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NOVEMBER 16, 1944
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DECEMBER 1, 1945
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VY
FOREWORD
This is the story of our ship. We who were aboard her think of her as a female. Generally she was a lady,
but, as at least three spirits of dead Japanese pilots and their crews will testify, she could also be a hellcat.
There were even times when we got irritated and she seemed a floosie to us, but now that it is all over, I guess
she was a lady most of the time.
All ships have personalities. It's hard to decide whether the personality of a vessel stems from the Cap-
tain, the Crew, or the ship itself. In the case of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL, we like to think that, what began
as an inanimate pile of steel plate at a Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, California, developed into a spirited,
wide-beamed lady through the efforts of sweat, fthank God, not bloody of every man who sailed on her, re-
gardless of his race, rate, or rank. P .
It seems sort of disrespectful to speak of her in the past tense, but I know that wherever she is today she
isn't alive and vibrant with the life and activity that walked her decks from November 16, 1944, to Septem-
ber 2, 1945. She can't be because there isn't a war on now, and she was designed to live and breath in the fore-
front of war. A specialized, Pacific type of conflict which bore an American trademark g Amphibious warfare.
Our ship possibly wasn't the best in the United States Navy, and she certainly wasn't the most beautiful,
but we think that she could outshoot, outhaul, and outwork any other female in her class.
The Navy Department assigned her a letter designation followed by a number. You could see it on the
Bow: "A P A 21 3." The "A P A" stood for Auxiliary Personnel Assault Transport, while the numbers desig-
nated her as the two hundred and thirteenth ship of her class.
Shortly after she went into commission she became a mother, by adopting twenty-six lusty offspring.
These youngsters were the landing craft carried aboard. They were not stepchildren, however, because the
Lady was designed to carry these boats as her main battery in the battle against the Nips. After the night of
April the 2nd the Gunnery Officer insisted that our five-inch gun on the stern deserved to also be considered
a part of the Main Battery, and even the most biased Coxswain aboard was inclined to agree with him. The
boat crews lowered their boats in a personal sort of way, and felt that in them they would be able to make a
beachhead anywhere, anytime. Load their craft with the 77th Division, they used to boast, and they would
tackle the shores of hell.
We'll try to be honest in our story because we want to remember the lady as she was. Nevertheless, we
all earnesly hope that this breed of preditory female shall never have to prowl the seas again. Why! Take
our word for it, the Pacihc War wasnit any fun. ,
'S 'S T1
HON
ILLN
'HV
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THE COMMANDING OFFICER
COMMANDER R. R. STEVENS, USNR
Assumed command of the U.S.S. Mountrail November 16, 19-44
after relinquishing Command ofthe U.S.S. Bridge, a Heet supply ship
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER E. J. MASSELLO, USNR
' Assumed his duties OI1 November 16, 1944.
Detached November 29, 1945, after 55 months' active duty.
7
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TAMPHIB MAN
You've heard of the air force and the paratroops,
You've heard of the army and the other groups,
But think as hard as you can,
Have you heard of the Amphibious Man? '
The amphibious gob is a real rugged sort,
But unlike the fleet, he has no home port,
Goes where he is needed, does what he can,
This poor orphan sailor, the amphibious man.
You might be a batleship sailor, from a cruiser or off a tin can,
Maybe fresh out of boot training, or perhaps a second cruise man.
They pick the men at random, how else could they provide,
A few might choose the duty, but they mostly are shanghaied.
You've heard plenty of the navy, of ship both fore and aft,
But we'll bet you a pretty penny you've heard least of the landing craft
They've built a few already and they're building plenty more,
For they've got to have the LST to win this blasted war.
They come in with the transports in the middle of the night,
Sail around to rendezvous, can't even show a light,
Find their way in darkness, and land upon the shore, g
Through bombs, discharging their cargo, they go back out for more.
Bringing in the first wave doesn't end the job,
For the troops upon the beach can't live without this gob.
,He brings in reinforcements and everything they use,
His job is full of danger but he never makes the news.
For when the beach is taken andthe radio starts to tell,
You'll hear of marines and soldiers and how they went through hell,
You'll thrill to front page stories and of their heroic job,
But you'll never hear a word of the poor amphibious gob.
And when this war is over and he's back in civil life,
How in hell will be explain to his kids and to his wife?
They know he's in the navy, but he's the subject of a gyp,
He's just an orphan sailor-A gob without a ship.
9
FIRST VOYAGE
Now our training was over. We had been commissioned
to join the Amphibious Forces as a fighting auxiliary and we
rightly felt that we had passed our exams and could consider
ourselves graduated to the fleet. So, with the scuttlebutt flying
we hoisted anchor on the afternoon of December 21, and
that night arrived in Los Angeles Harbor. Christmas hand
New Year's Eve were celebrated there, and on the morning
of january 1, 1945, we set sail for Seattle, Washington.
Drills, drills, and more drills. Fire drills, collision drills,
damage control drills, were held every day on our trip North.
We all knew that they were necessary, but that didn't keep
us from despising the very word "drill."
On the morning of the fourth we arrived in this busy
Northwest port. More stores were taken aboard, the fuel
tanks were topped off, and army troops began coming aboard
for the first time. In six short days we were ready for sea
with a full load of troops and cargo. It was 2230 on the
night of January 10 that we pulled away from the dock,
headed North up Puget Sound, turned West, passed through
the Straits of juan de Fuca, and plunged our bow into a
stormy, unfriendly Pacific Ocean. The waves looked moun-
tainous to our unhappy eyes. Green water crashing over the
bow, sent stinging spray into the faces of even the bridge
watch while the curse of mal-de-mer settled heavily on the
stomachs of even some of the old timers. The chow line be-
came shorter and shorter each day.
As we progressed Southwest the seas calmed, and the
temperature began to climb. Daily, one hour before sunrise,
we were routed out of our sacks by nerve-shattering summons
of the general alarm. Not until the sun was clearly above the
horizon did we secure for breakfast. It soon became generally
agreed that these dawn alerts were probably one of the most
disagreeable features of our new Navy life. As we steamed
deeper into Southern waters the seas became warmer, the
days longer, and the dawn alerts earlier. The skies were par-
ticularly beautiful as huge thunderheads towered over the
horizons, and sudden squalls would drench us at our morn-
ing gun stations. Flying fish and porpoise became so common
that they no longer drew any attention.
A short run out of Honolulu we were ordered to delay
our arrival for one day, so we backtracked, steamed a couple
of hundred miles, turned around again, and on the morning
of January 19 the MOUNTRAII. sailed past Diamondhead
and came alongside a Honolulu dock. As we tied up at berth
D, pier 39, an Army band serenaded us with such native
Hawaiian music as "Mr, Five by Five" and "Boogie Woogie
Jump."
Here we unloaded our troops and cargo, and on the
morning of january 23, we cast off and made the short run
into Pearl Harbor. We were given a short availability period
at Pearl, during which our camouflage paint job was covered
over, giving the ship a coat of solid blue. Liberty was granted
and everyone went as his fancy dictated.
In peacetime, Honolulu may be a quiet restful little city,
but while we were there the streets were a solid mass of
white and khaki as thousands of soldiers, sailors, and marines
tried to find amusement for themselves. You had to stand in
line for everything, to see a movie, buy your dinner, or get a
drink. Everyone wanted to buy souvenirs to send home, but
most of the stuff for sale was either manufactured in the
States, or too expensive to fit our G.I. budgets. However, in
all fairness to the island and city, it must be said that it is
a beautiful place. Fantastic and exotic flowers and trees were
everywhere. The temperature was warm but not uncom-
fortable, and just to walk around on dry land after our re-
cent seasickness was treat enough.
Those of the crew not on liberty had to work hard and
long during our stay at Pearl. More provisions were loaded
aboard. Spare parts were ordered and received from the
Naval Supply Depot. Every ship in the harbor was duplicat-
ing our activities. We had our first opportunity to see for the
first time a large portion of the battle strength of the Pacific
Fleet. the huge battle-cruiser ALASKA'was busily preparing
to set sail for the Iwo Jima operation. The old battleship
NEW YORK, having returned from the Normandy Invasion,
was preparing herself for the Pacific war. Around the harbor,
if you knew where to look, were a few mementos of the Jap
sneak attack of December 7. The abandoned hull of the
battleship UTAH lay partly buried in the mud to remind
us that we were not on a sightseeing tour.
During the last few days we spent in the harbor, four
45 ton pontoon barges were secured to the sides of the ship.
We were then ready to take on troops.
On january 30, 1945 we moved to a dock at Honolulu
and troops were hurriedly loaded aboard. That afternoon
we said, "Aloha Hawaii," as we lumbered out to sea like a
dyspeptic elephant carrying twins.
A few miles out we rendezvoused with the U.S.S.
MONTROSE QAPA 2125 and then set our course for Eni-
wetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. On February 3 we
crossed the International Date Line at the 180th Meridian
and entered the "Domain of the Golden Dragon." Arriving
off Eniwetok Atoll on the morning of February 7, our entry
was delayed by a task group of transports, destroyers and
battleships coming out of the narrow passage. We later
learned that this was part of the force assembling to blast
the Iaps off Iwo Jima. With visions, of countless, native
Dorothy Lamours dancing before our wishful minds, we
entered this, our first, Pacific Atoll. Eniwetok Atoll is made
up of a series of small dots of land connected to each other
by a reef of coral. The whole group of Islands encircle a
lagoon. Normally these islands would be densely covered
with cocoanut palms. However, the larger ones had received
the "Mitscher Haircut," which means that they had been
bombarded by our surface forces and aircraft until they were
barren wastes of torn coral and sand. The Sea Bees had con-
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structed an airfield and hangars, but in spite of the construc-
tion, we had never-seen a more desolate looking spot. It was
hard to realize that these specks of land were important
pawns in the eventual destruction of the japanese Empire.
We sweltered here for two days, and on February the 9th
formed up with other APAS and sortied out of the Lagoon
on our way to Ulithi Atoll in the Western Caroline Islands.
The convoy zigzagged the next few days to throw off the
aim of any lurking sub, while the destroyer escorts patrolled
our front and flanks constantly. As we travelled West we
passed atolls still in the hands of by-passed japanese gar-
risons. These Islands were no longer active bases except for
midget submarines and an occasional plane might be able
to slip through our patrols. The islands did serve a very useful
purpose though in training our combat pilots and bom-
bardiers for more dangerous missions later. The Army, Navy,
and Marines trained hundreds of pilots by sending them on
bombing missions over these atolls. This kept them effectively
neutralized, and, as mentioned before, served as the sandlot
training for the major leagues farther West.
On the morning of February 13 we arrived at Ulithi and
anchored in the lagoon. This atoll seemed little different than
Eniwetok except that the Navy had not blasted it. It had been
taken without opposition, and except for the teeming harbor
and the airfield, was much as it had been before the war.
Eliminate the heat and the stifling humidity and it would be
a beautiful place. However, no one removed 'either of these
for our benefit. So we were not a bit unhappy when we upped
anchor the next day and set sail. A
On the 16th, one day later, we sailed through a reef
bound passage into Kassol Roads, Palau Islands. To our left
was the island of Babelthaup, a large mountainous piece of
land which we had never bothered to take from the Nips.
