttx' l1.1s lDt't'll 415l1111'1- 1111 111 tl11- lJl't'Nt'lll ti1111-, NW Vt'l'll'll fl ll' MZHNIS .111 want I111' ordcrs to mKl1it.M.l.lm l,l.l.1'N-111 1-111111-111 111 lt1llIlQl' 41l11111t 11111x'1- 11111 1111 11111' 11111-1'z1t11111. tl11'sl1i11Qj11st1l1'1'11111i11g11l'tf111'1111g11l11,lfg1lil111'11iz1. x Y i Y Q C.11x1l',sC .,x11l'1111l',x11 I1w11s1111t alll lllilf 1xl11l1- 111 Nlilllllx llltJllQll. A . . .'Xlll111111ls k111'1x ll111t 111- l1111l 1'111111- tl11-1'1- 111 lJl't'- U111111 I't'llll'ItlIlg' l'1'11111 11111' p1'z11't1cc 1111251011 p211'1'l'111'111111111-1'z1ti1111, 11111l 1111151 11l'11111' ti1111- was w1- XN't'l'tl itll x'111'y 111111111 111 l1-11111 that our own sp1'11ti11tz1l1i11q1111st111'1-s,111111111111iti1111,I111-l,11111l .X1l111i1'z1l 1311111111 l1z1cl lJt1t'll plz11'1'1l111 1'11111111a11d tl11'g1-111' that x11111l1l l11- 111-1-1l1-1l l'111' itll 1-x11-111l1'1l 11l' zill 1'11111l1z1t CX lfs 111 tl11' Pacillc Fleet, and fr41 cw ,q --1-- . 11 KN . 1 1 .1 , 11 XN'11wtl1111g 111:1l1'l1 tllllllltl l1l11'1st11121S ll0ll4l-l,- 623 would hereafter be 'cC0mEsCarForPac in- stead of f'ComCarDiv 29.3, Why shoulclnit we be proud, hadnit we helped f'train him? It was with a feeling of genuine satisfaction to all hands, however, that we learned that 'cAd- miral Calm would continue to be right with us, at least most of the time. A few days before Christmas our Squadron went over to Momote Air Strip, Los Negros Island, for a few days special training, and we were all greatly saddened to learn that one of our fighter pilots, Ensign William Alexander Read, was killed on an operational flight at the Air Strip on Christmas Eve. Burial and Mass were held for him at the American Cemetary, .ml-. .., . . . f . I -ev--0' .f- , fx 6-, Il! 1 1 . 'lt Q...l V A. 12-.Qx X in I ' il - if X I tt H gf X 1, l f X X X . ffl 4 ,. N I- y y , I .,., up up J ,gg , ,I X 1 'A v , ' N x I -GI 9 ,Q F:- N .' U 9 5' IW Na... . , - gl .pil , l .1 4 - . 1 X, '.,,, 1 - A Wg 4. ffl , ...,. - X . A a 1 , A . 5 Los Negros Island, on Q6 December, with all the Squadron and Captain Washburn in attendance, and he was buried with full Mili- tary Honors. CHRISTMAS IN THE ADMIRALTIES The idea of spending Christmas in the Equa- torial heat of the Admiralties was not a situa- tion we would have deliberately chosen, but it was all a part of the warg so we just had to make the best of it. Despite the fact that we longed for a white Christmas back home, we were given a definite and cheerful reminder of the Season as we crossed the hangar deck on Christmas Eve afternoon and saw Saint Nick Standing on the corner at UTimes Squaren ringing his bell, while benevolent passcrsby dropped nickels and dimes in his kettle hanging appropriately from its tripod. A coconut palm would not make a very graceful Christmas tree, although it would have been most appropriate. We, therefore, built us a Clnistinas tree, using a 4 by 4 and nailing narrow boards up and down the trunk at angles to form a conical shaped Htreef' VVe took a boat to Pityilu and got sullicicnt palm fronds and other greens to tack 011 the tree, and the result was certainly better than nothing. VVe had bought an amplg supply of Christmas tree ornaments during our stop in Honolulu, and we ended up with a very pretty tree, thanks to the men in the EU Division who furnished a complete set of vari- eolored lights, and to Des Llardins, Sie, 2nd 'Division, and Terrell, Sic, Ist Division, who helped us decorate it. We had a party Christmas Eve night, and, thanks to Des Jardins, who was a professional window dresser before entering the service, we had a very appropriate setting for our party. He ingeniously used red tow sleeves as back- drops forward of the forward elevator, and completely framed the elevator in palm leaves, making a perfect stage for Saint Nick to pass out his presents from as he stood in front of the large f'Mei'ry Christmasw sign painted by Colin, Sic, 3rd Division. With the stage set, the party was on, and everyone was in high spirits, at least as high as can be expected so far from their loved ones. The party started at 1930 with the officer in charge of arrangements introducing the Ex- ecutive Oflicer, who, in turn, introduced the Captain. The Captain made a very timely talk, expressing to all hands his appreciation for their splendid cooperation, and wishing us all a very Merry Christmas. The Old Man had hardly finished his talk when down the after elevator came Santa Claus. He got aboard a hangar deck tractor, with his big bag of toys over his shoulder, and was driven for- ward where he bounded up on the stage, and immediately began passing out presents to all hands. In addition to the presents, everyone was given two bars of candy, package of gum and a can of mixed nuts. Periodically, through- out the program, which lasted until ab0L1'C 2200, our choral group, lcd by Lt. Corkralh sang a number of Christmas Carols, whiCl1 added much to thc occasion. The pr0g1'a1'1'1 ended with the reading of The Night Before Christmasi' by one of thc officers standing in the dim light of the trcc, and all hands thfrlfl went below for ice cream and cookies, following which we all turned in uwith visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads? fl Qi .xiii I A 'iff- i n' i I S-,Ji ' FFF'--'i- terribly hot out there in the sun as we fired away at the targets, but we were destined soon to be more than thankful that the Skipper and the .Gunnery Oflicer were so insistent that we get in gunnery practice just as often as possible. After all, we were en route to the real thing, and, with that knowledge, the gun batteries hred away at those targets with even more in- terest and enthusiasm than they ever had be- fore. It was, so to speak, our final test. Ex- cept for our gunnery practice, this short cruise was uneventful, and on 'gSaturday, 30 December 1944: 08- 1 2 Steaming as before. 0834 c fs to 5 knots. cfc to 197014 and p.g.c., 1800 p.s.c. 0841 axe stopped. 0921 Anchored in Berth 24, Kossol Passage, Western Caroline Islands, in 18 fathorns of water with 75 fathoms of chain at water's edge to the starboard anchor. 0936 Secured main engines. 0940 Secured the anchor detail. Set Condition of Readiness III, Watch I. 0955 Secured No. 3 generatorg cut in No. 2 generator. 1035 Made daily in- spection of magazines, conditions normal. Here we were in Kossol Roads again. And, again, it was to be a very short visit, just long enough to take on some more stores and ammu- nition, because we all knew that a really big and important operation was in the ofling, and we were to be a very active part of that opera- tion. We still didnit know exactly where we were going, but there were many among our Ship's Company who were pretty good guessers. New Year's Eve this year was not celebrated by us by the ringing of bells, the blowing of whistles and the usual hilarity that accompanies it, but, instead, we were all very busy getting our ship and ourselves ready for the job just ahead of us. As we rang out the Old Year, we also brought to an end another chapter in the Odyssey of the Lunga Point. ,I 4 5 f 2 2 K ii E CY? E as 33 3 5 43 f ii I -C' Ki f 1X1 ll LUZUN .Mart mme the grml lfulrlr of lugfmq It zeax nip ami flllhlt' zeillz lin' Sam of .Yzippmf :lx our flffllltii' zlmmlffilml slum' zimlnllalzinii In fI'bt'!'1Ifli0lI tif the l'l11'f1ipfu'm' .hiflflitlll In CFVIIII-Il I'1'l'flllV'l'.f!'1IlIl the zmnl, Ihr i'lN'lOnday. Ixlanuary 1945: 04-08 Anchored as before. turgo Station:-cl ' ships inxolxcd would be one of the largest in world history in a single operation. Phe large nuinhc r of ships of all types in our own Task lorec was already well known to U5 and We wc rt told that wc. would be joined by other groups from time to time as we proceeded on Day fthe. Iuzon invasion dayj was to be 9 'tnuary but that we were to arrive oH'L1nga- yt n C ulf smeral days ahead so that the planes of our group could go about the task of bomb- ing 'uid strafing enemy shore installations and , lk? 1 1 I ' ' I ' s 1 1 4' . , , V 7 . ' I 3 - i 1 , i , 1 1 --ind UU' 'VW' -' 3'1 -t,ff f.iff Off ff .f ' -M 'NU' WHY- lhe Old Man also told us that SH c ' , lc 7 l x A i . 2 . , i f , L A all . 4. . L 1 K the anchor detail. lNlade all preparations for getting underway. Set Material Condition Baker. obo! Underway. Steaming in coin- pany with various units of'l'ask Group 77.2 and Task Group 77.4. UTC in USS. Clflflif-Ill'!ll.!l CBB 447. Guide in U.S.S. .llakziu lslmzrl CCIVIQ 93533. We had hardly gotten underway when the Skipper told us over the general announcing system that we were a part of one of the great- est military operations in history. We were en route to Lingayen Gulf, where the Invasion of Luzon was to take place. and the number of othmrwisc softc ning up the inxasion beaches, paving the way for our landing forces. New Yearls Day 1945, will forever be indel- ilily impressed on our minds, because, instead of sitting at home by the fire, listening to the Rose Bowl game with a group of friends, there was an even bigger game that occupied us, and we were not spectators, either. Realizing the magnitude of the ugamew ahead of us, and determined to live up to what was expected of us, every ofiicer and man turned to with a seriousness of purpose that was bound to spell success for our part of the Luzon operation. Except for one emergency turn, resulting Sail and stmam in hfindanao Qea win' . - s- f ,f ' ' i . - 01 ,fift h ,L ,Q'5,b Him, . 'gilt I V Sex y ,g ig 7941.1 from a submarine contact, our cruise from Kossol Roads to the Philippines was more or less uneventful. However, interest and ex- citement grew throughout the ship when we entered Surigao Straits, right in the heart of the Philippines, all of whose islands, except Leyte, were enemy held, and from that point on we were to run the gauntlet of these enemy held islands right up to Lingayen Gulf, but not with- out our share of excitement. The sun was just rising as we entered Surigao Straits, be- tween Leyte and Mindanao, and sailed on into the Mindanao Sea, passing Bohol Island and rounding the southern tip of Negros Island where we entered the Sulu Sea. There is no doubt that we were seen by the enemy as we proceeded on this course, because we were never out of sight of land until after we entered the Sulu Sea. Quite frequently, we would encounter native outrigger canoes along the route, one of them being so large Cabout 75 feetj that one of our screening destroyers hailed her and sent a party aboard to investi- gate to make certain she was not an enemy. It was quite interesting while on watch topside, at night, to see the large number of fires burn- ing on the islands, some of which were, no doubt, in enemy encampments and some in Guerrilla encampments. Likewise, we quite frequently saw flashing lights ashore, and we just knew they were .laps signalling ahead to the next island, 4'Here comes 'Cali Durgin and his boys. Undoubtedly, the only reason we had nm been attacked up until this time was simply be thing the laps had to throw at us then. We felt, however, that, as we cruised north and the enemy was able to concentrate his forces for an attack, we might have the opportunity to prove the value of our many anti-aircraft drills. Now that we were in the Sulu Sea, our Task Force had grown tremendously, so much so that we could see our Naval vessels in all di- rections all the way over the horizon. The Japs undoubtedly felt, by this time, however, that they simply had to do something if for no other reason than to save facef' Conse- quently, on cause our Task Force was too powerful for any- FIRST -IAP FLAG Thursday, 4 January 1945: 16-18 Steaming as before. 1705 Manned anti- aircraft batteries. Ship put at General Quar- ters. 1715 Emergency turn to 147OT and p.g. c., 1630 p.s.c. 1716 Shot down one Jap plane, believed to be a 'Zero,' diving from the bow Part ofa convoy cn route to Luzon. ' 2 and Crashing about 73 yards AlSlt'l'l1 of the ship. Ship's p11sition liglo 1118 li 11 jg-2.3 N. 1721 eye to ogool and p.g,e., ltlliu p.s.1'. 1111 l'Illt'I'.. geney turn. 1725 St't'Ulltl raid lK'ilI'lllQ 2j511O'l', I-735 U.S.S. 0111111111117 H111' tC1X'l'l 7115, l1t'ill'lllg' 160011, range 111 llllll'S, which was hit, aI1a11- doned ship: destroyers picking 11p Slll'X'lX'Ul'S.H VVe were cruising along, llllllillllg' 11ur 11w11 business, just west of llilllily Island and just south of Mindoro lsland when we went t11 Cien- eral Qluarters. l'll'tJIll the l.og, one 1-1111 easily see that we had hardly lllillllltfl 11ur guns when that Kamikaze came at us. He peeled oll' at about 6000 feet and made his dive from dead ahead. We could hardly see llllfl as he peeled off, but as he came nearer a11d nearer at sueh terrific speed, his plane grew rapidly in size u11- til it looked like a multi-motored transport. Fortunately, however, our forward QLIHS hit him fatally and at 1716 he was a dead duck, having crashed with a tremendous explosion just astern of us. There was no damage to the ship, however, one otlicer and one enlisted man were f'nicked by flying shrapnel from the ex- ploding plane. Chalk up one Jap flag on our bridge! Our first, but by no means our last. There were Jap planes all around, and we, naturally, remained at General Qluarters, al- though no more got through to us, thanks to our Combat Air Patrol and the lesson we had already taught the one that did get through. At 1735, one of our Sister ships, the U.S.S. Ommaney Bay QCVE 795, was hit by a Kami- kaze, necessitating abandoning ship, but with comparatively few casualties. She was later sunk by torpedoes from our own destroyers. Finally, tired from so long at our Battle Stations, we secured from General Quarters at 1902. We had had our first real test, not just a test of the gun batteries and those on the bridge, but a test ofthe nerve, ability and fight- ing spirit of every single man in the Lzmga Point, and we had come through with flying colors. Yes, we had had our first taste of ac- tual combat with the enemy and we had met the test deliberately and with the determination that was to sustain us and bring us successfully through every engagement confronting us in the future. Our long period of intensive train- ing had produced the desired results, and it was a proud and happy Skipper that addressed the men of the Lunga ljfllifll over the general a11- nouncing system that night. Wfhile the Clap- tain told us of his gratitude to all hands, he also gi J ...-s 'l'11f1.' First Jap plane we splashed exploded just astern of us in Sulu Sea: before: OIIIIIIIIIZIZQ' B111 burning following Kamikaze hit. .lI11k1'11 Ixlmzfz' right center. warned us that we had to continue at the peak from there on out, because that was just the beginning of our contacts with the enemy, and that we must be prepared for anything, any- time. SQU.-xDR0N,s FIRST JAP FLAG HFriday, 5january 1945: 08-12 Steaming as before. 0817 Dog fight re- ported bearing 0230511 Q7 miles. 0818 lN1anned all gun stations. 0820 General Quarters sounded. 0824 One enemy plane shot down by our CAPM Although our Squadron had done an ex- eellent job of flying Combat Air Patrol and Anti-submarine Patrol over our Task Force, they had not, up to now, been able to get in close contact with the enemy. 011 this partie- ular day, however, o11r CAP Tally H0'd en- emy aireraft about 27 miles away, and Lt. ' '-mare fef- A- l , i is 's i 'z 'e I 4 5: xl 1 If -i 'f r, ,K ll li I I H t I I Lt. Cjgj Ramey has his steak and cake for splashing Jap plane. Ramey shot down a Zeke,w the Hrst enemy plane shot down by our squadron. There was much celebration, because our squadron had proven thereby that they could dish it out. Consequently, that night in the Wardroom, Lt. Cjgj Ramey had the tradional steak and cake for dinner, while the rest of us had our usual Wardroom meal. And another Jap flag was painted on our bridge. This was destined to be a big day in the life of the Lunga Point and her Squadron, because A FIRST JAP SHIP H12-I6 Steaming as before. 1445 Received orders from OTC to arm four VT's with tor- pedoes. 1527 Four VT's ready to fly with torpedoes, and four FM2's with rockets, to intercept reported Japanese destroyersf' Twoenemy destroyers had been sighted just off Luzon about 20 miles away, and our planes, in company with planes from two or three other Squadrons, went in for the attack. The net result was that, with our rockets and tor- pedoes hitting their target, two Nipponese des- troyers reported to their Honorable An- cestors, and a Jap ship is now among the decorations on our bridge. All of our planes returned safely to the ship. That same afternoon, our Task Force was subjected to a rather heavy enemy air attack, and, while a number of our ships were hit, there was no great damage done any of them and their casualties were small. While we aircraft came within range of our guns, al- though we could see the other ships ln our l ask F orcc repelling the attack Although we were attacked a number of times and had many a Snooper coming in to get a look at us, we arrived off Lingayen Gulf on the appointed day, and our planes immedi ately began their bombing and strafing runs on enemy shore installations, while our Battle Wagons,,' cruisers and destroyers stood off- shore right in Lingayen Gulf, giving the enemy beaches a withering gunfire day and night were at General Quarters this time no enemy CC 33 ' S S 5 . W, wah- 'T i N, ,J Y 5 ' K, X Ith- 1 f 1::'::T? v 'V K- , -1- -- g 3 v'.','il 'ii If 5 ww:-.----,-M, , -U . 5 J!! e'7'l'T'AT?fffii .-'f Eff: ,J-filmms T , li? N 5,f'iLg --L roi , S , K .4 . , , - , 2 'J i ' ',: I I l l '25 ' '-pq r T ...-f ,. -.6 F 2 'S , v ,,- A A y. N - ' , 9' wi, . ,' , .ffi ' -'55, , ,Q as-fi ff- '4 ' A .-ASQ- 'L ' -' ' -:1 'W' -5' without let-up, literally pulverizing enemy installations, paving the way for our troops to establish their beach head. CCS!! On CCS Day, 9 January 1945, it was a Lunga Point plane, flying high above the Linga- 1 Direct hit on fuel dump at Aropong, near Baguio, Luzon, S --L yen bggch, that radioed the signal for our Mt-n 9' War to lift their gunfire inland, and at ex- actly 0930 the first wave of troops hit tht- bt'zu'h followfd at perioflit' iittervnls by other waves. Our forces of surface craft and plant-s had nn- doubtedly left the eneniy clam-tl by their so heavily conCentl'aitecl attack, bt't':iiist', nnieh to our surprise, the actual landings wt-re niade with practically no i'esistant't-, and, const'- quently, with hardly any castialties. VVt- were, therefore, able to put ashore literally thousands of troops, vehicles and other tnaterial that lirst day, and OLII' troops aclvancetl on S Day to the point that they had hoped to reaeli on S plus three. In any event, the hardest part of the Battle of Luzon had been won. On SS plus two, I 1 january, we were par- ticularly pleasecl to receive from Admiral Durgin the following dispatch: V 'CI AM MORE THAN PLEASED WITH THE WAY OUR SHARE OF THIS SHOW IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED X WE UN- DERSTAND THE REASONS FOR MOST OF YOUR DIFFICULTIES AND ARE TRYING TO CORRECT THEM X YOUR LOCAL COOPERATION HAS EASED THE PAIN OF MANY HEADACHES X SHIP HANDLING IS GOOD X OUR LIT- TLE FRIENDS HAVE RESCUED EVERY PILOT AND ARE TURNING IN THEIR USUAL TOP FLIGHT PERFORMANCE X OUR AVIATORS ARE EXECUTING THEIR MISSIONS LIKE VETERANS AND ARE MAKING THEIR PRESENCE Assault echelon en route to Lingayen l'eaclit-s on SS Day. ricixi' AT 'rnia 'rA1toIf3'r X FLIGHT AND IIANGAR ntaczk cziuaws ARE nomo A wonniaiufui, ,lolz X IQLVEKYONE HAS vi rcznicn nvro A D11+'FieUL'r TASK wi rn Sl'I,l'1NDID SPIRIT X WELL DONE X77 l,t. fjgj ciII,KI'1Y 'LAKES A 'TRIP We hung around for some time after USU Day, with our planes continuing to cover our troops as they advanced South toward Manila, and they did a bang-up job of it, too. We were fortunate, however, in losing only one torpedo bomber in the entire operation, but thereon hangs a long storyg too long for Lt. fjgj Arthur W. Gilkey of Front Royal, Va. and his two air crewmen. CHis story will be found at the baek of the book.j Lt. tjgj REILLY CRACKS THE WHIP Like all other aircraft carriers, we occasion- ally have a barrier crash on the flight deck with usually nothing more than superficial damage to the plane,s propellor or engine cowling. On l7J21f1U21I'y, however, we had a barrier crash that is undoubtedly unique in the annals of Naval aviation. Lt. Cjgj R. C. Reilly was bringing his torpedo bomber in for a landing. The China Sea was rough that day, and the Lzmga Point was pitching and rolling to beat the band. Lt. Reillyas approach was satisfactory and the LSO CLanding Signal Ofhcerj gave him a 'ccutf' Apparently, he held off too long, and, as he flewjust a few feet Lingayen Gnlfbeaehhead on SS Day, 30 minutes after H hour. Air strip in centerg Alligators in foreground. L, i S ii si 1 1, 1, ' I i 1 ,-an wise-.sane Top Enemy trucks destroyed by our planes during Lingayen op eration below Underground ammo dump near Santa Cruz Luzon S +5 bove the flight deck the heavy sea pulled the deck down so that his hook would not grab the arresting gear cables, but, instead the hook caught the top wire on the No 2 barrier With a Bang his plane landed on the starboard side of the flight deck just forward of the island not in one piece but in two pieces The impact had been so great that it literally jerked that big torpedo bomber half in two just aft of the p1lot's cock pit It would not have been sur prising if the pilot and his two crewmen had been killed or seriously injured On the other hand, two of them came out unscratched, and the one air crewman who suffered superficial cuts was discharged from Sick Bay the next day We mention this merely to show that, while we do have accidents occasionally they do not necessarily result in death or serious injury u1te some time after S Day we were given orders to leave the Lingayen area, un doubtedly because the Army had the situation well in hand and now had sufhcient landbased air cover to release us. From here on out, the complete conquest of Luzon and, ultimately, the Philippines, seemed to be nothing more than a methodical reduction of the Jap forces by our Army. lt had been an interesting and exciting operation, but we were glad to be leaving, because we were very tired from run- ning to General Quarters at all hours of the day and night and attending to the other arduous duties pertinent to our part in the Lingayen operation. The idea of a little rest and recre- ation in Ulithi was a happy and welcome pros- pect to us all. We were also quite anxious to get to calmer seas, because that South China Sea had really been rough since we had been there, and it was a real credit to the ability of our entire Air Department, and to our LSO in particular, that our plane handling on the Hight deck had been so successful during the operation How they brought those planes safely down on that flight deck ID such heavy seas will always be a mystery to many of us Then, too, we were most anxious to get our Senior Medical Officer back to waters that more closely resembled the flat prairies of Kansas All in all, no one was sad when we set our course southward En route to Ulithi we could see further ev1 dence of the success of our operations at Linga yen Gulf because we were constantly sighting our own transport planes flying north to Luzon, unmolested, over routes that just a few weeks before would have been extremely hazardous to say the least That was all the proof we needed to convince us that we now had com plete control of the air over the Philippines Ll Cjgl Reilly s flight deck crash Om' of our f.l1t11l'11l :w1'111'1s 1.1111-Q 11111- mm' 11114 Mm, Slrllfll lII1111.1 1.111111 1511111 11mm 1IllIl ll UI'41llllfl xxxrll gh SI11- 1111'11x into thc: wind N1'41. 1111'1:1111.11u1'y 111 l't'tUXf'l1IlL' 11121111-X. 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Due to the large number of Naval vessels in port, however, it was quite a problem for the local Service Squadron to furnish each ship sufheient boats to handle its liberty parties Our problem was somewhat solved though through the kindness of the AK-35, which loaned us two boats and crews, AA an--I1IZ'e 7 7 1--... -. ,Q :K t J J ? TT My -gy .',',1----- 1 -:,--ililif , 13: -:11 Q1 A - if ,W - .,.......-.Sf I --T f X ,Q l rv-Image ... fxfvl H!! I Xl 34 Q' l 1TT, thus, we were able to send a Section ashore each day We were 1n the Southern Anchorage however, and it was too long a boat trip to attempt to take our liberty parties to Mog Mog Island where there were organized recre ational facilities as at Pityilu Consequently we and all the other ships in the Southern An chorage decided to use F eitabul Island, which was uninhabited and just about 6ooo yards from our berth While there were absolutely no recreational facilities on this mile long island we managed to get our per capita allotment of beer each day, and it was really a treat to go to F eitabul, because it was the one island we had seen that had been absolutely untouched by the ravages of war With its many beauti ful coconut palms and its very dense under growth, It was everything we had expected to find in a typical South Pacific island. Tropi cal flowers were numerous, and you couldn't step on a spot in the Jungle without stepping on coconuts, the ground being literally covered with them. There was a beautiful white beach on the lagoon side, and the ocean side X..g-f-I-:.'k:,:1 . I f ' l I N ' J ' 3 7 s presented a very pretty sight, with the clear, blue-green waters breaking over the coral reefs iooo yards olf shore. Since so many ships were in the same Hx we were in, there was al ways a crowd on the island. Many parties open fires in the shade of the palms. In one sense it was like Main Street back home be- cause one was constantly running into old friends there from other ships present. Even when in port, however, itls not all play with us by a long shot. We are all kept very busy attending to our part in the preparations for the next operation. Then, too, there is no little cleaning of bright work, and there is, of course, the ever present painting to be done We don't believe there is ever a minute in the day that somebody on board isnlt painting somewhere, trying to keep one jump ahead of the rust and corrosion caused by the salt air. We do, as often as possible, have Happy Hours, which are put on by officer and enlisted personnel from the ship and squadron, and we had one of our best while at Ulithi on this visit. It was highlighted by a boxing match with the team from the Bismarck Sea CCVE 955, though we are forced to admit that they licked us in that department, but not without our men put- ting up a good scrap. As a matter of fact, it was a great fight, and we lost by only one bout. Our spirits were undaunted, though, and we pro- ceeded to put on a good show for them, any- way, with our orchestra, our string quartet, our soloists and our piano-accordionist. We had many guests from the Bismarck Sea as well as other ships, not the least of whom constituted the 'fbiggest cargo of gold braidv we've ever had aboard at any one time before. The ship was literally listing to port under the weight of the head gear worn by the Old Manls dinner guests, Captain Whaley of the Makz'n Island CCVE 933, Captain Pratt of the Bismarck Sea CCVE 95D, and Captain Frank T. Ward, Jr. of the Shamrock Bay CCVE 841 After nearly three weeks of work and play, mostly work, and guessing when we were get- ting underway and where we were going, we had every reason to feel that we had success- fully completed another leg in the travels of the Lunga Porn! and were about to embark on another. brought rations along and cooked supper over 1325, Y! . '-A M if 4' R- K, 5 2:11. , v 'Qi 5 Q L1 ' Q .X ' : 'ui 3 I , 4 E fAJ'l'?' if ie . if X Q R ff . , if , . r 'ff ' H V 4. Y 1' ' 31 , . ii 1 f wp! 5 771. 'x . E 174 1 A A514 1 .. X Wav 1-M Q aff,-fr I 1 ,f if gf ua.wwf H-1.161 'Z-4 Q ' vis' 7.4 2. fi 3' i f Q -.1 eg 1 4 A 1 . 'ia PA RT I V 1wo ,UMA Then earne the hardest fought battle QF them att, Iwo jima just ah'a'n t want to fall, But our jfghting Nlarines haa' a awferent idea, They knew the HLunga P0int's ,blanes were near, S0 thgf forged aheaa' with grim a'eterrninatz'0n To win another znetogr 0'er the japanese Nation. Saturday, IO February 1945: I2-I6 Anchored as before. 1239 Underway on various courses and speeds from Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline Islands. Captain at the conn. Executive Ofhcer and Navigator on the bridge? In one of his customary Hfiresidew chats that night, the skipper told us over the general announcing system that we were underway for the invasion of Iwo Jima. We already knew that Iwo Jima was way up in the Volcano Islands, and right in the Jap's front yard. The Captain didnat mince any words in telling us that it was destined to be a tough scrap, because the Japs would undoubtedly fight to the last man in attempting to hold this air base so near their front door. He told us, however, that he knew we had what it took to carry out our part of the invasion successfully. The importance of Iwo Jima as an air base in our Pacific strategy could easily be seen by the mighty force of warships of all classes that were sent to insure the success of the operation, and it was really an inspiration to be a part of the powerful Task Force that set its course for Iwo Jima. First wave approaching southwest beach at Iwo Jima just before HU hour Co83ol on DU day C19 Fcbruaryj, Sinokc from naval gunfire and aerial bombardment almost obscures the island. Mt. Suribachi is sccn at upper left. 1 K En route, we stopped for a day .it Saipan and passed by Guam. arriving ofl lwo .lima several days prior to D Day. whieh was to be to February. Wlhile it was in the eards that we 'rib' 9 J' --1-if would have a hot time militarily speaking, it was quite a relief' to find ourselves far enough north to enjoy the first really eool weather we had had since leaving the States. As a matter of fact, most of us broke out our blankets and they really felt good. Immediately on arrival, our planes took to the air and began their bombing and strafing of Iwo Jima's military installations co-incident with the withering gunfire of' the many battle- ships, cruisers and destroyers lying close in- shore. This was to be a loo per cent Marine invasion by the 3rd, 4th and 5th lNfIarine Divi- sions. Many of us had close friends and rel- atives among those Nfarines, just as we did among the Army Divisions at Luzon, which made us want to try even harder to do our job while those brave Marines went through that 'cliving Hell on earth ,just a few miles from where we cruised up and down, waiting for our planes to come back from their mission of paving the wayw for the Marines. Those men, of whom we are so proud, hit the Iwo Jima beaches right on schedule at o8jgo on DU Day and brought glory to their Corps and most terrifie of' the War in the Pacific. Not only was the taking of lwo-lima the most costly of the Marine invasions -ea combination of Saipan and 'l'arawa but it also provided us with our toughest fight and most narrow es- cape. The Ijaps, even though foreseeing de- feat, literally dug into the rugged cliffs and the voleanie lava and held on with the tenacity of fanaties, preferring annihilation to surrender. 'l'he whole island was virtually honey-combed with pill boxes and caves, from which could be seen only the muzzles of their guns. The only way we ever got them out was by constant Marine artillery and mortar fire, flame throw- ing, Naval bombardment from the sea, and bombs, rockets and strafing from our planes in the air. Some, of course, would finally venture out in search of water, but they never went baek. From our station off shore, we could see the Naval bombardment ofthe island and it went 'round the clock, the night sky being brilliantly illuminated by star shells, so that aeeuraey could be assured in night firing. W'hen those fighting Marines and Sons of Heaven slept, we just don't know. The Ma- rines came through as usual, though, and not long after MDN Day, the Star Spangled Banner was flying serenely above volcanic Mount Suribachi, meaning that we had one more U.S l to our Nation, but not without days of' bitter fighting and heavy casualties. It is our guess 5 that, as a result of this battle, there will be 5 another verse added to The Halls of' Monte- 5 zuma,', and somewhere in that verse will be f the words, To the Shores of' lwo nlimaf' While not as gigantic an operation as laizon, Iwo Jima did prove to be the more speetaeular, and by far the most terrific operation in which we have participated, if not, for its size, the ,1.o.o.n.fmahcimsimnonttamhinpiiofhousc . I I li ia - 1 , r c I 1 - :1:.:-'..i::::5f'r 4- '1 .... ..., , . ' 'MMM ' Q y 4ii '.....--- wiiiiiffaszf lr ,,,.,f J ,. W ::':.:.'.1::::1:.T.:::g:g... Q 1 1 .Q -' j 1 ' :Tzu 4 1? :- ' u, , ' , gl-11:-5' or X . . Q v Q 553: fe., '. . I fl ' . , . . ,. , I Q7 ' N . P iyf - 'gi V ..--- . 9 x- -- Lf 5 , -vww.v......,, ' ,wmr ,wmv 1 f , ' J efL 7 M L x l 1 1 5: ffj, ,l 4 by IP ,ge ,, , Xi X 1 N 1 ' I '.' 32- ,f'I,,:. Y ' M112 I , g f Qt, '4 Sl .::5i:::::::::::::::::zggizgzilzzrzzggig:, - 4 :....-':il:....:llf ffgfj' ft 1-r1--- -1-gr - 1 i , I' 5 .':'cg.g1.j.... fi-Air 'i zvEi-isa-g:i? f Q We . F--F .g ,Lie -gi Y, , -M.. ..M.- .-- -U iw- -. ..,..,-..-..i ...N air basein the front yard of the japanese Em- pire. Here, also, the C'Lunga Point was a'istinguishea',' Three jap planes out cyffour she extinguisheel, As, all at once, thgf dropped their torpea'oes,' Thy came so close thy gave us the jitters. But, nevertheless, our Ensign eloesfly O'er Iwo jirna so bright in the shy. ' Our narrowest escape of the war-a real scrap and a tough one-took place during this operation. Knowing that jap planes were nearby at the time, we were, of course, at Gen- eral.Q,uarters, waiting. All hands seemed to have a premonition that we were about to undergo a severe attack, because there was a tenseness throughout the ship that kept every- one on the extreme alert. Every man was de- termined to do his job the best he knew how, contributing all he had to the success of our battle, whether he was in the Engine Rooms or standing by in the Wardroom. Yes, the Stewardis Mates, the Cooks and Bakers, the Radiomen, the sPharmacist's Mates and the Mess Cooks all had their jobs to do just as much as the men on the guns Even though the men below decks might have been expecting a tor pedo to come bursting through the skin of the ship at any moment, they never wavered in their duties The Repair Parties down there were also tense with alertness as they stood by ready to effect quick repairs We will never know the emotions of those men at the time, or the thoughts going through their heads All we will ever really know about them, in that re spect, we knew already They were prepared to meet any eventuality in their determination to sail the Lunga Point victoriously back to the States The certain knowledge of this backing was more than a help to the men on the guns and on the bridge. It was all they needed to keep them fighting with all they had. T THREE Moms JAP FLAGS just at dusk we were subjected to a night aerial torpedo attack by Kamikaze Bombers, and the planes could not even be seen until just within range of our guns. Four torpedo planes, Hying at flight deck level, came at us from abeam to starboard. We shot the first one down, and he fell in flames on our star- board quarter, about 200 feet from the ship. He is now enjoying his bowl of rice with his Honorable Ancestors, but we dare say he has an acute attack of indigestion. The second plane, undoubtedly hit by our withering gun fire, turned and flew low over our stern and out of sight, and we have serious doubts that he ever returned to the Empire. We had hardly had time to re-load our guns when the third and fourth planes came at us. We shot them both down in flames, one landing in the water about goo feet from the ship, and the other bounding across our flight deck, after shearing off his starboard wing and landing wheel as he hit the after part of the bridge and leaving them in the Flag Bag Sponson. He sprayed gasoline all about, set fire to the flight deck, and bounded into the sea and exploded on our port beam, but not without burning several men on our port gun batteries. The fire on our flight deck was quickly extinguished by our Fire Parties without doing any appreciable damage. Meanwhile, the japs had dropped three Ccflshf' all of which missed us by inches, they having ,A 'A M- H'-':,: l ' I'-Ugilg. 'uw w ..L K if.. ' A., X X ,L v S olilfiig f l'o,,,g , V f f A ,. X ,5 N fn . ? F- W 4' ., . . - ,, . ' s lx . V' f'y 7w Q . , 'Za T, x .Y A ,ig Nw ,Q ' M -. l T f f. ,x ,f - ll . i . 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It was 21 s11'1111g1- 11-1-1i11g, but 11 maclc us waht 10 110111 1111 1111- ha1'c11-110 avcngc thc 10ss 0f1h1- 111111 111 1111- H1'.1'111111'1fl.' 5111. .lap pla111-s w1-rc still attacking 01hc11 ships 111 11111' '1'11s11 F0111-, 111111 thc sky was s0 11111 01 shc11 11111's1s that it 100111111 11111 a 111a11111101h Fourth 111'qj111y 1111-111'a1i011. NYC 113C1 51111111 10 Gc11111'a1 ClLl2lI'1C1'S at 1708, and it was 11111 after 2100 01111 11111111 K11'l'1'i 11' IN '1111 111- 111 11 111-1111 11111 1141 111111 111110: 11111' 1111- 11111111-s fIlI1i'1'Q11' 1-s1i11Q11is111'11 1111- 1111-s, , ., 1 1 1 1 , . X Y Explosions on Iizfmmrclf Sm following Kamikaze hit. when we secured, and it was a tired and weary, yet grateful group of men that crawled in their bunks that night. We had hardly crawled in, however, when the Captain talked to us over the general announcing system, at which time he highly commended all hands for their con- duct during the terrific attack. He went on to say that he was proud to feel that every man on the ship had done hisjob well, thereby contrib- utingjust that much more to our success. He expressed the sentiments of all hands, in re- ferring to the gun crews, when he simply said, wfhey were magnificcntfy Cnce again, we had met the test, we had come through another crisis with colors flying. Once again, too, we were thankful that we had been put through such a rigid period of training in prep- aration for just such emergencies as this. lt 0 KJ was not, however, with a feeling of cockiness that we stood around the loud-speakers listen- ing to the Captain. True, we had sufficient confidence in ourselves to meet any emergency, but it was, rather, with a feeling of profound humility and gratitude to Almighty Cod that we had been spared to light on to complete and total victory. HEROISM QPF Iwo JIMA l It was during this operation that one of the most exciting, one of the most thrilling, and one of the most heroic incidences of our first year occurred. 1 Lt. HBud Foster had accompanied other planes on a direct support hop over Iwo Jima in his Wfildcat fighter, and a part of his mission was to drop a Napalm Qfirej bomb on his tar- get. Wfhen he got over his target, however, it developed that the bomb release was faulty and he could not release his bomb. After completing the remainder of his mis- sion he returned to our operating area and called the Captain and told him of his plight, requesting instructions as to whether to bail out or attempt a landing on the ship. The Skipper had Lt. Cjgb cCMax Palena, our avia- tion ordnance ofhcer, report to the bridge where they went into a detailed discussion of Claplnin :incl ,fX.fl.l. ollieer inspeet wing section of liilllllliillt' left on our lhght deek alter hitting nftei' part of island structure. 