From our anchorage, four miles away, its peaceful and quiet
appearance obscured the fact that it still held twenty thousand
frustrated and unfriendly japs. Squadrons of Corsair fighter
planes fiying out of Pelelieu, one hundred miles to the South,
helped make life miserable for the japs by daily bombing
and strafing attacks. These Hghter planes were assisted by
groups of PT boats who effectively held the Nips in their
island cage by constantly patrolling the shoreline shooting
up everything that moved. If it hadn't been so terrifically hot
we would have been fascinated, because it was as close as
we had come to the fighting war. As it was, we just sweated
and hoped we would get underway soon so that we could
get a breeze.
We had only two days to wait. On the 18th we again
weighed anchor and set our course for Leyte, Philippine
Islands. At 2119 on the night of February 21 we arrived at
our destination and dropped anchor in Leyte Gulf. Even
though it was late we cut loose the pontoons that we had
been carrying, and then secured all activities but the Watch.
The next morning we awakened to a beautiful sight.
A mile and a half away lay the Island of Leyte. The beaches
were covered with palms almost to the waters edge. Small
native Outrigger canoes with grinning Filippinos milled about
the American ships. The natives all seemed to speak English,
and all seemed to have the Nicotine habit to a marked degree.
The clamor for cigarettes was continuous. We were not sur-
prised at the apparent poverty of everyone in the outriggers,
since we heard that the Emperor's armies had treated the
Filippinos as an inferior race, taking their homes, food,
clothing and women, giving nothing in return but disease,
misery and death. There was no doubt in our minds that
these people were genuinely glad to see us.
The next day we began debarking the troops we had
aboard. As we neared the beach we could see that it marked
the Eastern edge of a very fiat coastal plain, with towering
and extremely steep and jagged mountains marking the West-
ern edge. just back of the palm groves were stagnant swamps
and Hooded rice paddies. We were surprised to find that up
and down the beach for miles, hidden in the palm groves,
were the bivouacs of thousands of troops. There were com-
panies of Amtracs, heavy guns, Dukws, and all the men and
equipment necessary to make up an amphibious army. We
could guess, and the Army confirmed it, that all these troops
were lined up on the beach waiting to be transported to some
Jap held territory.
Our next job was to load aboard our ship a battalion
landing team with all its equipment. We were to "Combat
Load" the lst Battalion of the 307th Regiment of the 77th
Infantry Division. "Combat Loading" means putting aboard
a ship the cargo in the reverse order in which it will be
needed on a beach head. The Hrst weapons and vehicles to go
off onto enemy territory are loaded last. This meant two
things to us. First a lot of work and secondly, that we were
now on our way to a first hand view of the war. We com-
menced loading, using LCMS and an occasional LCT or
LSM that would be assigned to us for a couple of round trips
to the beach. It was a treacherous shore with sandbars ex-
tending just off the beach. Our boats would often broach high
and dry. Then the Ship's boat salvage group would spend
hours re-floating them. Men in the Beach Party spent a
large percentage of their waking hours waist deep in the
water, holding broaching lines tied to the stern of the M
boats so that the high surf would not swing them sideways
upon the beach. Boat crews ate their meals and lived in their
boats, while on the ship the hatch and winch crews worked
day and night to get her loaded. Several times the beach was
secured because of high seas that made it impossible to get
the boats safely through the surf with a heavy load. As an
added annoyance the laps would send one or more of their
few remaining planes in the Philippines on a bombing raid.
The planes flew in from well camouflaged air strips on
Mindinao, always making their runs at night.
Their apparent target was the Tacloban airfield. Although
they did little damage they had a high nuisance value. Since
it was night and they fiew very high we could not see the
planes. We could, however, see the bursts of our anti-aircraft
fire and the Hery blossoms of Jap bomb bursts lent a grim
festivity to the night skies.
On the morning of February 27 we sent twelve boats on
a twenty mile trip to San Pedro Bay to pick up provisions.
A few hours after they had left, the seas began to increase
while a strong wind from the East whipped the swells into
Whitecaps. About six o'clock the Commodore secured all
loading operations over the beach, as the surf was becoming
dangerously high. At eight o'clock the boats began returning
from the stores trip. They were heavily loaded and some of
them were taking on water. The hatch and winch crews began
unloading them as fast as they could. However, LCVQPQ
number 4, even though it had been unloaded, began to settle
in the water. It was tied up on the starboard side of number
one hatch, and the crew assisted by an officer began trying
to bail the water out of the boat. It was no use. The swells
were running ten and fifteen feet, and in a few minutes the
boat sank. As the excitement from this was quieting down,
the Officer of the Deck reported to the Captain that the ship
was dragging its anchor. Immediately, the special sea detail
was set and the ships screw was turned at slow speed to help
offset the effect of the wind and sea. There were still fourteen
of our boats in the water gathered in a cluster on the star-
board side about one hundred yards from the ship. Each
was manned by a three man crew all wearing lifejackets. At
0200 on the morning of the 28th boat number 10 swamped
and sank. Fortunately, no one was lost or hurt in either of
these sinkings, but we all felt pretty bad about the night's
happenings.
The wind and seas had calmed down during the night,
so, the next morning we continued our loading. On March
2 we shifted berth to San Pedro Bay and took on a load of
fuel. The next day we moved back to our anchorage off
11
Tarraguna. We then loaded aboard the last of the 1st Bat-
talion and preparation for a combat landing. The training
was for the boat crews, and every day they went through a
simulated amphibious landing. On the afternoon of the 13th
the squadron of transports to which we were now attached,
weighed anchor and set sail for the final invasion rehearsals
at two small islands off Southern Leyte. .F
They were named Cabugan Grande and Cabugan Chico.
We sailed all night, and an hour before dawn arrived in the
transport area near the islands. Boats were lowered, troops
were embarked, and a simulated assault was made on the bits
of land. This procedure was duplicated the following day.
Then after a series of conferences and critiques, during which
all of the apparent errors in procedure were pointed out and
discussed, we pulled in our anchor and sailed back up the
coast, dropping the hook in San Pedro Bay on March Znd.
The word was out! We were going to attack islands in
the Nansei Shoto group. Our first specified objective would
be Kerama Retto, a small group of Islands approximately
twenty miles off the Southwestern tip of Okinawa. These
islands inclosed a natural basin that would furnish ideal
anchorage and base for logistics and service for the main
attack that was to follow our attack six days before L Day.
"L" or "Love Day" was the time the main landings would
be made on Okinawa. The date for this invasion was set as
April 1, 1945. We were to make our first landings on Kerama
Retto beginning the 26 of March, and were to have the
islands secured and an anchorage established by Love Day.
It was obvious to all hands that this attack was to be one
of the most daring in the Pacific war. From the sizes of the
forces that were gathering all over the ocean it certainly was
going to be the largest scale operation to date.
Okinawa was considered by the laps to be a part of their
home islands. It is 60 miles long and averages three to ten
miles in width. The population was estimated to be one half
million Okinawans, who are a mixture of japanese and
Chinese with the Japanese influence predominating. Strateg-
ically, the capture of these islands would place us poised for
a strike either at the Jap homeland or the mainland of Asia.
In addition it would bring most of japan within medium
bomber range of our airforce. To better explain the position
of Okinawa in relation to the war the following list of dis-
tances might help: It is 330 miles from the tip of Formosa,
790 miles from Manila, 4040 miles from Pearl Harbor, 740
miles from Iwo Jima, 450 miles from Shanghai, 845 miles
from Tokyo and only 360 miles from the Southern tip of
Kyushu which is the Southernmost island of the Jap home
Islands. We were really headed into a hornets nest, and
warned, that the N ips could be expected to put up a fanatical
fight in defence of these islands.
For weeks we had been told that if we encountered Jap-
anese aircraft we should expect massed suicide attacks. They
had started throwing planes and pilots at our ships in the
Philippines during the land and sea battles that had raged on
and around Leyte and Luzon. The enemies purpose was "a
ship for a planef'
12 1
This information came to us well documented, but in
spite of its authenticity we just couldn't believe that the
Japanese airforce would use this type of attack on the same
scale that they had used their bombers and torpedo planes in
the past. It was inconceivable to us that masses of pilots
could be whipped to such a fanatic frenzy that they would
try to die en masse in a flaming pyre on our decks. In a few
days we were to find that we had underestimated the enemy's
fanaticism.
On the afternoon of March 21 we sailed out of San Pedro
Bay with our squadron of transports. We entered Leyte Gulf
and then set our course Northward towards our foe. We
were escorted by destroyers, destroyer escorts and assault
personnel destroyers. The sea was moderate, and the entire
ship was busily preparing for batle. The guns were checked
and checked. The boat engines were tuned. Small arms and
ammunition were issued the Boat Crews and the Beach Party.
Officers and men were briefed on the job the ship had to
perform, and each man's individual responsibilities during
the operation were explained.
On paper our task was relatively simple. The troops we
carried aboard were to be the floating reserve for the land-
ings on Keramai Retto. They were to remain aboard ship
upon call until it was decided by the Army Commander that
they were needed to assist in the securing of some heavily
defended beach head. This sounded simple, but in reality it
was the most difllcult assignment to try to prepare for, be-
cause, where other ships had one specific beach to hit and
only one job to do, we had to have complete information and
be ready on short notice to make any one of the seven land-
ings to be made in the Retto. Our boat crews had to be briefed
on the characteristics and identification features of each shore-
line, and the ship had to be ready tochange its plans on a
moment's notice. -
As we sailed Northward the destroyers sighted and de-
stroyed many floating mines. The day after our departure
from Leyte, three small aircraft carriers fell in astern of our
formation and added the protection of their planes to give
us air coverage. Two days away from our objective, Jap
snooper planes were reported, but we saw nothing but our
own Hellcats. A
On the night of the 25th and early morning of the 26th
we began our approach to the transport area, which was
three miles off the islands of Yakabi Shima and Kuba Shima.
We went to general quarters many hours before dawn. At
0402 we arrived at our destination. To the East of us to-
wards shore we could see the flashes of our Naval guns
beginning their bombardment. As dawn broke we could see
around us ships of every fighting class. The beautiful 'fto usj
silhouettes of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers were visible
everywhere.
We also saw for the first time other and more sinister
silhouettes. Tiny specks in the sky. Jap planes !i The anti-
aircraft fire from the .capital ships was intense and accurate.
One after another of the Nip aircraft would burst into a ball
of flame and fall like an incandescent meteor into the sea.
As they hit they would explode violently and then disappear
from sight., leaving only a flaming circle of gasoline on the
surface of the water to mark their graves.
Our attention was attracted to one Jap fighter plane
which was first visible at about five miles off our port.
Suddenly, from an altitude of six thousand feet it went into
a steep dive. We thought at first that it had been hit, but it
was soon obvious that the plane was under control, and that
the pilot was hurling himself at a destroyer which was twist-
ing and turning below him. The Jap steepened his dive and
gunned his engine, but because of the distance, we could not
tell whether he crashed the ship or not. All we saw was a
burst of orange flame when he hit. We had seen our first
Kamikaze.
Now it was time for our bombardment vessels and the
supporting aircraft to commence the Hnal softening up before
the landings. The LCI rocket boats moved in and we could
see the patterns of their projectiles hissing through the air.
Destroyers began firing their five inch guns at point blank
range. Then group after group of our divebombers added
the screaming crescendo of their deadly loads to this sym-
phony of amphibious war.
The tiny, mountainous dots of land became shrouded in
clouds of smoke, flame, and dust as they were mercilessly
worked over. From the ships carrying the assault battalions,
loaded landing craft headed for the line of departure.
We remained at general quarters most of theiday with
everyone taking his turn eating. The reports from the beach
heads were excellent. Very light -and ineffective opposition
was being encountered, and all landings were proceeding
according to schedule. Later in the day we sawa destroyer
that had been hit by a suicider. One of its gun turrets was
destroyed. Its deck was being cleaned of burnt debris, and
dead were lying on the fantail covered .with sheets. We
watched it fascinated, and tried desperately to remember
everything we had been taught about the defensive tactics
to be used against this type of attack. -
Just before sunset two boats with an officer in charge
departed to assist a net layer in putting out anti-submarine
nets in the Retto. Then just before sunset we formed up with
our squadron and retired for the night retirement area. This
retirement at night was to avoid air and submarine attacks
while we were sitting still.
We steamed through the darkness with Jap planes con-
stantly being reported nearby. The following morning we
were again off the Islands. The day was relatively uneventful.
We furnish fuel to an APD, and we waited to be called
into the beach. The fighting on shore was progressing ahead
of schedule, and we began to think that the whole show was
going to be a very tame one for us. We returned to the retire-
ment area again that night, and the next morning, March 29,
we had our Hrst air attack aimed at our convoy. Early in the
morning hours a Jap dive bomber sneaked in and made a low
level bombing attack on the AKA off our port quarter. The
plane zoomed over our ship at a low altitude and escaped.
-
We could hear the roar of its motor and see its exhaust
flashes, but as the night was very dark we could not identify
its type. It had dropped one bomb that missed the AKA, but
did some underwater damage and the ship had to drop out
of formation. At dawn we arrived inside the islands harbor
and went to a previously designated anchorage.
Aka Shima was one half mile to the East of us. Kuba
13
Shima was a half mile to the West and Yakabi was the same
distance to the Northwest. There were several air alerts dur-
ing the day when a couple of Zeros came overhead.
Early in the afternoon one of our signalmen reported
that he could see a group of laps on the beach of Aka Shima.
We trained our glasses on them and there in full army uni-
form, but minus weapons, were a group of twenty or thirty
1i
14 ,
bandy legged, Nipponese soldiers. One was waving a white
flag tied to a pole, while several of the others were gesturing
with what appeared to be white handkerchiefs in their hands.
They had had enough and wanted to surrender in the worst
sort of way. Not one of the ships sent in boats to pick them
up. Several hours later they could still be seen trying forlornly
to gain- attention. At last they decided that they weren't
wanted and began wandering off into the brush, rock, and
scrub pine that covered the Island.
On the evening of April 1, we again left the anchorage
on our way to a night's steaming. The area in which we
would travel all night lay between Kerama Retto and the
Sakashima Islands to the Southwest, which were still enemy
held. The night was dark and overcast with little air activity
being reported. An hour before dawn on the morning of
April 2, we sleepily dragged ourselves to general quarters.
It was misty and the visibility was very limited. We could
barely see the last ship in our column even though the vessel
was only 1200 yards astern of us. A few moments after we
had manned our guns, one of the lookouts reported a plane
breaking out of the fog. We all strained our eyes and there
above the last ship in the column we could make out the
shape of a slow fiying, single motor plane. It was skimming
along at mast head height trying to keep under the low cloud
layer that hung over the water. It calmly flew over the last
ship and as it passed over the transport directly astern of us
we suddenly heard the staccato bark of a 20MM anti-aircraft
gun. All eyes immediately focused upon the plane which up
to now we assumed to be a friendly scout, and as it neared
our stern we could clearly see the two red meatballs of the
japanese Empire painted on its wings. We opened fire at a
range of about five hundred yards. The pilot, apparently not
yet in the mood to die for his Emperor, banked his craft
sharply to the left and speedily headed for the nearby cloud
cover. As he zoomed for altitude he dropped a bomb which
landed between the columns of ships, doing no damage.
All our fire did to him was blow a few pieces of aluminum
off his wings and possibly frighten him.
We reached gloomy depths because we felt that we had
muffed our chance to get a much coveted Jap flag painted
upon our bridge. We returned and spent the remainder of
the day in our usual anchorage.
Early in the afternoon we again went through the narrow
passage between Kuba Shima and Yakabi Shima and headed
Southwest. just as we sat down to our evening meal all hell
broke loose. The ensuing action is best described in the official
action report which follows, and in the letters of commenda-
tion written by the Commander of Army troops aboard, Lt.
Col. G. G. Cooney, and his executive officer, Major M.
Culpepper.
I'
l
eUss MOUNTRAIL QAPA-2131 I
cfo Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
. 5 6 April 1945
1
l
From: Commanding Officer. If
To: Commander, Transport Squadron SEVENTEEN.
Subj: Enemy Aircraft-Claim to Destruction of. E
Ref.: faj ComTransRon 17-Dispatch 042350. I '
fbi Peerif Ltr. 51L-44 of 28 September 1944.
Enc.: CAD Statement of Lt. Col. Gerald G. Cooney. 5
CBJ Statement of Major james M. Culpepper. 5
. 1. In accordance with reference faj this vessel submits its claim to have splashed and assisted in splashing five 155 enemy planes
during the AA action on the night of 2 April 1945. Three C55 of these planes were "Sure Splashes" unassisted by the gunfire of other ships A g
and two f2j were "Sure Splash Assistsf, ' Q
2.. In order to distinguish with unmistakable clarity the particular planes which this vessel claims to have splashed, each plane observed l,
to have participated 'in the attack, whether taken under fire by this vessel or not, is separately discussed, indicating what part, if any, this vessel '
played in its ldestruction. This report is based on a careful and discriminating objective analysis of the testimony of all ofiicers participating in,
or in a position to observe, the firing, and careful screening has eliminated all possibility of unintentional duplication.
I 3. As observed by the personnel of this vessel, nine Q91 enemy planes identihed as "Francis', participated in the attack. Analysis of the
actions of each plane involved in the attack is set forth in chronological sequence as follows.
' faj The first plane sighted was destroyed in the air. It was not under tire from surface vessels. Two friendly F4Us attacked it and
it exploded in mid-air after showing a trail of smoke. This vessel in no way participated in its destruction.
. fbj The second plane was observed immediately thereafter. At the instant it was observed, it had gone into an attack-dive and
crashed the U.S.S. HENRICO. No return fire was observed from any ship. This vessel in no way particpiated in its destruction.
I fcj The surprise and speed of attack achieved by the enemy had averted any return fire up to this point. However, by this time
this vessel's after twin 4oMM and other War-Cruising Condition gun crews had opened fire on a third plane which appeared off our
starboard quarter. General Quarters had been sounded and Condition I gun crews were rapidly manning their stations with a consequent
increasing volume of fire being delivered. No gunfire from other ships was observed. Hits were observed and the plane was splashed
without threatening any surface ship. Credit claimed for a "Sure Splash" unassisted by other ships in this case. .
fdj Next a twin-engined bomber fidentified as enemy "Francis"j appeared off our starboard quarter. It winged over and went into L
a suicide dive directed at the U.S.S. TELFAIR which also engaged the plane. Smoke and flame was observed to come from the plane before ,
it struck and splashed over the port bow of the TELFAIR. Observers state that hits were registered by the fire of this vessel. It is I
believed that the gunfire of this vessel participated in a "Sure Assist." 1
'fej At this point, a plane was seen to go into a dive well forward of the convoy, followed by a burst and prolonged flames. It is ,
believed that this was the plane that struck the APD-21. This vessel in no way participated in its destruction.
. ffl Almost simultaneously a twin-engined bomber fidentified as "Francis"j appeared slightly forward of the starboard beam.on a
course of approximately 15 degrees, range about 9000 yards. The 5"!38 gun took it under fire and the first burst appeared to commit the ,
la
15
pilot to his course of action. The plane winged over and went into a dive apparently aimed at the bridge of this vessel. Every starboard-
bearing gun commenced rapid fire which was sustained without interruption. The plane kept coming through a solid cone of fire and it
appeared that nothing on this earth could possibly stop it. Then, at a range of about 500 yards, it suddenly barrelled over and splashed
into the sea. Despite the intent to make this a purely objective and conservative report, it is utterly impossible to describe this action
without a sense of emotion for the superb gallantry and heroism of all hands, especially the gun crews. In the face of almost certain
destruction, not a single man faltered for so much as an instant. This vessel emphatically claims a "Sure Splash," unassisted by the gun-
fire of other vessels.
fgj With hardly an opportunity for interruption of fire, another plane appeared in approximately the same position as a previous one
and on a parallel-and-opposite course fidentified as a "Francis"J apparently making an estimate of the situation. The 5"!38 took it
under fire and its second burst chewed off its tail. The plane dipped, went into a nose-dive and splashed into the sea without having
committed itself to an attack. No gunfire from any other ship was observed. This vessel claims, with equal emphasis, a "Sure Splash"
of this plane unassisted by the gunfire of other ships.
QhJ Simultaneously for possibly slightly precedingj the Quad 4OMM and Forward Twin Starboard 40MM Guns engaged another
plane which was crossing forward from starboard to port and apparently aiming at the U.S.S.GOODHUE. Observers reported that hits
were scored and flames were seen to emerge from the plane before it struck the GOODHUE on the fantail. It is believed that the
gunfire of this vessel may have participated in a "Sure Assist." ,
fij The last enemy plane observed by this vessel failed to participate in the attack. Apart from its enemy character, its identification
was somewhat uncertain. It circled and left the area, trailed and apparently pursued by two F4Us. It did not appear to be taken under
fire by any surface vessel.
4. If any other enemy planes participated in this attack, they were not observed by the personnel of this vessel.
5. The supporting statements of Lt. Col. Gerald G. Cooney and Major James M. Culpepper, both of whom were present on the bridge
throughout the major portion of the action, are enclosed. These statements represent entirely independent observation on the action, although,
of course, there has been much general discussion of the action throughout the ship. .
6. The Commanding Oflicer is fully conscious of the magnitude of our claims and, for that very reason, subjected all testimony on the
subject to a most exacting and rigid scrutiny, rejecting everything that failed, to have the support of numerous independent sources of evidence.
He even tested his own direct observations and those of the Executive Oflicer against the testimony of others to check the coincidence of details.
Judged by this exacting and objective attitude, the Commanding Officer feels that he could not, in strict honesty and with good faith toward
his ship's company, claim less than has been set forth in the preceding paragraphs.
7. The Commanding Oflicer at this time wishes to state that the results attained show the benefits of an almost unceasing period of
drills and especially great benefits derived by the gun crews always tracking planes whenever they are within sight.