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Foster, as close as possible, to see if the arming wire was still secured to the fuse and that the bomb was secured to the rack. The torpedo bomber pilot's reply was, Affirm- ativef' ' The Captain then asked Lt. Foster if he wanted to attempt a landing aboard, and his reply was, 'clf you think it advisable, I will land aboard, Captain? Lt. Foster well knew that his life was at stake 3 yet he made his reply in keeping with the finest traditions of the Naval service. After another ten minutes of maneu- vering, trying again to shake off the bomb, Lt. Foster came into the landing circle. All planes were taken below to the hangar deck except two which were spotted forward on the flight deck, and for which there was no room on the hangar deck. All Fire Parties manned their stations and everyone was on their toes. Lt. Foster first made a pass at the ship, fiying close to the bridge, so that the Captain and Lt. Cjgj Palena could ascertain that the bomb was secure. Being assured that the bomb was se- cure, thc Captain ordered Lt. Foster in. Commander Eastwold and Lt. Palcna were the only ones on the flight deck when Lt. Foster came in on a very good landing. For a Heeting moment the bomb remained intact on the plane, but the impact of the arresting gear loosened it, and it slid bounding down the deck in the direction of the parked planes and where impact with the planes might detonate the bomb, throwing liquid ire all over the ship, and possibly causing the loss of the ship and many of our personnel. Lt. Cjgj Palena was standing near the island, and, as the bomb slid beneath the third barrier, he took outa, after it and caught it between the barrier and one of the planes spotted forward to starboard. He straddled the bomb and yelled, 'CDamn it! Somebody give me a wrench! A big pipe wrench appeared out of nowhere, but it was i I E i Fighter returns safely from Iwo .lima with wing Section damaged by enemy flak. ,su-1-wha - . gin -E i I 1 3 4 I ? too large. Seconds later, Olup, AOlVI2c, om of Lt. Palena's ordnance lll4'lI, ran across the flight deck with a small wrench for hi111 to use in removing tl1e fuse. Seconds ll1l'2lIli the difference lJCUfVl'l'l1 life and death for lllkllly ol' of us. While Lt. Cjgj Palena was Wllflilllg on the fuse, the Exec was standing by as well as the Fire Parties who had their hoses trai11ed on the bomb. All of tl1is time there was a decided possibility that the bomb might explode and throw liquid lire in all directions. The rest of the story is short, while all that had gone before seemed like an eternity to those involved. The fuse was removed in seconds and the bomb was thrown over the side, with no one the worse for this hair-raising experience. . Lt. Qjgj Palena's conduct throughout this try- ing ordeal was an example of extraordinary heroism, and we are not only proud of and grateful to him, but we are glad to have him as a shipmate. The Old Man, too, was proud, because the Admiral had left him with a Shot w 337' 41 if ,. 1 I potatoj, which Lt. Cjgj Palena cooled off, and he immediately called Lt. Falena to the bridge and gave him the traditional Navy 'cWell Done ll' There is nothing that gives a man more gen- uine satisfaction than to know that his work is appreciated. It was, therefore, with a feeling of pride in the part we had played that we re- ceived, on 22 February, the dispatch from CinCPac, which we quote as follows: UTHE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FIRST CARRIER TASK FORCE OF THE PACIFIC FLEET HAVE DEALT THE EN- EMY A CRUSHING BLOW WHICH WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED X THE SAME COURAGE, SKILL AND TEAMWORK WHICH ENABLED OUR CARRIER PI- LOTS TO DESTROY THE ENEMY IN BAD WEATHER OVER TOKYO ARE NOW BEING DISPLAYED BY THE FORCES WHICH ARE TAKING IWO IS- I . I as af, 1 -2 ww We refuel IH rough weather off Iwo Jima. LAND ONLY 660 MILES FROM TOKYO X THEY WILL ALSO BRING SUCCESS WHEN OUR TROOPS LAND IN JAPAN ITSELF COVERED AND SUPPORTED BY THE EVER INCREASING POWER OF OUR AIR FORCES AND THE GUNS OF THE FLEET X TO THOSE BRAVE MEN WHO HAVE BEEN AND ARE IN COM- BAT AND ALSO TO THOSE WHOSE SUP- Destroyed Jap planes and 'fnghtingi' American planes on Iwo Jima. PORT AND ASSISTANCE IN REAR AREAS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THEIR SUC- CESS CWELL DONE, Xi' We feel it only appropriate to say that every man on board was loud in his praise of our Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Forrestal, when we learned that he had been ashore on Iwo Jima V, 1,2 ,,.. ,W ,,,,k ,..r W, Ht W:,,f,,W,,,..,,,,, ,,.. ,,,, .... ..,, ., ' fr ,aff JNHLWW aw ww -W as -wf f W f f . 1 'f,fm- www fi, w -4 4 , ., , i, .inf is f gs, A , .'W'f.:.-s ',4s'N40K 1 4 W .fswfffwg , X. , --aa yy 4 , ' 'af fm ff? f ff' WW , 4 fffaf g-VW! QQXQX4 WG aff X 5 ftwtff Q ff A , ff ,,,ffV'f ,M ,QW pwf 79,4 , VP H- Wfswff -wwf ,I W- , W 1 J f I w V ,af V! We X X xf W , I f 1 , I 7 K Wrecked Jap plane on Iwo Jima airfield. shortly after the first waves of Marines hit the beach in order to see first-hand just what his Departmenti' was up against on that small island. His gesture was unusual to say the least, and it undoubtedly bolstered the morale of those fighting Marines more than we will ever know. It was, therefore, with peculiar pride that we received from Mr. Forrestal, on 25 February, the following dispatch: HALL HANDS ON THE CVE,S ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON THE CON- TINUOUS AND PRECISE SUPPORT GIVEN THE GROUND TROOPS BY THE NAVAL AIR ARM DURING THIS OPERATION X American night-fighters on Iwo Jima shortly after DH day. Naturally, we are always proud to receive One of our faithful little escorts. words of praise on our operations, but, occa- sfinnally, it is driven home to us that we have ng pay a price for our achievements, and on i March we paid a big price in the loss of three of our shipmates. Lt. tjgll Delbert M. Cerlach and two air crewmen, Randall W. Brooks, ARMIC, and Kenneth P. Josias, AMM2c, were flying over Iwo Jima, observing Marine artillery fire, when they were shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Lt. Cjgj Cerlach and Brooks were buried in the 3rd Marine Ceme- tary on Iwo Jima on 5 March, and Josias was buried in the same Cemctary on 6 March, all with full Military Honors. Then, the very next day, we had the mis- fortune of losing by death our first and only shipmate from the shipls company during These were Jap planes on Iwo Jima, Mt. Suribachi in background. our first year in commission. On that par- ticular afternoon, Friday, 2 March, Paul Mat- thew Hunt, Sic, came up a ladder from the catwalk to the flight deck and, apparently, had not noticed that they were warming up the engines on several torpedo bombers. He ducked under the wing of one of the Avengers and walked alongside the fuselage to cross the flight deck, walking right into a whirling pro- pellor. He, of course, was killed instantly, never knowing what had hit him. We buried him just before sunset that afternoon with full Military Honors, with eight of his buddies acting as pallbearers. The Marines having the situation well in hand on Iwo Jima, and having completed our mission in the operations, we again turned south with the satisfaction of a job well done, and looked forward with much pleasure to getting on the beach again for a change. HSunday, II March 1945: iii-Qo Steaming as before. 1602 Anchored in Berth 150, Ulithi Atoll, Western Caroline lslandsf' We again found ourselves at Ulithi, but this time it was destined to be a pleasanter though shorter stay than the last. In the Hrst place, we were fortunate enough to get a berth in the northern anchorage, not too far from Mog Mog where there were very good recreational facilities. In addition to this, we had a little better boat service than during our last visit. While our visit to Ulithi this time, on the whole, was pleasant, it didn't start off so pleas- antly. In fact, our welcome was anything but a cordial one, because we went to General Quarters three times during the first twenty- four hours, and itis no fun going to General Quarters either in the dark or at anchor, and we had a combination of both, just sitting there like a bunch of decoys. Things Hnally quieted down, though, and by the end of our first day there we settled down to our normal routine, and looked forward to a little rest after the trying Iwo Jima operation. Consequently, after getting fuel, supplies and other gear aboard, all hands were more than ready for a little rest and recreation. We all enjoyed several visits to Mog Mog Island, which held one treat for us in particular. Throughout our entire travels in the Pacific we had never seen a native village, but the author- ities at Ulithi, when they moved the natives from Mog Mog, retained their entire village in- tact, and it was used as a recreation area for the officer and enlisted personnel of the Fleet. What must have been the Chiefis hut is now being used as a Club for Flag CH5cers and Captains, and it is a tremendous thatched roof affair and very spacious as compared to tae smaller huts that dot the recreation area. All the huts have one thing in common, and tdatls a southwest exposure, because none of tnem have sides extending nearer than three feet from the ground. Despite the intense eaytime heat, they are, apparently, very com- fortable at night. One thing in particular tfnat impressed us on Mog Mog was the fact tdat there were several burial grounds there, and all of them Christian. They had tombs built of large coral slabs above the ground, and, without exception, they had crosses at their heads but with Japanese characters on them. It was at Ulithi that Lt. Cjgj NAP, Weintraub f'fi'7iLg ' 6 i ri? i 'H , , . .A,. I ' xg n 4 mi. 1 ,A V Y-, il- 'V , Y ,, ., i . - - -- 3--i-----f-e-ww--+ve-'fm 7- s '1- , 3 .sn .,,. ,, ,mf Q., ee, X , HT X ,RJ :W 1 3 f figs ,g ,V 5 Q 'gg as 9' Rv.-1 1 'I if 3- -2 'inn HM ,Q f -my , Q5 if 5 2 i if his aclroitness at aircraft recognition. Lt. Cjgl Miken Owings were f'Sky- lmfkingu on the forecastle, discussing the prob- aability of ajap attack when, all of a sudden, an CSQU from one of our cruisers came flying overhead. Immediately, Lt. Qjgj Weintraub yelled, Jap Zeke with floats. Aside from recreation, and even more im- portant, we always look forward to going to Ulithi to get mail. The Fleet Post OHice there gives us excellent service, therefore, what spare time we had on board was largely used' in an- awaiting us on our arrival Although by th1s t1me, we were all swering those many welcome le-ttersetltwt 3 . . y b 1.11 ning to wonder when we would be ret to the States, we knew that that was only 1nd1cat1on pointed to the fact that we slated for at least one or two more oper ful thinking for the present, anyway. I a S before being privileged to return to the for availability and leave. While we, naturally, were anxious to get back ant our families, we were also ready to unde any mission assigned us. - Hi' 'Hi Ht' I -- 7-'1+'1s3Q, j-t l 5 . , l l I 3 1-t'L :f' 1 f . .4 f A V' ' F J 1' 'Q I 51: ,,- ,.g- 1.3 if .1 ,- ' '53 1 ' ,r ' J I :fi v 1 I fi Q i . ' fi H-fl 3 J 3 i ' 'iid 1 is 7 . .Y A v? X 'uni'-V .. lf H V, ,rn lv , , . Q' ,ai . .JA '7', 'shi Tiqn - --- W 'f -' 15 . Att smtoas mu Mmoaa, at-f.Mg.5s vs 5, i 4 7 as---sasevif aww. YE f gl r 1- V ESENTS M' me id: , , v . ljx ' , '- ' l mis L nausea QF ca ami, ,-1 f ,t I Nason ZCMMISSUD -L .'f,- a 'UWT Arm -E .5 T-aQ5Fcf-is sw ritz i' I ' :ZLL THE QFGHVE AHL 5F4l'f'LE5E'i, ,Z , I - rfnxrm Owner 3. S . ,Q I N , C-EAR was .v.5-cuueisei. 'fmt il -- SIWLANK in if-5 vici- S sau, cuunauwc . ,X 5 . ,, ' 4- ,,' L A' . . 1-1 .-if 4 f - -.,,h!,ff, 'X 2 f .,., ' , 1 fi' I. 86 - M' - I '-rj, --':f, - , 6 4' it . . , y i -..W .,,.gg-Q.Q. 549 3 11 ., , 3 s. k wi .,,.',f'- .V - f e- sf iifri ..,,..,, 4-ww W , 7, 'QW .F fy I Z I .X if A M we' , I H 1. 6 ff V f' Y A xiii' ff, f W V H, , , 4, y u w V I, , f , V X Our own picture of Old Glory Hying atop Mt. Surihachi. 87 af? if Saga xv! ki' 3 4 4 gf :V 1 ps l is , .,, ' ,L L i 1 . y, 1 ls 1, I l ii it I. 'F l l E 8 .,,. 59 4' 3 3 24 I , 1 f imma, l'AR'l' v OKINAWA C,iUN'I'O Okinawa zvm' mfr! in our plan, .45 we lungvrlforze'ani to t7afmn. I! was a lung rum' 11111111111 Clllllflflllgll, 0'er rough ana' zwll I1'tfff'l1Ilr'Il f6?I'I'Cll'll., But zzvlzrn llrvjirzing riff! A final! 1' .S'llf1.s'l'!f1' Viclorjy, again, zewx on our .S'1.llf'. 3 WWE-dnesday, QI Nlarch 1945: 04-08 Anchored as before. 0639 Underway from Berth 27-28, Ulithi Atoll, on various courses and speeds conforming to the channel. That night, the Old Man pulled HTHAT OHAIRN up t0 the lireside, broke out his mike, and told us all about the coming operation. He told us that this particular operation was to be more of a campaign than a battle, because it would last a long time, and would involve the occupying of several smaller Jimas, Shimas and Rettos before and after the actual invasion of Okinawa Shima, our major objective in the battle of Okinawa Gunto. He told us by name the many large naval vessels that would be in- , 25,1513 r i ft 'WC ,agfmasg ' 'ss ll As ss V sy. volvcd in the operation, and it sounded like a roll call of every capital ship in the Fleet. It seemed, also, that there was to be a tremendous lxlNl.1nryy!r1fWy X Xi- ik' X -BX ,Xu S X i, f number of destroyers, destroyer escorts, mine- sweepers, transports and supply ships. In fact, it sounded like the entire Pacific Fleet was being thrown into the operation to guarantee its success. The Captain went on to say, also, Some of the ap hulks th it htttrc d the Okinawa bcac ht s on I ovc J as pie invasion strikes took toll of enemy shipping f A - 89 yt 552,54 1 l 5 5 , ' ' 'ff f ifiii 'af ' , ,932 -y r? , Landing craft orbiting transports off Okinawa on HD, Day. that it would be the longest operation of its kind in Naval history. Having gotten the word from the Captain, we crawled in our bunks that night, knowing full well that we would in all probability have some tough going ahead of us. Q The Captain had already told us that Ln Day CLove Day-the Okinawa invasion dayj was to be I April, Easter Sunday, and, as usual, the carrier and battle forces arrived off Oki- nawa Gunto several days ahead. We immedi- ately began our softening up attack on Oki- nawa Shima, Kerama Retto and other islands scheduled for invasion. Kerama Retto is a small group of islands just southwest of Okinawa Shima, and our forces took the Retto a couple of days before LU Day, without too much opposition. Since Easter Sunday marked the invasion of Okinawa Shima, we would be occupied with our attack, and would, therefore, be unable to have our usual Easter Divine Services. Con- sequently, the Captain had the Chaplain read the Easter Story and say appropriate prayers over the general announcing system on Easter Eve. The next day, however, we did Wel- come Happy Morningn in our own hearts, be- cause, after all, we were giving everything we had toward trying to make this a better world in which to live, a world which would truly be governed by the 'fGolden Rule. The invasion on Easter Morn was a com- bined Army and Marine operation, and our forces went ashore without too much opposi- tion and with small casualties. They were destined, however, to move slowly, because the japs had 'cdug inf, and were defending this sixty mile long island of Okinawa Shima from caves, large concrete pill boxes, block houses and burial vaults, and otherwise availing them- selves of the natural topography of the island, which lent itself well to defensive operations. Apparently, the japs had long since realized that they could not prevent our forces from landing on their islands, and they had adopted the strategy of fighting a delaying action, trying to make our conquest as costly as possible after the landings had been made, because here, as at Iwo Jima, they seemed determined to iight to the last man. Our forces moved ahead according to plan, however, and had complete- ly occupied the main air strip, Yon Tan, a couple of days after ULU Day, and, within a week, our Army, Navy and Marine pilots were using the air strip. The island was virtually ours after the tenth day of operations, however, as in all similar invasions, despite tremendous losses inflicted on the enemy, it developed into a systematic extermination of the Hendish fanatics otherwise known as Japanese. ' ANOTHER JAP FLAG F OR OUR SQUADRON On 'fLove', Day, our Squadron contributed another Jap flag to the decoration of our bridge when Ensign Houk and Lt. Cjgj Couch jointly 'csplashedw ajap Tony over Okinawa Shima I I l Landing craft maneuvering off Okinawa beaches on Love', Day -VC 85 Hghter overhead. I .nl.1......,., gud thus sent aliotlier Son ol' Nippon on Itift way to Visit his l1l'll't'SlUl'S. 'l'his xwttsgjttst at part gf the outstanding work ol our Scluzttlrott tts they Supportefl the slow, lull sttwltly 4ltlx'zl11t't- of our forces on the island. lilill.-Xlkl.-X R1-71 1'o Monday, 2 April 194333 08-12 Steaming as before. 0805 on various courses and speeds eonliorniing to elmnnel into Kerama Retto anchorage. 0810 .fknclioretl in Berth K-gg in QQ liathoins ol' wzllel' with 75 fathoms of chain out to the port anchor. 0815 Set Condition Baker. 0833 Unidentitied air- craft reported bearing 1ti2O'l', distance I5 miles. 0837 Set Condition of Readiness lll. 0840 Two enemy aircraft reported sout 1 of anchorage. Ship went to General Quarters. 0856 Gne japanese aircraft, type llony,' shot down by this ship, crashed 1250 yards astern on port side of LST 735. 0912 Secured from General Quarters. Set Condition of Readi- ness III, Material Condition Baker. 0927 Went to General Quarters. Unidentified air- craft reported bearing 0o0OT, distance 8 miles. 1028 Secured from General Quarters except for AA Batteries. Set Condition of Readiness III, Material Condition Bakerf' ff? f X lx umlt in in dt ith thu alttt being shot down by ship s guns at lXLldfIld Rctto. y V, ly, if ff' 5 ,f 517, X yo , ,, 4 4, ff 2 -z 'f: :' -'fp if I . -v 1 ANOTHER .IAP FLAG Qur greatest excitement of the Okinawa Gunto operations, and our most trying day, was on Easter Monday, 2 April. Early that morning we anchored in Kerama Retto an- chorage, which, just a few days previous, had been occupied by vessels of the Imperialjapan- ese Fleet, or, rather, what was left of their Fleet. We had just turned to on the business of our visit, and were riding peacefully at an- chor, when that gong began to ring, and we went quickly to General Quarters. At 0852 Jap plane Crashes 50 ft. from LST 735, 1,250 yards :tstern of us, after being shot clown by our .MX batteries at lifflllllil Retto. two Jap planes were sighted flying high over- head, barely within sight, and, as we watched, one of them began a steep dive at us from about 5000 feet, but his aim was poor. He passed overhead through the fire of our guns and pulled up at about 1800 feet, evidently realizing he was going to miss us. He turned from port to starboard, gaining altitude all the while. When he returned to our starboard side he presented a better target for our guns, and, as he apparently began a dive on the U.S.S. Saginaw Bay COVE 821, anchored on our starboard quarter, we hit him fatally and he crashed, out of control, about 50 feet from the LST 73 5, which was anchored I2 50 yards astern of us. We can only imagine how the crew of that LST felt after their narrow escape. Where the other Jap went, we donit know, but we do know that there was another Jap flag painted on our bridge that morning. c'B0giesf' were reported around all during the day. Consequently, we remained at Gen- eral Quarters, insofar as the anti-aircraft bat- teries were concerned, for the remainder of our stay at Kerama Retto. While no more HBan- ditsl' came at us during the rest of our stay, the Top Yon Tan airfield and landing beach, Okinawa, on L -l-2g below Showing destruction of Naha airfield, Okinawa on L +2. Okinawa bmchhcad on Love,' +Q. xl I .. 4 lmyllulll1'll1Xux1'l. ln'1.ullX4' lfml .nlllllllullllum IfJ1l 31:1 WHS I ' I ' ' Y' A 1h1'll.1mlvm-111-4111-111 ul llml l,.uX1vn Xlmulux ' :lv-:H .Xlnrlunmi av, lavlrnf-, fHllIlIllIlIlU, lu IIUIIVKI all llnf- gumlun cl:-lull. :jgj IQf'!1'lX'l'fl Inst lcmrl ul' lr, HnNl1l1llXI1llbx1lI lllXm.m.e NWN 1' Ml -fm ll'v1'lvX wlln4w1 .1 . - - HIIUIQ UI IHVH-N IUIIUM In llnql lnuxt-.Kiln , Mfr X Iwul ul 'Jim 4 , L 'H ,MMI ,ll Illi' XNll'l llull .lllmwlnxlw .uluhuufl Hn- XX.lI1III'P lffff fl.ufx vllllll lmII1lllX ul fli-Xuninxxn WUIIIIUIXWIYII' lufflqwr In Cnlu - A ' ll IKLNIXUII lllrlmlllnlnuil 1HXllu.nx.nu1n I 1 fwh. N431 In nu In X, .null Hum +rn1lvlm1-11nf'11I-Xi fffmfj WI' pull :wx 115 Q li my imm II- umxllum lu 1llXm.m.1 l1v.uIn1X lu 1 iw lu-I+ llwlll th'-Mlm-1 l.1ll1-.11 1nI1f,114umI,lfmmulInf-Impwin-mlmnlullflignnlznxmibffwf xxx X K . V . P :vm nm u!4xlxwIN'ul1'u fllnzrzxvn mr! XXfIl1lllf1Illf1Il I A liu lLllitll4N ' ' ' ' ' I lf' Q1' X X X XX X XX X X XXXXXSX 5 NX X K NX XNXX N QNX f Q X Y Aifjwx XXX XRNS 9 NR 9 AP 3 w I QNX X G 1 f' 'S 23.5 wx W A 1, Q SQ' 9 MJVM -hih I ammunition from LCM. 1735 Underway from Kerama Retto anchorage. Captain at the conn. Executive Officer and Navigator on the bridge. afe ahead 2f3. 1737 Ship 7.--gf T' 4, jg '99r'iffiiiQgfj , Q-EE: 9. M, 5 , QZQZLQQE Sr... gi g,'et . 455.3 3 i. I. i i I it 77 -.1-4 3 Yan ff ffl s t 5 'f-'f ' F E iii. X1 , ,,, ,if ' -if-.2 iff-' if Efif- 'Wil 1 ,J effi-reefs' ...lZfsr 03? went to General Quarters. 1740 Came to course 215OT and p.g.c., 2180 p.s.c. 1754 Passed through anti-submarine nets. Kerama Retto had been a hot place in more ways than one, and no one was exactly sorry to be leaving, however, our really hot time was yet to come, when ' 'CI8-20 Steaming as before. 1809 Secured from General Quarters. Set Condition of Readiness III, Material Condition Baker. 1823 cfc to 1o4OT and p.g.c., 0990 p.s.c. Five destroyers of MinDiv 60 sighted on port bow 2 miles. 1833 Ship went to General Quarters. 'B0gies' reported approaching from north- erly and southwesterly directions. Transport Group, 6 miles distant on starboard quarter, seen under attack. 1842 cfs to flank. 1843 Two enemy planes approaching our starboard quarter. All guns opened fire. U.S.S. M itcfzell and U.S.S. Patterson also opened fire. One plane hit and believed crashed. The other plane turned away at 1500 yards. 1844 Two enemy planes approaching on port beam. The U.S.S. Nawmem, MinDiv 60 and this ship all took these planes under Hre. Both planes shot down. 1845 cfc to I5OoT and p.g.c. Unidentified plane approaching on port bow in low glide. An enemy 'Nick' approaching in diving attack on starboard bow. All brought to bear and plane on port bow turned away at 1,000 yardsg believed to have been hit and crashed. Planes on starboard bow turned left at 1200 yards and dove on U.S.S. Mitchell, dropping two small bombs. The plane then crash-dived on an APD. 1858 cfc to 240 'I' and p.g.c. Fires observed on APD. 1916 Ob- served gunfire by convoy bearing 255oT, dis- tance IO miles. Two enemy planes seen to be shot down in flames. 1942 Secured from Gen- eral Quarters. Set Condition of Readiness III, Material Condition Baker. 1958 cfc to 27OOT and p.g.c. cfs to I4 knots. Bogies having been reported closing on us from both the north and southwest, we were, of course at General Quarters waiting to open fire just the minute they dared come within range of our guns. At 1843 two enemy planes were seen approaching our starboard quarter and the starboard guns opened fire just before they got within range, throwing up a terrific barrage. One of the planes dared to come in to within 1500 yards, but, apparently, he couldn't Utake it,,' and turned and dis- appeared. The second plane, taken under fire by this ship, the M itehell and the Patterson, finally turned to his starboard, low on the iE55I:I ffflf G its iEii53a We 'F-5 Nl 5 f i I f--+55 221 1 l M fresco E25 1- it . f -rio Nuxllilm P If E :Ee YIQII 'ff - fl' I.---' QC - .5 ' . 'Q NX iq' tease. sf 1 ClNsi:? 032255 water, and crashed some distance from us. just about that time, two more enemy fighters approached low on the water to port and were taken under fire by the Nawman and probably MinDiv 60. One of them exploded in the air Q. U.S.S. Dickerson ablaze following Kamikaze hit off Kerama Retro. and the other crashed in flames. At 184.5 an unidentified plane started a dive on our port beam and all our port guns opened up, and he, too, couldnjt C'take our barrage and he turned away at 1000 yards. We saw this plane no more, and, after the gunfire he went through, it is only logical to assume that he is now en- joying a bowl of rice with his ancestors. While this plane was diving on our port bow, another plane, believed to be a 'CNick,H was diving on our starboard bow, but he also turned at 1200 yards and attacked the Mitchell, dropping two small bombs which fell close astern of her, then heading again for us. Apparently hit by either us or the M itchell, he turned away smoking, and Admiral Durgin CComEsCarForPacj honors us with a vist off Okinawa Gunto. WT crash-dived into an APD, which we took to be the Dickerson, because the ship where the Dick- erson had last been seen was suddenly a blazing inferno. While those last two planes were diving at us simultaneously, from both port and starboard, every gun on the ship had them un- der lire. ln the semi-darkness, as all guns belched forth flames from their smoking muz- zles, our ship resembled a picture of the Gates of Hell being suddenly thrown open on a dark night. The attacks we had repulsed during that day proved to be by far the most extended period we had remained under attack, and, actually, there had been no time during our combat Banta, Sic, is returned aboard after jumping over the side to avoid falling plane. career that we had been more vulnerable. That morning, we had been attacked while at anchor in a coral atoll unable to maneuver. Even had the Old Man decided to get under- way, it would have been slow going for us, maneuvering our way out through the hazard- ous coral reefs that surrounded the anchorage. So we just had to sit there like a Clay Pigeon and fight the best we could from our ccsit- ting-positionf, That, however, proved good enough. Then, in the attack that evening, we didn't have our usual number of aircraft car- riers and as large a screen with us as we had previously had when under attack. There we were, the main target, with only our three de stroyers comprising the Task Force to fight off all those planes Even then maneuvering was none too easy because we hadn t gotten into the open sea when the attack started, and were bounded by coral reefs not too far distant ' ,' cc aa . j , 9 J I if .g both to port and starboard. 'l.'herc is no doubt in our minds but that the planes that came at us that night were all Kznonikazes, and all dc- termined to get the Iitlllgll Plllillf, but that hail of gunfire that we threw at them at every turn apparently proved to them that their cllorts would be in vain, which undoubtedly accounts for one of them doing as much damage as he could by jumping on the APD, a much smaller ship. Finally, at 1942, wc secured from Gen- eral Quarters, with the satisfaction that Hour teamn had turned the trick again, leaving no doubt in our own minds that we had finally be- come a tried and tested fighting unit of the Fleet. We arrived at our operating area off Oki- nawa Gunto the next day and, again, set about our mission of bombing and strafing the japs in the face of our advancing troops on Okinawa Shima, and that day, 3 April, proved to be an eventful day in the life of the Lunga Point. MAN OVERBOARD ! At 1045 that day, while we were making a sharp turn to port in a rather heavy sea, one of our fighter planes on the starboard quarter of the flight deck was torn loose from its mooring, and fell Hinto the drinkf' Banta, j.P., Sic, was standing watch as Surface Lookout No. 3, and he was right in the path of the plane as she began tearing herself loose. Banta had no idea of letting that plane land on him, so he just jumped Mover the side into the waters of the Pacific. It is said that, even as he was in mid-air on his 40 foot jump into the sea, he took off his cphones, saying, f'Oontrolg Lookout 3 going off the linef, Fortunately, he had his kapok life jacket on, and he jumped far enough for the falling plane to miss him. After float- ing about in the heavy sea for a few minutes, the U.S.S. Patterson, one of our faithful escorts that had been with us since October, picked him up and he was returned to the ship via the , ,M Smoke billows from warehouse near Naha Domar following direct bomb hit by our planes. breeches buoy none the worse for his experi- ence. OUR ADMIRALB, PAYS Us A V1s1T The highlight, however, not only of Tuesday, 3 April, but of our entire first year in com- mission occurred at 1141 that day, when a visiting plane came to rest on our flight deck, and out jumped ComEsOarForPac, Admiral O. T. Cal Durgin himself. Not one soul, even our Skipper, knew the Admiral was com- ing over to see us. In fact, it was so unprec- .l11-in Lunga Pain! from the air, east of Okinawa. 97 edented for an Admiral to leave his Flag Ship in the active combat zone and lily over to an- other carrier that the Old lXf1an could hardly believe his eyes when he saw our distinguished guest get out of the plane. As soon as the Captain got down to the flight deck to greet the Admiral, he innnediate- ly told the Skipper that, after hearing of what we had been through at Kerama Retto the day before, he just had to come over to see us. He K .lap Dinah destroyed on Okinawa. also told the Old Man that he wanted to talk to our Ship's Company over the general an- nouncing system. The Captain was only too glad to comply, so, after he had lunched with the Skipper, he talked to us for a few minutes, and he could have talked to us Hfrom now on without pleasing us more than when he said, After hearing what you men went through at Kerama Retto yesterday, I just had to come over here and personally see what it is that makes the Lunga Point click. His entire talk was most complimentary and was appreciated by us far more than he will ever know. Ad- miral Durgin is a very busy man, and he had to make his visit a brief one, so at 1334. he Hew away from our decks and back to his Flag Ship, leaving us all with the definite feeling that we had reached the climax in our first year's operations. And, with humble grati- tude for this gesture on the part of the Admiral, we re-affirmed our determination to continue to justify our Admiral's coniidence in us. The Admiral's visit was about all you heard anyone aboard talking about for sometime thereafter. We were, however, also pleased and grateful to receive from Admiral Blandy, Comrnander Arnpleiilmious Forces, on 4 April, the following clispatch: 'Ii'I'eIE ACZGRESSIVE SPIRIT SHOWN AND RESUIXIS AC ZCTOMI'I,ISHED BY ALL OF YOU DURING THE PAST WEEK HAVE MADE I'l' A ,PRIAXIIJEGE FOR ME TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM X A CiRANIJ SLAM Fon OUR SQUADRON In all fairness to all pilots everywhere it should bc explained that the number of planes shot down by a particular Squadron is, to a certain extent, luck. In other words, the Squadron that happens to have the TCAP CTarget Combat Air Patrolj duty when and where the enemy comes in is, naturally, going to Usplashu more planes than the Squadron simply Hying LCAP CLocal Combat Air Patrolj over vessels off shore. It so happened that, up until this point, our fighters hadn't had much of an opportunity to Hshow their stuff. On Friday, 6 April, our Squadron finally got the break they had been waiting for. We happened to have the TCAP over Okinawa Gunto that day when the Sons of Nippon came down, and they made a f'Field Day of it, shooting down eight enemy planes late that afternoon. Our pilots who were responsible l I r Destruction of large building 7 miles NXE of Naha, Okinawa. for Splashing those eight planes were Lt. Pettitt, Lt. Pleat, Lt. Cjgj Ingram, Lt. Homyak, Lt. Bazzell, Ens. Swanson, Ens. Prindle and Ens. Turner, wita Lt. Ingram accounting for two planes alone, one HZeke and one 'cVal.H These fine pilots had shown they could dish it out, and the eight additional Jap flags painted on our bridge the next day was their visible tribute to our Shipmate, Lt. Bazzell, who took his last long flight that day after personnally accounting for a Jap Zeke It was also during the Okinawa operationsw Sunday, 8 April-that Lt. Cjgj Cron and his air crewmen had an experience that was hair- raising to say the least. They were shot down behind the enemy lines, and the thrilling story of their experience will be found in the back of the book. Q FoUR THOUSANDTH LANDING We celebrated another event on II April when the four thousandth landing was made on our flight deck by Lt. Pettitt. That's an indication of a lot of flying, and is further evi- dence that we have come a long way since I4 May 1944. AVENGER TURNS FIGHTER On I2 April, Lt. Reilly performed the unusual feat of Usplashingw a Jap uVal,' over Okinawa Gunto while flying his Avenger Torpedo Bomber on a photographic mission. These powerful planes are not built to be used in a dog fight? On this particular day, Lt. Cjgj Reilly was Hying along the beach of Okina- wa Shima taking pictures of Jap installations when he suddenly spotted a HVal', crossing his path dead ahead. He couldn't let the oppor- tunity pass, so, imagining himself in one of our fighter planes, he lit out after him, and the last he saw of the rascal was in a funeral pyre on the beach. Lt. Reilly had brought the Ban- diti' down with his fixed guns, but, as he Hew low over the target, his Turret Gunner made the kill certain by strafing the 'fVal', with a stream of lead that left no doubt about that Jap being Uout of combatj' forever. FRANKLIN DELANO RoosEvELT The Okinawa operations were destined to be momentous in many ways, and it was with gen- uine sorrow and regret on the part of all hands that, on I3 April, we received a dispatch from Secretary F orrestal reading as follows: HI HAVE THE SAD DUTY OF ANNOUNC- ING TO THE NAVAL SERVICE THE DEATH OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOS- EVELT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH OCCURRED ON I2 APRIL X THE WORLD HAS LOST A CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY WHO Val burning in Okinawa ravine after being shot down by Lt. Cjgj Reilly while on photo mission in TBM on I2 April. o CAN ILL BE SPARED BY OUR COUNTRY AND THE ALLIED CAUSE X THE NAVY WHICH HE SO DEARLY LOVED CAN PAY NO BETTER TRIBUTE TO HIS MEM- ORY THAN TO CARRY ON IN THE TRA- DITION OF WHICH HE WAS SO PROUD X COLORS SHALL BE DISPLAYED AT HALF MAST FOR go DAYS BEGINNING o8oo I3 APRIL WEST LONGITUDE DATE IN SO FAR AS WAR OPERATIONS PER- MIT X MEMORIAL SERVICE SHALL BE HELD ON THE DAY OF THE FUNERAL TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER AT ALL YARDS AND STATIONS AND ON BOARD ALL VESSLES OF THE NAVY, WAR OP- ERATIONS PERMITTING X WEARING OF MOURNING BADGES AND FIRING OF SALUTES WILL BE DISPENSED WITH IN VIEW OF WAR CONDITIONS X77 Regardless of individual political sympathies, this message came as a distinct shock to all of us. We had lost a President who had been a real leader throughout the course of the war, and one who, no one can deny, had thoroughly sold himself to our Allied Leaders and had gained such harmonious relations with them that the Diplomatic VVar, as well as the VVar of Combat, against our enemies was definitely nearing a successful conclusion. He had made great strides toward the achievement of World Peace, the San Francisco World Peace Gon- ference, in session at this writing, was just one of his achievements. Despite his un- questioned ability, however, no one man in the United States is indispensible to the welfare of our Nation, therefore, the very minute that Vice President Truman was sworn in as Presi- dent, all Americans everywhere silently assured him of their whole-hearted support and co- operation in the prosecution of the war along the lines already laid out by his predecessor. And it was with great admiration that we, on the Lzmga Point, recognized his deep sense of humility as President Truman took up the burden of his high office. At the time of President Roosevelt's death, momentous events were taking place all over the world. Gur Russian Allies were rolling into Berlin from the east, and our own Armed Forces, under the brilliant leadership of Gen- eral Eisenhower, were forging steadily ahead from the west. Berlin had, by this time, been completely occupied by Russian Troops, and every town of any consequence throughout Germany had been taken by one or the other of the Allied Armies. We received word that Hitler was dead, one report having it that he had died a hero, and another that he had died the ignominious death of a suicide. We chose to accept the latter cowardly cause of his death. Yes, Germany, the homeland of the 'cSuper Race was truly on the verge of surrender. Then, on Hour sidew of the world, British, Indian and American forces were routing the laps out of Burma, and Rangoon, the Gapital, had already been re-taken. That great soldier, Diplomat and Statesman, General Ghiang Kai- Shek, was giving the laps many a tough scrap in his vast land of Ghina. And last, but lnot least, we had the Japs thrown back on their Underground -lap hangars on Okinawa. flamoullaged airstripjust beyond highway. haunches, licking their wounds, right in their own front yard. The American Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard were giving him more than hc could take, and, despite his fanatical resistance, his fienclish tactics, his in- human tendencies, it seemed to us who were knocking at his door that he would soon ruc the day that he had perpetrated that sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Yes, we do remember Pearl Harbor, but no one will remember it as long as the japanese Nation, because they are now paying a heavy price for any sense of guilty satisfaction they might have derived from their villainous act of 7 December 1941. And, with all the suffering the laps were now undergoing, we were glad that the Lwzga Point had been, and would continue to be, the cause of no little of their misery. But, the war is not over yet, even the Battle of Okinawa continues as we near the end of our first year in commission, and we, ourselves, have been in on it from the start-an operation that has lasted longer than any individual carrier operation in history. Wlien the powers that be consider that our job has been com- pleted, and we are ordered to some port for rest, we will have been constantly underway without let-up for a long, long time. The only thing that we have had to console us during this arduous campaign has been the fact that we As we entered Kerama Retto on 2 April. have had mail brought to us three or four times by destroyer. That, naturally, is in addition to the satisfaction of a job well done. Our fresh vegetables are gone. We are living on dehydrated Hspudsf, dehydrated carrots, de- hydrated onions, frozen pork chops, synthetic lemonjuice, frozen pork chops, powdered milk, frozen pork chops and frozen pork chops. We are tired, very tired. The average man aboard has considered himself fortunate if he has gotten six hours of sound sleep a day, and a good part of the sleep he has gotten has been in l mi In many instances supplies were dropped by parachulc to our forces on Okinawa. tl r 1 Q I l l ll i ll H, l l- zns - Jap radio station, 7 miles NfE of Naha, Okinawa, being bombed by our squadron. 