R. R. STEVENS.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION A
307TH INFANTRY
On the evening of April 2nd I was aboard the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL with my Battalion Clst Bn. 307th Inf.J when a group of approxi-
mately ten 1101 Japanese suicide planes attacked our convoy. It was a privilege to witness the splendid courage and devotion to duty of the
oflicers and men of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL. The U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL I am sure was the first ship to pick up the enemy planes and open
fire. The first plane I saw was flying parallel to our Starboard side. All guns opened up on the Jap "Francis" The plane made a slight roll and
angled off to the left with smoke streaming from its tail. On its way down the plane hit the forward part of the TELFAIR. Shortly afterwards
the plane that dove on the GOODHUE was brought under fire by all guns forward of the bridge. I am sure their assistance helped considerably
in setting the Jap plane afire before it hit the GOODHUE. A
A few minutes later a Jap "Francis" far out on our Starboard turned and headed directly into our ship. All the guns on the starboard side
opened up and stayed on the approaching Jap plane until it exploded about 500 yards from the ship. This particular action was the most
impressive experience I have ever witnessed of courage and plain Gulf! Considering the fact that these men are 75'Zi new men and their first
action. It was extremely encouraging to stand there and watch the crews of two guns in particular stay at their guns with the Jap plane headed
directly into the guns. Not as much as an ammunition bearer left his post until the Jap plane exploded close enough to almost feel the blast
of the plane as it exploded about 500 yards from the ship. There is absolutely no question that the splendid courage and devotion to duty of
these men saved the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL and our men from a disasterous evening. -
The next plane witnessed was at agreat range passing parallel to our ship. The five Q55 inch gun on the fan-tail fired two shots. The
second shot knocked the tail off and the bomber burst into flames and plunged into the sea. Those were the only two shots fired at the plane.
To me this whole action showed splendid courage and devotion to duty which can come only as a result of good training and teamwork.
I must say I am exceptionally grateful to be aboard the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL after witnessing the action of April Znd. l
Lt. Col. GERALD G. COONEY,
Commanding Officer,
lst Bn., 307th Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION
507TH INFANTRY I
On the evening of 2 April I was on the bridge of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL when several enemy planes attacked the convoy. To the
best of my knowledge the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL was the first ship to open fire on the attackers. The first plane fired on was flying parallel to
the ship on the starboard side. All guns opened up with effective AA fire and as the plane began its suicide run on the U.S.S. TELFAIR it
burst into flames before splashing. It is my belief that the fire of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL greatly assisted in the destruction of this enemy
plane.
Following this action a twin-engine bomber was brought under fire by the guns of this ship. The plane started a suicide attack on the
U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL from about 10,000 yards. The following action was one of gallantry for all oflicers and men of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL.
The attacker was kept in a solid cone of fire until it splashed several hundred yards from the ship. There is no doubt that the heroic and gallant
action of all gun crews in the face of almost certain destruction, saved the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL from serious damage to ship, crew, and troops.
A short time later a two-engine bomber was sighted at a great range moving parallel to the ship. The five f5J inch gun of this ship
shot its tail off with the second shot and the plane splashed into the sea. There was no other hits observed on this plane.
Another plane attacked the U.S.S. GOODHUE and was set on fire by AA from the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL and other ships. This plane
was kept under constant fire from guns of this ship throughout the suicide run.
The actions of all officers and men of the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL under enemy fire assured all army troops aboard that we are in "Good
Hands" and showed that this ship is prepared to handle any emergency.
JAMES M. CULPEPPER 4
Major, 507th Infantry.
TQM.
16
The entire action lasted only about twenty minutes, but
to us it seemed years. When the plane that nearly got us
finally fell, there arose from every man on the ship a cheer
of triumph and hate that came fromour very hearts. A few
moments later when the last enemy plane had been shot down
we all stood there straining our eyes looking for another
target to destroy, another Jap to kill. That spell lasted only
a few minutes, and then we all started chatering like magpies.
Every man wanted to give his version of the action, and each
had seen the thing a little differently.
We remained at general quarters until 2200 and then
wearily went to our bunks to lie awake and let the patterns
of planes and tracers'whirl around our brains for hours. Our
exultation at splashing three planes was more than tempered
by the sight of soldiers and sailors dying horrible flaming
deaths on the ships that had been hit.
Enemy planes were searching for us all night, but for-
tunately they didn't find us as the sky was filled with dense
low hanging clouds. We were called out of our bunks by the
general alarm several times before morning but did not see
any more aircraft. We returned to Kerama Retto at dawn and
found that the ships that had remained there through the
night had also been under constant attack by the suiciders.
We rested at anchor all day and that evening our squad-
ron again sailed out to the retirement area. This time we
headed Southeast, which took us out of the path of aircraft
coming up from Sakashima and Formosa. We did not return
to the anchorage in the morning but continued steaming for
the next ten days. We would travel 140 miles on one course,
change direction 90 degrees to port, steam 40 miles and then
alter course 90 degrees to port and sail back 140 miles.
Traveling around this rectangle became monotonous but we
were more than thankful that the Japs were not bothering us.
We had a couple of submarine contacts. Our escorting de-
troyers depth charged the area each time they suspected a
submarines presence while we put on full power and hauled
out of the way. No positive proof in the form of oil or wreck-
age ever floated to the surface to prove that subs had actually
been stalking us. Late at night on the 14th we turned towards
Okinawa,' sailed up the Western coast of the island and
headed for the Hagushi Beaches. As we traveled along the
coast we could see the flashes of the artillery duels on shore
and close at hand cruisers and battleships were pouring
murderous broadsides into the Jap lines. We could see the
red hot projectiles arch their fiery path through the night and
burst in a mushroom of flame on the shore. One out of every
Okimzwfzn W077Z67Z '
few would be a star shell which would Hood the island with
an intense light. On shore, small arms and heavy weapons
would blast anything that moved, while thousands of eyes
peered across the fireswept no-mans-land. Two hundred years
ago Francis Scott Key must have witnessed a smaller but in
many ways similar display of deadly pyrotechnics when he
described such a scene. We too were witnessing freedom's
holy light at its grimmest.
The morning of the 15th we awakened to Hnd ourselves
anchored about a mile off the beach where the Army and
Marines had stormed ashore 15 days earlier. Down the coast,
about 5 miles to the south, we could see the pall of smoke
that marked the front line positions, while opposite us in the
low hills could be seen the Kadena airfield, now being used
as a Marine fighter and interceptor base. Up the coast to the
north stretched the mountainous section of Okinawa where
the Sixth Marine Division was mercilessly digging scattered
Jap units out of their caves and hideouts. Around us on all
sides were ships representing every class of vessel in com-
1'I'11SSlOI1.
Just at dusk of our first day here we were alerted by an
air raid when several Jap planes came over the land, appar-
ently intending to make suicide attacks on the ships in the
anchorage. Two were immediately shot down. The third
plane, visible to us, miraculously flew one of the densest
anti-aircraft barrages that anyone aboard our ship had ever
seen. There were numerous other attacks the next two days,
but the Marine and Navy pilots did a wonderful job shooting
down most of the planes before they even came near the
shipping. .
We received word on the 16th that we were to partici-
pate in a demonstration landing off the southeastern coast of
the island. The purpose of this attack was to simulate a full
scale landing so that the Japs would draw troops out of their
front lines to meet the new threat. This, it was hoped, would
enable our army to crack the stubborn defensive positions
across the center of the island which were protecting the
capital city of Naha and its adjacent airfields.
On the night of the 17th we got underway, and dawn
found the ships about 8 miles off the enemy held beaches.
Closer to shore our battleships and cruisers were bombarding
the shoreline and the territory immediately inland. Still
closer to the beaches LCI rocket ships and gunboats were
blasting the hills and shore with tons of explosives.
Along with the other ships present, we lowered our boats,
loaded them with troops, and dispatched them to the ren-
dezvous area. The transports then headed out to sea to wait
until the feint was completed. Our boats formed up in waves
and headed for the line of departure through the rough,
whitecap covered seas.
Most of the soldiers were seasick before they had barely
begun. As we neared the line of departure our boat waves
formed a line abreast and waited with their engines idling for
the signal that would start them on a two mile dash towards
the Jap held shore. The signal was executed and the boats
17
roared away while the bombarding ships intensified their fire.
Several squadrons of divebombers and fighters began bomb-
ing and rocketing the shoreline with high explosives, Their
gyrations ending in screaming dives reminded us of the
attack of an angry swarm of bees.
Refugees on Okinawa
. As we neared the beach we saw a few splashes in the
water which we assumed was enemy mortar or artillery fire,
but since the shells were falling at least a quarter of a mile
away from us it caused no concern. Two thousand yards from
shore our boats swung sharply to the left and then headed
out to sea again while our control boat remained behind to
see that there were no disabled boats left behind to drift onto
the beach. All our craft cleared the area safely, then wet, tired
and seasick we turned back to the transport area where the
ship was waiting to hoist us aboard. Because of the heavy
seas it was difficult to secure the boats. Soon though, the
convoy got under way again for the Hagushi Beaches. We
dropped anchor that afternoon about a mile off shore.
Four days were spent waiting for word to unload the
troops, and sometimes during the day and always at night
there were air raids. When it was dark our two smoke boats
would lay a dense smoke screen around the ship at the
approach of Jap planes. Most of the time the smoke effec-
tively hid us from aircraft, but waiting at our gun stations in
a grey billowing artificial fog was hard on the nervous system
18
when we could hear the engines of the aircraft as they
skimmed the water looking for us. We would strain our
eyes, and occasionallyi through a hole in the smoke we would
see the exhaust flare of a searching Jap, but gradually we
would become used to the routine until a smoke generator
would blow up and start burning, ora perverse wind would
start to disperse our smoke screen. Our Bullhorn and those
of the hundreds of ships around us would bellow out orders
over the water to their, often lost, smoke boats. The order
"Smoky make smoke" would sound off at first when the
planes were miles away and if for some reason the order
was not immediately complied with, the horn ,would keep
repeating the order with a volume and urgency entering into
the talker's voice that was inversely proportional to the dis-
tance the enemy was from us at the time.
Gradually the words "Smoky make smoke" became the
battle cry of the Okinawa campaign, while the Hagushi
anchorage became known as "Smoky Hollow."
Finally on the 23rd of April we received orders to debark
troops and unload cargo. All the boats were lowered and we
turned to the job with a will. We wanted to get out of there
as soon as we possibly could The beach party went ashore,
set up a command post and started surveying the beaches for
a suitable spot to land the vehicles. The boats were loaded
and started making shuttle trips to and from the beaches
and the unloading pontoons that the Sea Bees were operating.
All day and night we worked without stopping except for
the inevitable air raid. On the following day we carried the
last load to shore and our boat crews then wearily returned
to the ship and were hoisted aboard by equally weary deck
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hands. In preparation for our departure we sent out a mes-
sage to all smaller amphibious ships telling them that we
had some fresh provisions for issue. Immediately LCIS,
LSMS, and LCTS descended upon us like a swarm of hungry
ants upon a picnic cake. When we had finished giving food
away we had very little left aboard, but we were glad to give
it to those people. We were going to return to a rear area
while these poor devils would have to stay out here much
longer.
April 26th we heaved in and with the entire ship in high
spirits we set sail with our convoy bound for Ulithi Atoll in
the Western Carolines. As we sailed southward along the
coast of Okinawa, I know there were many of us that said
a silent and personal prayer for the safety of the men we had
carried aboard and who were now getting ready to go into
the front lines. We had found the lst Battalion willing to
work and fight alongside us as comrades. Radio Tokio re-
ferred to these men as "The Bloody Butchers of Guam" but
we will remember them always as good shipmates and
friends. We steamed past the Western end of the battle line
where we could see clearly the artillery duels still thundering,
past the Southern tip of this island that was to exact such
a toll of blood from our nation, and then we set our course
to the Southeast.
On the 30th of April we anchored in the lagoon at
Ulithi and began taking life easy for the next few days. The
carpenter shop made a couple of aquaplanes which we towed
and precariously rode around the lagoon. We sent daily
liberty parties of officers and men to the recreation island
of Mog Mog while those left on board started cleaning up
and painting the ship.
A few words should be written about the Island Paradise
of Mog Mog. It's a small coral dot about one mile long and
half a mile wide at the broadest point. On shore there is a
large recreation area and a baseball field with the only sub-
stantial buildings on the island being the refrigeration huts
where thousands of cases of beer are kept cool for the righting
men of the fleet. So far it sounds good. However, the heat is
so bad that you sweat continuously, but because the humidity
is high the sweat won"t evaporate so you become sticky,
smelly and uncomfortable. The glare of the hot sun on the
glistening white coral is so bright that you get a splitting
headache in a very short time. The icy beer tastes wonderful
and refreshing but treacherously assists the sun in torturing
your aching cranium. Then there are the crowds. Literally
thousands of sailors are ashore trying to relax after weeks
aboard crowded ships, and if you find a shady spot to rest
you are considered either lucky or quite tough. Then to amuse
ourselves we fight. Yes that's right, we start fights with men
from other ships. They are not vicious battles, mind you,
and it's all done in the spirit of hearty good fellowship with
everyone joining in but the shore patrol who vainly try to
keep more than three or four hundred men from fighting
at one time, and also try to keep themselves from being the
victims of some minor mayhem. Yes indeed! Mog Mog was
very relaxing. You could go ashore, let off your steam, have
a drink, and return aboard with an entirely new perspective
on life.
Beginning the 18th we had four days of anti-aircraft
firing practic. We anchored our ship in the firing anchorage
and planes towed targets past our guns at every imaginable
angle. We shot down 7 of the targets and felt justifiably
proud because it was the best shooting done by any APA
in our group. On the night of May the 21st we received a
message aboard ship that we just couldn't bring ourselves to
believe was intended for us UPROCEED TO THE UNITED
STATES." At 0650 the next morning to the strains of "Cali-
fornia Here I Come," we sortied from the lagoon and set
our course to the East and Home. g
May 28th we re-crossed the International Date Line and
lost a day. On june lst we sighted Diamond Head Light on
Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands and kept right on sailing.
By the 5th of the month we had the ship really shining for
the Captain's Inspection, and when the Commanding Officer
seemed fairly well satisfied with what he found, all minds
turned with one accord to making plans for liberty in San
Francisco.
On the morning of June 6th we sailed under the Golden
Gate Bridge while the Chaplain said a prayer over the loud
speaking system, thanking God for our safe return and pray-
ing for the many men left behind us who would never again
see the shores of their homeland.
We all felt serious and reflective because we realized
suddenly that during the last Hve months we had learned
some very simple truths. We felt that only those who have
come close to death can realize how precious life is, that our
country represents everything to us that we are fighting for,
our homes, wives and families. We were really grateful to
be back alive, and capable of returning to finish the destruc-
tion of our hated enemies. '
LIBERTY COMMENCED AT 1600.
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1
OKINAWA
Y
21
t SECGND VOYAGE
Those of us who didn't get to see our families while we
were in San Francisco at least talked with our homes by long
distance telephone. We had so much to tell and so many
things to ask about that the hours seemed like minutes and
days like hours. On june 12th we shifted to Dock No. 2 in
Oakland's outer harbor and, since this move indicated to us
that soon we would be underway, we tried with renewed
vigor to make the most of every moment of liberty. On the
16th we loaded 80 officers and 1391 enlisted men and made
all the necessary preparations for the new voyage. That night
each officer and man celebrated his last liberty as fancy dic-
tated, the always difficult farewells were said, and we re-
turned to the ship on the following morning, weary after a
sleepless night of celebrating or "mourning," as the case
might be.
Casting off our lines at 1414 we steamed slowly down
the bay standing at the rails and memorizing every detail of
San Franciscofs skyline. As we passed under the span of the
Golden Gate Bridge we cast pennies into the waters in con-
formance with the tradition that these offerings to the sea
would be accepted by Neptune as insurance for a safe and
speedy return. Our bow lifted to meet the first swell and we
were officially on our way to Leyte. The first leg of our trip
took us North of the Hawaiian Islands and close to Midway.
From there we steered sharply to the South. Nine days out
of the states we crossed the International Date Line and to
celebrate the event all hands, passengers and crew, gathered
Milf!!
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f'Li5.s'efz, Mac-Tloir aiffzf 120 boat, .flif cl ship, reef'
topsides. The Golden Dragon flag was unfurled from the
foremast while Neptune and his royal retinue opened court
on number two hatch. It should be noted that ladies of the
court were all stunning creatures, full bosomed, and with
a gay lascivious charm about them, although, a few of the
less discreet observers did call attention to the fact that the
queen could stand a shave. The first to be initiated were six
Lieutenant Colonels, who, we were surprised to Hnd, looked
little different than the more common breeds of home
sapiens when they had been stripped to their shorts. The
charges and accusations were solemnly recited and each
Colonel was found guilty on all charges regardless of his
plea. In turn each had his head clipped of all hair Qthat is
those did who had somej and their bodies were given a
bright new lustre with a fine grade of bunker oil, then all
were unceremoniously dumped into a large coffin, filled to the
brim with salt water. Spluttering and cursing they were
carried to an operating table that had an exposed copper
plate for them to rest their weary posteriors upon. A small
but provocative charge of electricity was sent crackling
through their bodies which seemed to immediately bring
back their lost youth and make them frisky as ten year olds.
Colonel and Yard-Bird received the same fair, impartial treat-
ment although some of us did give special attention to a
couple of gorgeous 2nd lieutenants. Tortured and torturers
alike had a whale of a time fwe like to believej and the
gruesome festivities lasted until the evening meal. i
Four days later we dropped anchor in Berth 1 in the
lagoon of Eniwetok. We remained there a couple of days and
on july 1st sortied through the coral-bound entrance and
continued to the Westward, arriving without incident in
Ulithi on july Sth. We remained here overnight leaving at
noon of the following day.
The heat and humidity again had swept their oppressive
cloaks about us so we were uniformly happy to sight cooler
rain drenched mountains of Leyte on the morning of the 9th.
We anchored in San Pedro Bay which is the Port for Tac-
loban, provincial capital of the Island, and where General
MacArthur landed his first assault troops for the reconquest
of the Philippines. The next day we debarked 1023 officers
and men on a beach that still showed the ravages of war.
Our boats returned to the ship and we left the next day on
our way to the Capital of the Philippine Commonwealth,
Manila. We passed Southward along the broken shoreline
of Leyte, past the Islands of Cabugan, Chico and Cabugan
Grande, and then turned to starboard into the Surigao Straits
with the rolling hills of Mindanao close at hand to the South.
We slid rapidly through the Mindanao Sea and rounding the
Southern tip of Los Negros Island, headed North through
the Sulu Sea. At no time were we out of sight of land. We
saw in turn the shorelines of Panay and Mindoro and often
changed our course to avoid one of the small, jutting, jungle
covered pieces of land which go to make up this 6000 island
2 2 - a
archipelago. On the morning of July 12th we passed through
the narrow entrance of Manila Bay. To the North we saw
the hallowed ground of the Bataan Peninsula, a misty halo
of clouds ringing its towering mountain peaks. Within a half
mile of our port beam was the rocky, barren fortress of Cor-
regidor with its topside blasted and torn by thousands of
tons of cordite and steel. Near the Eastern shore of the huge
yellow bay was a forest of masts, while shimmering on the
sun drenched plain behind we could see the City of Manila,
bedraggled "Paris of the Orient."
We weaved our way across to the anchorage, avoiding
native lateen rigged sailing boats and the sunken hulls of
dozens of japanese war and merchant ships. Our carrier
aircraft had, some months previously, made this shallow,
muddy bay the grave for over three hundred Nip vessels.
In places their Hre and bomb torn decks and superstructures
were visible as they lay rotting and rusting in the shallow
water. '
Filippino Children Planting Rice -
We anchored about four miles from shore to await our
turn to discharge. On the 16th we moved alongside pier 13
and all hands went ashore on liberty. We soon discovered
that Manila was no longer anything, but a caricature of a
city, a Memorial to the destruction of modern war. Flame,
steel and high explosives had gutted every structure of any
size, the jagged skyline presented a pitiable and terrifying
scene of destruction. Our liberty boats took us up the Passig
River which is a heavily trafiic waterway that roughly divides
Manila in two. On the Northern shore near the waterfront,
were- the slums teeming with tens of thousands of ragged
Filippinos and a scattering of Chinese, each trying to resume
their normal lives. This was the least damaged area of any
we saw. Farther inland on the same side of the river is the
business district which the japanese fought for from every
corner, alleyway and rooftop. Only the unleashed fury of our
artillery and flame throwers had been able to blast and burn
them out. On the right bank of the river were the shattered
structures of the government ibuildings , the ancient walled
city, and farther back, the residential and apartment house
areas where a hierarchy of Jap officialdom had lived like the
Oriental despots they were.
As we stepped ashore we were astounded by the numer-
ous bars, bistros, and gaudy night clubs that enterprising
natives had built out of rubble and palm fronds. These
establishments with victrolas blaring mid-thirties jazz were
everywhere. "Mary's Joint," "The Golden Slipper,', "Pedro's
Greasy Spoon," and "Dirty Girties,' were typical of the tin
wallboard signs that beckoned the G.I. and sailor to come
inside and try poisonous cocktails made of wood alcohol, or
a full course meal featuring "real beef steak," fwhich the
old timers recognized at once as being water buffaloj smelly
eggs, and in addition, with the compliments of the house,
you could at any time get a side order of amoebic dysentery.
On the muddy streets urchins were selling genuine Manila-
manufactured Jap flags for ten pesos or five dollars Amer-
ican. Nipponese invasion currency of every denomination
was the stock in trade of each peddler. However, donit. get
the impression that the population as a whole were trying
to fleece their American cousins, most were far too busy try-
ing to clean up and rebuild this city that they had always been
so proud of and which they still loved with a nerce pride.