'feat naps as he lay exhausted on his Hash- proof mattress cover on his bunk, with his clothes on, and with one ear cocked for the sound of the General Alarm. Some of us have stood many a topside watch in the heaviest rain one can imagine, for hours at a time, getting drenched from head to foot. Some of us have had just the opposite privilege of stand- ing engine room watches in the almost un- bearable heat. It has been hard on all of us, but no harder on any one man aboard than on any other. But our spirits are not down- hearted, because the hardships we have en- dured have been reeognized' in so many ways by those under whom we fight. On I4 April, we received a dispatch from Admiral Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet, reading as follows: WFOR THE CONTINUED FINE PER- FORMANCE OF OUR PILOTS AND AIR- CREWS IN OVERWHELMING ENEMY'S HEAVIEST AIR EFFORTS AND FOR FORTITUDE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR SURFACE UNITS PARTICULARLY ON OUTLYING STATIONS IN COMBAT- TING THE SMALL PERCENTAGE OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT THAT COULD GET THROUGH OUR AIR DEFENSE I CAN- NOT EXPRESS TOO HIGHLY MY AD- MIRATION X THIS WILL NOT BUILD UP THE ENEMY,S AIR FORCE NOR HELP HIS MORALE Xi' And, speaking of recognition of good work, we are all mighty proud of those Departments responsible for fueling at sea-Gunnery, Engi- neering and C. 8L R.--because the results of their training in this particular job were well proven on 16 April, when we received a dis operation, reading as follows HWHAT IS YOUR FUELING PROCE- DURE THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO FINISH SO QUICKLYPE patch from Admiral Durgin, following a fueling We were further Henergizedn on the same date when we received a pat on the back by being specifically mentioned in Admiral Blandyis dispatch reading as follows: SWE CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HIGHLY WE REGARD THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CVE'S AND THEIR PILOTS IN THIS AS WELL AS PREVIOUS OPERATIONS X YOU NOT ONLY DO YOUR USUAL DIFFICULT SUPPORT TASKS WITH- OUT COMPLAINT BUT ALSO TAKE ON IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE MISSIONS WITH EAGERNESS AND SUCCESS X WELL DONE XR Then, on 22 April, we received the following dispatch from Headquarters 77th Infantry Division: HTHE AIR COVER FURNISHED THE 77TH DIVISION IN THE KERAMA RET- TO OPERATION 26 MARCH TO 31 MARCH IQ45 INCLUSIVE WAS SUCH THAT NOT A MEMBER OF THE DIVI- SION WAS LOST OR INJURED BY EN- EMY AIR ACTION X THE AIR SUPPORT FURNISHED ON LANDING BEACHES AND UPON SUBSEQUENTLY LIMITED TARGETS IN THE ISLAND WAS OUT- STANDING BOTH IN PROMPTNESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MISSIONS CONDUCTED X SUCH SPLENDID CO- OPERATION BETWEEN ARMS CAN ON- LY RESULT IN FURTHERING THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENEMY RAPIDLY AND WITH MINI MUM LOSS TO OUR OWN FORCES X' When the end of the Okinawa operatiJI1S was in sight, the powers that be undoubtedll' knew that we were tired and needed a change of scenery, so they sent us off on a special mls- sion where we would be less likely to encounter any Jap aircraft. The night before we tOCik departure from the operating area off Okinawa the Captain talked to us over the general nouneing system, telling us where we were go- ing and what we had to do. At the same time, he told us that, comparatively speaking, it would not be a strenuous operation, that all hands had done a good job thus far and needed a rest, and that he hoped we would be able to relax in the new area and get some much needed rest. VVe arrived in our new operating area on 26 April, with all hands looking forward to that 'frelaxationi' the Captain had promised us. We had hardly gotten there, though, when the Exec left the Old Man out on the short end of a limb. The Executive Officer is second in command and is well protected by Navy Regu- lations, which go on to say that Nall orders of the Executive Oflicer shall be considered as emanating from the Commanding Qflicerf We had hardly taken station in our Urelax- ationi' area when we picked up the Plan-of-the- Day, covering our work for the first day there, and what to our weary and sleepy eyes should appear but the following note: UField Day all day throughout the shipli' The words 4'Field Dayj' have a number of meanings. To our pilots, it can be a Grand Slam against enemy aircraft, to some of us, it is a day set aside in Prep School and College for a full day of intra-mural track and field events. But 3 fam., . - , Apra Harbor, Cuarn. to the men of the Lunga Point, it has a more ominous and dreadful interpretation. It sim- ply means to them that all day throughout the shipw they will be scrubbing the decks and bulkheads with soap and water, polishing bright work, chipping paint, sweeping down, painting the decks and bulkheads, scraping the ladders with wire brushes, and otherwise Hrelaxinga' as tney carry on their work under the ugly stares of a Petty Cfficer, in preparation for the Uflashfight inspectionw of the First gash if M Kibitzers on forecastle while dropping hook at Guami fx ll Q.. M mv,-3 li 1 1 i ' I 2 ., s ' Top: just before flooding the dry-dock at Guam, below: In dry- dock. Lieutenant. The Skipper had told us to relax, so that night, all hands turned in their bunks, relaxed from utter exhaustion. And, though we had soon been in the relaxation area for some days, the Field Day went on and on. Little wonder we were all anxious to get orders to a port where we could really relax, and those orders couldn't be coming through too soon for us, because it had been rumored that we would soon be getting underway for our first visit to Guam where we would probably be for ten days or two weeks. VICTORY IN EUROPE Sure enough, we got those orders on 6 May, and immediately got underway from our op- erating area. Nothing of importance occurred en route to port until we got word of the uncon- ditional surrender of Germany. While we had been more or less expecting Germany's com- plete collapse momentarily, it was with a great T Top: Entering dry-dock, below: High and dry. deal of pleasure and satisfaction that we re- ceived word that Germany had officially gone down in ignominious defeat. Aside from the satisfaction derived from any Allied victory, we knew that Germany's surrender meant a quicker termination of the War in the Pacific. We knew that increasing help would soon be coming our way, and that we would all soon be celebrating a real victory-a victory and un- conditional surrender over the most despicable race that ever walked on the face of the earth. With that certain knowledge to console us for all we had been through, we turned again to the business at hand, and on Friday, II May 1945: I2-16 Steaming as before. 1205 passed OrOtC Point and Buoy No. 1 abcam to starboard. 1207 All engines stopped. 1208 Passed Buoy NO. 2 abeam to starboard. 1213 P21SSC'd through anti-subniarine nets. 1215 Starboard 01,5 UW-r 1111-Simi 2111giqlf-c'If'11Ilr-mug lfflfmx' .X yf-01114111 L11-ls his lrmclw 4ln lx Ill rlu all lx mcls cxulutmn ul ul ipmu lI1lIpl1INlIll'NlllI3 x lmt i mm Ill cllx mlm lx nl cull im Q' I 05 engine ahead 1,f'3. 1218 Port engine ahead 2 axe stopped. 1223 Maneuvering to take station in Berth 562. 1231 Anchored in Berth 562, Apra Harbor, Guam, in IQ fathoms of water, 75 fathoms of chain out to the star- board anchor, on the following bearings: Range 112OT, Beacon AM 188OT, Beacon HBH 142.8OT, Beacon MDN IOOOT, Beacon UG o99OT. 1243 Secured main enginesf' GUAM Few men on board had ever been to Guam before, and it was, therefore quite a treat to us to have the opportunity of visiting this impor- tant outpost of the United States. As a matter of fact, we would have appreciated an oppor- tunity to set foot on land almost anywhere at that time, because everyone on board was ut- terly exhausted from having been underway on the Okinawa operation for Hfty-one days without stop. In this connection, with the exception of ten days in Ulithi between the Iwo Jima and Gkinawa operations, we had, by this time, been underway on combat operations for exactly ninety days, and that's a long time in anybody's language. Small wonder, then, that we were ready for a rest at this port that was bustling with the business of winning the war. Although, our forces had re-taken Guam from the japs only about nine months before we got there, from the looks of things, you could well imagine that the japs had never been there, because there was little outward evidence of their long oc- cupation of this beautiful, mountainous island. The Army, Navy and Marine activities there were doing a man-sized job in logistics and otherwise preparing our forces for the advance to the Empire. Our installations were tremen- dous and far-Hung. Even Admiral Nimitz had already established his Advance Headquarters there, so that he would be just that much nearer the fighting front. We found that they already had just about every facility necessary for ser- vicing the Fleet, and we found the authorities most cooperative in every respect. The Old Man and the Exec, realizing that we were tired, gave us all the liberty they could. As a matter of fact, during the time we were in dry clock there, when all hands are normally supposed to be over the side, cleaning, scraping and painting the shipis bottom, they let our liberty parties go ashore on schedule just as if we weren't in dry dock. To show their appreci- ation for this uninterrupted liberty, our men scraped, cleaned and painted our bottom in the record time of thirty-two hours. The real treat of our stay in Guam occurred however, when a representative of GomAirPac came aboard and offered to let groups of fifty men and Hve officers at a time spend a 48 hour liberty at a rest camp over in the hills. The rest camp was one that they maintain for the rehabilitation of Squadrons just returning from combat, and you can bet your life we were quick to accept their most gracious invitation. Consequently, a large number of the Ship's Company were able to enjoy the facilities of the rest camp, where they could sleep as late as they wanted and not have to lift their hands, because everything was done for them. turned to on our hull so eagerly that they had Except for the ones who were fortunate enough to go to the rest camp, the rest of us didn't get to see much of Guam. Our liberty parties went to the Gab Gab Recreation Area 72111: Exec bids squadron farewellg below: Squadron c0mmaHdCI' responds to Exec. everyday, where the highlight ol' their liberty was the privilege ol' actually talking to real, live and attractive .Xnierican girls who were on duty there with the Red Cross. 'l'hen, too, they got their usual ration ol' two cans ol' beer per man, which added lots to the singing as they gathered around the piano while one of the Red Cross girls or 'l'alavera, Sic, played. There was also an Ullicerls Club and a Chief Petty Qllicer's Club there, and the Oflicers and Chiefs had two barbecues at the Chief's Club during our stay, which were most enjoyable as they always are. Inasmuch as all the villages of Guam were uout of bounds to military personnel, we saw very little outside of our own military installa- tions and the recreation areas. VVe did have to go up to CinCPac,s Headquarters one day, which, incidentally, is beautifully located up in the mountains. 011 this trip, we also passed through what used io be the village of Agana. Now, it is nothing but ruins, and we understand , L, W, ' ,W , 4 'rgmwf M1-fvry 4 , , ff, ,, 4 , i that it was demolished by our own Naval gun- fire during the invasion, rctaking the island. As we rode along the coastal highway we would, occasionally, see a demolished Jap tank out in a lield or a stranded American MAlli- gator out on the coral reefs. Whilcf wc rode i i i 'luffx Silas Green lap dancing as a member of .Xpollo Oracles 'l'np: VC-85 prepares to depart ship, below: VC-85 departs ship on at Guanig 1f'l1lf'l.' l?wanl4ie Sinatra sings: bf'!UZI'.' XVave orders to return to the States for leave and reassigmnenl. 'losephine tlisch, Sac, dances. , E N ilfinuf' Xi' b 'Nvnof NH f After years of loyal service Chief Gunners lN4ate XfVagner is piped over the side to a well earned rest. along the highway, there was always the possi- bility that a Jap might be peeping at us from behind a tree, because they still bring in Jap prisoners almost daily, although, comparatively speaking, there are few left there now. That, of course, is another reason we were so re- stricted as to where we were allowed to go. OUR SQUADRON LEAVES Us It was as if we had lost an integral part of our ship when, on II May, the day of our arrival in Guam, our Squadron left us on orders to return to the States for further assignment. They had reported aboard for duty on 16 Au- gust 1944, and had been a part of us ever since. They came aboard as strangers and they left us as friends. They came aboard as inex- perienced in actual combat as were most of us, but they left us as seasoned veterans of many an offensive strike against the enemy. They came aboard with a youthful outlook and in high spirits, but they left us as more mature men, men who had, for the first time, in many cases, faced the stark realities of life. They left with the same high spirits with which they came, but they were definitely more sober in thought and manner. They had proven that, as a cross-section of American youth, they could lfimile of Apollo Ol'HC'lt'S.i, 108 S 4 , l rise to any occasion in the fight for those liber- ties we hold so dear. We had all undergone frightful experiences we shall not soon forget, and, having undergone them together, our bonds of friendship are even further strength- ened. We shall miss Houri' Squadron far more than they will ever know, but we are happy to see them return to the States for that happy re-union with their loved ones for which they have worked so hard. They have done a grand job, we are proud to have called them 'fShipmates,3' and we shall ever be interested in their welfare, because, after all, to us, they shall always be a living and breathing part of the Lzmga Point. fTwAs A YEAR Aoo TODAY We arrived in Guam just in time to celebrate our first anniversary. It was on I4 May 1944 that we were commissioned way back in As- toria, Oregon, and, now, on I4 May 1945, we found ourselves a long ways from home. Re- gardless of where we were, we had every reason .1 SS Wg' s Ig Jr? Q . .W e ,f'N f- WRX K SW? I L gi XZ ,- V X ' -.-...f it it s 'X i ff' 5 ff wwf to celebrate, because we knew in our own hearts that we had done a good job. So that I night, our Anniversary party took place on the H' hangar deck. The program started with the oflicer in charge of arrangements introducing T the Executive Gfiicer, who, in turn, introduced the Old Man. The Captain made us a very appropriate talk, briefly reviewing our pro- gress during our first year, and sincerely thank- ing us for the backing we had given him. Nat- E urally, we had every reason to be proud of his recognition. Likewise, the applause he got at Q, 1 the end of his talk was bound to have given . 4 him much personal satisfaction. Following the Skipperis talk, we had a program of enter- :. tainment put on entirely by our enlisted per- 53 sonnel. Our old 'fstandbyf' Talavera, Sic, played his guitar and sang several of his ever popular Mexican songs. Johnson, Ygc, ac- companied by Merryman, RM3c, was again well received with his Irish songs. Then, the HLUNGA POINT F oUR,,' composed of Clark, Smalls, Hale and McLaughlin, all StM1c, with Dale, Stdgc, as Manager, gave us several se- ' Y ' 'lf' ,ls 'L' 'Z 1 4 A f it f iff' H On our first Anniversary the Skipper f N. 5 X f X ,f ,S X ef ' ff' 4 - 5 : K T' A 55 if if: 4'- X ,f X , 1. A 1 fi e . A 1 2' I 'M x X f if X I 5 X el, X t 4 ft f ' A A x 1 f 4 l A is S D xt X ,ff : X A 1'-SX ge X ' g 3 N i and Exec seem satisfied but apprehensive 109 GASSIN G PLAN ES ! N,-K T . I Ex ei fr ,, ',,,-4- -v., x THE SMOKIXG LAMP :S if 2 f if GU T THROUGHUUT THE SHIP! 110 leetions of old time spirituals, which were very much enjoyed by all present. Last, but not least, our old favorite, Sieradzinski, Mic, en tertained us with several snappy numbers on his part of the program we saw an unusually enter taining movie, Arsenic and Old Lace,', fol lowing which all hands were served ice cream and cookies. Then all hands turned in their bunks ready to start out on our 'second leg Unknown to us, howes er there was another during his talk to the Ship s Company on the aftcrnoon of I4 May 1944 the Captain told us that he was determined that thc Iunga Pom! should be thc best Combat CVE in the Fleet the best Combat CVE in the Fleet It IS no wonder, then, that we are proud to have served in the Lunga Pom! Yc s, we have had an outstanding record, so our superiors tell us Be that as it may, no one man is entirely responsible for that record .' ', . 1 ' 3 1 1 ' l I ' 2 , , . ' - . -i ,, , . 1 i 1 ' J A , .. ,A . piano accordian. At the conclusion of this With pardonable pride, we believe we have xi W 1 ' 3 ' 9 , , , ' c as ' - ' ' H 7 V . Y . ' , A 9 A ,. . , party going on that night, also celebrating the first anniversary of the Lunga Point, but it was a long ways from us, way back in San Diego, California, Uncle Sugar. Mrs. Eastwold had gotten a group of our Officeris wives together at her home, and they 'fchatted awayi' a whole evening in celebration of the great event. It was most thoughtful of them, and, while we donit know too much about the details of the party, we do know who was there, there being, in addition to Mrs. Eastwold, the hostess, Mrs. J.H. Garrett, Mrs. H.C. Howard, Mrs. N.C. Walton, Mrs. james DeAngelis, Mrs. BG. Gsborn, Mrs. W.A. james, Mrs. I.E. Mc- Dougal, Mrs. I.I. Smith, and Mrs.J.E. DuH'alo. It must have been a nice party, the only thing wrong with it being that we couldn't be there, too. Now, as we ride at anchor here in Guam, we pause to reflect on all that has transpired during the past twelve months. We have come a long ways-74,746 nautical miles to be exact, but mileage is not all we are thinking of in retro- spect. We are thinking more of the things we have done, what has happened to us, individ- ually and collectively, the contribution we have made to the war effort. We are thinking of the many exciting experiences, the narrow es- capes we have had in our ship, and how every man has fought her with all his might and main. We are thinking of those friendships we have made on board, friendships which we hope to preserve and maintain down through the years to come. We are thinking of our- selves and the progress we have made. Some have progressed rapidly and some not so rap- idly, but all hands have progressed in relation to the best they have in them, because all hands have given their best. There is not a man on board who is not a little more sure of himself than a year ago. Therefore, the Lunga Point is a better ship, and we are better men as a re- sult of having just been together during the past twelve months. We seem to recall that, 111 It is the result of the combined efforts of every man on board, from the Skipper on down. There has been an excellent spirit of coopera- tion throughout every Division and every De- partment since the day we went in commission, and the results speak for themselves. In every Naval Vessel, however, there has to be leader- ship, there has to be an established policy. If there is any one man who is directly respon- sible for carrying us safely and successfully through our first year, it is our Commanding Officer. There is not a man on board who ques- tions his ability as an aviator or a Mariner. He has been a stern disciplinarian. He bawls us outi' when we err, but he is equally as quick to recognize merit. He plays no favorites, yet he is fair to all. He is somewhat a perfec- tionist , he strives for 4.0, but, in so doing, he is constantly bearing in mind his responsibility for the lives of a thousand men and the job that lies ahead. He has never been known to turn down a reasonable request that would add to the comfort, happiness and welfare of his men. He Usweatsw our planes on and off the flight deck as if each pilot were his own son. In short, he is a man in whom we have implicit confi- dence, and, for getting us safely and success- fully through this first year, to him, our Cap- tain, we give our humble thanks. As for the policy of a ship, the Captain estab- lishes it, and the Executive Officer sees that it is carried out. The mere fact that we have come through this first year successfully is suf- Hcient proof unto itself that the Exec has done a good job. While we may not always agree with him, or he with us, he never fails to talk to us straight from the shoulder, and he gets re- sults. He has always shown a keen interest in the welfare of our oHf1cers and men, and thereby he has accomplished the execution of the Cap- tain's policy in a manner that, we believe, has been satisfying to the Captain. He has kept himself unusually well posted on conditions existing in the various Departments of the ship, . I . T.. that alone has been a great help to him and to us in satisfactorily discharging our duties. He, too, has been fair with us, and, above all else, that is the first trait we look for in an oflicer. To our Exec, also, we say, c'Many thanks! And, now, as we come to this last page in our review of the past year, we find more and more of our officers and men getting their orders to other duty. Soon, we will all be getting our orders, and there will not be a Plank Ownern left on board. To you who will rnan our ship in the future, a word of admonition. Before reporting to the Lunga Point and since, we have often heard the Kaiser-Vancouver CVE,s re- ferred to as c'Kaiser's Coffinsf' We are all well aware that they are expendable, but so are other ships. We know that she was thrown together in the haste necessitated by the exi- gencies of war. No one knows better than we .s ..,,, ,,.. that it p know this, if you serve her well, you well. Her engines have new along for thousands of miles and thousands of milcs left in her She as well as her big sisters. Her for itself. Take care of her, for she has sht is not a leasure lcruiaw. l 13 us well. Fight her victoriouslyg so tha, will soon be able to return to the States well earned rest in that Peace for which strived so hard. Many happy cruises, and Bless you all in the U.S.S. Lunga Point And, now that we are in the japs' front yard, We shall keep on going, though the going he hard Because we know weave got the finest carrier, Nothing! N 0, nothing shall create a barrier To making Hirohito himseh' anoint Thejighling men of the Lunga Poinlf 3 ff DJ J Ri X! . .,-,-.-,,,,,,i,,- . . ff M ---wr - gu- -,jx c N5Lt. '.:f- f 17's N-- 'Qn Y..- 'x PART VI THE MEN WHO FOUGHT HER QRanks and rates shown are as of 14 May, 194,55 OFFICERS 'f Captain George A. T. XfVashburn, USN, 12352 Sand Point lfVay, Seattle 55, Wash., or Navy De- partment, YVashington, D. C. 'tC0mmander E. R. Eastwold, USN, LeRoy, lNIinn., or Navy Department, lfVashington, D. C. If Commander E. G. Osborn, USN, 1102 El Centro Ave., Napa, Calif. 'I' Lieut, Comdr. Ivan I. Smith, USNR, Ejido No. 7, Mexico City, 'Mexico Lieut. Comdr. YV. E. Bertram, USN, cfo C. S. Aikins, 2511 Linwood Blvd., Kansas City 3, lVIo. Lieut. Comdr. W. H. Sands, USNR, Gambrills, Md. 'lg Lieut. Comdr. Leonard YV. Hag- strom, USNR, 4362 Everett Ave., Oakland, Calif. 3':Lieut. S. Linton Smith, USNR, 2205 Beechridge Rd., Raleigh, N.C. Lieut. Potter Palmer III, USNR, 1301 Astor St., Chicago, Ill. 'lf Lieut. H. Garrett, USN, 4534 Alabama St., San Diego, Calif. 'Lieut. Robert Homans, USNR, 5 Brimmer St., Boston, Blass. Lieut. Walter W. Kalteyer, Jr., USNR, 2056 Addison Rd., Hous- ton 5, Texas Y I Lieut. James De Angelis, USNR, 1031 Forest Rd., New Haven, Conn. 'kLieut. James R. Tippett, Jr., USNR, 1735 Park Ave., Balti- more, Md. if Lieut. Frederick L. Marvil, jr., USNR, I3OI New Road, Els- mere, Wilmington, Del. Lieut. R. L. Corkran, Jr., USNR 724 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk 7, Va. USNR, 818 Levering Ave., Los Angeles 24, Calif. 'K Lieut. Ivan E. McDougal, USNR, 4533 30th St., San Diego, Calif. USNR, 862 Park St., Atlanta, Ga. 'Lieut. C. V. H. King, ' Lieut. B. B. Upchurch, 'F Plank Owners. Lieut. A. H. Berndt, USNR, 4945 N. Christiana Ave., Chicago, Ill. Lieut. lXlerle Grant, USN, 26227 Alta Vista, Lomita, Calif. Lieut. Kenneth B. Little, USNR, Box 58, Wfasco, Calif. Lieut. H. C. Howard, USN, 3806 46th St., San Diego, Calif. Lieut. Robert W. Sutton, USNR, 1118 Oxford St., Berkeley 7, Calif. Lieut. Charles B. Wfhite, USNR, 1306 Sherman St., Alameda, Calif. Lieut. Henry A. Harrison, USNR Box 874, Baker, Oreg. 7 tk Lieut. Arthur W. Gilmore, USNR, 14115 Greenleaf St., Van Nuys, Calif. ff Lieut. Wayne L. Black, USNR, 1436 Laird Ave., Salt Lake City 5, Utah Lieut. R. Denny, USNR, 800 Rivercrest Road, Fort Worth, Texas. if Lieut. Albert C. Nolte, Jr., USNR, 38 Willets Ct., Manhasset, N. Y. Lieut. Cjgj C. E. Stimson, Jr.,USNR, 610 Woodland Rd., Pasadena 5, Calif. Navigation department officers. 113 .ts W seas tt . -A : Lieut. qjgp 0. R. sum, USNR, Lieut. Cjgj R. E. Davenport, Jr. Lieut. Cjgl R. W. Sebastian, USNR cfo Breitkreutz, Taleott Notch Rd., Farmington, Conn. USNR, 1120 Bedford Ave., Nori foik 8, va. 1415 Estes Ave., Chicago, Ill. i Lieut. qjgp H. D. Hatcher, USNR Lieut. Cjgb M. PJ. Palena, Pls ik Pk Dk wk 211 7 Auxvasse, Mo. USNR, 1933 S. 21st Street, Philadelphia, Pa. f Lieut. Nelson C. Walton, USN 5310 Swiss Ave., Dallas, Texas Lieut. Wendell L. Phillips, USNR, cfo Walter I. Phillips, 149 Elmwood Ave., Wollaston, Mass. Lieut. Paul S. Smith, USNR, 1225 S. Atlanta Ave., Tulsa, Okla. Lieut. H. T. Haacke, Jr., USNR, 892 Riverview Ave., Day- ton, Ohio Lieut. Cjgj Karl W. Reber, USNR, 9981 Grandmont Rd., Detroit, Mich. Lieut. William F. Nevins, ' Plank Owners. Communication Department ofliecrs. USNR, 225 VV. 71st St., New York, N. Y. Lieut. John H. N'Vhitehouse, USNR, Q4 Prospect Park Wfest, Brooklyn, N. Y. 96 Lieut. Cjgj L. Cardinale, USN, 441 Ellis St., San Francisco, Calif. if Lieut. A. E. Owings, USN, 2838 Kerckhoff Ave., San Pedro, Calif. i'fEnsign F. YAY. Stuve, USNR, 120 Ward Ave., San Antonio, Texas D Ensign A. P. Czerwenka, USN, 405 Norwich Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. Ensign Walter R. Peterson, USNR, 1096 Keith Ave., Berkeley 8, Calif. 3 Ensign Paul S. Pierson, USNR, 11018 Ayras Ave., Los Angeles 34, Calif. Ensign Edward QI. Behn, USNR, cfo Col. S. Behn, Int. Tel. and Tel. Corp., 67 Broad Stn., New York, N. Y. Pk 'A Ensign W. A. Mortonson, USNR 5885 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago? lll. 1141 'k Ensign J. J. O'C0nn0r, USNR, 2520 N. lvlaryland Ave., lvlilwau- kee, Wfis. it Ensign L. Wfinter, USNR, 31 Longfellow Ave., Newark 6, N. -1. Ensign S. Riegelmen, USNR, 1134 W. State St., Milwaukee, Wis. 9tEnsign Hillman D. Cummings, USN, 2411 Nimitz St., San Diego 2, Calif. 'K Commander C. Bl. Tirrell, CMCJ, USNR, efo Holbert, Box 88, Ventura County, Somis, Calif. Lieut. Comdr. Paul C. Platt, CMCX USNR, 6319 hlarty Ave., Over- land Park. Kans. at 146111. Wfilliam L. Ray, KDCJ, USNR, 3530 S. E. Clinton St-a Portland, Oreg. Chief Pharmacist Samuel G81- lagher, CNICJ, USN, 4183 30th St. San Diego 4, Calif. 'k Lieut. Comdr. F. P. Moore, CSCJ, USNR, State Hospital, Gardner, Mass. ' Lieut. fjgj H. D USNR, 316 Park Ave., Set, N. Y. 'Lieut. Cjgl William M. Dolan, QSCQ, USNR, 600 Baker Bldg., Minneapolis 2, Minn. Ensign P. W. Harty, CSCD, USNR, 1940 Leslie, Detroit, Mich. ' Chief Pay Clerk C. M. Copeland, CSCQ, USNR, Concord Turnpike, Concord, Mass. ' Lieut. John D. Lee, Jr., CChCD, USNR, 299 Banks St., Graham, N. C. Lieut. James Ll. Amundson, CChCj, USNR, R.F.D. No. 4, Decorah, Iowa Chief Radio Electrician H. S. Black- burn, USNR, American Falls, Idaho if Chief Boatswain E. B. Luck, USN, 47 Des Moines Rd., Quincy, Mass. :Chief Gunner R. S. Marshall, USN, 3935 Greenwood St., San Diego, Calif. if Chief Carpenter John S. VVeitzner, USNR, 48 Elm Hill Ave., Rox- bury, Mass. at Ship's Clerk Harold C. Devol, USN, RR 5, Parkersburg, YV. Va. ' Electrician Joseph L. Gilles, USNR, 703 N. 7th St., Kelso, Wash. Machinist Walter Mitchell, USN , ' Crofton, Ky. CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS 'Altizer, Joseph C., ACMM, I809M 13th St., Huntington, W. Va. :Atkinson, Melvin H., CSM, 202 W. Pitt, Pasadena, Texas if Bailey, George P., Jr., CEM, Bath Road, Bristol, Pa. Baker, Richard S., ACM, 3444 Lo- gan Ave., San Diego 2, Calif. if Barry, Delbert J., CY, 780 Bank Lane, Lake Forest, Ill. 'lf Belch, Joseph J., CMM, 387 Church St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y. tk Butler, Earl L., CWT, Greensboro, Ga. if Dougherty, Walter G., CSM, 1130 Eastlake Ave., Seattle 9, Wash. X Ewing, LeRoy E., CSK, 611 S. Brand Blvd., San Fernando, Calif. ik Felber, Joseph J., CEM, RR 3, Box 982 B, San Diego 2, Calif. Feurer, Woodrow W. A., CRM, New Athens, Ill. ak Garrett, John NLP CMM, 4072 49th St., San Diego 5, Calif. A' Hamilton, Robert F., ACOM, 416 II Ave Juniata, Altoona, Pa. X Hanson, Conrad J., CBM, 214 K St., S. E., Auburn, Wash. :':Johnson, Raymond, ACM, 46 Elizabeth St., Whitehall, N. Y. if Kramer, FrankJ., CPhM, 2458 N. 3rd St., Milwaukee, Wis. ' Larsen, Phillip C., CMM, 602 N. Clementine St., Oceanside, Calif. ' Leath, Howard G., CWT, Q22 80th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. 'K Marks, John G., ACMM, Glad- stone, Va. 'l' McCormick, Roy O., CSF, 604 Schmitz St., Denton, Texas K Miller, Frederick J., CCS, 2429 Senn St., San Diego 2, Calif. Oberg, John C., ACMM, RR 1, Fremont, Nebr. Oliver, Joe BH, CBM, 612 W. Las Olas Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Pattie, Eugene W., ACMM, RR 1, Wakenda, Mo. fPetyo, George, Jr., CQM, 591 Blackman St., Wilkes Barre, Pa. Smallen, William R., ACRT, Cross- ville, Tenn. Tallon, Robert J., ACMM, 349A Helmick, Benmoreel, Norfolk, Va. 96 Wagner, Charles B., CGM, cfo Miss Jean Larson, Apt. 3, 351 Grove St., San Francisco 2, Calif. Zankiewicz, Edward A., CTMV, 50 Howland Ave., Adams, Mass. CREW Aberg, John E., AMMIC, 27 Henches Place, Little Ferry, N. J. Abrams, WendelJ., AOM3C, Stable- ton, Nebr. Air Department ofiicers. 115 I A 1 1 5 I 1 Q Abshire, Robert C., AMMIC, 1102 S. Polk St., Dallas 8, Texas 'F Adamson, Charles F., SIC, Sidney, Mont. Adkins, George W., S2c, RR 1, Bradish Road, Kansas City, Kans. Alton, William J., Fic, 69 E. Thom- as Road, Phoenix, Ariz. SF Akers, Trueman L., S1c, Jasper, Oreg. 'Alexander, Robert E., FIC, Box 265, Pontotoe, Miss. D Alligood, Marion F., PhM3c, RR 2, Cochran, Ca. :'FAlyea, Charles E., WT3c, 2124 Sawtell Blvd., West Los Angeles, Calif. 'Ames, Alvin L., S2c, Thornton, Idaho Amundson, Arden O., Y3c, Hanska, C dk R Department omccrs. Antee, Calvin C., S2c, Box 41, VVink, Texas Antonsen, Farley L., PholNI2c, 720 VV. 3rd St., Aberdeen, Wfash. Apodaca, Jose H., FIC, 226 N hlesquete St., Las Cruces, N. lVIex fApostol, Peter T., F1c, 2245 S Kedzie Ave., Chicago, Ill. Arellano, Eugene C., Sic, Box 648, Miani, Ariz. Arevalo, Oscar C., Sic, 646 Raven St., San Diego 2, Calif. Arias, Eugene, SIC, 820 N. 3rd Ave., Tucson, Ariz. 96 Babb, Harry T., Src, RR 1, Box 76, Tulare, Calif. Baca, Richard, S2c, 112 E. Frank- lin Ave., Albuquerque, N. Flex i Bade, Robert H., SIC, Box 2 Minn. Frontenac, Minn. 3 4' Andersen, Arthur O., S2c, 409 31st il Bahls, Robert R., Src, 101 Ohio st. Ave. N., Seattle 2, Wash. Danville, Ill. 2' Anderson, George W., Jr., SIC, Bailey, Bobby C., GMQC, 307 W. 3rd St. Paul, Nebr. St., Cisco, Texas 1' Anderson, Tony E., S2c, 4208 N.. Bailey, Harry S., Sic, 335 Caval Water St., Tacoma, Wash. Ave., Downey, Calif. 4' Andrix, Edwin O., TMV2c, 3315 il' Bailey, Robert E., SIC, Box 365, Oconto Ave., Chicago, Ill. 4' Plank Owners. Folsom, Calif. 116 'l' Bai1na, Alfred J., Sic, 903 Minn St., San Francisco, Calif. I Baker, Francis L., S1c, 608 VV. 6th Hasting, Nebr. ' ik Baker, Lewis C., SIC, Wlashington Iowa Baker, Wfilliam Jay, S1e, 1005 Stan- ton Ave., San Pablo, Calif. 'k Balog, Frank N., AMM2c, 124 Chestnut St., Johnstown, Pa. bk Banegas, Cecil C., S2e, 109 E. 3rd St., Hanford, Calif. l:Banta, Jack R., Sic. Box 503, Sidney, lVIont. Barker, Jay R., SIC, RR 2, VVilla- mina, Oreg. if Barkuloo, Erland INI., SIC, East 4024 30th Ave., Spokane, Wash- tk Barney, Oral A., Cox, 2503 Cleve- land Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho Barry, Louis F., IVIIVIQC, 5914 W- Maclison St., Chicago, Ill. Bartololnei, Robert J., Sic, 1271 Chestnut St., Martiniz, Calif. '5 Barton, Elwan L., SM3c, RR I, Box 782, Auburn, VVash. Barton, Harold H., FIC, Box 389: Tolleson, Ariz. 9 7 ' Batt, Charles H., jr., Bkr3c, 607 N. Russell, Pampa, Texas ' Beall, jim H., YIC, 1053 Oxford St., Berkeley, Calif. 'Bearden, Charles R., Cox, Box 666, 210 Oak St., Benld, Ill. Beasley, Richard T., S1c, 145 Follett St., Richmond, Calif. if Beasley, Ruel O., PtrVIc, 4069 VVinona Ave., San Diego, Calif. ' Beaton, Perry W., SIC, 14134 Bale- rio St., Van Nuys, Calif. Beattie, Roy, Jr., SIC, 434 W. Fifth St., Downey, Calif. Becker, Edwin J., S2c, 1515 N. 35th St., Seattle, VVash. fBedont, Jack J., Sic, 203 E. 56 South, Murray, Utah ' Bell, Graham E., EM3c, 2204 G St., Bellingham, VVash. ' Bengford, john A., S2c, Box 25, Odebolt, Iowa Beniston, Curtice, AM2c, Box 693, Newport, Oreg. if Bennett, Carl FM, SIC, 506 Ray- mond St., Marshall, Mich. Berger, Bernard L., AOM3c, 3735 27th Ave. So., Minneapolis, lklinn. 3' Berry, Curtis H., S2c, RR I, Camp Hill, Ala. if Best, Harold D., EM2c, cfo hlrs. Clyde lW. Best, City Hospital, Columlius, Kaus. Dk Bestervelt, Peter A., Bkr3c, 664 W. Mighigan Ave., Battle Creek, Mich. 1' Biehl, Henry Mi., VVT2c, 711 Logan Ave., Belleville, Ill. ,'4Biezynski, Robert B., Fic, 2614 Holmes, Hamtramck 12, Mich. Bill, Vernon C., Jr., FIC, P.O. Box 214, Healdsburg, Calif. Billings, Wfilliam P., SIC, P.O. Box 25, Guthrie, Okla. Birkhead, Norman C., RdM3c, cfo Mrs. Audrey F. Coslett, 2618 Lid- stone, Houston 3, Texas if Bispo, Edward F., MMR3c, 740 Cypress St., hlonterey, Calif. 'kBlackburn, Harlan D., SIC, 808 Lydia Ave., Kansas City 6, NIO. xBlackwell, Paul E., lNlM3c, 315 Valley St., Poplar Bluff, lvlo. if Bobier, Edward M., SC2c, Osage Beach, Mo. if Bolek, Theodore C., TMV2c, 2239 W. '2ISf St., Chicago, Ill. Bolonkin, Samuel, PYFVQC, 1906 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. Boni, hlitchell, S1c, 235 Academy St., Opelousas, La. Pk 'kBoswell, Bruce, SKV3c, cfo George Childs, RR 6, Canton, Iowa Boteler, Otis W., SIC, 5120 Calmont Court, Fort Worth, Texas if Botnen, Dan JH, BMIC, 521 13th St., S.E., Puyallup, Wash. if Bounds, Travis D., RM3c, Du- mont Rt., Delwin, Texas Pk Bourlier, Lyle D., SIC, 1003 18th St., Auburn, Nebr. i':Bourne, Frederick M., SIC, 20 Salliotte, Ecorse, Mich.f Bowman, ,Iimrnie JU, S2c, RR 1, Artesia, N. Mex. wk Bowman, William G., RM3c, 6705 S. HDR St., Tacoma, Wash. 'Boyle, James P., SIC, Neligh, Nebr. Bozzone, Bernard, SK3c, 4152 Ed- son, Bronx 66, N. Y. ff Braatz, George E., MM2c, Holley, Oreg. if Brocklehurst, Loren C., SQC, For- syth, Mont. X Brooks, Alvin E., S2c, P.O. Box 45, Tekoa, Wash. Brooks, james M., SIC, 5923 Peach St., Erie, Pa. Brown, Elvin F., AOMT3c, P.O. Box 794, Holtville, Calif. Supply Department officers. 117 Brown, Jimmy L., S2c, Box 252, Denver City, Texas 2' Browne, Peter J., Src, 510 S. 58th Tacoma, Wash. is Brownley, Leo G., SIC, Box 764 Newport, Oreg. Bryan, Clyde A., AOM2c, Box 172, Akron, Iowa 9FBryson, john R., S1c, Box 205, Basin, Wyo. 'F Bullen, William B., MM2c, 75 Hinckley St., Somerville, Mass. Burch, Richard LI., SIC, 327 Nepess- ing, Lapeer, Mich. ik Burdick, Donald L., SIC, 148 Rail- road St., Gilroy, Calif. Burgess, james D., FIC, 1028 Maine St., Barboursville, W. Va. ' Burke, Gordon D,, SIC, 583 Cop- perfield, Bingham Canyon, Utah 'l' Burke, john A., FIC, 328 Lucas St. Sycamore, Ill. 5 Burton, William H., FIC, Moravia, Iowa 31 Plank Owners. Wh Engineering Department ofiicers. Bussard, Boyd R., S2c, 677S2111JuaI1 Ave., Venice, Calif. I Butler, Heral, SIC, Box 265, Oak- ley, Idaho. I Butterworth, Mu1'win I., SSlNIT3c, Star Route, Menan, Idaho Pk Byrd, John A., SIC, 203 Riverside Drive, Elizabethton, Tenn. Byron, Maurice B., S1c, Box 414, New Rockford, N. Dak. is Caffrey, Francis G., SIC, 127 Lake Ave., Storm Lake, Iowa Caldwell, Burton E., AOM3c, 1502 Hunter Ave., Columbus, Ohio if Calhoun, Charles L., TMVSC, 9 Talbot St., Ocean City, Md. if Callahan,lIamcs,I., S2c, 5830 Cote Brilliant, St. Louis, Mo. it Callicoatte, Welby W., Plllvllff, 1029 Symonds Place, Sl?1l'Uli01'Cl, Texas if Campbell, Donald E., Cox, S. Main St., Cheriton, Iowa 118 it Campbell, Richard O., SIC, 622 Tisdale Ave., Lansing, Nlich. Carlock, Lewis R., SpfAD1c, 573 Green Ave., San Bruno, Calif. I Carney, Lora, SIC, 2821 E. 25th St., Granite City, Ill. I Carr, Clarence E., VVT3C, RFD 1, Surgionsville, Tenn. if Carr, VVallace VV., S1c, 2415 lvfary, St. joseph, Mo. Carreon, Lzunberto R., SIC, 421 lflammett Blvd., El Paso, Texas Carter, Oscar P., F2c, RR 2, Brown- Held, Texas I Caruso, lirank P., GlXI3c, Reads- boro, Vt. I C11sey,xI0sepl1 T., Jr., ElVI3C, 4211 Carroll Ave., Chicago, Ill. I Cayou, Alvin A., SKVQC, 3446 S- liecleral, Denver, Colo. I C.DeBz1cz1, Alfred T., S2c, RR 2, Box 2o6A, Montrose, Colo. 3' Chaney, jack, PR2, cfo Edith Osborne, N. Terre Haute, Ind- ' Chanyi, Ernest, Sic, RR 2, Pinck- ney, Mich. Chapman, jack F., Sic, 8 Elm St., Porterdale, Ga. ' Chapman, Jean W., GM1c, 217 Ninth Ave., N. E., Rochester, Minn. ' Charley, Clayton E., Sic, Browns- boro, Oreg. Chelemedos, Fred A., Y2c, 919 Key Route Blvd., Albany 6, Calif. 'Cherrier, Edker H., SM3c, Box 245, Hinckley, Minn. ' Childers, Joe E., Cox, Box 5205, Harrisburg Station, Houston, Texas if Christian, Gerald D., Sic, Box 304, Cameron, Mo. 'k Christner, Arthur L., SIC, Eld- ridge, Mo. ' Chojnacki, Frank E., S2c, 2917 S. Lyman St., Chicago, Ill. 'k Church, Randall D,, SIC, Elkville, Ill. Clark, Clifford H., S2c, Bastrop, Texas Clark, Marcellas, StM1c, 2064 7th Ave., New York, N. Y. Clarke, Byron C., S2C, Losarboles Rd., Albuquerque, N. Mex. 3' Clarke, Edward H., WT3c, 1403 Arlington St., Shreveport, La. 'Classen, Lambert P., Jr., Fic. RR 3, Meadow Grove, Nebr. 'k Clements, Bobby L., Sic, 213 N. Joplin St., Joplin, Mo. ' Clunk, Robert W., Y2c, 715 Suismon St., Pittsburgh, 2, Pa. it Coburn, Billy E., EM3c, 611 Bell- view, Shelton, Wash. Cochran, Clifton L., BM2c, P.O. Box 355, Wishram, Wash. ik Cohoon, Andrewj., Sic, 4224 HF7, St., Omaha, Nebr. Cole, Mervyn R., Sic, 4813 Hillside Ave., Sacramento, Calif. 'l' Coleman, William G., jr., Sic, 4143 Terrace, Kansas City 2, Mo. Collier, Dan, RdM3C, Box 83, Union, Miss. Comparin, Angel, AMM3c, 109 Frio City Rd., San Antonio, Texas ik Conrad, Niron C., Sic, 353 Supe- rior Blvd., Wyandotte, Mich. Constant, Henton L., Sic, Box 25, Elgin, Okla. Cook, Freddie E., Sic, RR 2, Box 223, Winlock, Wash. Pk Cooper, Enos E., StM1c, 1428 S. Johnson St., New Orleans, La. if Cooper, Max E., RT1c, 903 17th St., Douglas, Ariz. Cooper, William R., S2c, 716 W. 7th St., Des Moines, Iowa il' Costner, Ivan E., GM3c, 812 Bald- win Drive, Bakersfield, Calif. Covarrubias, Ernest G., Sic, 1008 W. Nueces St., Victoria, Texas if Cowan, Carl G., Sic, 3610 Krutz St., San Diego, Calif. Cox, Charlie R., StM1c, 505 E. Depot St., La Grange, Ga. Cox, Henry M., Jr., AOM2c, Gen- eral Delivery, Rich Hill, Mo. Cox, Marshall B., Sic, RR 3, Hamil- ton, Ala. Coyne, Marvin L., RM2c, 3013 Logan Blvd., Chicago 47, Ill. W1 Gunnery Department officers. 119 I 'lg Craker, Lowell E., SIC, 313 Lin- coln St., Monett, Mo. Crane, Henry H., SIC, RR 1, Chapel Hill, Tenn. Crawford, Richard, MME3C, P.O Box 56, Ware Shoals, S. C. A' Creekmore, Robert F., SIC, 27 E 42nd St., Covington, Ky. Croley, Joe W., SIC, RR 4, Athens Ala. Cronin, William J., SIC, lone, Calif. ' Crook, Joseph R., SIC, Santaquin Utah Crosby, Amos, StM1C, IO8 4th Ave., S.W., Birmingham, Ala. 3 7 Crossman, Norman W., SIC, 1104 S Cypress, Ontario, Calif. if Crowder, Jack, SC3C, RR 1, Man- zanola, Colo. 9 Crowder, Orville E., WT3C, Shouns, Tenn. Culver GuyR Jr AMM3C 126 7 '7 'J . 7 5 Irving Ave., Glendale 1, Calif. 5' Plank Owners. I Medical Department. :If Cummings, George T., lNloMlXfI2C, 2658 N. Harding Ave., Chicago, Ill. lfCuney, Carl J., SIC, Box 86, Cheyenne Agency, S. Dak. Curtis, Myron C., AMMC2C, 2371 Wyandotte Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 1 Cutlip, Daryl R., SIC, 125 SJW. 3rd Ave., Forest Grove, Oreg. fFDahl, Elmer R., SIC, Box 231, Watkins, Minn. if Dale, Grady, Std3C, 63 MOH St., S.W., Washington, D. C. Dk Davies, Kenneth Bl., SIC, Star Rt., Box 3, Yacolt, Wash. if Davis, UPU LH, SIC, 1605 Main St., N. Little Rock, Ark. Davis, Vcrner A., SIC, 1519 S. 17th St., Terre Haute, Ind. Deeds, Floyd A., Jr., SIC, General Delivery, Victorville, Calif. 120 96 Degner, Alvin N., SIC, Box 771, Tenino, Wfash. Delay, :clay CCL37, AOMQC, 2707 47th St., Chatanooga, Tenn. Delucia, Joseph, BM2C, El Sereno, Calif. if De hlartis, Felix J., AlWM'2C, 102-54 48th Ave., Corona, N. Y- if Des Jardins, Harold G., SIC, 15724 Grayheld, Detroit, Midl- ? Devine, Ernest A., SKIC, 2331 33rd. Ave. South., Seattle, Wash- ik Didio, Alfred O., AMlN43c, ROSS, N. Dak. Dieringer, Robert E., ARTIC, 3235 S.E. Kelley St., Portland, Oreg. X Dilbeck, Leon, SIC, QIOM E- 2nd St., lWusCatine, Iowa. X Dillinger, Nelson YV., SQC, KIIOX City, Mo. if Dillman, Edward C., S2c, RFD In Carnation, VVash. 6' ' oely Henly IXI C Rapelje Mont Doolan ohn W SIC Q73 B P 11k C1rCle Long BC1Ch C1111 ' Doyle Bexnald IS AIXIIC Benton WIS ' Drake George IV PhlXI C 8 New Lltchfielcl St 'TOIIIIIQTOH Conn 'Dr1sColl Robe1tC SIC 14,44 Patton DetIo1t 3 M1Ch Duke James YV S C Box 6 4 Brownlield Texas Dunbar Glen SIC 418 XV Tlshe nor Compton Cahf LoarIn Axe Cleveland Chlo Dunn Stanley R S C P1 e n 1NI1Ch Dyer YV1ll1amF SIC 19S 2 nd St Kansas CIty Kan Dykrnan Jay S S2C 130 S 3rd East Salt Lake C1ty Utah Dykstra R1Chard L RdM3C 2247 Garheld Kansas CIty Kans I Eagen Ph1ll1p R TINI3C 776 Scott Rd Srnlth Creek lNI1Ch Earnest Dorr1s P AINIMQC Star Route L1 on1er Pa 7 ' .Q I I' Iton Chfnlcs I PhM ge 3609 l IVIIIQSIOII St C 111 vy C hast IV lSl'1l11QlOI'1 D C JLIIUS o 711 I C IJ, NOllllLIl1 latkwiy l 151 l-Itmp stt Id I ong Isl1nd N X I Eckert Rol7eIt L AMM3C RR Benton H 111301 M1Ch I Ekholm Y1lho S C Deet IKIVCI' lvllllfl E SULIIU Whllard L SIC 3 E Santa Rosa St VICYOFIH Flexas I Elandt EdwaId H S2C RISD 4 Bad Axe lVI1Ch NIV CedaI Rap1ds Iowa If rke A1thu1 R S 2 ackson St NE lNI1nneapol1s IVIIHD Erun Donald F SIC Box 754 Lampasas Texas Essary PaulH SIC Box IO I Ros xxell N IXIe7t 1' Exenson Roger A SIC C o Mr Althur Exenson New R1Chland IXIIDD Exerett ForrestC SIC I 28 North 8th Albuquerque N Mex lfyrmp, Adolf R EMIC 7 , S Conkhng St Balt1morC Md lalkntr Clyde SIC Box 114 Meadow ICxas Farrell ohnl3 SIC I8o6N Mutter St Ph1ladClph1a Pa Wljegan Henry T SCBQC 1502 Dayton St Muskogu: Ukla Ilglty W111l1a1n A AMMQC 1410 N Marshall St Ph1ladClph1a Pa Iel17, Dav1d S SKIC 449 Ashley Rd Santa Barbara Cal1f xferguson Paul E S20 RR 5 Trenton Mo 23rd Ave Long Island N Y at F1eld Clarence C S C 3234 S E Alder Ct Portland Grew Flsher Frankhn K AM1NI2C 805 E FZITVICW Axe South Bend I'1 cFlanagan FranC1s W PhM2C 78 Nash St New Haven Conn Dk Flansburg Edward H FIC 85 Newman St Gloversv1lle N Y Fleetwood ChyCob1a SKMIC RRI Box 75 Woodland N C Chlcf Pc tty OHICCIS 121 fi 123335 1 'I . 7 4 C 1 i V V w V .5 . - D .1 1 -7 ,Irv X 7 All 7 ' f 1- 3-, 1, A 4, U T, ., 4 , If I . ' ' , ' , 71 1 ' 1 ' , ' - ,1 41. L ., I ' , ' jf, lf, I., 1, , , . . ' . 1 7 ,I '7 1 17 ' ' 2 1 I L ' - ' 71 . ' ,. ' . T I 5 f 7 , '7 ' 7 7 f ' 7 w - , . 1 , Q c , , If . , - L., SCI' IA., ,, fir, U 7 7 1 A 7 L' - - - 4 7 Y - A . J, . , T, v ,, 9 J'7 4 3 7 L , Je. - 4 X J 1 7 I w ,lf 4 . . I ' 7 '7 A 7 ' . I c 5 J in . L 7 . . 1- . 1 J . X 0 ' '7 7 ' ' ' , . ' .. QO ' , V ' ,, 9 . C J ' 7 I , 1 , .7 I 7 Q7 h 4 , 1 V . . . I Q . fl , , .7 1 4 7 '7 I, 7 c ', . - Y C I I - A I 5 l ., , , KV , . 1 y 7 I O 1 ' ' . . - , F 7 7 '- 7 ' ' 7 4 1 W ,I , . , I., , N I - '- ' 7 '7 7 , 7 V QI 7 f . . Q v . I 1 ., J 7 , 7 I 0 I li. I 7 ' ., x ., IQ' 4 . ak T, 7 r - 1 1 7 '7 '- 7 A 7 - - w 7 7 ' '7 ' ' 7 C .3 7 k ' ' 7 A '7 ' 7 - 1 . 1. - 7 I '7 ' 7 1 7 4 7 1 1 , 7 - 7 I -7 ' 7 7 . ' 7 ' 7 7 ' , . ak J , V Dk U Duncan, ames E., AlvIIXI3C, 7937 Eloas, Lloyd T., SIC, II4 Ioth St., Fernandez, Manuel, AMMQC, 2710 . 7 ,, ' n X .5 , S 7 7 .7 4 7 . . bl' 0 'or ' I 1 7 '7 7 Q O 7 E , ., JF., IC, Q3 7 I , .,1 2 , K . , , . . , - J ., . ., ., ., , gf. 'I f ' ' . 2 . 2 ' . ' ' 5 . 3 ? L 3 .3 , '7 5 ' '7 7 '7 7 1 7 ' I '7 ' 7 Plf 7 , ., , 2 . , I d. . ' 0 - I 7 7 7 -7 7 1 - 7 7 '7 7 ' f I I' ' 7 '7 7 ' 7 - - -7 7 ' ' I , . X . cc 77 7 3 ' 7 '7 7 - 7 7 7 . . X Q 7 . . . 7 '7 7 7 7 '7 7 . V . X . ., , . . . . . X . 7 -7 f 7 I 7 '7 7 2 7 7 7 7 .U . F , O , . , , . . , , . . --I I an l ' W, ..tt ,,,, Bat' f A. 1 v me. .... .1 Sivan.. -4 is. 4' Q. ,. .11 .,, 'E Fleming, Thomas A., ARMIC, Lin- dale, Texas xFloyd, Emmett A., SQC, RR 1, Selah, Wash. bk Follebout, Maurice A., S1c, 5529 Manistique, Detroit, Mich. Fontenot, Robert, S2c, Slidell, La. : Forrester, Herman A., SKV2c, 1031 Fugate St., Houston, Texas Foster, Jack W., WT2c, Rock Springs, Wyo. Foxx, James M., Jr., Src, RO. Box 504, Lockhart, Texas if Freeman, Dan P., AMM3c, 591 Prescott St., Memphis, Tenn. Fresquez, Ernesto A., FIC, P.O. Box 321, Deming, N. Mex. ff Frizzell, Carl G., WT1c, 600 D. West 161st St., Gardena, Calif. if Frizzell, Robert V., Jr., Ptr1c, 76 Henry St., Quincy, Mass. Gage, Julius W., Sic, RR 4, Tahoka, Texas F Galloway, Milborn E., SC3c, RR 2, Sulphur Springs, Texas Galyan, Kenneth L., SIC, 1327 Eureka St., Bakersfield, Calif. Galyon, T JH, S2c, 3809 San Jancinto, Dallas, Texas 3' Gann, John C., Jr., FC3c, 920 Church St., New Castle, Ind. IK Plank Owners. NM Division. Garcia, Gilbert L., SIC, I506 Elysian St., Houston, Texas Gast, Edward H., AMM3c, 3755 Stella Blvd., Steger, Ill. Gaumont, Richard J., Sic, 1906 S. Bentley Ave., West Los Angeles 25, Calif. Gauthier, Royal D., AOM3C, ISO6 N. Saginaw St., Flint 5, Mich. 96 Gdosky, Edward R., AMM3c, P.O. Box 53, Melcroft, Pa. Geddes, William A., PDMIC, 1018 Fillmore St., Denver, Colo. Dk Geffert, Herbert G., SC3c, 534 W. 60th St., Los Angeles 44, Calif. Gerhart, Ralph L., AMM3c, 316 S. Columbus St., Galion, Ohio bk Ghighi, Natole J., AMM3c, 415 Morris St., Oglesby, Ill. Gillespie, William G., AOM3c, Rock River, Wyo. if Glover, John J., Jr., RM2c, 1101 N. Temple Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. Glover, MilesJ., AMM3c, 4134 Mel- rose, Chicago, Ill. if Godsey, Wesley L., SFIC, Crab Orchard, Tenn. I Golin, Isaac, TMV3c, 386 S. 2nd St., Brooklyn, N. Y. ff 122 Gomes, James, ART1c, 51 Pacific St., Newark, N. Gomez, Henry, S2c, 2109 Corona St., El Paso, Texas if Gooding, PaulJ., AMM3c, Crom- well, Ckla. Gordon, Kenneth E., SIC, 4017 W. 28th St., Los Angeles 16, Calif. Granados, Jesus, Src, 4505 Man- zana St., El Paso, Texas 'F Grantz, Wfalter K., AlX4M2c, 230 N. 3rd Ave., Villa Park, Ill. Graves, Harry L., AlVIM2c, 5550 Rambo Lane, Toledo 12, Ohi0 ' Green, George C., Cox, Box 812, Alamogordo, N. Mex. 'li Grillin, Daryl J., RlVI2c, Box 225, Sauk City, Wfis. Griflith, Tom C., SF3c, cfo Mrs. J. T. Livingston, Bellville, Ala. ik Grigoracos, James, XfVT2c, 49 New York St., Dover, N. H. X Grimes, John B., Sic, 906 N- Harrison, Amarillo, Texas AQ Griswold,Jay S.,Jr., RM3c, RR 2, Camp Point, Ill. Groves, George W., AM3c, cfo Mrs. H. A. Ressler, 224 VV. Liberty St., Lancaster, Pa. 3' Grubic, Walter B., Sic, 1309 8th St., N.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa ls ' I 1 Grumblin Paul S c 6 3 S Broadway Redondo Beach Cahf 'E Gvozdich hliller VV SIC RR 1 Smiths Ferry Pa Hackney John H Sic PO Box R105 Seal Beach Calif 9FHager William E ElVI3C 5012 Old Spanish Trail Houston Texas Hairston Benjamin H Std2c 13 Bonair Ave New Rochelle N Y Hairston Hemyj StMIC Box 301 Martinsville Va X 2 Division H1st section Hale Grady StM1c RR1 Box 99 Alexander Ala Hall Ralph L Sic 953 Faile St Bronx N X ' Halliday fimes D AMMIC Lake Park lNI1nn X Halsey EdwardL Y2c 876 Rose mount Road Oakland IO Calif Hamilton Paul S1c RR 1 Box I3 Yuma Ariz Hamm FrankB SIC Post Garage Air Base Yuma Ariz Hammel Harold L S c 6 43 Riverside Dr Bell Calif Handy Walter G r StM1c 232 S Humboldt St San Mateo Calif Harder Ralph G EM1c 529 E Brandies St Lou1sv1lle Ky :':Harman Geor e A RM3c 248 N 5th St Hillsboro Oreg Harris Archie L StM1c 80 VV1ley St Macon Ga Harris Henry B FIC 1816 Lucile Wichita Falls Texas 9 V-2 Division second section. 9 E 5 'Q 5 ,E 1 1 5 i. .1 z i l 5 i 2 l 2 3 1 1 31 .-ut , x , ., -. w X - Q, tt . . - , . -4 H LX, N X, . i 'X .. X .1 1, .Q bs., ., ss wk, 'sw ,Q L25 . u, . Harris, William A., AONIIC, 223 N.E. 4th, Oklahoma City 4, Okla. 'kHaugdahl, Carl A., EMQC, 629 Elfelt St., St. Paul, Nlinn. X Hegdahl, Herbert E., MoMM2c, 2089 lNfIonroe St., North Bend, Oreg. Henderson, Dewitt C., SIC, 629 XV. Coda St., Santa Barbara, Calif. Henderson, George XV., RdM3c, 3941 Chase St., Denver 14, Colo. .1 .,. . - .,. 1. -N V-2 Division, third section, Dk Henderson, Harry LI., XVTQC, cfo Mrs. Margaret Lafayette, 213 Linton St., Saginaw, lXfIich. Henne, Glenn P., Sic, 527 S. Fifth St.. Hainburg, Pa. 7k.l'ICI1I1iDgSg'21I'Cl, Lawrence Sw, SSML3c, 2618 27th Ave. South, lXf'Iinneapolis, lvlinn. at Herod, James C., Sic, cfo Mrs. Blanche Wlalker, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo. -xv W, Herring, Billy B., S2c, Butler, Okla. Dk Hewitt, Wlilbur L., Sic, 1762 N. Taylor Rd., E. Cleveland 12, Ohio lk Higgiiis, Richard H. J., GM3c, 2 School St., Milton 87, Mass. Pk Hilscth, Gordon P., SM3c, cfo Pete C. Hilseth, Peninsula Hotel, Gig' Harbor, YVash. Hinds, Edward, S2c, Brackettville, Texas , n- .1, 1 3' Flank Owners. xxx V-2 Division, fourth section. 1241 'Sava X -5, . LL ,x 1 X .Ll .L - if Hoelter, Alvin F., F,M1c, 2220 Lee Ave., Granite City, lll. 4 Hoffman, LeRoy VV., Sic, 1424 YV. 3rd St., Davenport, Iowa Hoffpauir, VVarren J., S2c, Box 225, RR 1, Rayne, La. ak Hollinger, Vernon K., RlNl3c, 2580 Story St., San Luis Obispo, Calif. Holmquist, Nelson D., PhlNI3c, 674 Farmington Ave., Bristol, Conn. Holt, lra C., AOlNl1c, 321 New St., Macon, Ga. V-1 Division, port watch. Hood, Alex F., Sic, Box 148, Sureeny, Texas Hooper, Wfallace R., SMIC, 1910 Granville, VVest Los Angeles, Calif. Houle, Roy A., AMM2c, Beaver Bay, lN1inn. Howard, David, Sic, 299 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn, Ala. Hudson, 'William D., AEMQC, 223 S. First St., jacksonville Beach, Fla. A' Hughes, David A., AerM2c, 28 W. lNr1iddle St., Gettysburg, Pa. Hunt, Paul lNl., Sic, cfo hir. F.. A. Hunt, 1209 Leigh Court, Long Beach, Calif. X Hunter, Henry C., jr., Ptr2c, 521 Laguna St., San Francisco, Calif. Hunter, john Douglas, StM1c, 302 Lexington Ave., Columbus, Ohio 2' Hupe, VVessel L., EM3c, cfo Mrs. YN. H. Hupe, Montgomery City, Mo. Hutchison, Harley C., Jr., AOlN12c, 1019 W. B St., Joplin, Flo. Hydock, George E., Fic, 151 Avenue F., Bayonne, N. Pk V-1 Division, starboard watch. 125 f L Sv lat mi . 4 X 1 A inf. HE Division. Irick, Dolly C., Sic, Box 476, St. Jordan, James HDR, F1c, Box 1063, Stephen, S. C. Jacobsen, Allen O., S2c, Apt. 3, 277 E. 6th S., Salt Lake City, Utah. James, Richard A., BM1c, 517 Marlborough, Inglewood, Calif. 'lf Jarrett, VVillard E., VVT3c, 98 15th St., Wheeling, W. Va. ,'4Jasinski, Bernard P., Fic, 6155 Pierson Rd., Flushing, Mich. Jeffery, Stephen L., Sie, 961 E. Main St., Batesville, Ark. I' Jenco, John J., AMM1c, 356 Muir Ave., Hazleton, Pa. Z'Jesus, Manuel J., Jr., AMM2c, 52 Clifford St., New Bedford, .Mass. obst, Charles W., AOMT2c, 401 Polk St., Pontiac, Ill. Johanson, Allen N., Sic, Box 11, Cain City, Texas v Johns, John L., EM2c, 405 Main St. Itasca, Texas Johnson, Harold F., Y3e, 1015 N. Long, Chicago 51, Ill. Johnson, Kenneth M., AMM3c, RR 1, Box 129, Rapid City, S. Dak. Johnson, Robert, AM3c, RFD 1, Nedrow, N. Y. Jones, Dwight H., RT1c, 508 S. Washington, Van Wert, Ohio 4' Plank Owners. IfVichita Falls, Texas at Jubb, Wlilliani P., SIC, 7279 Hola- bird Ave., Dundalk 22, Md. :'cJury, George YV., AMM3c, 166 Wfright St., Oshkosh, VVis. Kadlec, Joseph, lN4M2c, 1473 Fulton Ave., Bronx 56, N. Y. If Kalinowski, Edward A., Fic, 4521 S. Mozart St., Chicago, Ill. 1' Kallem, VVillia1n, FIC, 148 E. I8tl1 St., New York, N. Y. Katz, Phillip IV., AOlN13c, 3613 Dennlyn Rd., Baltimore, hid. Keithley, Billy J., S2c, 1105 15th Ave., S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa I Kelley, Woodrow E., BgMstr3c, Head ofthe Tide, RFD 3, Belfast, Maine Kelly, Clarence, Jr., AlX1lVI2c, 122 Ironwood Drive, Blishawaka, Ind. Kempfe, Edward B., WT3c, 716 Warren St. Harrison N Kendechy, Joseph A., MlX41c 2797 E. 125th St., Cleveland Ohio Kennada, Glen W., BM2c, 308 Hogan, Houston Texas wk Pk Kent, Don R., S2C, 1622 Hayden St., Amarillo Texas I' Kielar, John J., FIC, 748 S. Ken neth Ave., Chicago, Ill W Kingsbury, Ralph H., SSMB3c, Longbranch, VVash. Kirsh, James T., SIC, 202 Walnut St., Beaver Dain, Wfis. It Knadler, Denman E., Cox, 1920 Nolan St., San Bernardino, Calif. 'I' Knauss, Lonnie F., F1c, 1612 4th Ave., Council Bluff, Iowa X Kobernusz, Loyal C., Sic, Third 81 Chestnut, Osage, Iowa. Kozakiewicz, Frank J., MM3c, 211 Curtis St., New Britain, Conn. I Kudrna, Joseph, Jr., S2c, 1637 S. Throop St., Chicago, Ill. at Kudzius, Arnold S., BMIC, 15900 Dexter, Detroit 21, lXlich. Lackey, Jack VV., SIC, Box 1026, Brady, Texas It Lake, Arthur S., Fic, 101 Sunset St., Rochester 6, N. Y. Lambert Elxin H SIC 839 IV W71lnut IVIOIIIONIZI Calif Lambcit Robclt R S2c RR lullciton Neb I7 hfoclxps Wfash IL'1ss1tt1 Thu1m'1n B StIVIIC RR 1 Box I2 Scotland Neck, N Lathan Periy R Cox 715 5th St Independence Oleg if , , 4 7. ., , - , , 2 ', 7 ' 1' , 1 ' . , .-W, 1- ', , 1, , 1 .. 7 c . at Larson, Earl C., AlXIlVI3c, BOX 2 , f ' , . . Q ' C f', ' L ., , . , 2' , C , . C. - C , - I, , ', r ., . , , . 126 Lawson, Elijah J., SINIIC, 2534 Washington, Columbia, S. C. y6Layton, Royce V., SKDIC, cfo Grand Paint and Paper Co., Inc., 116 W. Grand Ave., Oklahoma City, Okla. Lebelle, Donald J., Bkr2c, 75 Fulton St., Oshkosh, Wis. Leonard, William H., Sic, Gravette, Ark. Lester, Hubert I., Sic, Box 322 E. Pk wk ak wk ISI Division, port watch. Brewton Post Office, Brewton, Ala. Lewis, Charles H., SYMIC, 2245 Pemberton St., Philadelphia, Pa. Lightner, Wfalter E., WT3c, 320 Charles St., Apt. 1, Middletown, Ohio Lindenberger, Thomas D., SIC, 1426 YV. Second St., Wfichita, Kan. Lindsey, IH HJ , Sic, RR 1, Bexar, Ala. : Lindsey, John, StMIC, Box 18, Whitakers, N. C. Linenweber, William S., SC3c, 8612 Halls Ferry Rd., St. Louis, Mo. Little, Carl M., Cox, General De- livery, Shiner, Texas i':Logan, Daniel P., SLMIC, 602 Walnut St., Belpre, Ohio ist Division, starboard watch. 127 ii ri D i I 3 , I1 1 ui :L 4, ,L 'iff ya if iE'g rw iw if 1 i, 'l x V? E I ii? fl! gli W 12+ QM Ni gn' HM llivisirm, porl wzitvli. if , 1 S 2,4 ,QI V21 ' sm H .fl ,, IIN Wy? iii H iii ,lifg :ii 3? iiig H n I ii 1455 few gssii W 1,f,Q'i iii! Ji! W 22? ah l ii ,II- fa I 1 ' N UMM Division, slzlrlmzml Wlllfil ' 128 I A maica Way, Boston, Mass. Longoria, Santiago, F1c, Santa Fe Ranch, Box 97, Encino, Texas Lopez, Refugio R., SIC, 1010 Mary St., Houston, Texas Lowery, Raymond EU, AMM1c, RR 1, Dyersburg, Tenn. 'Ludwig, Harold YV., Y3c, 3280 Fordham, San Diego 10, Calif. Long, Richard P., AMM1c, IO Ja- 'li Lukaszyk, Feliks, SIC, 1330 Suness Ave., Utica, N. Y. ' Lunceford, Bennie L., StM1c, 714 S. Grace St., Rocky lNIt., N. C. 'Lyles, David J., StMIC, RR 1, Box 44, Pauline, S. C. Lyles, Lloyd J., Fic, 1439 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, La. Lynch, Eugene C., QM3c, 135 Glenada Court, Freeport, Long Island, N. Y. 'Lynch, Jack D., AMMIC, 709 Johnson St., Albany, Calif. ,F Lyon, Edgar R., Cox, 2511 Club Blvd., Durham, N. C. Macejak, Milan L., Holzhaver Rd., Macedonia, Ohio MacGibbon, Raymond E., Fic, Walton, N. Y. Mack, Paul E., FIC, E. 1742 Sanson Ave., Spokane, Wash. Maholchic, Eugene F., SIC, 341 Main St., Childs, Pa. Makil, Simon, SIC, Box 264, Scotts- dale, Ariz. 'k Malcolm, William F., SK3c, 227 N. 15th St., Kansas City, Kans. 'FMarbury, James, Jr., Ck3c, 27 J St,, N., Alexander City, Ala. Marshall, Robert W., RdM3c, RR 6, Pittsburgh, Texas I Marshall, Virgil, MMIC, Auxier, Ky. if Marthis, John M., Jr., SCQC, 1547 W. Rosewood Ave., San Antonio, Texas 'k Martin, Charlie, StMIC, Bracuy, Va. Martin, Francis J., AOM3c, 230 Hart St., New Britain, Conn. Martin, Reuben J., S1c, P. O. Box 95, Lampasas, Texas ik Martinez, Albert J., SIC, 1221 N. 3rd Ave., Albuquerque, N. Mex. 'Mason, Robert, SIMIC, RR 3, Box 84, Emporia, Va. ' Masterson, Russell J., SIC, 1782, W. 44th St., Cleveland, Ohio Mathews, Billy A., Sic, 2837 Colum- bia St. Flint Hills Manor Bur lington, Iowa Matthews Edward W., SIC, 3984 Texas St. San Diego, Calif 'K McBee, George O., Bkr3c, Box 61 ' Bache Okla McCormack, Francis J., Sic, 94912 S. Normandie, Los Angeles, Calif McDonald, Amos L., S2c, 1306 Cococpah St., Phoenix, Ariz McDonald, Robert M., AM2c, 1504 E. Fourth St. Alton Ill X McDougall, Donald L., SIC, I3 4th St., Lowell, Mass if McElroy, Theodore, Cox, 10609 VVestf1eld Rd. Houston Texas lNIcFadin Billie A. HAIC 221 Commerce St. Fairfield Texas lNIcIntosh, John, HAIC, 416 W 48th St., Los Angeles 37, Calif it lXIcKee Rex Earl EM2c Mem phis, lXIo lNIcLauchlin Nathaniel W. StMIC P. O. Box 51, VVagram, N. C X lNIcLeod, Gilbert, IVIMIC, 3978 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles 37 Calif. St. lN4arks Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y 9fMcNally, Walter W., SSlVIB2c Garden lXIich McSpadden, Howard L., Sic, RR 1 VVest Bloctonn Ala Meimer, John, Jr., SKVIC, 706 Green St. S. W'. Massillon Ohio Mejia, Alfredo S., SIC, Box 655 Lordsburg, N. Mex Mendoza, Manuel, MME3C, 2431 E. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles Calif. 4 Mentrup, Felix E., SSML3c, 610 Hawthorne Ave. Price Hill Cin cinnati 5, Ohio at Merryman, Gerald G., RM3c, 216 Cherry St., Silverton, Oreg ' Merryhew, Elton K., SIC, RR 1 Fruita Colo ik Metz Richard SIC 1 1 McCausland Ave., St. Louis I7 Mo. al' Meurer, Wilton L., SIC, Byrd Island, Minn ff Miller, Glenn W., Jr., SSML3c P. O. Box 171, Livingston, Calif ' Miller, Roy E., SF2c, 114 Portage St., Kent, Ohio Miller, William I., SFQC, 3964 S Budlong St., Los Angeles 37, Calif Miscichoski Alexander AMM2c 2327 S. 26th St., Milwaukee, Wis 19 Mitchell Walter SIMQC, 502 Park way Westfield Ala Mitzcl oseph S20 Box 510 Oakes N Dak 'Mom0t FdwardJ EM2c 1313 W Fifth St Aberdeen Wash ' Monroe Nathan E PhM3c Gar risonville Va Monsey Vollie V SIC Box 791 Cross Plains Texas lwontgomery Karl R S2c RR 2 Box 217 Blytheville Ark Moody Joseph P RdM3c 1039 S A St Rogers Ark Mooney Wallace H EMQC 395 Benefit St Providence R I Moore William S20 Veteran s Administration Facility Marion Ind Moosman Dee S SM3c Boulder Utah Morris Monte D AerM1c 2108 S Fairmont Fort Worth Texas Mueller Oscar L AEM2c 610 S 7th Ave Wausau Wis Muenster John A PhOMIC 1114 N Durbee St Appleton Wis Pk Mularz Leo FIC 314 Franklin St Elizabeth N Mullen SamuelF CRIC 304 Dison Ave Memphis Tenn Muller Carl O Bug2c 55 IV Marquette Rd Chicago 21 Ill Mullin RoscoeD Ck2c RR4 Box 169 Grenada Miss i'fMulv1lle Thomas F SIC 140 Walnut St VVaterbury Conn fMunk Mark C SIC 204 E 2nd South Manti Utah Murphy Luther SIC Palmdale Calif Murphy lNIart1n F Cox 4343 Brunner Ave Bronx N Y Myler Marvin F FQC 2219 Sims Ave Overland Mo Neal Jack D AMM2c 3070 VV Lafayette Detroit Mich Nea ames R S c RR 1 Springdale Ark Nelson Francis V AlXI2c 188 ustm Ave Bay Terrace Staten Island N Y Nelson Oscar C S1c Box 261 Crosby Texas Newlands Douglas D SQC, 6016 Barton Ave Hollywood Calif Newman Willie C AOM2c RR4 Bedford Va Newton uinton E S1c 1515 W7 6th St Santa Ana, Calif ' 1 9 7 ' 7 7' ' , . , . if ' A J J 7 7 A 1,5 3 I , . a c ' 'a - - , 7 .J ., , , s . A .7 , , 4 - X 7 '7 7 , . 1 -a a 9 . 7 2 -a a 9 5 1 ' 3 , ' 7 '7 7 ' 66 77 , 'a 9 ' Pk 7 '7 7 , , ., , . . if J Jr v 1 1 j , .. '. .. 7 7 7 . , , . ' a: , Q -a a a . 9 9 9 ' ,k . , 9 'J J ' a a 7 9 a 1. 2 's a - 's 9 ' 7 a 'a s . ., , . McMahon, Bernard P.,AOM1c, 992 1 J-7 1 4 ., , , a -7 s , Q ., , . . 2 . , 7 7 7 7 . ., . , . 9 -a a 9 7 7 7 3 , I 3 7 '7 7 , '7 7 ' a -a 9 ' , a a a a 7 9 ,k . 3 g ' 5 'J J ., , . . vs - ' s -a 9 ' '7 7 ' ak , a -a a ' 9 ' 7 7 ' 1 .1 9 J J 3 9 17 '9 I3 7 9 9 ' 9 -9 a J -, , , , . . 1 a 'a a s - s a 'a ., , . - 1 -a a 9 Q J 9 7 7 7 7Qf '7 7 ' 1 '3 ,1 .9 ,499 141' .J Mgm- H' v-,, ,.. 4-1 -. j5 lJ,Hx1mmll 'mil xx llc In HIV' Ibn 'vision sl nlmnal xx nu I1 Nichols, Sherman W., SIC, 1303 Fowler St., RR 3, Sweetwater, Texas gNihem, Jacob L., QM3c, 4703 Lawnview, Jacksonville, Fla. Noble, Charles R., S1c, 304 E. Grand Ave., Fowler, Colo. I Noe, Gerald B., RdM3c, Box 88, Eddyville, Iowa 'F Noe, James E., Jr., Cox, Menfro, Mo. ' Noonan, Raymond J., QM3c, 3640 Folsom Ave., St. Louis 10, Mo. :Norton, Harold L., S2c, 517 E. 5th St., Lajunta, Colo. Noson, Frank L., BlNI1c, 2715 Bel- vedere, Seattle 6, Wash. Nutt, Lawrence R., SIC, Star Route, Seminole, Texas 3' O,Conn0r, John V., Jr., SIC, RR 2, Box 1760, Roseville, Calif. if Ogle, General, F2c, RR 1, Gat- linburg, Tenn. 'F Oldakoski, Edward B., Cox, 35 Lafayette St., Carteret, N. J. Oleson, Robert M., SQC, 720 W'. 40th St., Minneapolis, lX1inn. I Oliver, John M., AM3c, Apart- ment 7196, 10518 N. Force Ave., Portland 17, Oreg. 'F Olsen, Raymond IW., Bkr2c, 14th St., Columbus, Nebr. if Olson, Carl E., Sic, 3807 Seward St., Omaha, Nebr. at Olson, Leonard C. M., EM3c, 315 19th St., S.E., Mason City, Iowa Olson, Orrin R., AlXlM1c, Audu- bon, Minn. Olup, Stanley E., AOM2c, 53 Greeley St., South Side, Pitts- burgh, Pa. 'I' Oreck, Jack H., RM3C, 1914 E. 6th St., Duluth, Minn. Orinski, Elmer E., RM2c, 318 Gar- field St., Newton Falls, Ohio I Oswalt, Milo C., S1c, RR 8, Kansas City 16, Mo. if Overy, Edward D., F2c, 910 Lay- fett St., Florissant, Mo. iPaape, Norman P., SIC, 315 S. Maple Ave., Green Bay, Wis. 'F Paden, Ralph C., TM2c, 809 Grant Ave., Waterloo, Iowa Page, Earl W., AM3c, RR 3, Merid- ian, Texas Pahutka, Edward L., RM1c, 240 Main St., Ranshaw, Pa. Paine, Ernest L., CMQC, 1720 N. 26th St., Boise, Idaho Paliani, Alvin E., MM3c, 810 Frank lin Ave., Aliquippa, Pa Palmer, Jackson H., Sic, 60 Wfcst minster Drive, Oakland II, Calif 'I Pancoast, Theodore D., RM1c 706 Grandee St., Compton, Calif I Pannier, Robert G., Fic, 1107 E ist., Fremont, Nebr 'Park, Jack H., RMIC, RFD 2 Twin Falls, Idaho Parkhill, Olan D., Fic, RR 3 lVichita Falls, Texas if Parr, Harold L., EM3c, Medicine Lodge, Kans. li Partin, Wfoodrow VV., YIC, Wfil mington, Calif. Parton, Nathan, RdM3c, RR 4 Cleveland, Tenn. 'l' Patterson, Arthur J., SIC, 5409 E 12th St., Kansas City, Mo Paul, Arthur F., SIC 110 Clifford St., Knoxville, Tenn I Paul, Thomas B., SIC, Beach Ave lXIanahawkin, N. if Paulton, George WI. Fic Rid Rd., Thornton, Ill Pearson, Francis L., S1c, Reids ville, Ga. 123, Nittyuma, Miss I Peck, Alph G., S2c, Goodland lNIinn. if Peckham, Theodore L., SIC, Wil liams, Oreg. lc Pederson, Lester H., Sic, 1 123 La Bree Ave. North Thief River Falls, Minn. I Peel, John H., WT1c, c 0 General Delivery, Wilmington, Calif 4' Peelen, Theodore L., QMQC, 787 Hillcrest Drive, Redwood City, Calif. if Pehan, James J., SIC, Glentana Mont. Pelham, John P., MM3c, Box Q5 Cocoa, Fla. if Pelzer, Sylvester F., Sic, RR 1 Kimball, Minn. Pena, Ramiro, Sic, 403 S. Navarro St., Victoria, Texas Pentecost, Joseph O., PhOMIC, 1352 Lake Point Ave. Grosse Point Park, Mich. if Perkins, Joe W., StM1c, RR 1 Box 45, Greensboro, Ala Perrot, John Joseph, PR3c, 1818 Spain St., New Orleans 17, L Peters, August P., S1c, General De livery, El Campo, Texas Peters Charles J AEM3c RRI Milan Ind Peters Marlin Sic RR 2 Box 102 Kirbyville Texas Peterson Calv1nK SF3c Box 35 Kempton N Dak Peterson Henry T AOM2c Ione Oreg Peterson MarvmA Fic 1018S Alder Tacoma Wash Peterson Sidney C WT2c Ford ville N Dak Pettit Sheldon lvl GM3c RR1 Lancaster Ohio Phillips Arthur H Sic Box 74 Tulia Texas Phillips Milton T Sic cfo Shop Maintenance Yuma Army Air Base Yuma Ariz Phillips Roy Sic Box 465 Pioneer Texas Pilfold Harold M GMQC cfo Mrs Gayle Walters RR 1 Ceresco Nebr TPIHKSLOD William H SfdIC 48 Moreland St Roxbury Mass TPIIFC Mark IVI SKQC 333 Fifth St Westwego La South Fargo N Dak I Poplett RalphE S20 RR3 Box 22 A Alton Mo Posey WeldonR SIC T C Ranch Van Horn Texas Prado Daniel AMM2c P O Box 532 El Monte Calif Preston ClarkM AOM3c Oswego N Y if Priest Charles VV Fic 249 Mt Pleasant Ave Ambler Pa I Priest HarleyW S20 2017 Hoyt Everett Wash uick William M Sic IOO8 Acklen Ave Nashville 4 Tenn Quinn R1chardG FIC 7Pappert Place Rochester N Y ik Racette Leo W GlNfI3c 3 Sprague St West Springheld Mass Ramirez G1lV Sic P O Box 127 Cucamonga Calif :Ramsey Gayle RM2c 103 N Camden Breckenridge Texas Ramsey Neal C AMM3c 818 W Belmont Okmulgee Okla I Randazzo Louis J Fic 583 N 17th St San ose Calif ikRasmussen Nels P lX4lNI2c Bur wood Ave Los Angeles 42 Calif - ca 97 7 Q 9 9 . , , - I I 7 Q ' Q Q Q ' Q gk . 7 9 'Q Q Q ' , 4 I wk ' I 'Q Q . , , ak . 7 7 -5 7 . 7 9 ' gk . 7 l S 'Q Q ' , . . ,lc . 7 'Q Q Q 7 - ' 7 'Q Q Q 7 7 7 I '7 7 7 4 7 7 ' ' v 7 JPQ Q Q 5 7 ' 7 '7 7 ' -, Q Q Q , , gl? Q 'Q Q - '7 7 ' 7 '7 7 . 'Q Q ' Pearson, Sammie L., StM1c, Box P1X1CYQ Earl R-Q SIC, 1438 7th AV0, . Q Q - - , Q 'Q Q Q 7 7 ' ' 7 '7 7 ' ' 7 7 7 7 7 ' ' , Q Q - 7 '7 7 U 7 ' Q 'Q Q - ., , . Q 'Q Q Q , . 1 Q Q -, , 'Q Q - ,K . . Q Q -Q Q Q Q ' ' Q Q 'Q Q O 'Q Q I Q 'Q Q ' ' Q , . Q Q Q Q - Q Q Q Q 'Q Q - . , , . 7 '7 7 ' a. ., J , . ' Q 'Q Q ' ., , . 131 We I:-I' IIN I, III, 121 IV I II I I I, II is I I I I ,I I 1? I I In In I 'I1 I 'IQ I IIIIII SIICIIIIIII I am PILINIJIII II I cc ak 0 IpII I I St Duron ICI XIICII C maym, oIn XX IC amc St I s Xnsgfflcs C cd, CJCCII I' IIQ 10,8 X I Ington Awe, INh1LIIcr C IIII IMI IIINI ICIII. punt xx.IIr II, ...rv NI, IIl.IIllIX I.., Cux, RR JIIIVX IIII-II. KIIIIII I c'cI, I,c-Im. IINIQI. RIC I, IIIIX I1-gf, lCIsIJI'llIQS.cIIiII1 IlI'iNIII'I', I'II'I'ImI'I'l II., IXINIIC, 1216 4 mc . rlmrt C., C.ux. I,I .SUIIVI I Xt' ' . 1 . -- .- , I- , f .,' II RI-llc, IILIIII Ii., MINIggc, I6634 Park- xIIII'. III'll'cJIl. NIICII. Rc-ixlingc-I'. I,vI'oy Paul, SIC. RR I, Iiox ICL1. SI-Quin, 'lqcxas III Aw. SIIIIIII. lforl Dodge, Iowa Ilviswig. lfluycl R.. SIC. 532 Tokay Sl.. IAJIII, CIIIIII. I-..,-H mm in1, ,. in ' Plank CJWIIIIS Q I I r ,XR l. IF I ,I :It REI 'I , .I 2 CIIQ-ICI, IJIIII 'Il ICI' Gr , ' 5 'Q J . I,C'IIlI. NI: 31 If I R' II 57 SI '. Ifgfij :IIIII I if- I ., ' . I Y. Sill I I , ' Y j p Rd C313 IRI-II RI: I, BI . ., .03 .- f IQIIII. IXIIN N I Ist SI ICIIIIN III My CRC ' ' Q., f LI ff. N IsII- IRIQIIII RIIIIIIIII IQNIII XIII CI fffz' ' . 7 ' - -, ' . - f, ,-1 . jj4'5,IX I ,IIIII I'ImIlIIIIII CIIII IIII I INN I W1 I II' II, 15 II, 1,35 IILII I ,Hn I III IIQILE IIIIII ' IIN? II IM ' 'Ima M, EIf'I,N VIIIjII , V V, gII'1L III 'EI ' I I , mug III ,W I , IMIII , .,,,,q I fi' i?I'II'? I 'IVLIQ , I ,AISI ,, , . I 5 a 15 I .--,-...W.,,,, znl III mm: lulmllfl M N, I, ,II 'IP' I ' A II, :F I I I I A vn l M ff. fi if Rembis, Joseph, AlVIlNfI3c, 36 Pu- laski St., Wallington, N. Rhame, Glenevar K., RdlNI3c, Long Leaf, La. 1 Rhoads, John R., Ptr2c, 545 N. Market St., Shamokin, Pa. Rhoden, Dallas C., SCIC, 702 N. Quaker, Tulsa, Okla. Richardson, Arlis D., SIC, Niule Shoe, Texas xRitchey, VVilliam J., SSlVIL3c, 2416 Copelan St., Cincinnati 6, Ohio Robbs, Lynn D., AM3c, Hereford, Texas 51204 SKB Division, port watch. X Roberts, john M., W7T1c, cfo R.S. Smith, Hemlock Station, Chester, S. C. xRobertson, lVIurlin VV., MM2c, 206 Indiana St., Baytown, Texas Robertson, Richard R., SIC, 259 W. Aliso St., Pomona, Calif. Robey, Ralph NJN, PhOM3C, 2o15 Parker St., Berkeley, Calif. Robinson, Robert W., Jr., SIC, 1o1 Lynn St., RR 9, Dallas IO, Texas Rocha, Valentine N., Box 14, Fern- dale, Calif. ikRochester, Dean E., SIC, 320 Kemper St., Butte, Mont. Rodgers, Julius, SIC, Box 365, Steele,s Store, Texas 4'Roe, Cyrus O., WT2c, 8615 Meridian St., Seattle, Wash. Roe, Ervin C., AOM2c, 2205 North Boulevard, Houston 6, Texas ik Rogoff, Arthur B., SKD2c, 6507 N. Bosworth Ave., Chicago, Ill. Roman, Pablo, SIC, Box 486, Sum- merville, Texas Ross, Eugene E., FIC, 1129 5th St., Lorain, Ohio X Ross,john T., Src, RR 1, Box 209, Philipsburg, Pa. X f if W 1 2 . ,, .,,.... Q Z 5 S ,,,.,,,,,.,,, ,.,,,, , 4 R, . . wwf. Why , ,W H 4 . ff' -,f M' ,. . .W ,,N',,,JW,, . . f ,V , . ..,....,f f , bf f f ff ,wwf , ,WH N,,,,,a.,,f , ' ..,,f 2 V ,, V . . 'CKN Division, starboard watch. 133 m Rowlette, William L., RdM3c, 447 E. Lytle St., lvlurfreesboro, Tenn. A' Roy, Russell, Sic, Box 502, Kalis- pell, Mont. if Roybal, Benjamin, S2c, 219 Bel- view, Lajunta, Colo. 3 Ruland, Douglas H., Sic, 2620 Cornelia St., New York, N. Y. Runnells, Robert F., Sic, 819 E. Fifth St., Santa Ana, Calif. Runyon, Lawrence V., CMIC, 74 Greenbush St., Manistee, Mich. if Rusnak, Frank L., Sic, cfo Crafts- man Press, 2030 Westlake Ave., Seattle, Wash. Russell, William D., Bic, 558 Long View Place, Decatur, Ill. ' Ruth, Richard, Src, RR 1, Rich- wood, Ohio Ryder, Marion II., Fic, 255 Strand, Ocean Park, Calif. Sahins, Frank L., FIC, 127 Bierce Ave., Dayton 3, Ohio 3' Sager, William L., S2c, lfldrnund, Kans. 4' Sagraves, Maxwell ll., Sic, 1225 S. Birch St., Santa Ana, Calif. ' Sahli, Floyd E., Cox, RD 2, Gib- sonia, Pa. ' Plank Owners. UA Division Salinas, Salvador R., Yjgc, Box 82, Lordshurg, N. Mex. Sandefur, .Iames D., Sic, RR 1, Stonewall, Okla. Sandoval, joe, Fic, l4.lQ Dana St., Los Angeles, Calif. Sanford, lrlonier L., SIC, 211511 Ripple St., Los Angeles 26, Calif. if Santana, Arturo S., MMjgc, 2314 Santa Maria St., Austin, Texas if Sasal, Charles, Sic, 111111152 XVayne Rd., Plymouth, Mich. Sawyer, Byron S., Sie, RU. Box 293. Butler, Cla. fScarpa, Arthur A., lilllxlllf, 47, Passaic St., Clarlielcl, N. tl. Searpi, Wfalter S., AMMlljge, efo .Iohn Clordor, Loraiie, Oretg. Schaefer, llowarcl Cl., AUMjge, 211125 Moniea Ave., lletroil 21, Mich. if Seheid, llonalcl XV., l'ilXljge, 424:11 lfilIlCl'SUlI N., lN lilllll'JIINlllS, Minn. if Schell, lrvin tl., Tflf, Html Shoss Ave., l.1-may 2jg, Mo. Slfllltdlllllg, T4ilW'l't'lll't', AM2e, 1111557 N. Wfoolsey flourts, l,Ul'll2llHl jg, Oreg. lfll Schultz, Martin A., MM1c, 2005 N. Newhall, Milwaukee, lVis. 96 SClllllll2iCl1Cl', Edward J., SSMC3c, RR 1, Box 269, St. Helens, Oreg. ik Sehurinan, Sylvester G., Sic, Box 36, lXlelrose, Minn. tkS02llX'l'Q, Perle A.. EM3c, 1300 .jefferson St., Burlington, Iowa Seher, .james A., Sie. 1030 Wake- iielcl, Houston 8, Texas Self, Steven L., MM2e, Box 122, Tulia, Texas Sens, Rohert F., RM3c, Box 687, XN'ells, Minn. Sharp, .Iohn S., SIC, Box 397, Im' perial, Texas if Shaw, llexijaniiii R.. SC3C, U River St., xv2ll'!'CIlSlJlll'g, N. Y- i Sllt'1ll'l'l', llenry O., GMQC, 2518 fgglh St., Saeraxnento, Calif. 1 Shellev, Kenneth D., Sie, Box 1731 Kermit, Texas W Shepard, Gary lf., SIC, BOX 5351 Iluntsville, Texas 'I Sliepliartl, Harry E-, RdMQc' . s 118-25 .lmnaiea Ave., Richmond lllll, N. X. if SlN'I'l't'l'iT, W'illiam R-Q AMM3c' 4, 14.11 Aw., 1x1at1f11.-mwn, N- Y' l Z 1 r , Shroyer, YVillis XV., Sie, 915 Warren Ave., Cheyenne, lVyo. 'k Shults, Jenson C., Fic, RR Q, Cosby, Tenn. Shumway, Richard C., Sic, 2034 N. 8th St., Phoenix, Ariz. UR Division, port watch. Siekerski, Nlartin J., Fic, 70 Peck Ave., YVest Haven, Conn. X Sieradzinski, Stanley J., lX11e, 20 Prospect St., Springfield, Mass. X Simmons, Maurice D., Jr., SIC, 2884 N. YN. Savior St., Portland Oreg. iin1ns,'Noble L., StM1e Federels burg, Md. 7 Simpson, Clayton, Cox, 954 Rem ington Ave., Flint 3, lX4ieh. M f R Division, starboard watch. 135 5 S1mpsor1, oseph R BM1c 4411 Redwood Ame R1C11I11OHd C1111 S1UCX,XN8fI'C,I1 11 SIC 410 N Ross more Axe , Los Xnffeles, C 1111 S1ppo1a Ohwer H SIC Box 945 Red Lodffe, Blom SIFCS james W Tac, J43 Haffood 1J1X1SlOIl P011 xx 1 1 4: X1C11O 111 ax 1 J ll D1 S 111108 0113 11C Box N4 N Max 183011, 1cw1Q 1 ox 4101 lx J1111L1111x1cxx 1DI1XL S111 Q C 11 1 r11 C1 1111s ARIRIC 4 Qld kS1k111l 111111121111 H AMMIC, , QM Upper Broadway Corpus C1111sl1 Texas S111 111q 1xe11r1et11 YV c, 7 XX ecku Axe , Buffalo, N Y 81111118 He1111a11 StN11c 59 Rad 11111 Qt C11d11CSfO1'1, S C 1511111 11111113111 R SIC, 70 St 1NIober1y NIO 11 s S1 C11lQ1!4O o XX e11aS Sl Lllenbburg, YVash I'1a1114 fJWI'll'I'H. jgrd IFIVISIUII, sl:11'l1rm1'c1 wz1!1'l1. 1 1:16 if Smith, Angus M., Jr., AMM2c 125 E. 1 16th Place, Los Angeles 3 Calif. a Smith, Bud C., MM3c, 643 E 105th St., Los Angeles 2, Calif. ' Smith, Cecil E., EM3c, RR 2 Augusta, Kans. 95 Smith, Ernest C., SCB3c, RR 2 Box 453, Oroville, Calif. ' Smith, George L., VVTIC, 131 E. 56th St., Savannah, Ga. 4' Smith, Merrick J., SIC, 728 St Roch St., New Orleans, La. i'FSmothermon, Talmage A., SIC 512 Dallas Ave., Huntsville, Ala S Division, port watch. Snyder, Wfarren VV., AMM2c, 928 4oth St., Brooklyn 19, N. Y. Soeder, John J., SIC, 7012 Colfax Rd., Cleveland, Ohio Sollock, John M., SIC, Box 88, Devine, Texas if Sonnenburg, Robert W., FIC, 2717 W'. Fourth St., Duluth, Minn. 'k Southern, Norman J., CM3c, 408 Bissell Ave., Richmond, Calif. Spencer, Robert S., RdM3c, Benton- ville, Ark. :Spencer, Walter D., Cox, 1612 Maybert Rd., Portsmouth, Ohio Squier, Daryl L., SC2c, Box 154 Wheeler, Oreg at Squiers, Frank B., SC3c, 404 Hall St. Tama Iowa tk Stage, Frederick R., Y3c, 68 E Henry St., River Rouge, Mich 95Stahlman, George, YQC, 2720 Woodhaven Drive, Hollywood Calif Stallcup, Thomas E., r., Src, 808 Austin St. Wichita Falls Texas 'k Stanek, StanislausJ., S2c, 1809 W 17th St., Chicago, Ill lington, Wash SU Division, starboard watch. 137 J tk Starr, Roy J., QMQC, RR 2, Ar- Steel, Paul T., Jr., AOM1c, 1647 S. 26th St., Philadelphia, Pa. ' Steger, jacob F., GM2c, Box 303, Neaga, Ill. Stephenson, William A., S2c, 861 Killian St., El Monte Calif. ' Stevens, Hal D., FC2c, 404 N. VV. 8th St., Mineral NVells, Texas Stevens, NVilbur G., RdM3c, Plainfield, Iowa ' Stevenson, Elmer P., Fic, 230 E. Tripp Ave., Peoria, Ill. l' Stockton, Eudith E., Sic, Box QI 1, Hayti, Mo. ' Stohry, Karl W., lrVT2c, RR 6, Shelbyville, Ind. 'F Stone, Dale B., EM1c, Box 48, Sharon, W. Va. I Stresemann, Carl E., Sic, 1746 College Ave., Huntington, Ind. Stringer, George, StM1c, RR 3, Box 244M, Monroe, La. I Sullivan, Robert K., Sic, 1037 Butte St., Redding, Calif. ' Sutherland, James H., Sic, RR 4, Box 25, Sherman, Texas Svoboda, Roy VV., Sic, 1306 S. Home Ave., Berwin, Ill. I Swimmer, Arthur M., Sic, 4851 N. Albany Ave., Chicago 25, Ill. Talavera, Angel V., Sic, Box 533, Lordsburg, N. Mex. Tango, Albert L., PhoM2c, 104 Chelsea St., East Boston, Mass. Tapp, Donald E., Sic, 3905 VV. Victory Blvd., Burbank, Calif. ik Taylor, David S., MM2c, 1112 S. Harvard, Los Angeles, Calif. Taylor, John T., Fic, 2821 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, Ariz. ' Taylor, john W., SK2c, 301 Columbia St., Cambridge, Mass. I Taylor, Robert C., Sic, Box 144, Duck Town, Tenn. Tejeda, Edward, Sic, 1041 Holden Ave., Inglewood, Calif. a Templain, Oren G., Fic, Reserve, La. bk Temple, john K., Jr., WT3c, II 9th Ave., Greenville, S. C. Terrell, jesse P., SQC, Otis, La. ' Terry, Rufus E., Sic, Moundville, Ala. ' Thomas, Glen R., EM3c, Cosmos, Minn. ' Thomas, Roger C., SF3c, IO6 Cottage Lane, Olive View, Calif. Thomas, William, Sic, RR 2, Louis- ville, Ala. ' Plank Owners. I Thomason, Charles C., Sic, Apt. 41 5, 449 Peterboro, Detroit, Mich. 'I Thomsen, Arnold L., S2c, Center junction, Iowa 'K Thorn, Donald L., Y3c, RFD 1, St. Peter, Minn. Threet, Charles E., EM3c, 123 25th St., Newport Beach, Calif. ak Tighe, jack L., GM1c, 1324 N. Union Blvd., St. Louis, lNfl0. I Tooze, Don F., GM3c, 6625 S. W. Canyon Lane, Portland, Oreg. :Tranberg, Cecil C., IRT3CT, 1209 6th Avenue Wfest, Kalispell, lX4ont. I Trevathan, Doyle, AOM1c, Cen- tralia, Texas Tucker, Kenneth HF , BM2c, Ina- vale, Nebr. Turner, Howard E., AlvIM1c, 5612 The Paseo, Kansas City, Mo. ik Upton, Doyn 'WV', Sic, Isabella, Mo. I Vandenbos, Henry, Qhlic, Fran- zen St., RR 1, Bensenville, Ill. Van Fleet, Clarence R., Sic, Box 176, Hondo, Texas 9' Van VVinkle, Virgil R., S2c, Elba, Colo. I Vaughn, joe V., MM2c, 121 S. Main, Dexter, Mo. I Velasquez, Nick F., jr., AerM1c, Box 36, Antonito, Colo. 'k Vicente, Pedro, Cklc, 2118 Kearney St., San Diego, Calif. ff Villhauer, Leo E., WT2c, 630 S. Johnson St., Iowa City, Iowa I Vincent, Elzo D.,,Ir., Sic, McCoy, Oreg. I Voigt, Calvin W., GM2c, 1915 Butler Ave., South St. Paul, Minn. Wadsworth, Kenneth J., Sic, Box 432, Maricoba, Ariz. Waer, james M., Sic, 243 S. Newlin Ave., Whittier, Calif. I Walker, King P., Sic, Box 437, Inverness, Fla. 3' Wallace, Gail R., AMM3c, RR 5, Lisbon, Ohio Wallen, Eddie R., Sic, 6127 Lorelei Ave., Bell Flower, Calif. Walterich, james F., FC3c, 42 Meriden St., Buffalo, N. Y. Pk I Waterson, Charles R., Sic, 2437 N.W. 14th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. Webb, Leonard H., EM3c, P.O, Box 1016, Oakley, Calif. I Webber, Richard W., S2c, RFD 2, Leslie, Mich. 'Weleh, ,Ierry B., SM2c, 6616 l38 L, Calif. ' Westphal, Calvin R. M3 Newell St., Huntington , Q 2nd St., East, Willmar, Mii 'K Westphal, Walter C., Sie, Milvia St., Berkeley, Calif, ' Wfhite, Henry B., Sic, IIO S. man, Denver, Colo. ' Whitefield, Russell C., IV 1810 Main St., Humboldt, VVhorton, Billy B., RdM3c, Bo Lorenzo, Texas I Wild, Warren E., RTIC, I Box 52, Olympia, Wash. Wilkerson, Roland L., Sic, I Oakwood, Okla. Aldrich Ave N Minneapo Minn Wilks, George A., AOM3c, 63 St West Kalispell Mont Williams, DuVVayne, AMM2 426, Milford, Utah 'kVVilkie, Wayne G., Sic, c if Williams, Herbert, TMV1c, l Benton, Ky. if Williford, Fred A., jr., SF3c 526, Bloomfield, N ebr. Hartford St Lou1s9 Mo Winkle Floyd A. Fic 733 ton St Seattle Wash W'irtanen, Toivo O., W'T3c, I Wilson, Morris, RdM3c, ak , . , . r ak ., , . 491, Hancock, Mich. R ' Wise, Lawrence E., SQC, Woodburn, Oreg. Wiseman, Robert E., Sic, 427 mont St., Dallas, Texas I Wisler, Harry E., Cox, 390 W Carlos St., San jose, Calif. Wooldridge, Oscar,I.,,Ir., Sic, F Kilgore, Texas 'Wragg, Charles L., Stic, Box Ackerman, Miss. Wfright, Durward M., Sic, Ala. 'Q Wright, Wfesley J., AMMIC, Creek, N. Y. Yeoman, Isaac R., Sic, Box Longwood, Fla. 'k York, Robert A., RT2c, CE Idaho Young, Haskell Ray, SIC, RR 3, 15, Houston, Texas 1 Young, john, jr., Sic, RR 3, port, Texas ' Zappi, Dominic W., Union Ave., Maplewood, ' Zeadow, George R., S1536 Huber St., Anomosa, Iowa 4. 4,15 . . n ' P . 4, A ,js . ,,,,., S tat it M- , . ,+. 1-'f Y-3 Division, port watch. Zellrnan, Prosper A., Sic, Carver, Dk Ziegler, Robert L., SIC, St. Zintak, LeRoy C., AMMPQC, 3642 hlinn. Charles, iXIich. S. Honore St., Chicago, Ill. V-3 Division, starboarc,l watch. 