We visited the walled city which was where the japs,
who had been trapped in Manila, had made their final bloody
stand. It is the most ancient section of the city, and is an area
about a mile and a half square enclosed by a huge wall of
stone and earth that in places is thirty feet thick. Inside there
had originally been numerous churches, schools, and homes,
but what we saw looked like a scene from the seventh ring
of hell as described in Dante's "Inferno" For days artillery
fire had swept every square foot of ground, probing with
the relentlessness of doom for the entrenched laps. Very
few slant eyed Sons of Heaven lived through this murderous
barrage' to surrender, and many who did, were babbling
pieces of shell schocked flesh little resembling men. We left
this scene of destruction and continued our sightseeing along
the once fashionable Dewey Boulevard which now carried a
constant stream of every imaginable type of Army vehicle.
Battle weary troops were being returned to the city from the
fierce fighting that still raged in the Northern mountains
while fresh units were being moved out on their way to the
front lines. Huge supply dumps and staging areas were being
set up for another major operation. We also passed other
camps, covering acres of muddy swampland, in which had
been deposited the shattered wreckage of thousands of jap-
anese aircraft of every size and description.
We visited Santo Tomas University which the Army had
converted to a modern military hospital with hundreds of
tents pitched around the main buildings to accommodate
the recuperating patients. The Monkey Men had used it for
the much less humanitarian purpose of incarcerating the
hundreds of allied civilians who had been trapped in the
Islands at the outbreak of the war. Bilibid prison with its
forbidding stone walls and barred porticos was now the cage
for Japanese prisoners of war who observed all the niceties
of military conduct by religiously saluting us as we walked
2
E
-
-
through its guarded yards. We ignored the salutes of men
who had been responsible for the Death March from Bataan
and whose brothers in arms had nearly taken our lives on
April 2nd off Kerama Retto.
Our sightseeing was abruptly halted on July 19th when
we set sail for our return to the United States. Our orders
were, to hurry back to the States, pick up a load and return
to Manila where we would be assigned to a combat squadron
to go into training for a new operation that was being secretly
planned. This hush, hush attack, we now know, would have
carried us to an amphibious assault on the Jap's home Island
of Kyushu. From the bay entrance we turned South into the
Sulu Sea, this time our route to the Pacific through the Island
barriers took us by way of the Straits of San Bernardine. It
was through this passage that the shattered remnants of a
proud Jap naval force had fled after our old battleships,
many of them being the vessels that had been salvaged since
Q ' 23
December 7th from the mud and slime of Pearl Harbor, had
destroyed the greater portion, a major portion of their fleet.
We, as the fleeting Japs had done, passed through the Straits
at night, feeling and groping our way with radar and the
skill of our skipper guiding us. At dawn we traveled through
the last few miles of the narrow passage bounded by Luzon
and Samar, then with a pitch and roll settled on a easterly
course through the Pacific.
Seven uneventful' days later we refueled at Eniwetok and
impatiently got underway again. We polished and painted
the ship so that we would be presentable in San Francisco,
and the Captain inspected the results of our efforts the day
before we arrived. It was after dark on the night of August
5th that we saw the beckoning light of the city of Saint
Francis shining through the narrow straits that have watched
millions like us sail out of and return through from the war.
We were home again. LIBERTY COMMENCED AT 2100.
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27
THIRD VOYAGE
Our stay in San Francisco was marked by a series of
events that the peoples of the world had waited many years
to see, the United States loosed the terror of the Atomic
Bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, japan reluctantly sur-
sendered and the MOUNTRAIL had a party. History's tomes
will completely discuss the first two happenings, but for
fear that they will overlook the third we will discuss it with
a few well chosen superlatives. On the night of August 14th
all the officers and men, except a skeleton watch, began con-
gregating in the Masonic Temple in San Francisco. Our dates
appeared on time and the dancing and beer drinking began.
Outside we could hear the howling mobs tearing up the city
in a victory celebration. Inside we were enjoying the esthetic
satisfaction derived from a fine show of interpretive dancing
by as comely a line of buxom blondes and redheads as could
be found. Between their abbreviated costumes, our long beers,
and the good fellowship of the officers and men relaxing
together after a rigorous voyage the evening couldn't have
been better.
We wearily returned the next morning to the General
Engineering and Drydock Corporation's Alameda yard where
the ship was undergoing a general overhaul. On the 21st we
steamed across the bay to a San Francisco Army dock, took
aboard a full load of troops and that same afternoon headed
out to sea. We were again headed on what was now to us the
boring voyage to Eniwetok. On the 29th we crossed the
180th Meridian and then a few days later stopped at Eni-
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wetok, from there to Ulithi, thence to the Philippines,
through the San Bernardino Straits, and on the morning of
September 11th we came to anchor at the port of Batangas,
Luzon. Here we debarked the units of the 86th Infantry
Division that we had been carrying aboard, and then took a
look at the city. It is a small mountain-encircled port about
70 miles south of Manila. It was here that General Mac-
Arthur made a bloodless landing during his encirclement of
the Philippine capital. The harbor has a few scarred masts of
Jap ships sticking out of the water and the beach was strewn
with our and our recent enemy's landing craft. The town
itself had been torn by bombs and fire and presented a pitiful
sight. The inhabitants had little to sell to the souvenir
hunters except the inevitable wooden shoes and hemp table
cloths that were to be foundeverywhere in the islands.
A few days later we sailed back through the danger-
ous Straits and anchored the following afternoon in San
Pedro Bay, Leyte. Here we took on fuel and waited for orders.
We received word on the 18th to go to Abuyog about forty
miles down the coast to pick up a company of troops and
thence to Cebu city on the Island of Cebu and prepare for
an operation. We spent the night of September 19th an-
chored off the village of Abuyog and the next afternoon left
28
for Cebu. We steamed all night through narrow channels
studded with pinnacles of coral and rock, arriving at our
destination the following morning.
Cebu is the second largest city in the Philippines and
before the war was the center from which hundreds of ship-
loads of hemp and sugar were sent to every nation in the
world. The japanese realizing its value commercially and
also coveting its protected harbor made it an Army and Navy
Operating Base second only to Manila in size and importance.
During our softening up raids prior to the Philippine
Invasion, carrier task forces had made this Island city and
harbor the focal point for murderous attacks by air. They
blasted the waterfront area and any shipping found in the
bay until the muddy bottom was covered with dozens of
rusting hulls.
We had a pleasant surprise at Cebu when we found we
were going to load a Battalionof our old friends, the 77th
Division. Our destination was to be the City of Hakodate on
the Island of Hokkaido, japan. We moved shop from the
outerharbor alongside a dock and commenced loading. All
hands again were given a chance to go ashore and as-usual
no one refused the opportunity. p
We found the city similar to all others we had seen in the
Philippines. Everywhere was an all prevailing rancid sweet
smell that is peculiar to the islands. We discovered that its
source was rancid coconut oil which is used for everything
from cooking to hair pomade. The inevitable wooden shoes
and hemp tablecloths were again for sale at the usual inflated
OFF
OPS
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prices. It wasia pitiful sight to see ragged underfed natives
with pockets bulging with money and nothing for them to
spend it on.
Those of us who had an opportunity to take trips along
the coastal plain upon which the city is built, saw some of
the most beautiful country in the world. Mountain streams
came babbling out of the mountains and jungles and emptied
into the muddy inland sea. Slow moving water buffalo, up
to their bellies in yellow mud, pulled primitive plows
through rice paddies. The only evidence of war was the
bridges which had been destroyed by the retreating japanese,
who were now impounded inside a barbed wire stockade a
few miles out of town. We were told that they made no
attempt to escape because the Filippinos still were prone to
indulge themselves in their time honored custom of decapi-
tating their enemies.
Our boat crews held a series of rehearsals for the loadings
which were to be made just as if we were going in upon a
defended beach. Then on the 26th of September we got
underway in company with Transport Squadron THIRTEEN
and the following morning stopped briefly off Abuyog head-
ing North later in the afternoon. As we progressed north-
ward we received word of a typhoon in our path so we
changed course and steamed eastward in an attempt to skirt
the storm. We pitched and rolled through froth-covered seas
that often broke over our bow but successfully avoided the
full fury of this storm that Hnally expended its destruction
on Okinawa. Again we changed course and continued our
travels Northward.
On the night of October 4th we entered the narrow
Tsugaru Straits between the Jap Islands of Honshu and
Hokkaido and the following dawn found us in the outer
harbor of Hakodate. Our boats were manned and lowered,
formed up in waves and proceeded to line of departure. From
1
Looking down main street in Hakodate
our vantage point the waterfront appeared deserted, in fact
the entire city showed nothing but a few lazy spirals of smoke
to show that anyone was there. We received the dispatch
order and our landing craft roared into a small boat basin
where we discharged the fully armed troops we carried.
Here we saw our first japs. Working parties of stevedores
were lined up on the docks ready to assist in the unloading
of cargo. You could not characterize these Japs as having any
unity of expression or emotion, some were laughing and
pointing at everything they saw, some were definitely sullen,
while most just stood impassively observing our every move.
They were being directed by dapper but sullen japanese
police each in a black uniform with a short decorative but
very businesslike dagger at his belt as his badge of authority.
The ship was speedily unloaded and then all hands were
given a chance to visit the city with the strict provision that
there be no buying or trading and no contacts with the
civilians. Higher authority wanted us to enter as conquerors
not souvenir hunters. We found the city modern in many
ways with street cars, paved streets, department stores and
Shinto .rbrifze
. 29
wide boulevards but primitive in many other respects with
all the sewage from its teeming slums and beautiful residen-
tial sections running down ditches at the side of every street.
We saw a great many demobilized japanese soldiers in the
streets and most of the men and boys were wearing some kind
of a uniform. Women ran as soon as they saw us the first day
we were there. A day later they did not run but hurried about
their business watching us suspiciously out of the corners
of their eyes. Hakodate abounded with religious shrines.
We visited Buddhist Temples, an Orthodox Greek Church,
a small Catholic Church, and numerous Shinto Shrines.
Our sightseeing was over on the 6th of October when
we sailed across the narrow straits, anchored overnight off
the city of Aomori on Northern Honshu and then left the
following day for Guam in the Mariannas.
Five days later we dropped the hook in Apra Harbor
which is the only harbor for this nerve center of the Pacific.
Recreation activities 'were numerous but the Island had so
many thousands of soldiers, sailors and Marines on shore that
our stay was rather dull. Because of necessity, everything we
did was regimented and planned and we had no chance for
individual excursions. We did however see the huge B-29
bases from where our Superforts left in the last year of the
war to destroy Tokyo and the major cities of the Nipponese
empire. While we were here numerous japanese warcraft put
into the harbor to pick up supplies or to carry their prisoners
back to their homeland. Again we began taking aboard a new
load of troops, this time units of the 6th Marine Division.
The day before our departure we had a big beer party and
then without regrets set sail for China.
We passed close to Kerama Retto, continued through the
South China Sea, entered the Yellow Sea and on October
28th arrived at the North China port of Tsingtao. This city
at one time was owned by the Germans who developed its
Hne harbor, dock facilities, and made of it a modern city for
the Orient. During the First World War the Japanese had
driven the Germans out and left themselves only to return
during the China incident. From the harbor the city appears
Dowfzlozwz H akodate
30 y .
to be much more modern than it really is. All the roofs are
of red tile and the imposing buildings in the business district
appear to be new and clean. When we got a closer look at
the city we found it not quite so pure. As they had been in
japan our noses were assailed by a variety of odors the minute
we set foot on shore, with the smell of long dead fish being
the most predominant. The streets were crowded with thou-
sands of rickshaws each human beast of burden clamoring
for our trade.