139 'W W PART VII THE MEN WHO FLEW FROM HER DECKS COMPOSITE SQUADRON EIGHTY-FIVE OFFICERS C077IlIIlIflll'l.llg Ojirer Lt. Cdr. Fred C. Herriman, USN, 309 Third St., lvlonett, Mo. Exerzztive Ofjirer Lt. Albert D. Foster, USNR, 62 Clark Lane, Wfaltham, Mass. Lt. Cdr. James D. Luce, USNR, 104 Richard's St., Dedham, Mass. Lt. E. R. Beckwith, USNR, 5362 'Wentworth Ave., Oakland, Calif. Lt. David A. Block, USNR, 3275 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas Lt. William A. James USNR, 319 N. Fifth St., Grand Forks, N. Dak. Lt. VVilliam H. Kearns, USNR, 630 Fifth Ave., New York 20, N. Y. Lt. joseph A. Kush, USNR, 3880 Ortega Blvd., Jacksonville 5, Fla. Lt. Robert F. Pettitt, USNR, 320 19th St., Manhattan Beach, Calif. Lt. Joseph E. Sheehan, USN, 27 Parker Hill Ave., Boston, Mass. Lt. Kenneth C. Stowell, USNR, 131 Davis Ave., White Plains, N. Y. Lt. John L. Thompson, USNR, 1811 13th Ave., S., Minneapolis 4, Minn. Lt. George H. Armsby, USNR, 914 Louisa St., Williamsport, Pa. Lt. Adrian S. Bazzell, USNR, 609 Planter St., Bainbridge, Ga. Lt. fjgj Robert N. Brown, USNR, 398 E. Second Ave., Chico, Calif. Lt. fjgj William G. Couch, USNR, 1519 Monter St., Dallas, Texas Lt. Robert H. Cron, USNR, 64 Clover St., Worcester, Mass. Lt. fjgj Delbert M. Gerlach, USNR, 520W South St., Rapid City, S. Dak. Lt. fjgl Gordon A. Giltillan, USNR, Box 355, Canby, Oreg. Lt. Arthur W. Gilkey, USNR, 35 S. Stewart St., Winchester, Va. Lt. fjgj David P. Hefner, USNR, 8 Fairfax Terrace, Little Rock, Ark. Lt. fjgj james A. Homyak, USNR, 6431 Marconi St., Huntington Park, Calif. Lt. James D. Ingram, USNR, Pulaski 5, Tenn. Lt. fjgj G. D. Kerlin, USNR, 3921 Pasco St., Kansas City, Mo. Lt. fjgl Armand LaMarre, USNR, 525 Lockwood St., Alpena, Mich. Lt. fjgj Seymour Marshall, USNR, 4707 N. Drake Ave., Chicago, Ill. Lt. VVilliam Murray, USNR, 28 A Hancock Ave., lXIedford, Mass. Lt. LeRoy Peebles, USNR, 2232 Konnoak Drive, Winston- Salem, N. C. Lt. George B. Pleat, USNR, 1053 Central Ave., Albany, N. Y. Lt. fjgl Robert W. Ramey, USNR, Box 24, Trinity, Texas Lt. fjgj Robert C. Reilly, USNR, 1134 E. Lexington, Glendale, Calif. . Lt. fjgj Alfred F. Steinhauer, USNR, 902 Duluth Ave., North, Thief River Falls, Minn. Lt. Nimrod H. Tucker, USNR Hurtsboro, Ala. Lt. fjgj Allan Weintraub, USNR 69 Melrose Drive, New Rochelle, N. Y. 3 7 Ens. Wilbur F. Berauer, USNR Box 175, VValdr0n, Ind. Ens. Donald E. Butcher, USNR Weldon, Iowa Ens. William A. Denkler, USNR, 67 N. Cox St., Memphis, Tenn. Ens. Frank Dolinich, USNR, 25 Fitch St., Carteret, N. Ens. Hubert E. Dybdahl, USNR, R.F.D., Centerville, Iowa 7 3 Ens. Henry R. Hitpas, USNR, 306 Thrush Ave., Peoria, Ill. Ens. John C. Houk, USNR, 211 W. Berkeley Ave., Muncie, Ind. Ens. Earl R. Krueger, USNR, 5918 Alpha, St. Louis, Mo. Ens. john Kurowski, USNR, 4I E. Front St., Dunkirk, N. Y. Ens. Edward Logel, USNR, 94 Beaumont Place, Newark, N. KI. Ens. Philip Misner, USNR, Inter- national Falls, Minn. Ens. Sidney R. O'Neil, USNR, 4540 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 140 Ens. Richard S. Phipps, USNR, 407 Stolp Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Ens. Dayo D. Prindle, USNR, 417 W. Sixth St., Chanute, Kang, Ens. William A. Read, USNR, 2510 California St., Denver, Colo. Ens. Frederick N. Runkel, Jr., USNR, 1221 Avenue HS , Brook- lyn, N. Y. Ens. Clifford E. Seeman, USNR, 710 Third St., N.W., Canton, Ohio Ens. Melvin L. Shaw, USNR, Gove, Kans. Ens. Frank VV. Smith, USNR, Route 1, Burlington, Wash. Ens. Frank Stevenson, USNR, 2870 Casto Lane, Murray 7, Utah Ens. Albert R. Swanson, USNR, Monticello, Minn. Ens. George N. Turner, Jr., USNR, 2608 Stewart St., Chattanooga, Tenn. Lt. john A. Duffalo, Jr., KMCD, USN, 155 N. Encinitas Ave., lXIonrovia, Calif. ' CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS Crockett, Ernest S., ACOM, USN, Box 307, Hot Springs, N. Mex. Lenzner, Louis O., ACMM, USN, 1206 N . Geyer Road, Kirkwood, Mo. CREVV Andre, Herman F., AMMQC, USNR, 4327 Gibson Ave., St- Louis IO, Mo. Bare, Oral C., ARM2c, USN, 139 S.W. 36th St., Oklahoma City, Okla. Beam, Francis IXI., ARM3c, USN, Mankato, Kans. Berry, Kenneth W., ARIVIIC, USN, 122 E. South St., Harrisburg, 111- Blahm, Elmer L., ARM3c, USNR, Route 1, Horiniston, Oreg. Blakemore, William T., AOMSCQ USN, 612 Spring St., Reading, Pa' Boisvert, Claude V., AMMEFQ USN R, 65 Princeton Ave., Domi! Borkgrcn, Raymond I., rXElXIIC, USNR, 624 East Main St., Gcn- csco, Ill. Briggs, XVcslcy .Axl1lNI2C, USN, 116 North Blk, Caspcr, YN'yo. Bristow, Xvllllfllll L., AOBIQC, USNR, 141 Fairmount St., San Francisco, Calif. Brooks, Randall XY., ARMIC, USNR, 5391 Occan Blvd., Long Beach, Calif. Cates, Joseph R., ARMQc, USNR, 2145 N. Evcrcst, Oklahoma City 5, Okla. Church, Charlcs E., AOINIQC, USNR, 710 Boonc St., Kingsport, Tcnn. Contc, Rocco I., AMlXIjgc, I.'SNR YC-85, our squadron. ClI'CYCllI1Q, -lack, ANI1c, USN, ioo Pittcnhousc, Dcs Moincs, Iowa Druschcl, Francis XV., AMMQC, USN, 1ojg5 Pcarl St., Aurora, Ill. Ilastcr, Iidqar B., AlXIlNIQc, USN, Box 3122, Mason, Ohio Flannery, ,Iohn lf., AOlNI1c, USN, 23Q N. 16th St., Philadclphia, Pa. Fort, Bminctt D., -Ir., ARlXIQc, USNR, Q22 gth Avc., Bcssclncr, Ala. Glizczinski, Ilugcnc B., Al'NIlNIQc, USNR, 320 Il. Clcntral Avc., Toledo 8, Ohio Goldberg, Louis M., AOlNIjgc, USN 4146 Mcnlo Avc., San Ilia-go 5, C..aliI'. s 1 Gourlcy, David Cl., ,lr., ARlXI1c, USNR 1613 S. ,goth Court' Grccnc, Gordon IXI., AlXIlNI3c, USNR, 17385 Kcntucky Avc., Detroit 21, Mich. l1CflI'C,KC11I1Clll G., AOlNI3c, LSNR Routc 2, lfcrtilc, lXIinn. Hcinus, Paul A., ARlNIjgc, LISNR, O46 Ravcn St., San Dicqo, Calif. Hill, Harold L., AOiNIgc, USN, R.I .U. 3, Bucyrus, Ohio Hyllicrl, Edgar XY., llr., AIXIIXIQC, USNR, 50,3 Tompkins Avc., Ak- ron 5, Ohio Ioncs, Bcrt L., AIXIIXIIC, LISNR, Dallas. Iowa Ioncs, Kcnncth AMlNIjgc, IISNR, QQ Roscgarclcn St., Providcncc, R. I. losi1is,Kcnncth P., AMMQC, USNR 3137 Louisiana Avc., St. Louis 18 w I 7 3 5 IO Langdon St., Iilvcrctt, Mass. Ciccro, Ill. Mo. 1141 ' Kirkpatrick, Ronald W., ARM3c, USNR, Box 634, Washougal Wash. Kojtek, Alfred T., AOM2c, USN, 235 Swetland St., Dui-yea, Pa. Koster, Edward J., ABZIIXIIC, USN IOII N. Francisco St., Chicago Ill. Larson, Harold G., Yic, USNR, 1715 60th St., Kenosha, 'Wis. Lay, Kenneth hai., ARMIC, USN, Box 436, Ukiah, Calif. Ligman, Joseph, AOM1c, USN, 1034 S. 2ISt St., Manitowoc, Wis. Martell, Fred J., AOM2c, USNR, Box 204, L'Anse, lvlich. McGraw, Eldred YV., AlVIlNI2c, USNR, 3635 Botanical Ave., St. Louis 10, Mo. Melton, Rual VV., ARlVI2c, USNR, 1128 Coplin Ave., Detroit 15, Mich. Moredich, Carl G., ARNIIC, USNR, 4,711 johnson Ave., Hammond, Ind. Orcutt, Kenneth C., AOM2c USNR, 9 W. Elizabeth St., Water loo, N. Y. Clvlissing in action, Paddock, Charles J., ARMQC USNR, 245 Margan St., Oberlin Ohio Powell, Cecil P., Jr., ARM3c USNR, 408 w. 11.10.-ton st.: Denison, Texas lzathbun, Philip D., PRxc, USNR, 105 South Willow, Kansas City Mo. Sandstrom, Robert A., AMMQC, USN, 116 Nebraska Ave., Gilbert, Minn. Smith, Lowell F., AMM3c, USNR, Pierre, S. Dali. Stambaugh, Elmer D., ARM2c, USNR, Chamberlain, S. Dak. Steele, Paul E., ARM3c, USNR, 121 N. Howland Ave., Elkhart, Ind. Sullivan, james F., AOlVI3c, USNR, 5349 Broad St., Pittsburgh, Pa. Thomas, Richard P., AOM3c, , 14,2 af 1 5 5 D PART VIII Llttle IS 2111 L1ttIe I Eli A O? th' d a O9 h I .AX lillllllt' STORY UI' Yti H3 QBy lat. lYillit1111 ll. liettrns. USNR. Nltttttlroii .Xir Lfoinbgtt lntelligenee Ullieeixl Cold and giuiy. the dgnyii ol' 12 xl1111t1g11'y 11111 found 21 light rain slirouding the builtliiigs gintl I'llllXN'ilyS ol' the Naygil .Xir Station. Seattle. Neither the ehill nor the lltlling min were 1111- usual: yet o11 that inorning. Ll group ol' lllt'll arose who were to be joined by Ll Vtllllllltlll txntse into a eon11no11 body and they alone. pt-rltgtps. felt the presence of the hour. Clad i11 blues. with gray gloves. they drifted to lmltiiigttr No. ig: i11 groups. talking ol' tl1e liutttre and ol the sexi. The eomniissioning CCl'CI11OI1y was brief. .X bundled up Lieutenant ciO1l'lIHLlIlClL'l' read the Squadron orders. Nobody heztrd hiin. tiny- wayg his yoiee was lost in the 1'o111' ol' ll 'llilf turning up o11 tl1e apron. It CllCll1il llllllll'l'. They were liOl'I'UCCl, united: they were now members of Composite Sqtttidron 83. insteqid of nameless souls lost in tt llight pool. lioin that cltiy Ull the work be xx ith its lt1x111'io11stltigtrtersaiid t'2ig3fnlifCS:31iE3ii only to l111'11isl1 the planes and equipment ililll'll, on -to .l.lIlll4ll'y. it was left behind as the ililllus Qllltl l'f1l s l'U2ll't'f'l away in formation. dt-y1i11.11io11 l'.1s11o. Wtisliiiigtoii. Barremwindz sxxelil l'11st11 ttitlltl well lit' l't'g2lI'ClCd as the base tl1.1t tlitl the most lor tl1e Squadron. Ag the tlgtys l'llllllllt'll past, eoiirdiiiation matured with eyery tlitihtg unity and precision came to be the l'lllt' instegicl ol' the exeeption. The old l9-1l 's lowly oll' tltiy by tlany to praetiee gunnery, .Xt lirst, the sleexes equine bztelt with scarcely 3 bullet hole to intliegtte that they l1ad been under lire. but, as the xyeelts lengthened into months, Qlt't'lll'Lll'y klllllllltll :incl sleeves became riddled and torn to the delight of the fighter pilots, Meqiiixxliile. the torpedo planes l1ad not been idle. lXletl1ocliet1lly. they were loaded with waiter-lilletl boinbs :ind set o11t to practice Ulitle boinbing. The pilots made simulated 5 lldfll' l ifhtz1- Jl,H'1l nfygf, UV!! ' f' L1 7 l ' ' ' IH lrtrr' W. N 1 , . 1 I!'l' emslig l,,.f,,,,,. 'II' I I urelr: Sl.d-l'l!lS by wftitintg fm. fmllwl dwk 'U 'H' lylrylllmlb initio hifi yt., mn, Mk' E A HM' .UNA hmm, Mvimion mmm pull from 'fS'1 'e axmlill 'll US- I '1' 1 :lit ilirtk 111 Xu nut in llliihl - . 1 ' 11' 1 lv ' l torpedo attacks on windmills, swooping down over the rolling prairie, and sweated out nav- igation problems to Grand Coulee and Spo- kane. Spring verged on Summer when the Squad- ron began to pack away the endless gear and prepared to move again. On 30 May the ma- jority of officers and men piled aboard a train and settled themselves for the long ride south to the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Holtville, Calif. Twenty-one of the pilots manned the planes and lifted away in the still morning air, leaving Pasco behind, a memory, pleasant and fresh. Through the Columbia Gorge, then south past the mountains and marshlands of Oregon into California. Down the Hat valley past Sacramento they swept, dipped low like so many pigeons and alighted at Alameda, across the bay from San Francisco. The next morning they were off again. A gassing stop at San Diego, then inland over the coastal mountains where Holtville greeted them with a blast of heat. Elsewhere in the world night is meant for sleep. Not at Holtville. When dusk cast long shadows over the desert, men began to stir and engines roared. Night tactics, night bombing, night gunnery, until every pilot felt at home in the black loneliness that comes high above the earth after dark. They wore shorts andbaseball caps and acquired deep tans from the burning sun. The torpedo pilots moved over to Salton Sea for five days and learned to hit with rockets while the fighters took a brief rest. The landing signal officers appeared and lost no time in making themselves known. Day after day they stood in the run- ways and moved the bright little paddles until their arms were leaden and their eyes achec.. But the efforts told as approaches became surer and more precise. It was not in the Squad- ronjs blood to stay in one place too long, and itchy feet soon found solace when on I4 July Holtville was evacuated and the trek made to Brown Field, perched high atop Ctay Mesa overlooking San Diego. Brown Field was regarded as a final buffing plant for Squadrons about to go aboard a carrier for combat duty, and excitement ran high, for few in VC 85 had ever served aboard ship. Training was devoted to carrier tactics, breakups, and landings. Frequently VC 85 teamed up with her sister squadrons in ffgroup gropesf' and attacked coastal areas in sim- ulated beach assaults or flew out for the fre- 145 quent invasions of San Clemente Island, sixty miles westward from North Island. The lighter pilots moved en masse to the craggy held on that island for a final week of gunnery drill, but, beset by a low and persistent blanket of fog, they had to content themselves with lively games of baseball on the taxi strip. I Top: Flight deck being respotted with aid of tractors, renin: The uOld lN4an', briefs squadron in ready room, below: Avenger engine being given check on flight deck. Fox Flag two-blocked for recovering planes. t X tht N VH li M0111 to August was barely a week old when the order came to embark OD the USS. .lI11lt'f1.s1w11' .S'l1'111'f.s CCVE gil for carrier qualifications. With pounding hearts the ofliecrs and men thutnped up the gangway and watched the planes hoisted aboard, one by one. This was it! For the next eight days the ship ehased weather and qualifications were run ofl' when the eeiling lifted. Learning the ways of a ship. the men began to talk like veterans and spoke easually of Hthe bcachfi although that word had never before been associated with shore life. Onee back at Brown Field they walked with a new lift and looked haughtily at green pilots who had yet to qualify. The Squadron then left Brown Field and settled at the Naval Air Station, San Diego, on North Island. For nine days the pilots en- gaged in maneuvers and praetieed bounee drill. On the tenth day they climbed into the planes and taxied in a long, winding queue to Pier 'CFOXM to join forces with the USS. Lunga Pain! CCVE Qzll, their ship and their new home. It was an auspicious occasion that night when Captain Washburn strode into the ready room and welcomed them aboard. If there was ever a feeling of strangeness it was dissipated then. They belonged. That cruise lasted ten days. It was followed by two others as the ship and the Squadron practiced teamwork, strove for precision. lie- tween disembarking and embarking, the men made the most of their waning moments in the States. The Squadron received new planes, shiny with paint and throbbing with power. Good-byes were said and re-said until finally the word came to shove off for duty with the Pacific Fleet. Q15 ' 5 ?5 1 I I v l 1 i i . longest, the most monotonous. But at that time, the horizon was rosy. It was seven days .to Pearl. Seven days of simulated attacks and grand weather. The islands broke from the horizon the morning of 23 Qctober, green and wreathed in clouds. It was nearly every- body's Hrst view of Hawaii, and it made a strong impression. The ship slid into the harbor and tied up. There followed two days of liberty, during which souvenirs were bought and sent homeward. Then CarDiv QQ cast off again and set course for the vast reaches to the west. Eniwetok provided the initial view of a battle Held with its denuded palm trees. It was a short look and was quickly replaced by the end- less horizon of the sea as the ship and her im- patient crew sped on. Ulithi, but a few weeks an American base, provided the next anchor- age. Here the Squadron first realized the grimness of war, as mines, torn from their moorings by heavy weather, began exploding on protecting reefs and were found drifting be- tween the ships, necessitating a machine gun and searchlight watch. Kossol Passage in the Palau Islands was where the ship and VC 85 were given their first assignment, providing air coverage for convoys approaching and depart- ing Leyte Gulf. In the light of later develop- ments this was a tame job, but it looked big then. The convoys were guarded with the Fighter races down deck on fly-away. zeal of a hen protecting her young. Cn the rare occasions when one of the patrols caught a glimpse of Jap-held Mindanao, it was re-told in the ready room as a major occurrence. These days, though they were dull and un- eventful, broke the Squadron in gradually to the complications of combat flying and sharp- ened carrier operations to the point -where few faults could be found. The days crept slowly past and on 23 November CarDiv 29 was re- lieved and set course for the Admiralty Islands. What happened next is a chapter many would prefer to forget. It was painful. Be- Avenger ready for catapulting into the sunrise. it t 2 t ,t A .mae-mr, 2.1.2.1-ssszawt 5,...,W.,a. A tween the l'hilippines and the .Xduiiralties lay an hypothetical line. lt was, to be sure. at mere technicality. yet it could not be avoided. lt was the lfquator. Nor were iuinds assuagcd bythe sight olicanyas billies that all Shellbaclts were industriously liashioning. Still. the Squad- ron reasoned, NN'hat price surrenderE ' So they talked it over and evolved a plan ol' action. The basic theine of this operational routine was this: If one nteinber becatne oyerwlielined he had but to yell HEY RUBEN and help would be fortheoining. 'llo further confuse the Shellbaeks two ol' the more slippery pilots filehed King Neptune's beard and crown at the eleventh hour. This put a definite criinp in the scheduled arrival of the Ruler ol' the Deep. and by way of punishment all Pollywogs were made to run around the llight deck until such time as the sacred vestments were returned. It was during' this lXfIarathon that a billy Iell too heavily and the ery ol' HEY R UBRH was heard. It was a signal for organized chaos as an-lI the Squadron broke lree and inade overwhelm- iug gains against weak delenses. VVhile the Scluatlrou was prone to classify this as 3 major upset, the leading Shellbaclis took a dim View and ordered the initiation to proceed in 3 mme uiilitary iuanuer, zelmlz Il flffl. 'illhq hapless ollicers and iueu were led one by one to the hangar deck and there taught their lesson of never trying to rexolt against the Loyal Shell- baclts. l.ilte tlaclarabbits, they pelted down between the double line ol' waiting Shellbaeks only to be urged to greater efliorts en route, Once ou the liantail the Pollywogs were made to pay obeisance to the Royal Court. After losing the greater part of their hair and being duulted. they. too, becanie Shellbaeks, although it scarcely sniaclted ol' being' an honor then. XN'ith the pounding still smgii-ting, the Squad- ron was launched the morning of Q7 November lor landing' at the sinall island of Ponam in the Adiniralty group. As they eireled the tiny bit ol' coral and sand awaiting' their turn to land, wr Awww sn- M X 0 llama, 'ah . 4 ,nw 'lille lli 'ltlf ls ltclt is alwave H lmu l,l,u.1, V , ' t r H1 tit S tt s , t :fl it , Nl, 1 F A sit , g i 'f , 1 t 2, E w e W s 4 t fi li 'L tl ei M s Po H tt 4 fx s 1 A an P 4 3 ,A they marveled at the brilliant colors of the reefs and jungles of Manus, close by. Island life proved pleasant, what with the othcer's Club and the lazy days. The afternoons found pilots and men swimming in the lagoon or paddling rubber boats under the warm Equatorial sun. It was a rest and a welcome one. Two weeks sped past swiftly and then the word came to prepare to embark. Planes were checked, equipment exchanged and replaced, and on I4 December the Squadron returned aboard ready to fight. This time a more am- bitious objective was in store as the pilots learned when they were briefed. South the ship sped to New Guinea, where for two days they helped cover a mock invasion, a prelude to the real thing soon to come. Christmas was spent aboard ship as she lay rocking gently in Seeadler Harbor, Manus. screws of the ship, and ther crew pushed back from whence she had come. Back to the Phil ippincs, but this time there was to be no convoy herding. Instead, VC 85 was to cover the in Nam , f Q-1-V in rr 4 'V' ee -:sys ff WG ff! W f fff ff WQQW .0-A 5' infix.. gg Q K-M WK z The New Year was rung in to the beat of the Top: Avenger bounces high after engaging arresting gear wireg below: Avenger on Hy-away into the sunrise. Midday Tofu Avenger comes in too high and takes a wave-offgfrfcozzrl from lop: Avenger takes cut from L.S.O.3 llzfrdfrom mp: Arresting gear wire brings Avenger to a sudden stopg bollom: With tail hook disengaged from arresting gear wire, Avenger drops wings and taxies forward. E A ,... x 1 w i Y 4 2 Y 1 ll l u 'I la ! f X X Q ffm f vw Q ww: fr f 'sn yayy- . . q 0, 1 1 ,MX M . , iq. X 'g-jf, - .34 wN',X'XXtn - 15,5 va ' mf-5 ., - ji -vgg 4 jff . ,N , N 5 We .tv-.. ,, I .' 1 ' M .. , sq ' -- ' 'sf1.spfe -X,i sa 12.2.4 - w'f.Z ,X SWK .fegfa Q' 2' , ,eff w i '. '51, ' A ,,5ggQi,. 5 ,5 L i 15 sy . 3? 'T 'aff . rl' Qi fe A, . Q X X XsX,,,,..Q,,, 4. mf' MX , . 1 N Xffvg.4XX-ff ,5Q..3..,,w - . Xi: X . 3 as A X .X X Ebhift JffYfX'1 WXSDQ, ' .refs rsggikji Q -N X' XE? 'sci ff X X. X N X SX, fleas.-QQX is X X fl f ' ss as Y X . X WX .1 ' s 1. A Ss- ' f X was X1 g Eel' .f- 1. tX,X as sums 55 1 ' .s 1 X X XX X s . 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They bombed and strafedg they earried ar- tillery observers and spottersg they photo- graphed the enemy far hehind his lines, and ran long searches and snlnnarine patrols. Tired, often with their planes torn with lnillet and shell holes, they returned to their earrier after every hop as if drawn hy a magnet and set the planes down on the heaving deck with sttrprisinttly lbw at c idents. .Xlter twelve days the t'at'i'iei's pulled ont and returned to Ulithi lor l't'sl and rt-pleiiisliiiieiit. 'lihe lazy port routine was pleasant. Morn- ings were spent i't'atliiit,g or writing a letter or two. ln the aliternoons there was always plenty ol. Nllll to liitsli ill tml' ii lliisliet-lJ21ll 01' volley-hall ganie on the hangar deck. At night one eonltl see the pic'ttn'e show. Liberty eznne lrecltteiitly enough to lie snllieient. One day a group ol high ranking Naval and lXlarine otlieers eaine alioard and all pilots were called to the wzndrooin. It was the lirieting session lor Iwo Qjiina. 'llhe visiting ollieers niade it clear that lwo -lima was eX- peeted to lie a tough lnll to eraekg no alter- native was lelit except for a frontal attack. 'l'he lN1ai'ines were lianlting' on the escort car- riers lor air support. 'I'hei'e was silence in the wardrooni t'Xt't'tJl for the erisp tones of the lirieling' ollieers as they sketched the plan of attack and outlined the duties ofthe pilots. 'they all l'elt the weight of responsilnility that eonies when nien's lives are at stake. It was not long after that that the anchor was weighed and the Division oli carriers steamed out of Ulithi for the next show. lwoljiina tnrned ont to he tough. but not too tonggli for the Squadron. For the first time they ran into an enemy that shot hack in force. 'I'he island itself was a hell on earth. covered with smoke and eonstantly torn by exploSiO11S- Oni' plane Qllilffl l'!'lIll IlS one oil ont' tilt, I ts alta-i' etiit'tt-entry lnntlint in the tl ink il - 4 Q ' l , t Q 150 l To this the Squadron added its bit by daily un Word had been passed that relief was due if T: l l s f s E 4 Q3 -'-- --ffA' 1 loading tons of bombs and scores of rockets on the enemy strongholds. Where the Marines called for bombs, VC 85 put them. The fighters fanned out to Chichi Jima to the north and spread destruction there. Photographic planes from the Squadron handled all the photographic duties required at the objective. Under extreme weather conditions rocket and bombing attacks were executed with gratifying results. When the island was secured and land-based aircraft undertook the protection of the ground forces, the ships turned toward Ulithi again, with the satisfaction of knowing they had left behind a job well done. Wars are necessarily run on schedule and schedules cannot always take ships and pilots into consideration. So it was that, instead of a lengthy recuperative period following the Iwo Jima operation, the ship loaded day and night for nine days, readying itself for the next move. The Squadron made the most of those nine days, short as they were, and felt ready to go when the order came. There had been no leaks of information prior to this sailing and scuttlebutt ran high as to the next objective. The air crewmen's ready room, spawning bed of scuttlebutt, proved especially fecund and produced at least one good story per day. But the truth was not long hidden. The night of departure from Ulithi all pilots were called to the ready room and there on the bulkheads they saw the map of a long, twisting island- Gkinawa. It was generally agreed later that Okinawa was the hardest operation engaged in by the Squadron. Certainly the Hak was heaviest. At Iwo Jima the planes drew small caliber fire which was not readily seen. But here the strike groups ran afoul of the ugly black puffs that blossomed so menacingly out of thin air. They returned day after day, anti-aircraft fire or not, and carried out attacks in the face of it. The list of destruction at Okinawa makes a formidable box score on paper. It looked even better from the air as the huge columns of smoke arose from blasted ruins. Ten enemy aircraft were bagged by the Squadron planes during the operation, proving that all they had to do was see 'em. In these encounters, not one VC 85 plane was damaged by a Jap aerial gun. Routine anti-submarine patrols and combat air patrols were launched whenever called, and photographic and propaganda planes performed all missions creditably. around 20 April, but that date came and went and the operation continued. At the end of April the ship was ordered to a fueling area to provide air cover for the tankers. This served as a welcome respite for the weary pilots, they flew shortened patrols, not too frequently. At last the long awaited dispatch came ordering the ship to Guam to pick up a new group. It meant that the cruise was over, finished. It meant a great adventure had reached its con- clusion. There is little that need be said about a group of men who, thrown together by chance, have organized themselves and perfected their skills into a smoothly working team. Their record stands and speaks for itself. If you were to ask one of the pilots what factor pushed VC 85 above the average, he would probably say, We were lucky-we drew a good ship.', Yes, she is a good ship. The Squadron hadn't been long aboard when that became evident to all its members. And the Squadron Ofiicers and men are proud to call the officers and men of the Lunga Point f'Shipmatesf' Fast friendships were formed that will continue long after the shooting stops and many of the reserves go back to civilian life. To the officers and men of the ship, the Squadron says, So long, good hunting, and God bless youli' 35 s t 'ling 4 ' M ' 1, 1 e ' it f si it ,..,' pf 1- ff. K n- .- fs 24 8' '..! N5'f- IL vs A54 STATISTICS 14 May 1944ee14 May 1945 Isunga Point Nautical engine miles steamed .... . . . Statute miles steamed ........ 4 n Gallons fuel oil consumed ...... ......... Gallons Diesel oil consumed QGalley onlyb ...... Gallons Fresh water used CCrew and Laundryj . . . Pounds provisions consumed .... u u - 0 Number items carried in GSK. . . Ship's store sales ............. Clothing and small store sales. . . Rounds of ammunition expended. . . Jap planes shot down .......... Sorties flown ....... ........... .......... SQUADRON Gallons aviation gasoline consumed . . . Pounds of bombs dropped ....... Pounds of rockets fired ......... Rounds of ammunition expended. Number of landings on ship ..... Number of catapult launchings from ship .... Number of Hy-off launchings from Jap planes shotdown ........... Jap destroyers sunk ........ Barges and small craft sunk ...... Barges and small craft damaged. . Buildings destroyed ........... Buildings damaged ....... Military trucks destroyed .... Military trucks damaged ..... ship... . n n . . . . - . . Gun emplacements destroyed. . . Gun ernplacements damaged .... Ammunition dumps destroyed .... Fuel dumps destroyed ......... . Tanks destroyed ............ T .... Supply dumps destroyed. . . . ...... J . . . . . I Bridges destroyed ................. . . Enemy planes destroyed on ground by . I 152 'e.. g rlt, S s .J,. T f J 'A S S T . y ..rt r . Z1- w 4i f asv!! if 'QQ If WM? FREN 6 Wife' 9 -N VX Q31 A ff 1' fffff f ffff Z fam W X f, W cf ff, fn ' ff! K' ,gn fy!! ff ff f XYQ 2' Bunlal at sua Q3 I E I p 1 F f 1 4 1 1 if : Q B 2 ,.. KW-'!- s b Q X Q X X, V I ,V 1. -1 V' I iid .'X!II1lil'2lI Ilurgin if Q' Y V1 21 ' fiigl wi? If-1 . vw W5 LH wx! f 1 1 E 3 5 1 . N 1- Ui! 4 O 'S 10X lf 5 I .aw 1- -P ,, X N, ,, - 1 . . ,X 'Q ' the 65061181 X zz Q1 M ofthe To you Boots'1 listed below, we express the hope that, in years to come, when you are able to read your names herein, it will be with a feeling of pride and deep satisfaction in this evidence that your Father served in the Lunga Point during what may well turn out to be one of the most momen- tous years in the history of this world into which you have so recently come. Furthermore, it is our sincere hope that, by that time, civilization and Christianity will have progressed to such an extent that it will never be necessary for you to undergo what your Father has during the period which this book chronicles. c1Bluq'acl-netsw cc Waves Lance Ira Ray ........,...... 1 5 May 1944 Judith Ann Dolan ........ . . .27JU1'1C 1944 William Robert Smit, jr. ........ 8 June 1944 Barbara Palmer ...... . . .3o June 1944 Walker Dayton Martin ........ 29 june 1944 Karlee Karen Reber. .... 8 August 1944 Frank John Kramer, Jr. . . .... 1 3 July 1944 Linda Field Stowell. . . . . 1 5 August 1944 jose Pablo Sisneros ..... ...... 2 9 july 1944 Elvita Soliz Mejia .... ..... 1 9 August 1944 Daniel Lee Rocha ..... . . .2 5 August 1944 Beverly Kaye McBee ...... 6 September 1944 Sidney Jerry Starr .... .9 September 1944 Mary Nell Callicoatte ..... 9 September 1944 Kenneth Robert Grantz. . Richard Joseph LeBelle Roger Harrison ....... Daniel Eugene Wilkie. . . 2 5 September 27 September . . I7 October . . I9 October Santiago Guadalupe Longoria . .3o Oct. Kenneth Ray Tucker ..... 23 November Robert Allen Block ....... 26 November Howard joseph Leath ....., 5 December Frank Vickery Sutton ...... 6 December William Gerald Ballard, Jr. .... I9 Dec. Wayne Lewellyn Kingsbury. . I3 january Billy Raymond Wilbur ...... 30 january Alexander Miscichoski ........ 6 March Lynn Dean Robbs, Jr. ........ 7 March Norman Lawrence Runyon. . .20 March Raymond Russell Lynch ...... 30 March 1 944 1 944 1 944 1944 1 944 1 944 1 944 1 944 1944 1 944 1 945 1945 1 945 1 945 1 945 1945 Sharon Diane Botnen .... Jo Lee Black ....... Maria Theresa Baca. Connie Lou Eckert. . Mary Alice Herriman Sharon Ann Harris. . Pamela Sue Stevens. . Carol Ann Kush .... .22 September . .25 October 24 November 24 November 31 December . .6 February . 16 February .22 February Vickie Murray Linenweber .... 6 March Dianne Elise Larsen ........... 7 April Mary Louise Pettitt ...... ..... 4 May Jeanne Margaret Dolan ........ I3 May P. A. L. Charles Babbitt White, jr. ...... I5 May Offense: Over leave 24 hours. 1944 1944 1 944 1944 1944 1945 1 945 1945 1 945 1945 1945 1945 1945 155 B GUERILLAS ARE GOOD GUYS Written by Lt. Arthur W. Gilkey, USNR, in collaboration with Lt. William H. Kearns, USNR, Squadron Air Combat Intelligence Oflicer. fAuthor's Note.-This is written as a triliute to those bands typ fearless fghters, the Philzfzpine guerillas, who have contriliuted so much to the spectacular advance cj our ground forces in the the recent invasion cyf Luzon. Un-sung, ill-clad, and ill-armed, these stout-hearted champions of freedom have fought, harrassed and killed the jap conqueror behind his lines since December 1941. To their courage and frrendshzji, scores mf American airmen, like mysehf and my crew, owe their lives.j The South China Sea, spurred on by a 35 knot wind, was kicking up quite a fuss that afternoon of 1 1 January as we took off from our carrier, the banging Lungai' QU.S.S. Lunga Pointl, and headed toward Lingayen Gulf where two days before the Army had gone ashore as a prelude to the capture of Luzon and the prize plum of the Philippines-Manila. Our mission was to observe enemy activity ahead of the American lines along the broad, verdant plain stretching between Lingayen and Manila. Aboard my Grumman Avenger as a special observer was 2nd Lt. Charles A. Thal- man, 40th Infantry Division, U.S.A., of Floral Gity, Fla., also my regular air crewmen: turret gunner Eugene E. Glizczinski, aviation ma- chinist's mate Qnd class, of Toledo, Ohio, and radioman Ronald W. Kirkpatrick, aviation radioman 3rd class, of Washougal, Washington. Our ship, in company with other support carriers like her under the command of Rear Admiral Galvin T. Durgin, USN, had spear- headed a spectacular advance through the heart of the Philippines under the very noses of the Japs and had arrived off Lingayen Gulf several days in advance of the Gargantuan con- voys bearing the main invasion forces. We pilots had been bombing and strafing Jap shore installations, small craft, ammunition and fuel dumps, bridges, trucks, gun emplage- ments, troop concentrations and other targets of opportunity. We had flown through our own and enemy ack-ack, making low glide- bombing and strafing runs, so this particular uobservationv hop looked like it would be a pleasure jaunt by contrast. We would simply fly over roads, towns and hills where enemy 1 them didn,t make it, but I don,t know how many we killed and wounded. Turning to get into position for a second run, I saw that the tanks, trucks and the automobile were burning merrily. just to make sure, I made two more runs. After completing the final attack, and knowing that the ,laps would never be able to use those vehicles again, I pulled up toward some low foothills that fringed the otherwise fiat plain. Here I saw what must have been several thousand Japs scurrying into fox-holes and fortified caves, the latter rein- forced and protected by thick concrete. If I had had rockets and a few bombs I could have made mincemeat out of quite a few of those emplacements and their occupants. However, we still had plenty of ammunition for the guns so we went in and strafed the troops and set fire to a building which might have been a regimental headquarters. By this time the turret gun was out of ammu- nitiong so Gliszcinski called and requested that I fiy straight and level for a few moments so he could re-load. Accordingly, I levelled off at about 1500 feet. Suddenly I had a vague feeling that something was wrong with my engine. Checking the instruments hastily, I noticed that the oil pressure had dropped to zero. Also, the prop governor was not func- tioning. We had seen some anti-aircraft shells burst behind us on one of our strafing runs, but I had not noticed any tracers from machine gun fire. However, it was certain that some Nip had put a lucky shot or two into our plane, severing the oil line. We were in for it, no doubt about that. These engines are rugged and will take a beat- ing, but they wonit run long without oil. I called my crew and passenger to stand by for an emergency landing and looked around for a likely place to set the 1 5,ooo pound plane down. There were plenty of relatively flat fields below, so it was simply a case of picking the best one. Lt. Thalman called Commander Support Air- craft and reported the situation, gave our lo- cation and stated we were about to make an emergency landing. He received no acknowl- edgement of the transmission due to the fact that his earphones had become disconnected. Meanwhile, I was concentrating on getting the plane down as intact as possible, heading in a long glide toward the field I had selected. We glided right .over a Jap airfield, around the perimeter of which could be seen several single and twin-engine Jap planes nestling in the pro- tection of revetments. However, we didn't see any personnel or activity on the field itself. Cautioning the crew and observer to brace themselves, I brought the plane down in a wheels-up landing on a rice field. The rainy season had long since passed and the field was dry, hard and rough. The Avenger skidded along on her oyster-white belly and came to a stop none the worse for her experience except for a bent propellor. As soon as the plane ceased its forward motion I radioed a message to the command ship and received a Roger.,' Well, at least somebody knew where we were and what had happened to us. Help would soon be on the way, we thought. My immediate concern was for the condition of my passengers, particularly for Lt. Thalman who had been riding in the second cockpit without benefit of a safety belt. Much to my relief, all hands reported 'fOkay. Not one of us had been so much as scratched. Upon clambering out of the plane we sud- denly saw a sight that sent a momentary chill along our spines. Out of some distant weeds and brush came running toward us some twenty or thirty men. Our first thought was that they were ,laps who had seen us go down and were bent on capturing us and our plane. We drew our revolvers, took shelter behind the fuselage of the aircraft and resolved to sell our lives as dearly as possible. As the men came closer, however, we saw to our relief that they were F ilipinos-mostly boys in their late teens or early twenties. Suddenly we were sur- rounded and bombarded with cries of 'fHow, ya, Joelw 'fAmericano!' and other equally heartening ejaculations. In surprisingly good English, they told us to come with them, that they would take us to the guerilla leader where we would be safe from the japs. They also indicated that the Sons of Heaven were in the immediate vicinity and that speed was of the essence. I told them that we would be happy to accompany them but that first it was necessary that we burn our maps and other confidential papers, and also destroy the plane. We immediately set about burning the papers. However, the Filipinos told us not to burn the plane as they would take care of that after stripping it of its precious guns and ammunition which were urgently needed by the guerillas. So we started off with the beaming and gesticulating youths, a small number of whom stayed behind to remove the guns and destroy the aircraft. Before we had gone scarcely a mile, I looked back and saw a great billow of smoke which marked the final resting place of our gallant Avenger. VVe were taken to a village or Barrio,5' about a mile and a half from where we landed. This would be about twelve miles south of Tarlac, and near the village of Concepcion. The countryside through which we passed was in the heart of an agricultural district cut up into small rectangular fields and farms. There were few dwellings in evidence, but along the way men, women and children would suddenly appear offering us fresh eggs, little cakes of sugar and other edibles. We had so many eggs that we could not carry them all, but we ate all we could raw and took the rest with us. Every- where we were greeted with Americano, after which the people would stare at us as though we were strange creatures newly arrived from another planet. Soon we reached the barrio. Here were grouped several houses of the thatched roof variety and which in America we would call huts. As we walked into the barrio and through the dusty main street, the whole pop- ulation turned out to welcome us. Their smiles and laughter would suddenly subside into stares. I have never been so stared at in my life and I guess we did our share of staring in return. For we had never seen at first hand the look an oppressed people bestows upon those who bring them promise of freedom after years 'of torture and misery. There is a look in the eye 5 an expression of face that tells what words cannot articulate. We four Americans, in our funny Hying suits, toting our parachutes, lirst-aid kits, life jackets and other impedimenta of our kind, were symbols of imminent release from suffering and heartbreak for which these simple folk had prayed to Almighty God. Since December 1941-three long years and more-these spiritually stalwart people had seen their land over-run, their crops and live- stock stolen, their sons and husbands tortured and killed, and their wives and daughters de- tiled at the point of gun and bayonet by a God- less army of barbarians. The guerillas told me later that Red Cross shipments of medicines and supplies of mercy intended for our Ameri- can prisoners of war had been confiscated by japanese authorities, diverted to their own greedy use, or sold to Filipinos at prices which only a handful could possibly pay. For ex- ample, a Filipino, ridden with malarial fever, could obtain a single capsule of quinine only by . 158 for us the bare necessities of life until we could make our way to our own forces We found however that this money was valueless to us since the Filipinos would not accept payment for food or other articles of supplies with which they were so generous So we passed the money out to them as souvenirs and they re- ceived it with great elation. All of them carried invasion money issued by the Japanese thatched roof house with woven mats for beds Several guerillas of subordlnate rank also shared our room At bedtime I removed my Mae West the bright yellow infiatable life Jacket that all carrier pilots and air crewmen wear my Jungle knife and my revolver and holster The latter I placed several feet from my pallet whereupon one of the guerillas cautioned me to keep it within arm's reach as military government but this they would throw on the ground and stomp on, crying f'Damn Jap Pesos-no good! American pesos-they good! One of our pesos was the equivalent of about 40 Jap pesos in purchasing power. The Filipinos gave us American and Jap- anese cigarettes. A Spaniard who owned a sugar mill and was the leading citizen of one of the barrios because of his affluence, gave us+of all things-a bottle of Golden Wedding whis- key! He had been hoarding this since before the days of the Jap invasion and had reserved it for a very special occasion. Many of the Filipinos offered us native gin, distilled' from sugar cane. It tasted like American gin, but packed a much more formidable wallop. The food we were given was abundant but monotonous. It consisted of boiled rice, meat from the ubiquitous carabao, chicken, eggs, bananas, and fresh tomatoes which were us- ually on the green side. The carabao meat was tough but quite tasty and all the food was well seasoned. We considered this fare sur- prisingly good for a country whose farms had been picked again and again by the Jap vul- tures. We knew, however, that our food came from carefully hidden supplies and that many were going without so that we could eat. The health of the people seemed fairly good in spite of the acute shortage of medicines and medical care. There was much evidence of malaria and of nutritional deficiency diseases. And many of the guerillas had nasty looking leg sores. I noticed one lad in particular who had an unusually ugly sore on his leg. It was open and exuding pus, and extended for six inches across the front of his leg. I told him to go out of the house and he soon returned with no fewer than fifty of his companions similarly afflicted. So we set up a regular hospital ward, applying sulfa powder and bandages from our first-aid kits as long as the supply lasted. To say that our patients were grateful is something of an understatement. We spent our first night, II-IQ January, as guests of the guerilla leader in a one-room, I might need it before the night was over. c'Japs near-may come, he said. But the night and the next day were unevent- ful and Lt. Thalman, Glizczinski, Kirkpatrick and I were given an opportunity to get better acquainted with our new found friends. We discovered, for example, that the guerillas are strictly a military organization spending hours each day in close-order drill and maneuvers. The lads took great pride in their skill with the rifle. One youngster--he couldn't have been more than I5-p6I'fOI'I'1'1CCl the manual of arms for a solid hour, solely for my edification. Even the toughest Marine sergeant would have admitted that the kid was terrific. I-Ie doesn't remember how many Jap soldiers he has killed. During the early morning we would see Jap planes flying low overhead. Then by mid- morning they would disappear and our own planes would come over. The latter we frantically signalled with the few Hares we had salvaged from our plane and with our signal mirror, but to no avail. It gave us a helpless feeling. Just before dusk, the Jap planes would again put in an appearance. Although we had blasted many of them out of the sky and had destroyed many more on the'ground, they still managed to get more into the air. We consoled ourselves with the thought that soon our forces would overrun the well hidden Jap fields and capture the planes our pilots couldnit find. , I had been curious to know how the Filipinos felt about the damage inflicted on their homes and villages by our bombers. Many civilians had doubtless been killed and wounded by our air attacks, since the Japs had established fuel and supply dumps and many other kinds of ground installations throughout the island. These could not be destroyed from the air with- out cost to the Filipinos. Standing in the en- trance of our house one night I expressed my curiosity to the guerilla leader. He shrugged. 'cThe Filipinos are very grateful to the Ameri- canos. We know that some must die so that all Inav be free. lt is worth anvthing to be rid of the ja ps. During the evening ol' the second full day with the guerillas the leader told us to get ready to move as the battalion was about to head' north. He hoped that before many days we could etliect contact with the American forces advancing south from the Lingayen area. We were delighted as we had become im- patient to get under way. lfVc lived in dread that our commanding ollicer had already sent official dispatches to our wives and parents, c'The Navy Department deeply regrets to in- form you that your husband tor soul is missing in actionf' VVe must spare our loved ones that grief and anxiety at all costs, and we well knew that every day, every hour hastened that inescapable event. We started just before dusk. VVe marched in single file across fields and streams. The guerillas would not let us walk through the streams ourselves but insisted on carrying us on their backs. We avoided the main roads and the areas where the laps were known to be concentrated. In about six hours we reached a barrio which was an almost exact duplicate of the first. Here we were assigned a thatched hut and a straw mat and were soon sleeping like exhausted children. 'l'he next day, the leader told us that wc had met up with the lst Battalion of Hukbelahops and that we would split up, two of us going with each ofthe battal- ions. Thus, in case one of thc groups ran into trouble, at least two of us Americans would stand a good chance of getting back to our own forces. He also said that it was known that the japs were combing the countryside for us. The roads were alive with Nip patrols. Ac- cordingly, we split up 3 Kirkpatrick and I went with the new group fist Battalion? and Lt. Thalman and Gliszcinski remained with the original outfit. We were introduced to the commander of the Ist Battalion, a Major and a veteran of numerous engagements with the Japs. In the early part of the war hc had been captured, subsequently escaping to become an important cog in the Vast guerilla organization. Ob- viously well educated, he was perhaps 25 years old, of slim stature and wore glasses. He was constantly attended by no fewer than six order- lies. He wore civilian clothes with an air of 3, well trained military man and he had bean fighting the .laps since thc day they 'first lfmdcd 1 60 on the same Lingayen beaches had so recently secured. l or the next seven nights we barrio to barrio. One night we halsgd. ll'llCllllt.Q'lll to get some much needed was soon sound asleep. At about 0269 awakened by someone shaking my Conte quick. said a voice, flaps! were instantly awake. The Major than formed us that one of his sentries ha covered a large-lap patrol moving down a toward us, not Qoo yards away. One of guerillas had crossed a small stream and stealthily established a defense line between and the llaps. ln front of this line was a in the road, one prong leading to our and the other away from us. If the laps crm.. tinued down the road and took our fork, would be a skirmish. If they took the other fork, they would pass by without discovering us. We waited tensely. ln a few minutes a courier appeared out of the night and reported that the ,laps had passed by. We breathed considerably easier. During the day we would hide in a barrio, keeping out ol' sight as much as possible. Once from our hut we saw a -lap raiding party ap-A proaching the barrio bent on stealing food supplies. Quickly we made our way to opposite side of the village and waited until. the .laps had departed. Had we not been with them, the guerillas would taken care of this raiding party with However, the lVIa,jor would not risk a for fear that our security would be During our nocturnal travels the Major that we were headed north. However, soon discovered that our route was far straight one. ln fact, after having passed same sugar mill several times, lirst on one of us and then on the other, it dawned that we had been travelling in Circles. I the Nlaljor the reason for this and he that the .laps had us blocked on the he could not risk a skirmish with their until we had been delivered to our Since it was dangerous for us to remain spot, it was best that we keep though we were getting nowhere. a unit of the Alamo Scouts, a and trained group of two Amerie ten enlisted men. lt was the intrepid explorers to range far advanced lines and report aa On Saturday, 20 january, we HR tions and activity by means of portable radio gear which they carried. They travelled in a carabao drawn cart loaned to them by Fili- pinos. They obtained a fresh cart and animal at each barrio through which they passed, sending the previous one back to its owner. The Scouts gave us the heartening news that the following day our patrols would have reached the town of Tarlac, so we proceeded cautiously in that direction. On the next day fSunday, 21 January-we made contact with the American forces at a barrio four miles south of our expected rendezvous point. Here also we found the Qnd Battalion of guerillas with Lt. Thalman and Glizczinski. They had been following a course parallel to ours. It was a joyful re-union. The unit with which we had made contact was a large patrol of the 40th Infantry, Lt. Thalman's own out- fit. The Army was in the process of setting up a temporary headquarters in the town and the ollicials had turned out for a celebration. It was a gay affair with many speeches of welcome. Several of our hosts were graduates of American schools and colleges and spoke perfect English. After the speeches the ladies of the town served food and drinks to all. It reminded me for all the world like a Fourth of July celebration in Front Royal. Here we took leave of our friends and bene- factors. I thanked the Major and many of his men, but I am sure my words did not express the gratitude we all felt. Those fearless war- riors in the cause of freedom had saved our lives and those of many other American airmen. And someday, when the medals are passed out, they will have to design a very special one of platinum and diamonds for them. Yes, Guer- rillas are Good Guys! Volley ball on forward elevator. , at N, E I iff: ' U 1 , 11 111 . 1 ,1 if .XSSiSlliI1l I12lYiK'2ilUl'2lllLi cm1ai1'u'1'111.1slc'1s .ll xuuk. 1 l1.1111111' 1 111111-11 N I I '--g++!! 1, M1 L 1 7 , .R . Baskvtball on hangar clwk. 'kI'g1iu1lf-W Rm' :ur u-111I1 fm il efnllilmlv slmipmxllc. vi , nm. .Milli A lfllfyfgrl l'um!' lfmfgff l'lllljf' Nunn, XM Squadron Commander gets a haircut. 0.0.D., Quartermaster and Boatswairfs Mate-of-the-Watch on qucutudgck in port Touch football 011 flight clcvk. E 1' cjClli1l'.f ll1m'i1 'U.l. Mui I: I 1 xllu in :ml lJiX'iSiUllCOl1lp2il'lll1CI'lf. 'JL 4- ,M KEX5 xv ,Vj mfg 4 ' uf' ,Q zipas fI0bl'2IfZI'. His nnmc is Sl'IHlll'HIlTfll'l', loo, , Q lgnplfunuwulkllu-vl In-mlm pnlwhulg hrelSS. K A .ly Q! ZZ K 1 Jw? fe. J , S A 1 -2 5 WW' Top: 'iSignals,'g below: h'Iail Call in after crew mess. Top: Every day is Hwash dayi' in the laundryg below: Pay Day Coffee, Gin Rummy and cigarettes. Yes, this is thc VV2lI'dlAOOIll U00 Gilles in backgroundi If I . Y 1 i iii L is X X X -gm' 55 Q11 f llcum hnllnu In gk.1D'gj.LIl,AHu-,,- X4 null-. Ill mu m.ulm1r-slmln. X? X. 40 Sllipfiltvrs 211 work in slnipfillrfs slmp. Kfglulmvuulf-1'u Aiqmw gui xuwlx in m':11'p4'l1lm'1' slump. 1 E 5 N U 'H'lr1H:Iwr'k, .. H' H J 1 H lifvxnfui umm In VX I' up xx, ITN lv UG, I . 4 4,1 + Z 1 Of '41 X ff.-mf ,a f YM M . 'fir 4 f V ,gkfd ,, ,,, ew af -my ,a J W x .W 4,1 Xii i xy f Q1 xx :X nw fx iii .617 x ri 1 2 A L. gs Y .. SA X -Q wx ww Q5 L N K -X ENN S K ' e fm 4 K 'vb --1- F'1 Wim? YVooIdr1dgc Src lnade illiglflff at Bxblf stuc x f Ioup Hit um E IJIVIGIOH Cmcu C hmf and operators at IQ sxutchboard 7 Aftc-r starboard batteries at anti-aircraft practice. llmllirlmw in lf.l'.O. c l1.1l'lv1'Q. fv-- 14 I Kms ffl1i1'la'.1lalllsl :mail in II1r'ff,I'fJ. IIIVNNUIIIUI-fJiglI'OUgh. FW, , -fn-.5 r W 1 1 aw -FT 5-:ug-. bo- had folk ch0pQ mm r nn ll uf hu N1 ltm mm 5 HS!'f'Ullf! Division stnml by U11 ilu I' 4 4 T 3 2 ml nl lo NKKIVK'fll'Qfl'Uy'l'l'1llUllHSiill' will: maui PRESS RELEASE 16 April 1945 By Lt. William H. Kearns, USNR fAboard a combat support aircraft carrier in the western Pacificj I5 April 1945 CDelayedj. V How it feels to be shot down by anti-air- craft fire behind the Japanese lines on the en- emy-held bastion of Okinawa scarcely more than 300 miles from the Jap mainland, to then be chased by Jap soldiers who shot at them with rifies, and to subsequently make good their escape and return to their own aircraft carrier was relatedtoday by two of this ship's airmen, Lt. Robert H. Oron, USNR, of Worcester, Mass., pilot of an Avenger torpedo bomber, and Rual W. Melton, aviation radio- man, second class, of Detroit, Michigan. As one of the formation of carrier-based fighter and bomber planes attacking gun po- sitions and other enemy targets on Okinawa, Lt. tfjgj Oronis plane was hit by Jap anti-air- craft fire as he was pulling out of his first dive. He had just launched a salvo of rockets on a group of enemy guns when he saw his engine begin to smoke profusely, apparently due to a severed oil line. His vision obscured by oil which covered the windshield, he leaned out of the cockpit to get a view of the terrain below. He had only goo feet altitude at the time his engine was hit and he was now losing altitude at an alarming rate. Knowing that he could not remain airborne more than a few minutes, he headed the plane toward a small bay which jutted inland from the coast, intending to make a water landing. But the sea was too far away and it became obvious that he couldn't stretch his glide that far. Turning north, the pilot determined to land as near to the American lines as his waning power would allow. But the friendly lines were still about three miles away and there was now no alternative but to put the plane down in Jap territory. Skilfully avoiding crashing into la small vil- lage, Lt. C Oron made a perfect landing in a level field. The plane skidded along for a short distance, then slewed into a mound of earth and stopped abruptly. Lt. Oron released his safety belt and shoulder straps, climbed out of the cockpit and made a quick check on his crew 5 the turret gun- ner and Melton. The radioman, reported UAH safe. The plane was now enveloped with smoke and the engine was on fire. The flames licked their way aft along the fuselage. Speed was now of the essence, for in the Aven- ger's belly were ten live bombs. At any second the mounting heat would detonate them. Lt. Cjgb Cron and his crewmen unstrapped the leg straps of their parachute harness and the three airmen ran like rabbits for the safety of a drain- age ditch 150 yards away. They had scarcely dived into this shelter when the bombs went off. The torpedo bomber literally disappeared in the cataclysmic blast, which tore a crater in the ground loo feet in diameter and rained debris on the countryside for hundreds of yards in all directions. The detonation occurred one minute after the plane came to a stop on the ground. A close call. But they were to have other close calls that day. Lt. Cron and his comrades now took stock of the situation. They knew that an un- reckoned number of almond-eyed Nips had watched the descent of their crippled plane, many more had doubtless seen and heard the explosion. They prayed that the Japs would believe that the pilot and crew had been des- troyed in the blast, otherwise, armed patrols would even now be scouring the vicinity for them. And they knew that the cornered, desperate Japs on Okinawa were taking no prisoners. Melton fished a battered map from his flying suit. Lt. Cron pointed to a spot on the eastern side of the southern part of the island, indicating their present position. They were about 3 X4 of a mile from Yonabaru Wan, the bay the pilot had tried to reach before going down. About QM miles to the north were the nearest American lines. Obviously, their best chance lay in making the beach and then push- ing north to friendly territory. Between them and this friendly haven, however, lay a sizable unit of the Jap army. About loo feet to the north they could see several native huts, evidently the beginning of a small village. So the trio headed east toward the coast, skirting the village. Walking through fields and vegetable gardens, they took ad- vantage of what scant cover was available, re- alizing that their bright yellow ffMae Westi' life jackets would be easy to spot from a dis- tance. After progressing eastward for about 5oo yards, the escapers turned north and about this time American artillery shells began falling nearby. For days now the army had been shelling N ip gun positions which were dug into the sides of many hills and cleverly camou- flaged. As the shells began to burst closer and closer, the three airmen frequently tlopped on their stomachs to avoid the blasts. Soon the barrage receded behind them and their prog- ress ceased to be thus impeded. Continuing north, Lt. t Cron and his crewmen saw a camouflaged jap tank standing at the side of a narrow road. They ducked bc- hind some brush and watched it for a few moments. No crew was in evidence, but not wishing to take a chance the trio turned east again. Some distance ahead they could make out the beach, but between them and it were several houses with thatched roofs. Finding a cleared area between two small villages, the three half walked, half ran through this field and came to a stone and concrete sea wall which skirted the beach. They scrambled over the wall, then headed north-east following the curve of Yonabaru VVan. American ar- tillery shells began falling closer now, the gun- ner's point of aim being the small villages the airmen had just avoided. They could hear the whine of the big shells passing close above them, then the earth shaking Ucarr--um eefesee fephn as the shells burst. Hearing the whine, the airmen would flatten themselves against the sea Wall, then scramble ahead until the next close one came over. Soon the firing ceased and the trio continued north-east at a fast walk. Suddenly the turret gunner, who had been looking behind every few moments, gave a warning cry. Glancing backward, the other two saw a terrifying sight. Two Jap soldiers, about loo yards behind, were running toward them. Their rifles with naked bayonets gleamed in the sunlight. The three Americans broke into a run, their .38 caliber revolvers be- ing no match for the Jap rifles. As they started to run the japs gave a yell and com- menced firing at the fleeing aviators. Bullets whined close but luckily none found its mark. Sighting a break in the sea wall ahead, Lt. Cjgj Cron made for it and scrambled through to the land side, followed by the other two. For a few seconds, at least, the .Iaps could not fire on them until they, too, crossed the wall. If the Americans thought they could find better cover on the other side, however, they were knew that it would be only a matter of tm lore a ,lap bullet. or several bullets, fo marks. ll' they could only get into the Ma swim out far enough to be out of range of ,lap rifles, they might be safe, temporarily wt least. 'lt looked like their only chance, so Lg, tjgl tiron motioned his companions to go over the wall again. Once on the other side, Lt, tjgl Ciron dashed to the watt-r's edge and into the shallow water. Glancing around he saw that only the radiornan, Melton, was with him. The turret gunner apparently winged by a Nip bullet, had failed to get over the wall. Either that, or he had elected to turn landward in the hope of finding cover and escaping his relent- less pursuers. But there was no opportunity for the other two to go back to look for the gun- ner. The japs were standing on the sea wall and firing. Bullets pinked the water on all sides of the two exhausted fliers, sending up little bursts of spray. The water was just above their knees, and the two survivors plunged into the gentle surf, rolled over on their backs and pushed themselves along with their feet. Miraculously, they were not hit by the japs' tire, and now with only their heads showing they made progressivly poor targets as they slowly inched their way out of range. The .laps made no effort to pursue them into the water but stood on the sea wall watching, like vultures waiting for their prey to fall before swooping in for the kill. Now Qoo yards offshore and just out of range of the jap's rifles, the pair found a coral ledge which allowed them to stand and rest, the water up to their arm pits. Regaining their breath and some semblance of strength, they made their way slowly along the ledge in a northerly direction. But it is tiring business trying to walk in water of that depth and Lt. Cjgj Cron decided to move landward toward shallower water where they could make better time. The japs, meanwhile, had been follow- ing their course from the beach, as the pair moved in closer, the soldiers let out a whoop and began Hring again. The fugitives were forced to swim to deeper water as the bullets began splashing close. Again they found a coral ledge where they could stand. Farther out, the waves were breaking over a coral reef wgich jutted above the surface of the sea atslow t1 e. . disappointed. Soon the japs came in sight again and again began Hring. Lt. Cjgj Cron During these breathless minutes, the flioiis had seen friendly carrier planes winging head and when one would come in close, put out some dye marker from the small pack- ages attached to their Mae Wcsts. But none saw the signal and as time went on the airmen became discouraged and cursed their fellow fliers at the tops of their lungs. Melton began to develop cramps in his legs. The water was cold and the leg muscles, tired by the strenuous exertions of the past few minutes, began to knot. Also, Meltonas life jacket only partially inflated and was not suf- ficiently buoyant to support his full weight. Lt. Cron gave Melton his life jacket, and thus supported, he was able to take much of the strain off his legs. At this point it was about 1015 hours C1o:1 5 AMD. Friendly planes were frequently sighted, but none saw the marooned men. Finally came the break for which they had been wait- ing. An artillery observation plane, flying low and slow, came close and the pilot saw the bright yellow Mae Wests and the frantically gesticulating fliers. He swooped low over their heads, circled several times and waved. Then he tossed overboard an inflated rubber raft, which, unfortunately hit the water between the stranded men and the shore, too close to the beach to permit its recovery without bringing the retriever within range of the Jap riHes. Making another low pass, the pilot of the plane cut his engine completely, shouted something -.Q --ff ..v-. 1. T. .1 unintelligible to the men below, then gunned his engine and sped away. 'fHe'll send helpf' the airmen agreed. Sure enough, in about ten minutes a carrier-based torpedo bomber approached and began circling their position. Fifteen minutes later, two fighter planes relieved the Avenger and main- tained a close vigil. No longer were the men in the water afraid of being pursued by laps from the beach, for the fighter planes could easily hold off any such threat with their power- ful wing guns. At 1300 hours C1 :oo PMD two seaplanes approached, made perfect landings on the calm sea and taxied up to the wet, tired men. Lt. Cron clambered aboard one, and Melton the other. Then the planes took off and a few minutes later the survivors were taken aboard a seaplane tender. One week later, on 1 5 April, the two airmen were returned to their carrier and were wel- comed aboard by the Commanding Ofiicer, Captain G. A. T. Washburn, U. S. Navy, of Seattle, Washington. C'We're glad to have you two back aboard, said Captain Washburn. f'We,re glad to be back, Sirf, replied Lt. C Cron. And he wasnjt kidding. Touch football on flight deck. ?f, ! A '-asm r-- 1 'Y Q 'Skif' Now, wc- know wlxvrc all thc' Ol'Zillg'l'S go' to the Q..P.O. IHCSS. W w 1 5 N 5 Y F ,,,-..... . . - Szllmrlrrnm ' r . pfnsmmm-I I'l'l'lKIllg IIIICIPI' IBM I 'I V9 pw , Orchestra rehearsal. A f' 9' ' . , -I 'i pw 'Z' . f a 6, ,, ' ,Am -' ' Qu' if A Am X 89411. 5 , 4 X S . 3,2 r if fi 7 115 f 1555 aff? , 9 ua 1 f Frying eggs is a side linc. Bzirhccuing a pig is his specialty. In thc V-2 cnlistvd mcrfs compartmcnt after El hard day lf., Q i. ip's 2lI'IIlOl'y. Nia 'Q fu + Lv 'T i -- ...ll x iiiljhl l fyfflz , A M? Q: . ks V, ffiif-Mfr' ,,,: ,,, ,,5,t - x Af afzwf f nw, . 4 1 s x 2 fff Q 4' K? fi , if as .il KA n lrillfiv. Fx l'ok1'V im: umm-y on lznlblm-J in Ihr- Cf,I',O. quz1rlf'l's, whcn there :irc no Mliugim-s ziruumi. sl.-1X'x X'5'T-51x -wggkg N 5 A 5-E '4 A5 ' ., 1 -1 f , 5 ,........m.....q.... Tr A Y-2 norm-lumix' pzistimv. Somm' 2lllSXK'Cl'il1Q sug'm' 1'Cp0I'fS,, somc- waclillgg. and SOlIll'.illSl doping off. .-we' .A 'M-...W , Y I JN l1llll'l'f'lalxz1liull wlwn dm' ismlum-, .mal HlK'I'l'2lI't'IIOUIEIIYS 3l'0llnd' WD. X CHANG He was just a six weeks old Boot when he re ported aboard for.duty on 14 May 1944, but he rapidly advanced himself in rate to the point that he was rated K9 gc before we got under way from Astoria on 5 june 1944. In spite of the fact that he was one fourth German Police and three fourths Chow, he carried himself with the pride and dignity that would do justice to the snootiest canine in the American Kennel Club registry. Chang was a sailor from the start. H rapidly mastered the technique of climbing the many ladders around the ship, was the first one to get to the flight deck when General Quarters was sounded, and the first at the head of the chow line when chow was piped down Furthermore, the roll of the ship never bothered Chang, even on that long Shakedown Cruise When in port, Chang never left the vicinity of the after gangway, which was his Sentry Post, that is, he didnit at first. Finally, as he grew rapidly, and the 'fcall of the wild beck oned to him, he jumped ship at North Island one day in- August 1944, but when we returned from a ten day cruise, Chang was waiting for us at the dock from which we had departed He went to Captains Mast and was given ten days in the brig on cake and wine and the punishment at first seemed to have the proper effect However about two weeks before we de parted on our business trip he jumped ship again at North Island Undoubtedly he had a girl friend near there because he hid himself so well that the results of six different searching parties from the ship looking high and low around Dago Coronado and North Island were to no avail It was therefore with a genuine feeling of sorrow throughout the ship that we had to give up the search for our first mascot Chang a Plank Cwner and a Shell back Chang had gone completely A W O L We have a feeling however that Chang re grets his action now because a number of the crew have received letters with the information that Chang IS still at North Island waiting for the Lunga Poznt to return When he does re turn he will get more cake and wine but we will all welcome him back because he 1S st1ll our Mascot 'X R SCC llX Having given up our seareli for Clhzing, and knowing that it is very bad luck to go lo sea without a dog for a inasciot, we set about to get another HShip's Dogfi XfVe visited the clog pounds in Dago. Coronado, and National City, as well as the S.P.Cl.A. kennels in those places, but could not find a dog suitable for the Lzmga Point. Finally, a Sergeant of the Coronado Police, whom we had enlisted in our futile search for Chang, felt so sorry for us that he gave us his own dog, a pedigreed Scotty, whom we ac- cepted so readily that we even forgot to ask his name. What we wanted was a dog, and we wanted him now, because we were getting underway that afternoon on our business trip. just thirty minutes before we got underway, , . c:Scotty reported aboard for duty, promptly making love to one of Bosin Luck's beauti- fully decorated posts on the Quarter Deck, and eyeing his new surroundings with doubtful misgivings. Such a sudden change of sur- roundings in the life of a gentleman dog! Scotty was not the sailor that Chang was, because, for the first two weeks, he could not take food or water. How he lived we do not know. He was without doubt the most un- happy looking creature we have ever seen on four legs. He simply could not comprehend all the strange noises on the ship, nor could he understand or appreciate the constant roll of 176 NPORTHOLEF' N o one seems to know too much about 'cPort- hole,', the Captainis cat. About all we do know is that Mrs. Washburn brought her aboard the day we sailed from the States on this cruise. Knowing that the Captain must keep pretty well to himself aboard ship, even having to dine alone while at sea, Mrs. Washburn un- doubtedly felt that he would be very lonely at times, so she decided to get him a pet for com- pany. Porthole was just a tiny kitten when she first reported aboard, but she has grown on through the Debutante stage, and is now a dignified and sedate Spinster. She is the only one, besides the Captain, that has complete freedom in the Captain's cabin, and our opinion is that she just about rules the roost in there. We do know that she occupies the Captainis comfort- able upholstered leather chair as if it were brought aboard solely for her use. We dare say, too, that, while underway, she coils up and sleeps on the Captain's comfortable Beau- tyrest Mattress, while he tries to get in his 'Ccat napi' in his Sea Cabin up in the island structure. While Porthole is the Captainis pet, she has meant much to the entire Ship's Company in that she has added an atmosphere of home to the ship, and all hands enjoy seeing Scotty and Porthole romping up and down the Captain's passageway, with Scotty usually running from those vicious slaps that Porthole gives him. Then, too, for those on watch topside during the mid-watch, Porthole has put on many a show as she chases a piece of paper or cotton up and down the flight deck during the wee small hours of the morning, and otherwise cavorts to her heartjs delight while Scotty snores away down in the C.P.C. quarters. All things considered, Porthole has been a good shipmate to us all, as well as 'to the Cap- talfl. lilUll'l' lilil,l.S Sllll'M.X'l'l'l UI MINE laiiicl alll is xwlll 1 ,, 111 11111 111' 11111 l111ll1', C 1111111111 11111 1111111 111 Illif. 1-vfiff lil' Ll' .l4'l'l4 ll- clilliwll- ll' S- NUVY- 1.1111 11111 11811111111 11111111111'I1111uK11l112llitu1 iCllil'li l'illglllt't'l'. USB. !.1111xul1 1'11l11!l, mul '1 ll 11111 11111 111111 1 111'111q, Edwin llill. Music by lion livoiggv :incl .lllff 11111121 H11 fffllrlllg. johnny yuhlv' 11111 Klffllif 11111111 11111 lffll, ll'11111' and Blue, ll'1' 11511111 14,1 1111 111111 111111 11'11g 111 11'1'1'1'111' H'vl'i1 f U1 dlflfff'-H .hlx 11111 11111111111111' 1111' 111111 lffi flf1ll ill' .v1'111111111'Q1' 1111' 111111111 111111 ll 111 111111 11Ili.Y is 11-11111 11111 111111 111 ,v111 E1g1l1 B1'11.v 111111 1111 Iii' I1'1'11 ll'1't11 0111 .xlllqili ,l11'11v1111111'1. 'Ellglll B1f11,i 1,117-l's.Y 1111 f1111'l1f11x1' ll'1f'1'1' l111'j111s'l flillf' 111 111jf1'11.v1'. E Ig1I1 B1'11x' 5 for f1'1'1'11'11111 filly To 0llI' 1111'111111'1'1'.v 11111 l'1lilIg. ll '11111' Olll' 5111115 flIl11'U1 1111 .liliffji To flI'U1t'l'1 11111' 11'111'1'l1'1'.i', HEIZQII1 B1'11.v'i 6111111111 1.1 11111. Il'111'11 flillll' llI'I'1iI'1'.i' 111-1111111 ll'1' 11'1'11jlg1l1 111111 1111 11111' 11111g11I T11 1f1'1'f1 11111 .1111 1111111 l'11YlI' .-11111 l11'ft'IlI1 1111.1 111'1111'.sj11l11'1'1'. 1f1:g111 1f1'11,v 111111 1111 1'.li 111111 Iiiflf 11111 .S'1I1.f1.S' 111111 f11'1'.s1111111'1, T11 c11111111111111 11111' 11'11111'l1'1cs .1lIIf1 11Il'A f1'1'1'1111111 llf 11117 .Sil'fI.S, 1151111111 121111.11 0111101115 111111. Copyright, 1942, Miller Music Corporation, New York, N. Y. n 1 I1,l', 11111 111111 ,lflfilfifl 1111111111 11Il' .s1'11.1,' ,S'111j111111l1 Ill .l1l111f,'i 11111 11111 lil! llll' 1111111111111. ll'1' .s1ll11'11 11l1' ,s1'11,i ,f1QI'l!11'1i, ll '1111 ,111 1111 lill .N111'1- 111111. '1111-11 11 11111111 111' 11111111111, .'l1'1'1'1' I1 1'111 1111 1'1111. .S'111j111111l1' 111' .1'll1111 i 1.1111 11111 11Ulkl1iQhI 1411 IYIIUH, l11'l'1l1l.N1'.'l'lIll 111'1'11j11Q11l1'11g 15111 111'111111'1111.'1' 111 111311. 111111 1'-' V1111 11111111 11111 ..N1I24'J', 11111, l'11 111111111111 1111111 1-71 11111111, .'l1111 111111 7' 1111-1111 11111. 'KS'111j11111111' Al1i111'.u 'l'I11- :1l1i1x'1' povni is 1l1-1li1'11i1-fl lo ilu- .'X111vric'a11 Bluvjackct, and was XN'l'lllC'll by l.l, Il. ci1ll'l'l'll, USN, Chivf Engineer ofthe l',S.S, 11111311 1'111111. as :1 1111'1norial to flliivl' Boatswain Edwin llill. USN, who was killr-il in avlion at 1.l1c-Battle' of Pearl Harbor, 7 l11-1-1'111I11'11 11141. :mel was poslluuinously awarded the Congres- sional Mwlnl ul' llflllfll' for his l11'1'oir' 1-irtion. wlwn. having been blown 11v1-rlmosircl lmy lln- cxplosiml of a .lap bomb, he swam back lu his lmlllf-sliip and pf-rsoimlly slip:-i'vis1-cl unmooring his ship, ll11'1'1'l1y snvinig lim' 1111111 11 rlisuslrous falv, but losing his Own life. l,1111lq11 l'111'111 lil'Ulll air all sunsct. 178 Oh--hum! Egad! Reveille so soon? I'll be glad when I am Home againg I'll sleep clear through to noon. ' Dear Folks: This 0330 reveille Was not designed for meg If I'd only known it soon enough I'd never put to sea. Four oiclock, Flight Quarters, All stations must be manned, Planes fueled, armed and chocked. Boy, this Navy life is grand. Four-thirty comes and brings G.Q. Such a rush you'll never see, As sailors manning Battle Stations In enemy sections of the sea. F ive-thirty finally rolls around, The sun begins to climb. Two hours now have I been up, Two hours of should be slumber time. Six-thirty-Mess Gear, Seven oiclock, we eat. It seems thc day must soon be oicrg So I can go back to sleep. Eight oiclock, sweep down, The day has just begun, The second flight's about to leave, And things begin to hum. Degassing crews and gassing crews Are busy at their tasks, Aviation ordnancemen Are always running past. Bombs and rockets fit in place With a precision how-do-you-dog All hands run the obstacle course Set up by the handling crew. Eleven oiclock, Mess Gear! How can we ever win? I know right after chow, We'll do it all over again. When evening finally rolls around All hands will darken ship, Then it will be too dark to fly, And I can take that slumber trip. just at the final re-spot, You feel about to relax, When you hear that familiar Clang-clang! Here come those !!!XXXM! I Japs! I'll never make a Navy man, . The above I do repeat, f. The Navyjs not within my line, I I like too well to sleep. 1, Lotsa love, Your son, I. W. F. SINEX, Sic, I V-2 Division. Top: 40 MM battery at AA practice, below: 20 MM gun crew doing the same thing. I fi 'lf -ll ll Qi 11 l ll' 1 lx ll 'z ,Q il ix it ul lil! it txt me IV 43' i, l l , G+ ,i 1 li NSN 'ii X ll L? V Fl il iff Tl S k 5 lil l 3 I 'I 4 E A i l fi l Y l il ' I l I Y 1 I E I J l 1 I K, ,, 1 S1 ll 1 l 1 E ,1 1 1 5' 1 11 ,i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 V 1 1 E 1 1 11 ,1 111 '1 1 11 1 X'Ylll'll 1.1, l'.11111111'. i 1'1U'?-5 'll' 111111111111 1 'll' 1 'l .11111 111111111111 11.11'1x111 111114 N' I 1 Wir ' ' UW - 1N'1l ' fl 1'11 ' ying X11 ,gg ,,1111l 1',ll5lQ1l 1111111111 .ls-l1'11111 X13 1,, 111111 l'.11111f'1 111111 11-1 llllllllf 11l1lU'X '- V1.ll1 '1V ' WHY 1111 11 -Hi'-1 '1 ' '1 ' ,, 1 L111111'1'sl111111 lllt' 111-11 sxs111111 1111111111111 111 1111 XM111111-11111 N111-N Ilql'Q',flSllI'Q'1l. ll. V111 ll.11gst111111, 111111 11lN 111-1-11, .u1.11x111.11 llllliil. gm .1111 lu, xlllll' 111111 111111 111u.111111111 11111111 .IIIK1 111111 111 1111111 011111111 l11'l1111 is 111s 11'1y si1111111- 1-x111.111.1111111 .1s 1.111111 1111111 1111' XY.11'1l1'1111111 1111111-1111 110.11111 NO'1llQf1C lftififfzlzzllzwz of flu' ,X11f'A1il1 Kring .l,111lg1u111'11l.1.' Sonic Coiiilusion 1111s l'L'SllllL'Ll 1'1'o111 ll11' 1'1'1'1'111 revision ol' napkin ring' ilSSlgillllllklllS. 'l'o 1'll'1ll' tl1is up and lI'Ol1 out any l1llS1ll1L1i'l'Slill1l1lllg'S. the present system is outlined 111'low: 1. First of all. napkin ring l1llIl1l1Cl'S are 11s- signed hy rank. the liighesi raiiking 1111111-1' holding No. 1 a11d so o11. llillllli il' you llll' 11111' 25th ranking oflieer aboard. your 11111111111 should he 25. Q. However. due to the llllfl that sey11r111 ollieers have designed their own rings and their rings. therefore. re-assigned. this is not en- tirely true. To overcome this dillieulty. Nos. II. 33, and 76 are assigned 11lp1111l11'1i1'111ly. That is. if you are a llCl.1lCI1L1I1l 1111d yo11r 11111111' is rl1l1I'OCli1'T1OI'lOll and your date ol' 1111111 is I7 Septernlaer 11142. yo11 would o1'di11111'i1y 1111y1' napkin ring No. 18 llI1C1L'1' 1111- rank sysleni, 11111 'I 1 I Airing our hunting. 180 11 you sat 111 1111- 111.111 1121011114 the gallf-Y ay 11111111111 11111111111 1.111113 111111 111111111111 pqpggihlyhg c.1l111.l N11 11, X11 or NU. .Again if , 1 y11111 11111.25 x11'11' lllllll' 111 lllvsl' l1'1l't'l' Ill! ' 1llQlX 111- 1111 11.11111 111 ill! Qicliilstlllvnt Eggs? 12 N1111111111-1 111111. 11111-11 2111 rings Wm-C ex, l'1lil111lI1'11 113 1'11l11 11111111 111111 1111-m1m gn 11111111. 1111s 1111s 111 111111-11' room for ring No. 7-.X L15 1111111111-sx lllxll xisilimg 1.1. C1o1onel,wh0 xygis .1 l1J1NS!'l1Lll'l llll' N1'X'4'l'iI1 Clays. Unfortu- 11Lll1'1X. XNi1ll'll No. j-.X was 1'K'll'lUVl'd and the s11i1'1 11111111' to 1111' 1f'1l. 1111-s1'111i1'1g arrangemgm w11s11o1 1111-111111111 111111 111111 on 1111- day No. 7-A 1111s i11s1'1'11'11. jg. '1'o 1'll'Lll' up 1111- 112111111111 ring unpleasant- l1l'SSl'l'Sll11ll1Q 1111111 1111' 1111'1'goi11g, and to permit o1li1'1'1's lo 1-x1'1'1'is1' il l'l'i1SUllli1JlI' choice in the s1'1e1'lio11 O1ll1llll1111'l'S, 1111- rings will be re-num- 111-11111 IIS 111-sir1-cl, 111111, V1'l1t'I'l' dtiplieations re- sult. 11s i11 il 11l'21X y p1'1-11'1'1'111'e for No. 72111111 No. 11 IIS 11g'11i11s1 No. LZ, No. gg and No. 12,111- dividual ow111'rsl1ip may 1111 deterinined by ex- 11111i11i11g llll' 11111111111 itself. By placing your liiiger i11 1111 1-gg 11nd gently pressing your print o11 11 11orn1'1' 111-111' 1111' hem, that will serve to id1'111i1'y 1111' llillllilll. 4. Odd 1111111l11'1'1'd rings will he Collected for l'l'-l1ll1111JC'l'll1Q' o11 eyeii days for the Hrst half of the 1111111111111 for 1111 ollieers of the rank of 1i1'111111111111 1-jg'1 111111 2'llJOVC', while the last half ol' 11111 1111111111111 will 111- re-numbered for even rings o11 odd days for 1111 ollieers below the rank o11i1'1111'1111111 Cjggj. 1'x1'1udingwarrants. Both odd and 1'y1'11 rings for warrants will be re- 11llI'l11Jf'l1f'Cl i1'r1-1'1'iv1'd by ifioo. 