The sidewalks were a milling throng of peddlers, beg-
gars, 'business people, Chinese soldiers and our own sailors
and Marines. Every few steps there were bars and restaurants
clamoring for us to taste their poisonous concoctions. White
Russians, people without a country, were numerous in the
city and their establishments were cleaner and a little more
modern than the average Chinese Bistro. The shops were
overflowing with goods for sale most of it being cheap
Japanese wares with which the recently defeated Nips had
flooded every occupied country. The eicchange rate for cur-
cency when we arrived was three thousand Chinese dollars
for one American, however, in a fewidays it was four thou-
sand to one. Compared to the succession of barren spots we
had visited before Tsingtao was a paradise, and we were
thrilled when we learned that we were to load our ship with
men eligible for discharge and return to the United States
via Shanghai. Loaded with souvenirs we prepared to get
underway for Central China on the afternoon of November
2nd, but just as we were pulling in our anchor we had a
change of orders sending us to Manila.
Griping with the change in orders but happy to be headed
homeward we set sail and five uneventful days later arrived
in Manila only staying overnight. On the 8th we left the
harbor and began a non stop tripshome. On the 16th of
November we celebrated the first anniversary of our com-
missioning. During that year's time we had travelled a total
distance of 61,289 sea miles.
The days seemed to be endless on our voyage back and
we begrudged every minute of it, but Hnally on the 24th
of November we sailed, many of us for the last time, under
the Golden Gate Bridge and into the beloved waters of
San Francisco Bay.
Liberty commenced at 1600.
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MR. ONESHJ
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ap deftroyer "Hibiki" at Guam Mighty "M", Apra Harbor, Guam
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32
, AFTERWORD
This has been the story of a ship. Not the kind of ship
that writes its name in history but an humble ship, one of
many, a good ship, OUR ship. V
Once she was a mass of raw materials pouring into San
Francisco from every corner of the land. The sweat and toil
and grime and prayers of a nation laid her keel and gave her
form. A terrible urgency throbbed in the nation's pulse.
Shattering events were rocking the world. In such a time,
the U.S.S. MOUNTRAIL slid down the ways, was fitted
out and commissioned. Inert and inanimate, a thing of steel,
she lay at the dockside awaiting the stream of life that would
be her crew. ,
Fresh from school, factory, farm and business house,
from city and countryside, from penthouse, slum or modest
home, from every walk of life, with the drawl of Texas and
the twang of New England on their tongues, came the five
hundred officers and men who clambered across her decks to
become her ship's company. V
Full of dewy enthusiasms were these men and officers.
A swift transit of boot-camp or indoctrination-school had
given us only a dim realization of what lay ahead. If we had
nursed any illusions, they vanished with nightfall. Endless
months of endless days followed while we perspired and
labored, erred and faltered, cursed and were cursed, learned
and forgot and learned again. There were brief glorious
interludes of shoreleave with an aura of Sky-rooms and
bubbling cocktails and the scented rustle of silk. But mostly
we labored, labored, labored . . . madly, insanely, until we
learned to hate the ship and all it represented, almost . . .
but not quite.
And then, out of the embers of fatigue and weariness
and heartache and homesickness, something new emerged.
It shuddered into being and pulsed through the ship. It
mingled with the throb of the engines and the sounds of
complaint and self-pity. A soul had been born, the soul of
OUR fighting ship. It stiffened our backbones, uplifted our
hearts, fortified our spirits.
Was there a Utopia aboard ship after that, a "Never
Never Land" of honeyed words and sugar-coated phrases?
Oh, no! There were still times when we stewed in our own
dismay, faltered in our inadequacies, boiled' in a cauldron of
mute invective. But it wasn't quite the same. S
We had meaning and purpose now. Perhaps we didn't
like Joe jones or Ensign Smirk. But we weren't looking for
charm and personality those days. This was no mincing
minuet in which we were engaged but a hard, grim war of
unprecedented savagery. We liked the feel of joe jones and
Ensign Smirk at the guns, scanning the skies for the lightning
horror that ever threatened. Survival was at stake, our own
survival, and it well might hang on the sure eye and steady
heart of a shipmate. When the shadow of death looms ever
over the horizon, we learn to prize the iron in men, not the
glossy finish.
There was joy and laughter too, on the MOUNTRAIL,
and an easy fellowship that we so took for granted, we were
hardly conscious of it. There were long dreamy periods at sea
when work was at a minimum and war seemed so wondrously
far away.
One day the MOUNTRAIL will be decommissioned and
sent to pasture. We expect that day to come soon. We shall
travel, each to his own little world. And what shall we
remember of our year on the MOUNTRAIL? Shall it be
the late watches, the harsh words, the liberties we didn't get,
the dreary nights in boats, the transient joys and trivial
triumphs?
No, we shall remember that feeling of calm competency
when the order was given to commence operations. We shall
remember the cold grey dawn when Kerama Retto hrst
loomed up before our wondering eyes, that calm confidence
we shared on the dawn of battle where we had feared to
feel fear, the quiet unity and purpose of the entire ship.
We shall remember the cool efficiency at the Hagushi Beaches
and the quiet conviction of Southeastern Okinawa. We shall
remember, of course, the shore leave at Manila, Tsingtao,
Cebu, Hakodate, Honolulu, even the beer-brawls at Mog-
Mog. Long after the resplendent souvenirs we carried aboard
with ecstatic delight have been relegated to the scrap-heap
they so richly deserve, the thrill of barter in foreign lands
will warm our hearts. And we shall never forget our horrified
appreciation of the unwavering fury of our gun crews on
April 2nd and our savage ex-ultation when, at last, the
menacing kamikaze crashed like screaming meteors into the
sea.
These are the things that have become a part of us. Five
hundred officers and men poured into our ship the best that
was in them. Out of their enthusiasms, disappointments,
heartaches, triumphs and fulfillments was distilled an essence
that became the soul of the MOUNTRAIL. It flowed into
the spirit of every man and gave him strength when he
needed strength. Some of us will count it for much and some
of us will count it as nothing. Perhaps it will live long in
the hearts of the men who trod the MOUNTRAILHS decks.
And then again it may not. While it lived, it fulfilled a
purpose. Perhaps, in a later day, there may again be a need
and this chronicle of the MOUNTRAIL may serve to re-
kindle the flame that burned in our hearts at Leyte and
Okinawa. .
ROSTER OF
STEVENS, Rober+ R., Commander, Capfain
2362 l8+h Avenue, San Francisco, Calif.
MASSELLO, Edmund J., L+. Comdr., Execufive Officer
2I Dar+mou+h S+ree+, Somerville, Mass.
HILL, Swen A., L+. Comdr., Naviga+or
Baraga, Michigan
PFANNER, Eugene F., L+. Comdr., Senior Medical Officer
22I Hayes S+ree+, Tehachapi, Calif.
KIMBALL, David C., Commander, Senior Medical Officer
609 "C" Avenue, Coronado, Calif. I
SMITH, James, W., Lieu+enan+, Beachmasfer
IPresen+ Execu+ive Officerl
30 Nor+h Eas+on Road, Glenside, Pa.
DEMPSEY, John H., L+. Comdr., Assis+an+ Senior Medical Officer
66 Washingfon Avenue, Berlin, New Jersey
EISAN, Herman G., Lieu+enan+, Engineering Officer
I47 Asylum S+ree+, Norwich, Conn.
McCONNELL, Frank P., Lieu+enan+, Beachmasfer
I85 Angell S+ree+, Providence, R. I.
SWEENEY, George C., Lieu+enan+, Is+ Lieu+enan+
430 Marion S+ree+, Denver, Colorado
NELSON, Marlin C., Lieu+enan+, Boa+ Group Commander
I I30I Blix S+., Nor+h Hollywood, Calif.
LOOSE, Jack C., Lieu+enan+, Gunnery Officer
I2 Wyomissing S+ree+, Wyomissing, Pa.
MIMMS, Carney W., Jr., Lieu+enan+, Communica+ion Officer
I4I2 Eas+ 5+h S+., Ocala, Florida
PECK, George S., Lieu+enan+, Engineering Officer
42I James S+ree+, Geneva, Illinois
McCALL, Fred C., Lieu+enan+, Supply Officer
20I4 Whelan Avenue, San Leandro, Calif.
HOWE Roberf E. Lieu+enan+ Is+ Lieu+. and Dama e Con+roI Officer
I I I g
I5 8+h S+ree+ N. E., Rochesler, Minneso+a
EISOLD, John E., Lieu+enan+, Naviga+or
3698 Avalon Road, Shaker Heigh+s 20, Ohio
DOWNS, Frederick S., Lieu+. CIC Officer
6 Nor+h Cliff S+ree+, Ansonia, Conn.
McAULEY, Terry F., Lieu+. Iigl, Naviga+or
6023 Wa+erman Avenue, S+. Louis, Missouri
PAUL, Frank R., Lieu+. Iigl, Assis+an+ Gunnery Officer
I350 Euclid Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida
LEE, Russell M., Lieu+. Iigl, Assis+an+ Beachmasfer
3I747 Cloverly S+ree+, Warren, Michigan
HALE, E. Alan, Lieu+. Iigl, Signal Officer
I45 Mifchell S+ree+, Ranfoul, Illinois
THARP, Roberf J., Lieu+enan+, Den+aI Officer
l2I47 Harvard Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
ODOM, Vincenf L., Lieu+enan+,.ChapIain
8I I Easf College S+., Iowa Ci+y, Iowa
LEE, Francis B., Lieu+. Iigl, Assis+an+ Medical Officer
50I Sou+h Church S+., Monroe, Nor+h Carolina
TRUE, DeWi++ S., Lieu+. Iigl, Assis+an+ Medical Officer
60 Manlhorne Road, Wes+ Roxbury 32, Mass.
CLARK, Da +on R. Lieu+. ' Assis+an+ Medical ic
Y . IIQI. Off ef
I4 Gleason Road, Lexingfon 73, Mass.
OFFICERS
MARTIN, Frank E., Lieu+. Iigl, Beach Parfy Medical Officer
70 Sou+h l2+h S+ree+, Minneapolis, Minn.
McPHERON, Alfred P., Lieu+. Iigl, Boaf Salvage Officer
206 Maple S+ree+, Box I20, Shepard, Michigan
RIGGS, Anson V., Lieu+. Iigl, Boa+ Group Execufive Officer
.No. I Beach Tree Lane, Bronxville 8, N. Y.
PATTERSON, Mar+in L., Is+ Lieu+. USMCR, Debarkafion Officer
533 26+h S+ree+, Ogden, U+ah
MILLER, George H., Ensign, Recogni+ion Officer
No. I Holsfon Ap+s., Johnson Ci+y, Tenn.'
O'NElLL, Richard M., Jr., Ensign, "C" Division Officer
I679 Church S+ree+, San Francisco, Calif.