5. S11g'g1's1i1111s and C'l'lllC'lSlT1S are welcomed. '-1f1- x 15'1-1 P11ar111z11'ist M1111-s at work in Sick Bay. 1- 1 1 '1 1 U.S.S. LUNGA POINT CCVE 94, Restricted PLAN OF THE DAY FOR THURSDAY, QI SEPTEMBER 1944. CSAN DIEGOJ PoRT ROUTINE. 0600 0635 0645 0700 0730 0855 0915 1300 1500 1530 1849 Reveille. Sunrise. All officers and men attending gunnery school muster on quarter deck. All officers and men attending Fire Fighter's School muster on the quarter deck. Liberty expires on board. Quarters for muster, uniform-dress blues-officers blue service. Captainls inspection of crew followed by inspection of living spaces and food preparation and serving spaces. Working material inspection of ship by Commanding Qflicer. All divisions draw cleaning gear. Liberty for Port watch to expire 0730 Friday, on board. Sunset. E. R. EASTWOLD, Commander, U. S. Nazgq Executive Ofhcer. li m , The Lzmga Poizzt vusion of I otw's State. R1fs11'i1'11'cl PLAN Ol-' ',l'Hli DAY FOR lNlUNlD,XY. 111 l liil5Rl',XRY 11143, ill-DAY IXVOKIIMAJ 0445 Reveille lilll' .Xir D1'p111'11111-111. 0500 BI'L'Lllili2lSl l'01' .Xir lJt'IJLll'lllll'lll. 0530 Fliglu 01111111-11s. 05.1.5 Revcille. 0610 cg't'11CI'Zll qLl21l'lC1'S. 0630 Co1n111e11ce flight 0pe1'atio11s. 0710 Sunrise. zone -e10. O71 5 Breakfast. 0800 Turn to. bluster 011 stations. Sllljllllf 1'epo1'1s 10 the Exc-c'111iv1' Ollic'1'1 s ofliee. 1834 Sunset, zone Mio. NOTES' 1 All111a1'ksli01'1l1eC0111 ltlltllllllill ' ' . . . 1 p 1 'z1111111g courses 11111s1 be 1111'11ed 111 10 the educational oflicer before 1 iVI2lI'Cll 1045. 2. Be prepared to fuel destroyer along side at 0700, and again all 0815. 3. The laps sl1011ld be I'CCOX'Cl'lllg' liI'Olll 1l11' fast c':.11'1'ie1' strike, so ClOll,l' relax ee-' tl1ey'll probably start planes down ll1'OIN the .E111pi1'e s0011. li. R. EAs'1'w0LD, C0ll27fll17I0lI'7', lf. S. Naqy, lixecmitive Oflieer. WI WINS!!! , UI tf l All Nw 1 'mi F ' is Our own uU.S.O.', Sick Bay. 1 I I I ' s Uss. LUNGA POINT qovia 94D Restricted PLAN CF THE DAY FOR WEDNESDAY, I4 MARCH 1945. CULITHIJ 0630 Reveille. 0648 Sunrise, zone -IO. 0700 Breakfast. 0800 Muster on stations, submit reports to the Executive 0H5cer's ollice. Muster liberty party on quarterdeckg use both whale boats to load LCI. Makin Island may send an LCVP to help. 1851 Sunset, zone -IO. NoTEs: 1. Division oflicers will submit liberty lists for tomorrow, from the Port Watch, to the Executive 0fI'icer's office prior to I4OO today. 2. Personnel who recently made changes in their insurance will sign the forms in the Executive Oilicerls office today without fail. 3. 0600-Boat from Makin Island will stop by enroute to Prairie in Southern anchorage 4. 0800-Boat from Makin Island for mail, movies, guard mail and business 5. Permission is granted to write of the ports we have been in prior to our participation in the Luzon campaign. Nothing can be said of where we are now. Souvenirs typical of those places may be mailed also. E. R. EAsTwoLD Commander, U. S. .N-dlfjl Executive Officer MU-19A .M-aniiu...f Super salesmanship at shipls store. 183 I ? 1 ,X Q , A ' I I xg' A-'gf .,v '!' 7, f I , ,f i' , , gl , 3 1 M.-9 3 V. A -0 'V 4 W .sf . 5 - ' J ,. 1 x 1 ' .I ix E I ,L 2 if 5 if fi .- 51 M ' ' A X ' .img A QL, V . . 7 ff T ,afw ' K lhiafit? , V I X U 1 . .V 'Q u . K ,lv -...- r 1 , ,T 'ag,,,-.Q 6 A A :A . ,' ' ' Q., R ..4 Q , 4 ,T ' .4 H , 0660 1 gg ' , Az x ' ' fr Z' fe A , , I 2 'X , ,. ,A -- 'lvl' 1 fl S lfI.'Sll1f.Qlllf.Q IIYIIIIISZII lillrlm' stmly 4!Q'l'0lllJ lll4't'lillQQ ffrlmwg Shi l W XA: 594' VW' M 'A Xa .N' Hhlixing it up. XWXAX X XX XX X Y XXJXLJ XX X N X X X X X X 5 -1-XX XX X Xx X XEXzX1X-X X XX XX , . Q XX Sllilfs on'ln'Qtx'zl E :L yx X 1 Y ' l f 1 1 ' 1 fi J mga f'rw1f!f1 5111! 4 , i -V QQQC fill! Illlfilly If gn pupulm pl H1 I l SUPPORT CARRIERS PASS BATTLE TEST l ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWS RELEASE LUZON fUndatedj-Americaas newest of- fensive weapon in the Pacific has passed its final test. The weapon is the commonplace. comparatively cheap, quickly built little escort or support carrier. There is a whole fieet of them in combat- not just convoying-in the Pacific under Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin of Palmyra, N. Never designed for anything but convoying ships and ferrying planes, the CVE's have come of age. They plunged hotly and successfully into the Luzon assault after having fought off vicious Japanese air attacks on our huge con- voys en route. Although they are slower and much more vulnerable than big Essex class carriers, almost all of them were able to continue on the job, protecting our ships and striking hard at the enemy in the air and ashore. Most of their 4,478 sorties in the twelve-day action were con- voy protection. Yet, despite the big task of covering hundreds of ships, their planes also destroyed fourteen ammunition dumps and damaged one, destroyed thirty-one fuel dumps, destroyed one supply dump and damaged five, destroyed 107 buildings and damaged seventy- one, destroyed 237 military trucks and dam- aged ninety-eight, destroyed or damaged twelve tanks, destroyed six bridges and damaged eight, destroyed seven armored cars and a half dozen railroad cars, destroyed pillboxes and strafed and bombed enemy troop concentra- tions and artillery positions. In Lingayen Gulf, where the Americans landed on Luzon, the support carriers sank eighty small craft and probably thirty-one others, and damaged fifty-five. In the air and aground more than loo japanese planes were destroyed. The carriers, plane losses have been only eighteen. Many carriers are still busy ferrying and con- voying. Yet an increasing number-several groups to date-are being used for combat under Admiral Durgin, who commands all combatant CVE activities in the Pacific. Thus the big class carrier force in the Third and Fifth fleet now has a counterpart in the new support carrier. Like big carriers, the support carriers can operate separately or united in one big striking force. They proved their seaworthiness in the Atlantic and in the stormy South China Sea, where iron sides buckled and boomed under the impact of forty-foot waves. Flight decks roll and pitch, but surprisingly few landing accidents occur. Several ships have come through typhoons, although sometimes even ordinary storms inflict minor damage. One of the Baby Flat Tops principal values is to permit a dispersing of forces so that no one attack can wipe out all. If one bomb strikes an Essex class flight deck, scores of planes are rendered immovable until the damage is re- paired. If the same bomb hits a support carrier less than half as many planes are made idle. Also, as the admiral pointed out, two support carriers can launch planes twice as quickly as one big flight deck in emergencies. Planes have to take off one at a time no matter how big the deck. The admiral and his staff are underno il- lusions about the support force, however. They realize the vulnerability inherent in every small ship. Although caution took a back seat for the Luzon assault, the admiral acknowledges that caution must always be a greater factor in planning a CVE strike than in using big carriers. I11Ul7ii M,Xi?,XR1l1IIl1R',S N.XX'Y 011, fl't'x11' 1111' l1l1l'J' 1111 1111' C,'l'1: .1 .11 111111 1111 .v111111'1' 1.11 1111' 1.'11111'.1. U111' 1'11g1'111'.s 1.'11111'1.' 111111 l.l111.L,'h 111111 1111111 '1' 111 1101113 .U111'.1l1'111111'.v .X11lh'l'. Ill' 11f11 1'1111' 11'111'11' 11'.v 11111 IIA' 11111 .11111'1' 1.11 INXUJCX 11,1 1'1lIg 1111 11111. P111111' Il11gl'!.xksl'l11A ll 1.5111 111' .X111 111 Doug .ll111'-PI1'111111 .v .X1l1 l'. Il'111'11'j1'1',11y 11111 11111 111j11'1111111111' 7-hllllf 61511-11115 1111' 1'111111111'1111111111'. B111 goslz, Illfjl' 11111 1'.xf11f1111111111' Ill Doug -11ClL'-11'1fIl11'x.Y .X111-'y. Tlzqy S6111 115 0111 111 1111' 1Jh111!1f11.11l'J' SfZl1i1H61 .v11,11p11'1'y !1l'l11.11fI I111' A'l't.'l1l'J'. 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ANON. 11 il? 1 1 'Vhc L1111'311 l'111'111 l3'our.' 188 7 1 1 1 Y Dear Mama and Papa: I theenk thees Navy she a funny wan. You know they alatime say we go home next week or maybe thee week after that, but do we go? No we do not go. Now thees here ees what shes call scuttlebutt. And the drinking foun- tain shes also thee scuttlebutt. Wheech you want ess whether you weesh to drink or listen. Now when you weesh to go to thee front porch eets not thee front porch, eets the fore- castle, but they call heem folk-sil. Now Im ask you ees thees right? Anyhow you canit go anyway as thees ees wat you call Ofhcairis country, wheech means shes for thee Onficairs only. Likewise thee back porch shes call a fan tail, but shes don look like a fan or a tail. Thees ess for thee crew only, but thees don stop those Officairs. Now thees canteen usually ees something wheech ees drink out of, but here eet ees thee store where everybody wait in line, except the Oflicairs. When they say quarters, they don mean twenty-five cents, they mean everybody rush lak h-H so you can stand longer. Thees ees wan time when they are to be dressed up except I theenk the Oflicairs. I theenk I be wan of those Oflicairs! I gccve you some words and see do you make some sense from them. Thee wall shes a bulk- head and thee floor ees a deck. Thee ceiling Im told ees an overhead and a mop ees a swab. Also a man wheech nobody like ees a swab too. They have a jail, but shes a brig. You don go to the front or to thee rear. Eet is either for- ward or aft. Likewise thee left side ees not thee left side, eet ees port. I always before theenk thees ees wine. Thee right side ees star board. Im so ball up by now Im don know eef I perspire or sweat. Im theenking Im going to bed-no I cant do thees. Ive got no bed. Eet is thee sack Ive got. Eef I stay een heem too long I am thee hound. But thees ees not thee same kind of dog wheech holds thee door. O wat ever I do to geet so twist up? Im don know wheech way Im turn. Helloilm mean goodbye. Your son, N. J. SOUTHERN, CM3c, R Division. Chow down. STRICTLY BUSINESS BY PERRY BEATON, SIC, S DIVISION The QHICE is agog these days, Hfith 6'G.Q.3' all the time, And that's the reason why our work Is always far behind. IfVhy the hell is KG.Q.',?-'and why the hell Are we? Pll never be anyone else, Guess Pll have to be me. Ad r. .Moore and all the storekeepers In our bunch, By the time we eat our dinner, It is almost timefor lunch. Running here and running there W' hen thzgi sound the General Alarm, And Bozzone sleeping by his gun To be sure he,ll come to no harm. It just ain,t right for a normal man, To be living like we do, Pd like to go and tell those japs A hundred things or two. So take my word, when the war is won And things are going right, W'hen G.Qf' is forgotten And you sleep all day and night Without a care or worry And fear is out of sight When things are back to normal We'll realbi be all right. But until that day does come, Guess I'll have tofight. Nine months in the Pacfc Is quite enough, for me Give us wine, women and W' OIVI EN And the love cj libergi. MAIN ENGINE CONTROL BY SELF, S. L., MMQC, j 'CMH DIVISION Now MARSHALDS watch, Machini.st First, is full ry' vim and vigor, Especialbi when H. BARTON ,S 0ilin', he works just like a nigger. And BARRY writes the log up in a style you've never seen, While CECIL REED, he condensates, and keeps his station clean. These bzyis are all 4.0 with us,' just a little bit slap hafta, But doing their jobs in a great big wg, japs a scrappy. Now KYOE KENDECHT has a watch on the beam, With B I IR TON pumping condensate, he never steam. XWENDOQA does the ailing and PAUL writes the log, So when they work together, they sure put on the They're vital to our engine room and joeas the P. O.,' So, with his careful guidance, the plant is sure to ROBER TS ONHS' known to all as ROBIE, and he' the hardest worker, , He is always alert and on his watch, for he is not shirker, ,Cause NILS RASMUSSEN oils and oils 'til all machinery purrs, W' ith B URIfE'S and LAIfE'S assistance the just fairbi whirrs. LAK E is known as SPEED2' BOT: he realbi takes the cake, And A. BURKE, the MUSCLE MAN, is al- ways wide awake. They make a rare combination that is vital to our Ship, . And with these four at the engine, through the water we do slip. Then therels SELF in charge ry' turn to, with FLANSBURG right hand man, They change the xhlters, renovator and do what else they can. When something breaks, they get a call, in day or late at night, So give these boys some credit, to0,' theyhre hehbing in this fight. , HARRIS is another boy down here in this BLEIGIY GANG. He hails from good ol ' Texas and he runs things a bang. Then thereas our PETER CLASSEN wh0's a savvy joe, There's very little to this plant that PETER know. I We have FERG US ON from M issouri, who home andfarm, But he knows we have ajob to do, to guard from harm. I 1 Then therels FRANK EDWARD CHU from out Chicago way, o Who dreams cj home and beautyful girls with whom T47 e have gays in this Dioisionfrom evegf walk fy' lQ'eg he,d like to play, Boys from Maine to gooa' ol' Texas, who are helping But he turns to with the rest mf us when japs are on in the strgfeg the screen, Some from the hills rj ol' M issouri, some are College He jights his vegi heart out, so his conscience is always Exes, too, glean, So it's quite a eomhinationfghtingfor the Red, White, and Blue. K . ish' l fy s hs s lil iw iff' X il' 371 ,, X LQ g 3 , A f ts I qeggx e x V V, VX: I, , V v - -' gn W si Photo gang. 191 From the 'NLUNGA POINT!-1R : Lyon, Cox, lst Division. walking into the Re- cruitirg Station in Raleigh and saying: Gimme that ol' sales talk again, l'm gettin discouraged. Cochran, Blu-lee, MAA Forte How about an transfer to the States? l have combat fatigue, Sir. A v Offieerew- What gave you tliatf? Cochran-w The Foist Looeytenant. ' One of our Stewatds Mates. Cox. SIM le. be- came very sea siek after leaving ai port in which we had been for a few days. One of his bud- dies was kidding him by saying. You is just an landlubberf' Dey is no arguinent dere. replied Cox. Airs jist finding out how inueh Ah lubs it. Toward the end of one of the basketball games between VC-85 pilots and airerewinen. the play became rougher than usual. Finally, the referee, an enlisted man, blew his whistle. fared one of the players and barked. just try one more trick like that, and l'm going to throw you right out of the game Pssei' Sir l Chief Boatswaiifs Mate B. Oliver is always commenting on the General Mess food and the CPO food. He ought to be able to discuss it intelligentlyg he eats at both places. Baker, ACM-'SI-low can I save this half of my fingernail? Kramer, CPhMe- Pull it out and mount itfa Bailey, CEM?- Do you know that whiskey has killed more men than bulletsiw Gllles, Elec.- Quite true, but we'd rather be full of whiskey any day, wouldn't we?7, Callicoatte, PhMIe- Wash your hands? Creekmore, Sic- Both of them?,, Callicoatte- No, just one of them, I want to see how you do it. JUFY, ABMQC, picked up a handkerchief dropped by a Wave Lieutenant at North Island and said, You dropped this, I believe, Toots sir. I Southern, CM3e, was running the obstacle course in a Navy Boot Camp, and, after run- ning as long as he could, he stumbled and fell down. The instructor immediately barked, Hers get upg whatis wrong with you? 9 5' . . . ,, . i . , W., Y., 5 .....- T , ..-, .i v ,, , sailors are still awakened by the ccimmemorial invitation to arise as follows: All hands! All hands! Heave ho! Heave ho! Heave ho! Lash up and stowg lash up and Stow. Wakey, wakey, rise and shineg the morningis fmeg you,ve had your time and Iive had mine. The sun's scorching yer hleedin' eyes out. Beautiful dreamer lash up and stow. The Cooks to the galley has gone long ago. Show a leg! Show a leg! Make a move ! Plf Pk Pk Dk PF Lt. Homans does own a pair of trousers that Come down to his ankles. U fT.2.2,-3.2 'TL LGB? :I31 auf 1? ffllf6rm,wA1 7fA11.4.A.ia,,l1pin:I4, .fgwflll v.ff14J ihuifrnr ffl! .f 61611 fum' aff rdf r ..ff'f'11r,1.iZ1'n9: fir fflfr ,lliszmsizwm Z9 my 'G' 070- em fill' 4944 l'n,jg161an0 l.lXflfa1MfQ'?1 N404 fggggrgh JFN1' nyghe rw! -:dm 61 43yaf.7Imahs dw .. . .,, sgggg ,ygjnf lv,,,,,fgggLg,,A,gQ gf4,,,,,h.,. nfffff - ,,.,,. -..-.-,r,,, W- ..,, - , ,, ,,,,, ., ' i s, f1F.z'Zf ..'i..HfL3'fff.'Z5..'LTlLiff' i ' . 7511! .af,ua:'f2lLvfQzxdfWiw1sVgna'ffLvrJfQ41wff4bw efrar fmya-611 lgnfpfupdfw jf Qiff:y4'wu!0ar. aiyfzf , ifqy 34,1 Lwvnu y 110 Ayr -him farnhfafamifwwm muh Mus Mk mfy v dorm! All fizmfmv 4101 Ziiffg Qistgi Zzt- j Arumy Rvaffwmiawrdy 0- 4' n11dYC'mrfa.J q0wAlru.sfy,4ffffl911xIu Af Au 61 A M16 vnziuvdlf :M 47 154 171111-2.19 fyayimf :y2'4Jpfmr-fr orgwm! 0 fm . 'QA' Affv'f'Q fr mmm! ' afffmy .uvgeinfz di MW :dm Armiranfnghifzv Af a-dfnvrw-41 .nay 4' ,fx if 112354, llisolvejf lixis in-Glvr under gwzuxlly of fm' li Nj-'ni zlwgzirmsurv il 77.52 .fvnv amhr 1 nr Jllllf am! ,wif 4113 it Ulf s H , 1 as 5 10,0 Imam lr V , , , ,I . 4 4 , , 193 Do You Rt'titt'ttilx'i'i' It ..DLmil.l Butiiif' lilork rviistirititg t1t.ttl' at Kit lltnigitltit'.1NAit'lgpiiinSfQb1' U Bare ARNIQLL Lind his hot ti'tnnpct: lttnnt' Ensign Butt'hCt'. the tinllwrtsoii ul' poltrtg Hivingiix. Cdr. Mount' lessons lor gi ntuinn.il fee? Lt. Cdr. Hugstroin. our stii'i't-ptitiotism Poet Ltuireate? A A 4 --Dallas Rhodr-11, Stiit-, dislnng it ont W'ilUreen style? C Chif Boatsxvaiifs Mute Olivet' talking iihotit buying a CVE after the mir. and Qllltflltlflllgl it OH' Fort Lauderdale, and using it for it ggnnhlingg ship? Chief Zankicwicz starting ntl it lt-ttt-1' with i'Now that l lizivc ii few iicionients to spgirt-i':' Tango. PhoM2c. on Christnitis live night. telling vabout Ciliristiims in liztst PrUSlUIlfl Botnen. BNN, gt-tting his lt-ft lt-gi tzniult-tl in his CiziyNit1c'tit's tnonstzirlit- :ts ht' liurlt-cl the slcdgt' liarntnt-r at thc- rhztin stoppt-rs wlxi-n dropping the hook at Ciuzunl' UI-lip Hop Chilclt-rs, Clox. in his rzirkl' Bourne. Ste, the UCZU2 Kid ol' tht' ISI Division? Bullen, NIMQC. at Mast.. tr-llintg tht- lixvr. MYCS, Sir! I found a ease of l'Jf't'r, hut SUl'l'lf'fllilt' stole it from mew? Hood, A. F., Sic, and XfVilkerson, R. l,., Sie umotheringi' the plane captains? Grandpa Wiright, ANIMN, and his fur coat? 6'Red Crane, Sic, and his love letotr-rs? Whether Noonan, Q,M3c:, ever met the love- ly lady from Palmyra? Merryman, RM3c, and his organ plziying? Peel, WTIC, the hardest working and tht- richest man in HBP Division? Davis, P LM, Cox, trying to grow gi moustache? Lt. Bill Kearns climbing the ladder to the bridge with his arms full cf intelligence reports. Lt. tjgj '4Bob,' Reilly discussing carhurctors with the occupant of the upper bunk in State- room 0109 until mid-night every night? Commander Eastwold having a serious con- versation with Lt. Cjgl Sebastian, at Eniwetok? Subject- Electronics,', or was it? Lt. Freddie Marvil ofthe Eastern Shore wlling us that hc voted before he wore Shoes? 94 lit Mgn nt' Hlmtlt standing xx.tttltr'stt1tlivl1ull1lllllt'1'. uiisipn Ml lit-lin huying talsittgq .tlrtutt ltl.ihuf' llxrt' I1r'gtt'it1t:, l'ixlt'y, HIC. giving stl'.nul1ttitvpt'tmot1I'1u'xt0ptfrati0!1? tilnvl liitlii-r hnrtlling the eleva getting, ltiilllxtny tloxtn the hangar lintlinu tint they were lzhiiing the ,Nl4n'n1!' tI'tiit'l'tQttii1tt-this Matt- Wagner uni-stint-ntsz' Hl ltittt'i'xf:tlu- -johnson? tiiliivl ll:unilton bathing Sc0tty',? Mtirplly :ind Olmlsilioslii. C0xSw3.iH5a tht- lrttllxlitwtcls ol' tht' lSl Division vilimtt- with their iievei'-eiidiilg fztppil' Dunn. Suv. talking about Pigeon, tltis :ft town.l M ylvr, lfzt-, sitting in ai poker game ing, l clou't know niut'l1 about the l'll will :incl l ?llSt' five hlt1t's :' l':ili:tnti, MlVlj.5t'. sayingzg, Tell ,Cm- -t sv, tt-ll rin 1 Big 'DVI-lla, St'llit'iI'lillg. AMQC, the tnzikerl' lJ:itugt'1'titis Dain Prado, AMMQC VVlu'tlu'r Kelley. lcighdstrgtf. and f,llVljgf'. f-wr settled their argument. Pillllllliil. R M tr. silent editors' of Presst' Nrwlzintls, Sie. Lt. tjgl irit-sst-iigt-rx Smith, VV'l'1t', Russell. BIC, RGC, Grigorzicos, Wf'l'2t', putting Ciununings' ht'li'net once, just liver seeiiig Servidio, COX, Cox, w:tsn't around? in Lt. .lot, ' Rush reading ,l,t. 'llhoinpson talking abmst on White Lake? 9 Lt. Bill,, Couch gathering sea shells by the seashore? Doely, Y3c, explaining Rapelje? Lt. Berndt 'fthinking very hardn? Dr. Ray taking the gold right out of your teeth? Lt. 'fPeter Sugar Smith on the Signal Bridge? Ensign Winter in his dungarees? Chief Butler barbecuing a pig on Guam and looking like a Sheik? Junior Flagsi' Dougherty telling off the Signalmen on the Signal Bridge? f'Senior Flagsn Atkinson telling off fjunior Flagsn Dougherty? Chief Ewing Usweatingw a transfer? The time a pair of ladyis panties were found on the bunk of the Ist Division 'cPin up Girlj' Reeder, Cox? 'CMuscles Mularz, F ic, the kid from jersey, asking, Who is this bum Hague?,' Chief Larson telling Chojnacki to take a bight in a line while securing a piston to the hangar deck, and Chojnacki taking the line firmly between his teeth as ordered? Carter, F Qc, the Texas Cowboy, telling of his love for beautiful women and lovely cattle? Williams, AMM2c, ever talking in a whis- per? Ever seeing ffSpeedy'9 Oleson, S2c, carrying on a conversation? Lt. Marshall telling all about it? Lt. Peebles' pleasure at being returned to the Lunga Point after VC 85 was detached? Lt. Ujackw Garrett singing ffEight Bells at ogoo? Lt. 'fWalt Kalteyer and Lt. Art'i Gilmore 'ctradingn with the Filipinos? Lt. C'Sugar Love Smith playing cccrack the whip at the John Publicis night club in Seattle? Ever seeing Butterworth, SSMT3c, with Kingsbury, SSMB3c? Ever seeing Peterson, AOMQc, at the Ge- dunk stand? Hearing about Chief Pattie's postwar plans? Ever seeing Chief Atkinson playing the phonograph in the C.P.C. Mess by the hour? Ever seeing Chief Altizer stoop-shouldered? Chief Hjohnnyi' Oberg telling the Air De- partment Chiefs about his sea duty? Chief Petyo explaining Wilkes-Barre and its baseball team? Ever seeing Lyon, Cox, move fast enough to be considered slow? Cuney, Sic, and his eagle eye, spotting planes before anyone else? Berry, C. H. Sic, explaining Camp Hill, Alabama? Sleepy', Quinn, Fic, saying, Okay, Scram! Pm awoke! ? The Captain telling Holt, AOMIC, to sleep on the port side of the Ship? Corsair Neal, AMM2c, and his passion for anything mechanical? Seeing ffSam', Bolonkin, PtrV2c, for to- morrowls dope today ? 'fSam Ekstrum, Sic, and his rheumatism? '4Zoot Lynch, QM3c, the boy Hhep to the jive from Noo Yawk? How ffBlack Jackj' Nihem, QM3c, used to rave about Detroit and Philly? A Orinski, RM2c, and his watch repair shop? Stage, Ygc, and his Editorial problems? Barton, SM2c, bringing candy to the Signal Bridge? Crowder, WT3c, and his yapping ? Ensign Denkler singing UMemphis Bluesn? Ensign Prindle and his bull fiddle? Lt. Cdr. Luce going on a diet in February and gaining thirty pounds by 1 May? .A Hearing Church, AOMQC, tell about the time the pilot of his TBM chased a horse down an Okinawa road at tree-top height while he was rear gunner? Kojtek, AGMQC, explaining why he spells his name the way he does? Captain Washburn, answering an urgent call from the COD'on the 4.-8, and dashingup to the bridge in his underwear? Lt. Cdr. Sands explaining Anne Arundel County? ' Ever seeing Lt. DeAngelis at morning G.Q,.? Lt. Potter Palmer trying to get a sun-tan to blend with his Marine underwear? Lt. Merle Grant making the poker game 'cofhcialn by his presence? Pehan, John Joseph, Sic, yelling Turn off the search-lights,' during the night attack at Ulithi? Alexander, Fic, en route to New Guinea saying, cfOh, Lord, just give me a book and put me under a tree in good ol, Mississippin? The time several Steward's Mates were standing around the Wardroom when the First Lieutenant came in, and one of them said, ffMan your Battle Stations! Here comes the First Lieutenantln? Preston, AOM3c, c'The Voicew of the ord- nance gang? Y 6 ' Swede Aberg. AMMIU, the kid froxn Hackensack? V Earnest, AlN1lNI2C. and his popular novels? Fegley, AMMQC, the V-2 Poet? Ever seeing Christian. Sie. with his hair rnussed up? P Starr, Qlhrii2L?. when he beeznne ai papa? Any port in Uncle Sugaru where ,RO1llt'OM Campbell, Sie, failed to find a feminine in- terest? Lt. Cdr. Hagstrom continually inquiring as to who is getting the asparagus lzjn- during this war? Rochester, Ste, listening attentively to Chief Dougherty? Cherrier, Slkflge, with his eye glued to the long glass? Pancoast, Rlylic, the power behind the TBSH? Lt. i'Ken'3 Little picking out a tune on his Recorder? Lt. ':Charliei' YVhite getting shore duty in Alameda with pie a la mode every day? Lt. 'cBob Sutton looking outside to verify his weather predictions? Lt. Cjgl Nolte selling his Oldsmobile in Astoria for twice what he paid for it? Lt. Cjgl Gif, Siiro holding recognition classes in the Wardroom? Waer, Sie, and the four good looking pit:- ures of his good looking girl friend? Barney, Cox, cabling his Congressman to lobby against the drafting of nurses? Lt. Cjgj Karl Reber saying No thanks! I don't smoke or drink ln Lt. Cjgj Bill Nevins and his one meal a day? Lt. Qjgj Charlie Stimson playing the Stock Market by remote control? Lt. Cjgj Davenport looking for Granby Street in San Diego? Lt. Wendell Phillips and his big cigar? Chiefs Garrett, Felber, Larsen and Lcath holding a meeting of the '4Pacific War Councili' to determine the best strategy to recommend to Admiral Nimitz? Chief Hanson playing Usolitairen in thc Bos,n's Locker every night? Malcolm, SK3c, and his sunny disposi. tion? Partin, Yic, talking about the Old Nyveev? Chief F oo F oo F eurer wai ' ting for an ele- vator ride to the flight deck? 1 ' 116 5 at t i Ng , ,Q I. The time the Officers left the Exec at the I Q ., , , . , If I ,, I 1. I L. I r 1' I I I I I I l I I I I 5 Officeris Club at Manus ffsans boatn? Chief Gunner Marshall eating in the C.P.O. Mess? Chief Carpenter Weitzner telling about the Invasion of Italy? Chief Boatswain Luck putting the side cleaners to work? Chief Pharmacist Sam', Gallagher follow- ing Dr. Ray? Machinist Mitchell gassing planes and put- ting out the smoking lamp? Electrician Gilles imitating a one-man sub- marine at Manus? Ever seeing f'Daisy,, Lyon, Cox, 'cresting his eyes ? Ever hearing 'cDaisy Lyon, Cox, out the the smoking lamp? Ever seeing the Exec smoking a cigar? Pentecost, PhoM1c, when he took his first photographic 'fhopi' in the combat zone? How they had to ground Lt. Cdr. Herriman for two weeks after he received word he was a papa? Dr. Duffalo reading 'fShore Leave ? Lt. cfCousin Howard and his wood carving? Erke, Sic, and his shaved head? Waterson, Sic, and his Blue Birds? Bozzone, SK3c, and his ffbevy of beautiful girlsw? Lawson, StM1c, 'fManager of the Ward- room Cigar Mess, doing a land office business after each meal, and wishing he was on a com- mission basis? Ever hearing a Texan bragging about Texas? Ensign 'fPeteH Peterson, one of the most pop- ular Ofs on the Ship? Wragg, Stdlc, telling about his Florist Shop in Philadelphia? Lt. Cjgj Nelson Walton, so anxious to be- come a Deck Officer that he wanted to stand 0.0.D. Watches under instruction in addi- tion to his Engine Room Watches? How Fleetwood's, StM1c, speed accelerated from I X2 knot to 1 knot when he learned he was being sent back to the States? Waer, Sic, delivering the Plan-of-the-Day each night and always smiling whether it was IQOO or oioo? Doely, Y3c, and his expert coffee making? Robey, PhoM3c, always on hand when something happens, just in case the Old Man wants a picture of it? Lt. 'cjoei' Sheehan explaining in minute de- tail how to make Boston Baked Beans? The expression on Ensign Swansonis face as he brought his fighter in for a landing? Ensign Turner longing for a moon-light night on Lookout Mountain, a car, and a beautiful girl? Chief Lenzner giving Ensign Stuve the word when catapulting planes? , Chief Crockett raving about sunset on the Prairies of New Mexico? Lassiter, StM1c, explaining how Scotland Neck got its name? Masterson, Sic, asking for the latest Scuttle- butt? Elgas, Sic, the Exec's orderly? Bedont, Sic, also the Execis orderly, striking for Electrician's Mate outside the Execis Cabin? Eyring, EM1c, the hardest working man in the MEN Division? Godsey, SF1c, and his nightly Hbridgew parties in the Shipfitteris Shop? Boni, Sic, the Captain's orderly, telling that fftall story of the Bayous of Louisiana? DO YOU REMEMBER? DO YOU? WE HOPE YOU DO! 197 ----- - -- ---W - -- fxx . 'N I gl X I1 'lj ,I If 5 'I I Q x. x., A 5, ,ff Q f x -+1-4' x Q - ll J. f 4 G i K I A X. . x X ,f I ff.- ,DN HQ 11-I l lx Dm!! ' .. ' I , ,V f 1 l5'fl I 1 Ill, I I 1 WN. I 'r ' ',ff M' I S' 2.5:,gi8fg'? X Y I s y 3 QQQ 1 1 0 0 D 5 . ' C9 N f I ,...a fjo 1- i1 l..J-D 16 I J Ln, X W f fl gi- :if Q ?,- X-x ,X w fu. I I , if, I 4 E .4 075 ,f ,ni ' f, , dr'-gfiii, , i'Tf ii' , I . A 1 A 9515? V K Uv, eH,,,- 'N , , ,, , . W, , 'L , in , 1. 1 F 1 fl 1 V .yulnm 49:0 ww? 'ON LIBERTYN If Hnlqut.. - -. M fl ' V NN ' ' -:O - . 5 PJ f 4 iw W I 'GRN X I gavfyf 'Q f? 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J 3 X 1632 .-3.5-ix 7 , 1 f T, I ooo Ttcu M 3 eh h, i Captain Washburn: Oh T WI HW, ,li W O rin, H , T umsch: What the H ll G t I ag y y y L 1 1 , fm,i.Vm.q ikvolf mug hy ot Kfffzma Rfltop B t fy t t f' cl p k I y d I 6 Z 1 w 4 1 A 4 I 1 r 1 v 1 J, E PSE f MM , , Ufzwm ekftlvfg Q ,f if , p .':ff0.f-fflgi e -A-- ky age. ,H Q as 5 I f 4' ...A fd Q- 5 00 M :N A Q., it If ug 4T,dlf?'..! 318 O ' QE JV Euc.Gfuf: 'Mft A Xi X4 E ' . k fi 0 tx 2 ' e , fe X Xi My U 4 R X 1, J , 4 on . AWN f e 0' b l 1we+q,,,lff' Lm,1f.frw,f-fl XW 1 fm 7' ', K M 0 Vqjfff' Q WK- ,l :4-5 A 1, . X ?f ' -4 , e .T Tixilx ,f of ',M,f,?fe ffx f' fF. 1 gre 'f V ' , A ' 54 - e , ' f X M 1 ,f I Lt Banjo, gxig - Q 5 cnnwulfmr 1 Q M,m1!WTfT'K'SX 4 K W e A Rf P5 I e ef E Rm wig 'E 2 i A Ke QQQA Z 5 - Sie ff4, ' -R x 1 J Iffx can , 6 ,312 1,5 ' -yu -N' W ' ' L K x ci, f X K - WN! X ...u X- - K iii K 4 5 kd?-mi f g ! 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I 2 , ,Mc Q-ik X f X K Q- -M fj fi My- P K f ' , ' ' 5 - Q 3-1-'N my X-.J 4 D mx- fq , Aw- W iff 'ii lk ,h,.,:,,,,Y Y SQ-X-Qu' ' , ' X iluwl X 1k'f,i,,Cw, gt X -'I DMM- CA ' 'A ' I Q ..V.,. , Q N ' ' XC' mx . RE we-mwrr IT LQOKS mug, K WE HIJVENCV GOT 'TVX A16 :P A . A ,. M. at , W l l V 1 4. l. E. l , ,gt . .grwfz Did you ever hear the Bosin Mate piping: On deck the 8 o,clock reports! All the bomb handling crews lay aft to the After Mess Hall! Mess Gear! Turn to! Turn to! All hands darken ship, the smoking lamp is out in all exposed locations! All hands light ship. All hands to Quarters for Muster on the flight deck. All Divisions muster on station and submit your reports to the Executive Cfficer's Ofhce. Sweepers, Man your brooms! Clean sweep down fore and aft! All hands man your Flight Quarters stations! Knock off all card playing, keep silence about the decks, the smoking lamp is out during Divine Services! The movie for tonight will bc, 'fThe Birth of a Nationi' by D. W. Griffith. All hands, knock off work! Sick call! The Duty P. O. of the Ist Division lay up to the Quarterdeck. All hands not actually on watch lay aft to the fantail to load ammunition! Taxi Pilots, man your planes! Second Division lay aft to the fantail to receive destroyer alongside! Lt. Smith, report to the fantail with twenty- five gallons of ice cream in two minutes! Reveille! Reveille!! All hands heave out and lash up! All Prisoners-at-large and restricted men lay up to the Quarterdeck for muster! All the extra duty men lay up to the Lucky Bag! On deck the anchor watch to muster! All hands, turn in your bunksg keep silence about the decks, the smoking lamp is out in all living spaces! First Division, rig for movies! Lunga Point! Second Division, rig for Church! Away No. 1 Motor Whale Boat! Away No. Q Motor Whale Boat! Lunga Point! Lunga Point!! Relieve the watch, fourth section! The engineer of the No. 1 motor whale boat, man your boat! Pipe down all aired bedding! Groups one and two, air bedding! Pay day for the crew is now being held in the After Mess Hall! Pay day for Officers is now being held in the Wardroom! Pay day for Chief Petty Officers is now being held in the C. P. O. Mess! All Department Heads report to the First Lieutenantas Office for Zone Inspection! Lt. Cdr. Luce report to the Ready Room immediately ! Lt. Cdr. Hagstrom report to Fly Control! White flag! Red flag! Re-spot! General Quarters! General Quarters! All hands, man your Battle Stations!! L, 1. ,,, M-'W EX Clfi'lYllilJR.fl 14 MA YZ 1.944 Ut does add up to 25 ymm, I!flf'.S'llAf HW Hs ZH!! f aff First of all. on helialf oi' all hands. we would like to express our apprceiziiion to tigiptatinb Vtiashburn for his enthusiastic eiitlorsenieni ol this project. his syinpathetie tinderstguidiiig of the obstacles that confronted us. and his gen- uine appreciation of our etlorts. He was quick to appreciate what this hook would ineain to his men in years to COIUC and tiiiliesitntiiigly set aside suflieient funds to insure it copy to all hands. His hacking was gui inspiration to us at all times and his attitude inside our jolt just a little bit easier and at little liit plezisgtiitw. XVU cannot speak too highly of our Photo Gang. 'lilll' quality of their work is ciisplayml throughout this hook. since all of the pictures herein were inadt- by them with tht- exception of those taken at the Kaiser Hliipyarcls and those of San Franeiscfo. Svattlt-. Long lit-at-li, Honolulu and San Dir-go, the Cfhamlivrs ol, Commerce of these: rititvs liaving so kinclly furnished us with their pietteirvs as clitl tht- clvl Coronado Hotel, Coronado, Calif. Also, the picture ofthe Kamikaze exploding astf-rn of us in the Sulu Sea was taken from our Flag Ship, the M'akin Islanrl KCVIZ 935. This hook Clearly shows the volume of work clone by our Photographerls Mates, and we can honestly say that they always did every -ioli assigned them willingly and cheerfully. 'liheir contri- bution to the success of this hook cannot, tl'ic'rt-- fore, be over-emphasized. Our clm-pi-st ap- preciation to Pentecost, PhoMit:, Muenster, PhoMic, Tango, PhoM2e, Rohey, Pholvlugc- and Sinex, Sic. ' We feel that all hands will agree that the cartoons herein add much humor and inter-rc-st to our book. While all of our eartoonists in- Slst they are amateurs, we feel that they art- anythmg but amatcurish, Anyway, Uiginy ifg39'f2?g3i,'ii'i. Lg V W i ADDE DA It is not intended that this addenda be a sequel to the pictorial log covering our first year in commission, but rather that it simply be a brief synopsis of events of interest that have transpired since our first anniversary, up to our return to the States. This has been deemed advisable in the interest of all hands in view of the sudden termination of the war and our most interesting operations in and around Japan and the desire of our present Command- ing Officer to make recent pictures available to all hands, it being felt that they would not justify the publication of another book, but would certainly justify an addition to the one that has gone before. S. L1NToN SMITH, Lieut. Cmdr. USNR 4 ' 211 l it .Xlitvr tit'lt'lti'.ititiq utu' lust .uuiixt't's.ux iu ig vuuuuissiuu git lluguu iw l'l'lllLllll4'll tlivitt' lui' lf U 1 lie st'x'ct'a1l clgtxs. guitl .ill liiuitls viuuyvtl liluitx .it S3 . 1 1 tl tht' rt't't't'4tttuii rvlitvi' uxvt' :tt C-.ilu hula .uitl tit X Ullit't'1 s lflulis ut Urutv. Fiitgilly. uu :it Nitty. tfuiupusitt- Stpt.itli'uii itfty-ciglit tX'Lf-ulll. l,t. lftlii ll. Sviiuiit-s. vutuiuauidiiig guicl l.t. .X. Pisguu. list-vtitixv is ict-r. 1't'pui'tccl 1tliu4u't'l fur tluty tu it-livxv I-83, giucl uu tltc stunt' tlgty tw gui tiiitlviwxgiy ' utu' ucw upciuttiug 1u't'gi. YU-ull tlttivltly A 3 cl tliclltsclvcs tu us. uut uuly us Ll liut' liuuvli il 1 Sltiplutitcs. lllllLllSUll1Illt'll'Sl'illllll1LlLlt'tllll'Llt'X Qi- ' iriug on tuwccl spurs with tlit-it' lllllfllllll' fuus and mckcts. they ligiviug t'uucltit'tt'tl pruti- icc runs lbcgiuuiug tlic sccuucl clay uut. Wt' rc ttuclcrwtiy tu juiu Ll lztrgt' gruup ul. tgiiilttis tli Ol' C3l'ill1LlWLl. wlicim' wc xwix' tu I't'lllLllll T? Q 2 cl piwiviclc air c'ux'ci' lui' tlictu lui' gt wliilc. gtutl we rciiclt-zx'utist'cl witlt tht-ui uu :ti Mui' guitl 1 1 g . . . ' . tllgy pruviclccl tlit-tu zur tuwi' uutil Q lluuc. :it uliivlt l ll-Qi . . . ttmt' it was iiitviiclvcl tliztt wt' st-t uui' ruurst' 1 wt-st lim' uttztrks nu t'llt'lllX' uit' strips uu Sgtlagi- ifl l urtuuszi. if 'livrtiuuxl 1 i XM' svt uui' r'utu'sf' wrst :ill Vlglll. llut suuu L lcfzti'm'cl tliztt wut- uf tliust- clt'f':irlr'cl Ciliiim Sui 5. .i it l l txplunuis xx.is livzatliuq tllll' way, gf, wt. t'uiii'st- til .uitl. tix' .is lmrtl as wt' mul uns rulliug uutl pitrliiutg :is ut'vt'r bvforc sliiruzi fiuutu. it gruup ul' lslzuicls just uurtli ull X14 f,.,, Q Hilt- umllx. tlmutgt-tl nut tuttrst' tu avoid bein t.utt1ltt ititlu'tt'iitvt nlll.ffl1inggSpatyphOOnE lltlXXt'Xt'l. -ut' plvtty tllllltlllt In Clt'lt'I'ming tha Cl, we vuultlult .ixuitl ut'tliut.1 in-ll tm tht- 4-dm. Ufit' lliit llluu st.uttvtl uu tln' itlilt'l'I'lUUH ull 4'lune, itirrt-.using ui iutviisity uutil clnwn of the Sth, ulivu it livpygui tu sulisitlt-, lmut it flifl nut Cnlire- lx sulisitlt' uutil itiitl-gnlitviitituni tlmt clay, T0 my tligit tlir' pun vlul tx:ll1'l's ul tht- l'z1CiliC was .i txt-lt'uiu,. siglit tu th .ill is putting it mildly, lit-uiitsi' li-xx ul us ligitl slt-pt :nt :ill that night ln'ltit't'. Out' tuuuiut iuiatgiut' tlit- vllt-c'ts uf it lyrphoon uitliuut ligutiug guilt' tliruugli uma Uur ship all I tltruugli tltt' iuglit auicl. 2IllllUllt1'll?llll0OSC gear .uitl uui' plqiut-s liutl Im-u tliumuglily secured, vit- uns littlt- slt-vp tu ln- lizicl on board that uiglit. lat-tuiiisc tlit-rt' was just vnough loose quit' sliiltiug :iliuut tltt' sltip tu kt-vp us awakC. lu gitlclitiuu tu tltt' uuist' wvzitt-d liy this shifting gnu' glutl tlit- uiuuutziiuuus wzfivcs beating igzuust tlit' sitlvs ull tht- sliip tu kvvp us awake, it wus pixutitizilly :ui iiupussilmility' for us to stay iu uui' lluults. Cfuiist-rpivittly. most of us spent tlit- uiglit just imllxiiig up :uifl clown thc pas- sigvuuiys ui' iu tlit' ucirclruuiii. 'l'wt'nty and , T tk I Q' sf ,t Ji 1: Tl 2 vt Q 3 3 4 -t l tt i l twenty-five degree rolls were more than fre- quent throughout the night, and. one time. about dawn, we had a forty degree roll, which is just about the limit to which we could go without capsizing. lVIany times during the night the ship would list to port or starboard and seem to poise at its peak, undecided wheth- er to continue or to come back. The Qld lX-Ian was, ofcourse, on the bridge all night, and it is understood that quite a few times we rolled ...Aj T A slight roll during -Iune typhoon. over so far that the ship poised at its peak long enough for everyone from the Skipper to the Quartermasters to say a fairly long prayer be- fore we rolled back. W'aves were continually breaking over the bow, some even coming up over the flight deck, and it is a real tribute to all departments that they had the ship so well secured that nothing more than superficial damage could be found when the storm was all over. june 7th found us operating off Sakashima Gunto, with our planes making strikes against enemy air strips and other installations. It was on this day that we had our first close con- tact with the enemy since leaving Guam. XfVe hadjust secured from morning general quarters when, at o636 to be exact, a Kamikaze dove into the forward end of the flight deck of the U.S.S. Ncztoma Bay CCVE 622, coming to rest on her forecastle. This was another case of a Bogey slipping in on us without detection, not a ship in our formation having anything on their screen. The Natoma Bay was just about 1,ooo yards on our port beam at the time, and many of our personnel saw the plane go into HS dive. Fortunately, however, the damage tO the Natoma Bay was not great, and they w61'C able to continue operational with temporary repairs. just after this, however, a BOg6y was picked up on our screen and at o637 wg went to general quarters. Shortlv after all hands hid SOW11 to their battle stations another Ixamikaze made a dive at the US S HOSKQUH Bfll' QCVE 7jl. but missed. diving into the sea and exploding close aboard without doing .any damage. The Hoggaff Bar was in the middle of our formation and the Kami- kazes were getting too close to tts for comfort. Later on other Bogies were picked up np- proaching our formation. but thev just looked us over and left. Following this. we continued our operations against Sakashima Gunto for several days with our Squadron making quite a number of successful strikes. Wvhile we were still operating in the Saka- shima area Admiral Durgin came aboard on 15111110 on an oflicial visit. at which time all hands were called to quarters on the flight deck for the presentation of awards. - 1 R2 . 1 in Toloso, Leytc, P. I., brluztx' Offictzfs Ywflf Stole and dwelling Club at TOIOSO. 213 W'e continued to pick up Bogies near our formation, but not nearly so often as during our earlier days in the combat area, and those that we did pick up did not seem to be quite as anx- ious 'cto die for dear old Nipponn as others with whom we had come in contact. They seemed to be mostly Ksnoopersi' just looking us over. They did, however, continue to be the cause of our going to general quarters at all hours of the Cay and night and, consequently, the cause of our losing lots of sleep and time from other ship's work. On QI june we made another visit to Kerama Retto to re-arm and replenish our stores, and, just to make us feel at home there, a Bogey closed to within three miles of us while on this visit. We speedily loaded our ammunition and stores aboard, though, and got underway early in the afternoon, just in time it turned out, since a few hours after our departure two ships were badly damaged there by Kamikazes. On the 24th we set our course for Leyte, where we anchored in San Pedro Harbor on the 27th. -f . Top: Residential section of Tolosog bclow: Bugingsq gcc-tion LEYTE Although we had participated in the Leyte operation in November 1944, this was our first visit to Leyte proper, since our part in the operation had consisted of giving air cover to convoys in Leyte Gulf. Consequently, We found much to interest us on our one or two liberties while there. We found the natives most happy to see us and outwardly grateful to the Americans for their liberation. We also Lt. Palmer relieves Lt. Cdr. Hagstrom as A.C.I. officer as the latter steps into breeches buoy for transfer at sea off Okinawa. found that the ravages of war had inflicted al- most irreparable damage on them which would take at least a generation to erase. It was quite evident that they would need the moral and economic backing of the United States for some time to come, however, they seemed to have a spirit that would enable them to acquire and maintain independence as a Nation with gr2lCC and dignity among the Nations of the World- Leyte afforded us the hrst opportunity to buy souvenirs since we left Pearl Harbor and I'1'1OSt every member of the shipls company returned from liberty with something in the W21Y.0fa souvenir of our short visit to the Philippines. Un 1 july we got underway from San Pedro Harbor for the East China Sea, the locale s our next operation. lt so happened that tain Washburn had received orders to be ' manding Officer of the Naval Air S Clinton, Oklahoma, during the latter PHT MHVY, ?lHCl, by this time, he had becO1'I1C what concerned over the arrival of his Cap be He had felt quite certain that he WOL11Cl lieved in Leyte. But such was not the and he took the eonn out of Leyte reconciled to another long operatiorl of Captain Hollingsworth arrives aboard in Avenger. EAM mmm nu would be relieved. Meanwhile, his relief would be chasing us all over the Pacific. W'e had hardly gotten underway from Leyte, however, when a Grumman UGoose CMIRFD began circling our ship, and we soon learned that the Old lN4an,s relief was in it. We told them to return to the Samar Air Field and we would send for him. Consequently, we dispatched two Avengers to Samar, and shortly thereafter they landed aboard with Captain VVilliam Right Hollingsworth, USN, who was to relieve Captain Washburn. We continued on our way to our operating area in the East China Sea where a very large group of minesweepers were sweeping an area due West of Okinawa, mid-way between Okinawa and the China Coast, probably pre- paratory to a landing on the China Coast, be- cause the area swept was approximately 50 by 40 miles-a very large mine field. Qur mis- sion was to provide air cover for the mine- sweepers as they swept back and forth, day Captain Washburn, I relieve you, sirf' after day until the field was cleared. While this was not a particularly interesting opera- tion, it was not lacking in excitement, because mines were constantly being sighted close to us, and our escorts would explode them, however, the knowledge of their presence was not too comforting at night. CAPTAIN 'CCAT3' LEAVES Us On 5 July, shortly after arriving in our operating area, all hands were called to awk' 'ggzri , We 1 1, f x.,,,, 'Q fi ' u ' 'wwf , , 4 'wi Top: Captain c'Gat', bids farewell to Exec., cenler: Captain GaN is piped aboard his plane with Department Heads as 'fsidc boysng below: Captain Hollingsworth inspecting VC-98, me quarters on the fiight deck for the ceremony of relieving the command, and at 0824 Captain Hollingsworth relieved Captain Washburn, and at 0839 Captain- HGATH Hew away from the decks of the Lunga Point, which he had com- manded since commissioning, and was landed on YonTan air strip, Okinawa, by one of our Avengers, from which point he was to Hy to Guam and thence to the States. We continued to cover the minesweepers un- til 1 5 July, during which time we went to gen- eral quarters many times due to Bogies in the area, most of which seemed to be snoopers, one of which a HDinah, was splashed at 28,000 feet on 6 july by the LCAP from one of our other carriers. None came within range of our ships, guns during this period, however, night fighters splashed quite a number in our area. The increasing number of surfaced mines did make it necessary for us to post extra lookouts. Nevertheless, enemy resistance definitely ap- peared to be weakening. On 1 5 July we left the minesweepers to re- fuel at sea south of Okinawa, and on the 17th we anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, for re- plenishment, at 0749, but suddenly got under- way at 1430 the same day to ride out a typhoon which was heading our way. Our sudden de- parture made it necessary for us to leave several officers and men behind, but they were re- turned to us by a destroyer the next morning. While we encountered heavy seas and high winds we did not hit the center of the typhoon, and we safely rode it out, returning to Buck- ner Bay on QI July to continue with our loading of stores and ammunition. At 0128 on 22 July the U.S.S. Marathon CAPA 2009, on Oul' port beam, had a mysterious underwater ex- plosion, following which we went to general quarters, but, although Bogies came within 8 miles of us, it never was definitely determined whether it was a mine, an aerial torpedo Or 21 torpedo from a midget submarine that hit the fllaralhon. Later the same day we left for the mine- sweeping area, and on the 231'd, the LCAP from one of the other carriers splashed H DinahM and a fjudyw before they could gfft in close enough to do any damage to our unli- After providing air cover for the millff' sweepers for several days we found ourselves 111 the East China Sea, 70 miles off the mouth of the Yangtse River, from which point QUT Squadron was providing air cover for a CFUISCI' 7 l l l l l l 1 it group that was making night attacks on enemy shipping while the Squadron itself made the attacks during the day. Neither the cruisers nor our Squadron were able to locate any enemy shipping of consequence. however. While our Squadron sank or damaged a num- ber of very small japanese craft in the Yangtse River, there seemed to be absolutely no ship- ping getting through to the Empire. 'lhe blockade seemed to us to be just about loo per cent effective. During this period we were either covering the minesweepers or the cruiser group or mak- ing direct attacks against enemy shipping. and on 31 july we again anchored in Buckner Bay for replenishment and lel't on i August for our operating area ofl' Shanghai. China. to con- tinue our attacks against enemy shipping. The day we left Okinawa we encountered another typhoon, with rolls up to 230. but, dc- spitc the pitch and roll ol' the ship, llight opera- tions continued uninterrupted. VCI 98 SPIASIIIQS A -I.-xii Bogies continued to send us to general quarters, and on 4 August, the ll LXP lroin the U.S.S. Caffe f,'l111lcr.ih'1' tCfX'l'i tool splashed a Tabby, and on the 3th, tic l,CfiXl' lroin the U.S.S. .Hzlltilz Islam! lCZYlC nigh and the l,',S,S. Caffe' Ulu1u'c,s'ln' lClYl'i tool each splashed a Franeis.l' 'lliat afternoon l,t. Beckwith, as- sign-d ljy Ill, fjgj Cox antl l.l. lkigl l'eeliles ol' our Squadron splashed a Francis ljg miles from us, and another .lap llag was painted on our bridge. On 7 August we again anchored in Buckner Bay and that night we went to general quarters twice. but the Bogies failed to close in on us. It had been some time then since we had ac- tually been attacked by the enemy. Their otlense seemed to have been reduced to the point ol' waging a war of nerves. because they seemed to be content with simply sending us to general quarters at night. thereby causing us the loss of much-needed sleep. lYhile the pur- pose ol' our visit was to take on stores and ammunition. we were honored on the 8th by a visit from Rear .-Xdinirals Durgin and Kendall ,- 7 ' A Chinese junk seen by VC-98 planes in Yangtse River. , 'fav ,fi lk 'k 'l'up.- Aerial view of minesweepers sweeping China Sea.' Mine being exploded in right backgroundg below: Another aerial view of mine sweepers in China Sea. who came aboard for the presentation of awards. JAPS SAY CcUNCLE,, Gn Friday, IO August, while riding at an- chor in Buckner Bay, we were overjoyed to re- ceive word at about 2030 that the japs had all but sa-id, 'cUncle,', by sending word to the Allied Powers through neutral sources that they would accept the terms of the Potsdam Ulti- matum provided they were permitted to retain their Emperor. This, by no means, meant the end of the war, but it did very definitely mean that the japs had just about reached the end of their rope and actual surrender could be ex- pected momentarily. That same night, while all hands were avidly picking up all the news they could through the radio shack, that gong sounded at 2122 sending us to general quarters. On reaching our battle stations topside a great pyrotechnic dis- play greeted our eyes 5 shore batteries were firing in all directions all around the bay. Yet Gun Gontrol told us there was not a Bogey on the screen. We couldnit understand it. SOPA must have had some reason to send us to general quarters. Suddenly it dawned upon us that maybe the Army was prematurely cele- brating our Victory. Sure enough, that later turned out to be just what was happening, and the firing continued on the beach until Ad- miral Oldendorff in the Caljomia assumed com- mand and ordered the firing to cease. lt was quite a dangerous celebration, and itjs a won- der there were no casualties on our ship. We learned the next day that several were killed and many wounded during this wild celebra- tion on Okinawa. We continued to maintain the same Gon- dition of Readiness as in the past because we were all too familiar with japanese treachery, and there was no telling what they were up to. On Sunday, I2 August, at 2045, we heard a dull thud, which turned out to be a torpedo or mine hitting the U.S.S. Pennrylvania which was anchored about 1000 yards from us. It has not yet been determined what hit the Pennryl- vania, whether it was an aerial torpedo, a tor- pedo fired from a midget submarine or a float- ing mine. In any event, when we passed the Penngflvania on our way out of the harbor the next morning en route to Saipan she was down by the stern, evidently having been damaged well aft. Negotiations between the japanese Govern- ment and the Allied Powers continued as we Q 218 steamed toward Saipan. From what We had gathered from the radio there was little doubt in our minds but that the Japs would meet our terms of unconditional surrender. Finally, on I5 August, shortly after 0800, Captain Holl- ingsworth announced to us over the general announcing system that President Truman had announced the acceptance of unconditional surrender of the Japanese Government at 2300 GMT I4 August C0800 I5 August our timej, and that the Emperor was to order immediate cessation of hostilities. Several hundred mem- bers of the ship's company were gathered on the flight deck to hear the announcement, they having known pretty well what the announce- ment was to be. It was quite significant to us that, in contrast with the hilarious celebrations in the States, the men of the Lunga Point ac- cepted the news without even a single shout. When the Gaptain finished, they just walked quietly away and went about their business. They were happy enough, but it was a happi- ness based on a job well done and the knowl- edge that their chances of not getting home were now very remote as compared to what they had been a few weeks previously. Meanwhile, both our own and the japanese Government ordered cessation, of offensive hostilities pending actual signing of surrender terms. General MacArthur was designated Supreme Gommander for Allied Powers, and he promptly announced that the surrender would take place aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay at a time to be announced later. We were, therefore, operating in a state of armed truce so to speak, and, except for the danger of floating mines that continued tO plague us, we could actually feel that the Wal' was over. SAIPAN We arrived at Saipan for a few days avail- ability on 18 August at which time our engiHCS were overhauled, our ship painted and minor general repairs were made. All hands WCTC very tired from our many months of combat duty and it was a great pleasure to us to flllfil that Saipan had such nice recreational facill- ties. There were clubs there for ofliCC1'S, chief petty ofhcers and enlisted personnel, and we made ample use of them. We had never had an opportunity for ofhcers of VG 98 and the shipas company YO sf together for a party since the Squadron reported aboard in Guam in May, so WC 1 if Sldearms a d ShC5fl l Kmygs lD'lallO5V6d,glub v P N 'B . X Xxx J' f xl 9 K, atv A41 , A l Q, - 'Q 1--as x Q W y i i I 5-'VA v ., 441,14 in .. fa, , 1 l f --iff r .N . l d - , X gf? YI,-f I 1 y , , A 1 , 4 v If . ,. ,Q r gi? 1 i , A , .. Si fif ig' . W, x Top: One of our guests points to warning sign at squadron Ships Company officers' dance at Saipan Ofiieers Club: anim' and below: Groups at dance. ranged for a VC 98-CVE Q4 Dance at the Saipan Oflieers, Club on Sunday evening 26 August. A dance is not mueh fun without female partnersg so we set to work to invite a number of Army and Navy nurses and Red 219 'lnfi and fviiffn' lianee at Saipan Ollie:-r's Cflubg bwfmip' QIKZIHLIU, PhoNlic. goes tanqoinq at Red Cross clanee at Saipan. Cross workers based on Saipan. XVhile there were hundreds of them there. there are still about five hundred men to one of the fairer sex: so we sent a number of our younger oflieers on a round of the' hospitals and Red Cross centers to extend the invitation. The supply simply would not meet the demand, and the result was that our buffet supper and dance was graced by the presence of only eight girls for the approximately Ioo ofhcers. They were a very attractive group, however, and they would have gotten a rush anyway. As it was, though, they were simply rushed off their feet. In any event, a good time was had by all, and when we weighed anchor on I September for Ckinawa, we did feel that we had at least had a taste of civilization. V LTNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER Our cruise up to Okinawa this time was momentous in that during this cruise, on 2 September, Japanese representatives came aboard the U.S.S. zldfissouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay, and signed our unconditional surrender terms in the presence of various representatives of the Allied Powers. Naturally, we were more than happy to know that the war was over and Captain WILLIAM RIGHT HOLLINGSWORTH, U.S. Navy U.S.N.A. Class of 1926 Commanding Cflicer 5 July 1945r' that we would all soon be seeing our loved ones after so many months at sea, however, we were faced with the realization that we would not all be going home right away, because it was only reasonable to assume that there was work yet to be done in japanese waters. There were PCWDS to evacuate, there were American military personnel to bring home and there was a certain amount of necessary policing to do in this theatre to insure ourselves against any successful Jap treachery. We reached Buckner Bay this time on 5 Sep- tember, but we did not stay long, On the 7th we received orders to disembark VC-98 to make more room for passengers, and on the 9th we set our course for Wakaiioura VV an, Honshu, Japan, sans VC-98, to assist in the repatriation of Allied Prisoners-of-W'ar. This trip was also momentous in that we sailed with our running lights for the Hrst time since we had been in commission, and it was quite a treat to stroll up to the flight deck after dinner at night just to look at the beautiful lights on our ship as WCH T as those of our escorts. Even at this writing we get quite a thrill out of the sight of them. JAP PILOT Coimss ABOARD On II September at o8o5 a japanese Pilot. S, Hosono, Master in the japanese lvfaritime Service, came aboard to help us through the mine fields as we entered W'akanoura l'Van. It was only reasonable to expect that when Lieut. Comdr. Tippett met the pilot at the No. 3 Sponson to show him to the bridge there was a large crowd on hand to see him, however, they were somewhat surprised to find him a slender little man, who, except for his charts under his arm, looked everything but a harbor pilot. The cruise from there on into XVakanoura was not without excitement, because we were going through waters that were literally in- fested with mines. The pilot knew where the Jap mines were, but, unfortunately, he and we had only to guess where the B-29's had been dropping their mines. It was some comfort to us to know that we had a large group of mine- sweepers sweeping a channel ahead of us. but even that does not always guarantee a safe pas- sage. In any event, we got through safely and dropped our hook in VVakanoura Wan at 1833 that day. It was too late for the -lap pilot to leave the ship, so we assigned him a room for the night, under guard, of course. and he left. us early the next morning. . Q ' Y y l fy 5 ' F 1 f Jap pilot salutes as he reaches flight dCCk With his Charts- KI.-XP.-XN Rlost of us had never been to japan before and were. frankly. quite appreciative of the opportunity to visit the land of the Rising Sun. even though it did delay our return home a little. All of us enjoyed the view of this moun- tainous eoastal region from the ship: however. only oflieers a nd men in 21 duty status got ashore c 2 . Zi-iv 'Taffy The man in the middle is our pilot into YVakanOuF2i Wian' cwzlwfs Street car station--Ywakanoural bff l1f'-' Waka' noura police and Red Cross workers. l I ' Jap Red Cross assists with P.O.W. litter cases. CD11 Platt and Chief Callicoattc to left in picturcj on this particular visit. Those of us who went ashore at Wakanoura on oflicial business were among the first to occupy this particular part of Honshug however, we experienced no dith- culties whatsoever. The Lunga Point had a prominent part in the evacuation of approxi- mately 3,ooo POW's from this area, we having officers and men on duty in the Mampa RO 4' 4 ' . x , wx .' H . A FIISIC group of allied P.O.W. s to icach Wakayaina station. P.O.W.'s at emergency Hrsl, aid station, VVakanoura, awaiting boats to hlampa Ro Hotel for processing. 222 Rwhf, mp: P.O.W.'s on beach at Mampa Ro Hutcl awaiting' tlivii' Lturn in lincg nexl In lop: First P.O.XN'. train arrive-s at XYak:t- vamag nex! to bollnm: Devastation at XN'akayari1a. 1 XII ot' tliv Qlamagc at Wfakayama is said to liavv lat-fin flour- by um' raid of loo B-2g's, and this is just a small part ol' it. iz hfifwm: Rviimins of VVakama railroad station. Ltjl, lnfz: Sccnc at YVakayama station: rfu!'r.- l,oatliwg l'U XX' litter cases into ambulances at XVakayama station: if-I f.: ' Klum pa Ro Hotel. ' , -, 5 1 fal--lP',',3Y -15'4 , - , . Y- 1 L .. 1- . --'1 ?.,L-.. .. ,kk R - H, HV - -H A .,- , Iwi.--25. ,J:x:::,-V , it L I f--.-.--u---,,.. - 4- ' - ' .. ., :,..- ' ' 4,--A 'N ' 4753 if 1:-I - .P--44 L - NM, W -V. v1p. ,- ,K H I A..?,,3,.. 'gif A w in-,' W. 1 -an-. r-Mtg'-.g,-,Laila . - -' -Aiming.. ---. -4' - -V ' 22 YT Jfff s J . v ,, Wt 0 mils . J' .y 5-s s-. UE' , , 4 1'-lv is wr- Hotel thotel of a thousand wavesl, at the dock and at the emergency first aid station where the POl'V,S were first brought from the train. While the work at Wakanoura was probably the most genuinely satisfying thing we had done during the entire war, it was not easy, going round the clock. We were, however, amply repaid for our efforts if for nothing more than the look of gratitude in the eyes of those PQVV's. Immediately on arriving, we eommandeered all the trucks, taxis, business buildings and ho- tels that we would need in our work. lt eer- tainly seemed to us that the Japs were mighty happy to have the war over, and they were, consequently, very cooperative. Practically all of the civilians seemed to be very much undernourished, and they had probably been hungry for a long time. We were, however, never able to forget the treachery of the jap- anese at Pearl Harbor and since. We set up headquarters in the Mampa Ro Hotel where all ambulatory POW,s were brought for processing. There they were de- lonsed, deeontannnated, fed, furnished 'h . . ' W1' nt-w Q-lotlnngq pliysn-ally examined and assigntd ' e to various ships for passage, On the Whl L the , . prison camps for the previous few weeksg however th 9 C they were in pretty good shape, thanks to iB-Lztfs having dropped food into thg stories some of them told concerning their treatment would make onels hair stand on end NAt:AsAK1 All .li'UlN's had been assigned to other shi before it became necessary to use the Lunga Poinlg so on the afternoon of 1 5 September we gOt l111Clt-fwzly for N21g21S21ki KO, Kyushu, to take on a load, and we arrived early on the morning of the 17th. We were all quite anx. ious to see Nagasaki, because that is the city where the second atomic bomb was dropped, We were greeted there by a typhoon, though, that gave us a pretty rough time our first night, with some gusts of wind up to 80 knots being felt. ps 'Q .4171 7tJfJ.' Lt. Senft and Russell Bic talk' - 1 ' t P. , ' 1 , .. 1 V noura L2EHd1Hss!1f!0w.' Lt.,Marvi1 andngelfi Ml?f1?2l.51lclillVliflk'fi Inf'-' lil. Cdr. Smith assigning l'.O.l'V.'s to ships at Mflmpahlgf case w 1le awaiting boat to hotel. ' ' 0 WU Hotel, with assistance of Ensign Riegelman, Partin, Y lc, C a s . ,', . . V - 8 tmtdosg X gt, ,md l3,,,.l,,' X Isl.: ,,,,,0U., Rmnains of Wakay bus station. x Q 2 4 -1 4 I 1 l i I I i 1 E Ai v 'QP ' ,Q ,,..,.., ,,,, r . N L + ' 2 ' N RSV- ' 3 ., 1 , b , ,. ,, fi' 1: m vr- N ' ,, It any Y g ,L . .Q-v, A s I K, ' 21 ' sg 2 1 'Y 1 .. 3 . QW!!-. 1- Lrmga 1101-Rf men shopping in XYak21rl0L1I'2i 220 , Y 4, 9 I x 3 P 1 i 4 F ? Y , 1 C 1 qv-.mf.4-m A.. vw V. Lunga Point in heavy seas off Wakanoura,.Iapa11 226 'WJ Jr ,-' 'F' lv li ' gp!-51 :aj-5'-JM f 1 f 1 'J X1 Q- I 1 ,f 5 5 , ' 7 -2. 1 -f , 1 :Q R1111111:11, Sfllv, stirs 1J1'1'1- 511-11' 1111' 1'.CJ,1N'.'s 111 XILIIIIIJZI R11 111111-1 1511 1'11111, 1111111 1111111'11.11111 .l!11. 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VC 33 REPORTS ABOARD On 25 September, while in Buckner Bay, Composite Squadron Thirty-three QVC 335 re- ported aboard for duty, and we got underway for Wakanoura Wan again on the 26th, where we anchored at iioo on the 28th. FIRST LIBERTY IN JAPAN On our first visit to Wakanoura no liberty was allowed, partly because it was too soon after the surrender and partly because of no medium of exchange for shopping. On our arrival this time, however, we found that lib- erty parties were allowed ashore in small groups and that we could trade with soap, cigarettes and candy. Therefore, those who were for- tunate enough to get ashore this time had no little fun trading a pack of cigarettes for a doll, two cigarettes for a fan, one cigarette for a saki 'cup and so on. Inflation was such that a packages of cigarettes was worth approximately 352.50 in our money. Quite a lot of interesting souvenirs were brought aboard each day, and Remains of Mitsubislii plant-Nagasaki. ljcvaqmtion .U N1r:.,lq,iki ' K 5 C C C RC n , 2 28 everyone enjoyed this little glimpse of japan. It might be explained that XN'akanoura is ae- tually a beach resort suburb of lN'akayama. a city of over Qoo,ooo people. As compared to Wakayama, Wfakanoura is just a small village and the shops are almost primitive. Maka- yama is, or rather was, quite an industrial city. but now that it has been destroyed by bombing we were not allowed there by our own authori- ties, probably because there was nowhere to shop, Some ofthe officers and men did get to the railroad station in XYakayama in eonnet-tion with evacuating PQXYR and can testify to the fact that one raid of too B-Qgs levelled the busi- ness and industrial area almost too per et-nt. X'Ve remained anehored in XN'al4anottra XYan until 2 October. giving all hands ample oppor- tunity to learn the -japanese sign language. Consequently, on that day we set sail lor 'lloltyo for bigger game in the way ol' souvenirs. YlltJKYtJi.i ivlany of tts had predieted on tb Oetober I944, that we were on ottr way to loylto: so many of us, despite ottr desire to get home, had an intense feeling ol' satisliaetion in the knowl- edge that we were about to eross the goal line ' .Q i i ll--.isC.t11tt11,tKfN.tgtts.tStt. ' ' V' : 1 - . ,tt tt' ts wt'stt'gt111f'tlXottliwttlitht .ll..'..'.ftft1m1.lltt lttfm,tt,, and tht- loltyo lltllllltl littt wt-re wt-,' XM- were due in loltyo Bax tht tnortittitt ot tht- grtl mtl were .thnost .tt the Ull- N t ttttntt' to tht- litx when we t't-eeixetl Ul'tlt'l'N to 4 t tltttt'-1t'tittt'totttst'tottht'.tt't'.tNtitttlit1lWaltgt 4 - yattta to ttttttlttt' tttt .iii st.tith lot Rtat .Xtl lllll'tll XX ll, Nttttpltt who h.ttl bt-en t't'pot'tetl lost tit ,t ttattittt- l'l3Xl tht,-ht Nllitt' tttortiiiig ' i . ' , lht' Xthttital sttttptx h.ttl tttit bt-t-it ht-.ntl hom l' O YV OillllIl 'll'lll'1'lxt'lllAtlllfl'ijxlIIl'kl -' t N tit t-.: , , ,s r gt .,- ' 'gi'-l wx' , , , X lm' IM-vgyslgnliuxm all N1ly1ilNillii. , lki wan - f . . , , . 1 1' , . 1' v H ' ' Rzglzl, next lo boliom: .Fhcsc mldgct sulmmnrmcs wcrc- nf-vm-1'mnnplf-lm-clg nglfl, lwlmm: lmlnnmw- lu Slunlu Sluam at lN.1gHQ1 230 ,,.,,f-.M ...F -... fx-av MM? fr .Kvv -an 2-vii: uw 'SVU' I --kj 1 'xx 1.-., -nhl lop: l'.O.XV.'s U11 Night flvck just l:c'fo1c' Qvtting 1111d1'1'wz1y IQYOIII 'lnju U111vki1'1N of 1111111111-11 .11'1'.1. N.1:.1N.1Lig f'.1'1f1.' IM-x.1Nl.1li-111. Nz1q21sz1l':ig b1'fn11'.' First loud of P.O.W'.'s 1'c'z1cl11's ship. lap fc'1'1'v IJUZII-Sl1I1k at Nz1g'z1S11ki two milcw l'1'ru111 11111111 ul11'1'n' 4111111111 lmxnim nm C'IHlJlJl'f!, M.. , J ., , , A I ,W Top: Imperial Palace grounds, Tokyo, showing moat: nm! from lo,b.'lHiro.hitorlives hereg llzinlfrom lofi: A Shinto Shrine .near fleet landing, llokyog bottom: Undamaged part of Tokyo business section. 0 4- sincc taking oll' lroin x'V2lli2lllUl1I'?1 Wan that inorniiig, zmcl our assigimicnt was to make an intcnsivc sc-arcli ol' thc land and sea areas South Ulivvklliklllflllffl Vvilll. Un arriving at the search area, liowcvcr, we ran into heavy weather which made it ncccssa ry to discontinue search operations while wc dodged another typhoon. We resumed the search on the 5th, 6th and 7th, but linally went into Wakanoura Wlan to wait lor the bad weather to pass over inasmuch as what flying we had been able to do was in vain due to poor visibility. Un arriving at Wakaiicmura, this time we were able to arrange for all hands to get on the beach and we learned that we eould finally use jap- anese currency, and that is when we learned about inllation. Where we had previously given a package of Cigarettes or a bar of soap for an item we now paid 40 Yen, which is roughly 32.50. Nevertheless, we all had a good time and it was quite a sight to see our liberty parties returning aboard with a variety of souvenirs ranging all the way from a private Shinto Shrine, Complete with termites, to a pair of miniature chop sticks. l.11n4qu Pain! Illfll shopping on the Ginza. 1 l I E l I 5 r I s l f I i 1 Another typhoon interrupted liberty on the 9th, and we moved to the outer harbor to ride it out at anehor and spent an uncomfortable day and a half until the typhoon passed on the night of the ioth. This was the typhoon that did all the damage to Qkinawa. XVe again spent the 1 ith and 12th searehing for Admiral Sample in Company with the .Walkin Island, the .S'z'b01zey, the Smziee. the .S'z1zt'a1zew, and returned to Wakanoura for engine avail- 1. 4 ,, -.3 f' .1 lxgj ...aiu '1U,b.' Ships working party loading -lap riflw at 'Yokohaina a Souvenir for everv man on board: ffffzfrzf Same as abc,x'e1 ffffwrn Jap battleship, Xfigzztu. totally destroyed by fire and bombs rides at anchor in Tokyo Bay with .'XIUt'I'lL'L1H prize Crew aboard. I A , Mk ' V 'fa - f- ' r r return to shi ng iff lnff: I.ibe-rtx paity boaidx IAM at lolty J far , I wid and ffzffd zzfzti: Yokohama bubinews and industrial arf-gi botlomx A Buddhist Temple in lokyo. I , , lillli l r , 1 ,. ,r i I . ll l . -1 'll .l illrfxif 2 325 li' li, tif' li , ', 'iyf :if li., 1 !- it 4 , IH is ll lm .M fwfr ly? l A iff, lt! 'lil I , i ilw 315 ,,. i'l' fifl, lifzi, E ,Q 11 1 1 Y , , 1 ,llf-' VUE, lifiais 1 Sgu 1 tilt ww 1 ': li :ill ill', ily v .,, ll? fi li l' 3 ill f 7Ql:5!l ! '2 'ij ,l gilt fi il ' f 1 l ll xl W I ' ' ' K K HS. is fX N YS. fs Ss QMS s V. . .X NA K X. N W' 'ui T fri. ix.. T , X T at y g ' -. i . AA y , T y .1sy, X'fA A Ofhcers who reported aboard since I4 hlay. ability on the 13th where we remained until the for Tokyo Bay where we anchored at 1847 that 6 1 th when we again resumed the search. day. We anchored nearer Yokosuka than Yoko- TOKYO hama and Tokyo, Y okosuka being the site of On the 17th the search for Admiral Sample f l one o t1e main Jap Naval bases That base ' 3 was finally abandoned and we set our course incidentally, now flies our Ensign. We were l 2 l Shopping on the Ginza. 234, r Q A Yokolizlmzl family in from of their IIOIHC- 4 l J Q .mm Q M. , t Enlisted men who reported aboard since I4 lNIay-lhrst groupl. sightseeing around the Imperial Pzilaee, the Diet, the American .l2IHlJ2lSSY. the Zoo and other points of interest. Tokyo turned out to be the modern City we had expeeted to find: liowex'e1'. we would have about two hours from Tokyog however, ar- rangements for liberty were well organized and we had an LSM call for our liberty party eaeh morning and they were able to spend the better part of the day there, shopping along the Ginza QTokyo's Fifth Avenue or Lincoln Roadj, found more a yez11'earlier. Yokohama.whirh 51 .Eff . Q n. 41 A - KA fi 441 4 Enlisted men who reported aboard since I4 lNIay-CSCCOUCI EVO'-'Pl 235 adjoins Toyko, was even more modern in its architecture than Tokyo, however, both cities are about go per cent destroyed in their bus- iness and industrial areas. Shopping was much better in both of these cities, however, if a 4 A Tokyo debutante waiting for a street car. than in Wakanoura, because the stores that were left were modern and you could usually find someone in them who had lived or been educated in the States and who could speak very good English. In fact, some even spoke American. Actually, there were few blocks left in the business section of Tokyo with more than one building standing. Consequently, the crowded streets were even more congested by make-shift shops set up along the edge of the sidewalks where buildings had been burned or bombed out. In any event, just visiting Tokyo as we did was well worth while. The most important thing that happened to us while in Tokyo Bay, though, was getting our orders transferring us from the 5th Fleet to Magic Carpet duty, meaning that thencefor- ward we were a transport CVE. Cur orders further told us to start loading passengers and, when loaded, to proceed to Pearl Harbor and Uncle Sugar. It didn't take us long to start looking for passengers, however, for several days, it seemed like we werenit going to get any, they came aboard in such small numbers. Nleanwhile, we had seen in the Stars and Strzpes that the Army was giving ajap rifie and bayonet to every soldier going back home on orders and we saw no reason why our Blue. jackets shouldn't get such a souvenir also, Consequently, we sent a working party up tg Yokohama and talked the 8th Army into giving us rifles and bayonets. Therefore, every officer and man in the shipjs company and Squadron has at least one good souvenir to Htake home from the warsf' While we were waiting for suflicient passen- gers Admiral Durgin again demonstrated his desire to show the men under him how much he appreciated their efforts, this time in the form of a letter, of which we are very proud, and which we quote as follows: UTo the Officers and Men of the U.S.S. Lunga Point: Prior to your departure for the States I want to tell you once more that I am most pleased with the excellent work done by the crew of the LUNGA POINT. We started out together a little over a year ago and have gone through Youngslvr eats his lunch amid ruins of Toky0- Yi , IImm:wzu'cl lmunc l llfllllillll. Point Lomag our Hrs: View 237 of Lf in ovcr a year. Mawr if , ,V - Welcome Home sign, as we entered San Diego Harbor. many interesting and trying moments during the strenuous campaigns of Leyte, Luzon, Iwo, Okinawa and the East China Sea. We have learned from the Officers and men of your gallant ship that, when the need arises, there is no limit to the endurance, the will-to-do, the , fighting spirit and the courage of our sailor men. I speak not only for my staff but for all the Escort Carriers when I say the LUNGA POINT is an outstanding ship and we are happy to have had the with take Ship more privilege of serving have every reason to achievements of your part, which was much it. All of you pride in the and for your than most of you realize, in our overwhelming victory. I am proud to have been one of you and will miss the LUNGA-We all felt safer by our side. Goodbye and good luck other ship more deserves LSD C. T. Rear Admiral, Commander Escort good old when she was to you all. No a nWell Done.n Durgin U. S. Nav Carrier Force Y n 3 Finally, we managed to get our passenger capacity aboard and we set sail for Pearl Harbor on 28 October at 0749, flying a Home- ward Bound pennant 604 feet long and with 38 stars, a foot for every enlisted man and a star for every officer on board who has been away from the States a year or more. To say that we were happy to see that pennant streaming out over our fantail assisted by the buoyancy of several aerological balloons is not only putting it mildly but is absolutely superfluous. What would otherwise have been such 21 pleasant cruise, however, was fraught with many things to make it almost unpleasant. We had rough weather all the way to PC2111 Harbor, the longest stretch of rough weathcf we have had in our history .It was so rough that not too much sleep was gotten en route? it was almost impossible to stay in one's bunk at night. Add to that the matter of low 1'3- tions, most of them dehydrated, and then add a serious water shortage that made it necessary for us to institute water hours and the SUIT! total wasnat too pleasant. If it had not bCCT1 8 af, A52 :ji , 3, 's ,' , ij-- -, '. Q. - ,- .. x i WWW ' i q x i '3,A , ,igi S, Ku . 'ff M Z2 QW ' Q: i 41 ga xx ,ggi A Qfnkk f f, X is r: x 555 75-tJ,.f-L , x , f 1. , , ...vi x , .VLX x 6 .N . Q, . -I .s Q YH H K X .H ,S ka 2 bs X X ? fi Tl-li , - V' 2 . - gs Lili' x da ' ' tf J: 3' . 52 Q ' 4 xx ,L 55 51 E vi' f 5, N W HE fe 1 W f Y: N tr- r , 4' X in mv .1 fi'-4, Kg!! 4 i n .Q , 4. 3 0 1 -11 ' , RM 'Q . A.. Q53 .W l gl N. I W ' 2' 1 A X, 4 , X ,S 6, . 4 , z . , ? X x Ah Xe I fx is Q 1 N N -' U la' 7 J ' . x ,, E5 X gg ,A Nvgif g f ,X ' If N M Zi Q 735 .iaf K , . 1i 'lkx'Zf: X iw QL if x g f 5,-Q 5' A x . NN 5, dr. xr.. if . ix lr 5 fr-,xg V ,4 - ,, 'eau N1 I -5.3 ' , ' .- as , , ,C , ,, M, X, is 4 , jg fl if, ' f V? 'kj -, Ig X -1 -xx mi . x , 2 -4 1 yn W.. Q - .- -W 5 ing wma! Q 5. 1 1 4 , fin S V5 -3 FN' 'Fi g f- ri f N Q. .. f . .X h x wma. Lf . f Q Q N . X , 1 'Q Xb, ,A Pg Q, si I if ,yr 1 l 'x Q ,f . G ,, x I ,, X A , . . Y z ff , ..:., 1. J N ., , . 5,1 I ,, A - ,ff ,x f- 3 I 3 Z M ! X? X 4 f-lf. L- , 'E I K ff XM X i f ,. . vii 1 . K- h A uv, A 41-lf fy f .M 1- -5 ' .5 ,gg xi '- 1, M w f v w , -2 ,f. Q 'f f,ff'vg . . . , , f '37 f , U ' , L x . 4 .Q W' ' 4 N 'Z 57 ii W ' Q- iz ' 37 f 2 t I A , fx :L E , 3 ,. f If gy! -, x4U ' . .. K , my 2 z , ff- M pw ' Sf s I . :Q f gg L .W M if , ' gi, -.fi ,Q wif' WE! 74 Nil' -5 g A-N, , ., ly Q 4 ,gi 4 N I. ,wtf My , ., , hx L. . ' A I '5 53 M. I V, ,,: his 4, ,.,-,,,..,, x ' 3 22, ff-' f ',Qf.p . fa ,, J, M I , X 4, 31654531 Mi? f fi e 15 5 H f W 'M' ff ff M-1 Et 5 151. - ' gi Mi , V fx f ,WM L4-M G A, '11, V f 33 f,,. Q .' R , x V it wwf xr x .H k JS xi , w4f1i,F.,f -. ,V 4 W , ,, ' ,432 A..,.,5f x 'Vit f W: Af 1g..w 1 A v If 1V'g,72fv N P V ' 7' I. M ,, 1 f ' 1, ,f + .yi Xyf' , N U 0 .1 ' ' 1' , ,, ., P1 ' ' X fl :f 7 ' 4 2 ,- 24715 '- ,- W' L, ' .. my , if Af if fi 4 , ' ' ' '77 f,-f, 4 ,ff , 239 an . V in 1 T I , 4 A , ii ' . What. was at the otherend of the rainbow it have been a nightmare. Nevertheless, the rough weather only de- layed us one daygand we reached Pearl on No- vember the 7th where those of us who got ashore had our first glimpse of real civilization in over a year. We did not stay in Pearl long, shoving off the very next dayat noon for San 'Die o. , I g The trip to Dago was nothing like as bad as from Tokyo to.Pearl, although the seas were just about as heavy as West of Pearl. gThe . 0 , F s Pk Pk CAPTAIN WILLIAM RIGHT HOLLINGSWORTH U. S NAVY It would not only be linappropriate, but it would also be ill-mannered and ungrateful to close the cover of this book without saying a word about our present Skipper. Captain Hollingsworth relieved the com- mand of the Lunga Point on 5 July, bringing with him a record of achievement of which he should be justly proud. While it is true that he assumed command toward the closing days Of 3' if 4 A A ef1'.:.f Je.: .zlfyu if MT- if H I H I ii V W Y' i ii ti J 11 X X Kyjggdidix fX xk-,AJ y H C' lf! L2 0, , V .il MQJNJDJ J-5., '1.L 'Banu' I E ln, J' md exdffkf fornam f I 557 S l , E 1 rx' Kayla v -Lf-Y 7?n1an2J-oifffan , FJ L - , ' 4 :L V ' 41 St' Gllwdab. 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