McKENZIE, Charles S., Ensign, Assis+an+ Is+ Lieu+enan+
53 Johnson Avenue, Wes+ Medford, Mass. A
FAGAN, Paul J., Ensign, Assis+an+ Naviga+or
I I5-58 I75+h S+ree+, S+. Albans, Long Island, New York
SMITH, Edmund H., Ensign, "M" Division Officer
3I6 Eas+ Bridge S+., Wesfbrook, Maine
MEYN, Frederick W., Ensign, "A" Division Officer
548 Ches+nu+ S+ree+, Meadville, Pa.
MASTERSON, Edward E., Ensign, Disbursing Officer
Eas+ 728 23rd Avenue, Spokane, Wash.
ALEXANDER, Wayne D., Ensign, Boa+ Officer
P. O. Box 289, Concord, Nor+h Carolina
CLAPP, Charles L., Ensign, 2nd Division Officer
5I Love+l' S+ree+, Beverly, Mass.
CIFELLI, Richard, Ensign, Assis+an+ Educafional Officer
249 Avon Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
DAVIS, Rober+ L., Ensign, Assis+an+ Naviga+or
I849 Jefferson S+., San Francisco, Calif.
FISHER, Roberf D., Ensign, "F" Division Officer I
3 I2I Frazier, For+ Wor+h, Texas
MUDD, Jack E., Ensign, "B" Division Officer
I690 Win+er S+ree+, Salem, Oregon
STEGMAN, Melvin M., Ensign, 3rd Division Officer
Offerle, Kansas
STEPHENS, Theodore P., Ensign, Is+ Division Officer
407 CaIume+ Avenue, Aurora, Illinois
ROBERTS, Mervin F., Ensign, "R" Division Officer
626 Grassmere Terrace, Far Rockway, N. Y.
KEECH, Paul H., Ch. Pharm., "H" Division Officer
Elwyn Road, Por+smou+h, N. H.
PIPER, Floyd S., Ch. Elecf., "E" Division Officer
259I 2I8+h Place, Long Beach, Calif. I
BARTH, DeWayne, Ch. Bos'n, Assis+an+ Is+ Lieu+enan+
Forres+ Cify, Iowa
LETT, Howard L., Ch. Mach., "B" Division Officer
I4I2 Sou+h S+ree+, Long Beach, Calif.
RIMER, Elmer L., Chief Pay Clerk, Assis+an+ Supply Officer
7I8 Union S+ree+, Geneva, Illinois
PARKER, Clarence W., Acfing Pay Clerk, Assis+an+ Supply Officer
729 44+h S+ree+, Oakland, Calif.
VAN DAGRIFF, Tony G., Carpen+er, Assis+an+ Is+ Lieu+enan+
Kealia, Kauai, Terri+ory of Hawaii
34
AKIN, Arvel D.
Box 333, Tahoka, Texas
ALLGOOD, N. H. . .
l624 Plarson Ave., S. W., Blrmlngham, Ala.
ALSOP, Glenn W.
ANDERSON, Leonard c.
l692 Linden Sf., Brooklyn, New York
ANDRUS, Clarence J.
Maurice, Louisiana
ANGEL, Frank E.
ARCHABAULT, S. A.
6355 S. Calif. Ave., Chicago 29, lll.
ASCUAGA, Frank A.
ATKINSON, Jackie C.
200 Amarillo Sf., Wellingfon, Texas
AUSTIN, Charles P. .
AYER, Glendon
Percey's Corners, Benningfon, Vermonf
BADEN, Francis E.
8Il Errion, Pineville, Louisiana
BAILEY, Harold D. l .
6I0 Wesf Hadley Sf., Whiffier, Callf.
BAIRD, P. B.
Essex, Missouri
BAKER, George G.
R. D. No. I, Downingfon, Penn.
BARBEE, Maxwell
2430 River Road, Milwaukee, Oregon
BARTEE, Alberf
l9I3 Thompson Sf, Kansas Cify, Kansas
BARTON, George W.
Box 9I, Oakland, Mississippi
BEASLEY, Huberf P.
Leon, Iowa
BEAVERSON, Paul R.
8 N. Mission Sf., Sapula, Okla.
BELL, Charlie
2l6 6fh Ave. Soufh, Columbus, Miss.
BENJAMIN, John E.
I7I7 Ward Sf., Berkeley, Calif.
BENSON, Floyd R.
3662 Venfon Ave., Los Angeles 34, Calif.
BERKOWITZ, Maurice
I2I2 N. 8fh Sf., Philadelphia, Penn.
BESTARD, Efrain
556 Wesf l40fh Sf., New York, N. Y.
slEsEL, Howard H.
BISSETTE, Murray E.
Sfar Roufe, Brandon, Vermonf
BLACKFORD, Richard, Jr. '
R. R. No. I, Nicholasville Rd., Lexingfon, Ky.
BLISS, Laurence A.
Box 75, Buena, Wash.
BOEHLE, William A.
R. R. No. I, O'FaIIen, Missouri
BOKER, John C.
R. R. No. I, Gilmore Cify, Iowa
BOSS, John A.
BRADFORD, Troy C.
Bee Branch, .Arkansas
aRAosl-lAw, J. w.
2I0 w. 9+lr sf., Chandler, Okla.
BRIX, Calvin H. .
I37 Lamb Sf., Cumberland Mills, Maine
BROOKENS, Carfer A. .
5649 Praine Ave., Chicago, Illinois'
BROWN, E. L.
309 N. Bye Sf., Abilene, Kansas
ROSTER OF CREW
BROWNING, John D.
304 Moss Sf., Housfon, Texas
BRUMMETT, Ausfin R.
lll0 Gardena Blvd., Gardena, Calif.
BUCKLES, Delberf G.
BURNS, Roberf D.
Gen. Del., Haileyville, Okla.
BURSON, Norman D.
283i Carpenfer, Dallas, Texas
BUSCH, Rayi'nond E.
428 Oliver Sf., San Pedro, Calif.
BYRD, Larry E.
Rf. No. I, Conley, Georgia
CAFFEE, William G., Jr.
Vance, Alabama
CAIN, Roberf L.
l08 E. Scharbauer Sf., Hobbs, N. M.
CALEEN, Clifford G.
4 Chafham Place, Norfh Plainfield, N. J.
CAMILLO, Roy J.
28 Knowles Ave., San Francisco, Calif.
CAMP, Lawrence B. l
30l0 Elizabefh Sf., Dallas 4, Texas
CAMPBELL, Donald J.
Moon Rd., Chagrin Falls, Ohio
CAPPETTA, William M.
238 Grand Ave., New Haven, Conn.
CARPENTER, l-lorlei M., Jr.
CARTER, Leslie S.
364 Orange Sf., Manchesfer, New Hampshire
CAYLOR, Daniel R.
Suspension, Alabama
CHAMBERS, O. M.
Box 432, Cullman, Alabama
CHAPMAN, George L.
Islefa, New Mexico
CHARLES, William A.
34 Allsfon Sf., Bosfon, Mass.
CHATELAIN, Emmanuel P.
CHENAL, Arfhur S.
362 Perry Sf., Denver, Colorado
CHRISTIANSEN, William H.
233 Oldfield Sf., Alpena, Mich.
CIUZIO, Roberf E.
38l9 27fh Sf., Long Island Cify, Ky.
CLARK, Evereff R.
26-229 Easf River Road, Crosse Ile, Mich.
CLARK, Jack A.
Prospecf Park, Penn.
COBB, William H.
2l2l Avenue K., Galvesfon, Texas
COE, Wyman W. r
2l2l Avenue K., Galvesfon, Texas
COFIELD, Lonnie
2643 2nd Sf., Macon, Georgia
COLLINS, Roberf
508 E. Glendale Ave., Alexander, Va.
CONDREY, Julius L. P
RFD No. I, Box I96, Livingsfon, Ala.
COOK,,Billy G.
l06 Navasofa Sf., Groesbeck, Texas
COOPER, Carl R.
Il658 Blue Sf., Los Angeles, Calif.
coRlalN, laleirre E.
couLoN, William J.
COUNTESS, Melvin
Brooklyn I9, New York
COUTURE, Lyle T.
l408 Maine Sf., Sioux Cify, Iowa
COWlE,'Alfred J.
I635 82nd Sf., Brooklyn, N. Y.
CRABTREE, Roberf F.
Box No. ll, Providence, Ufah
CRAWFORD James J.
559 Taff Pl., Gary, Indiana
cREElcMoRE, l-lerrry E.
Box 979, Eloy, Arizona R
CROWNINGSHIELD, Le Roy O.
Whallonsburg, New York
CRUCIOTTI, John F.
CRUISE, Bob J.
Seminole, Oklahoma
DELAHOUSSAYE, Joseph
P. O. Box No. 326, New Iberia, La.
DEMARTINO, George
I2l0 Ludi Sf., Syracuse, N. Y.
DENN, Richard Whiffield
Box I44, Richards, Texas
DENN, Shirley D.
Box I32, lfaly, Texas
DERAS, Joe L.
8238 Alix Ave., Los Angeles I, Calif.
DEUITCH, Carl W.
205 High Sf., Garreff, Indiana
DEUSEBIO, Joseph
I9l8 86fh Ave., Oakland, Calif.
DEWAR, Harry David
I566 Treeman Ave., San Francisco, Calif.
DIAL, Cecil Eugene, Jr.
P. O. 3303 So. Highland Sfa. Birmingham, Ala.
DICHIARA, Angelo
84 Cleveland Sf., Malden, Mass.
DIEFFENWIERTH, Paul N.
RFD No. I, Largo, Florida
DIRICKSON, Howard Eugene
Box 327, Liffle Field, Texas
DOBROWOLSKY, George Joseph
46 E. Church Rd., Elkins Park, Pa.
DOLLINS, John J.
548 Vine Sf., Glendale 4, Calif.
DONELSON, Earnesf
5II Olive Sf., Liffle Rock, Ark.
DOOLEY, Donald F.
Fleef Records Office, cfo F.P.O., San Francisco, Calif.
DOSSIE, Edward W.
l0I7 N. 4fh Sf., Birmingham, Ala.
DOZIER, Joseph H.
37 B. Sf., Sf. Carney's Pf., New Jersey
DRAGICH, Melon
Bayard Ave., Rice's Landing, Penn.
DUNCANS, Samuel
DUNN, Earl Lernard, Jr.
480 Sunderland Rr., Worcesfer, Mass.
DYE, Donald David
Rf. No. 3, Mineral Wells, W. Va.
DYE, Donn Joseph
Napa, California
DYKEHOUSE, Harm
cfo J. R. Dykehouse, I609 Almo Ave., Kalamazoo, Mich
ECKMAN, clrerle. A.
2l0 Froy Sf., Canfon, Penn.
EDMONDSON, Roberl' Buchanan, Jr.
28l8 Harrison Sf., Arlingfon, Calif.
EDSENGA, Jack A.
926 Courfney Sf., N. W., Grand Rapids, Mich.
EDWARDS, Marion L.
EHRCKE, Charles A.
I628 Van Urankin Ave., Schenecfady, N. Y.
EICHELBERGER, Paul E.
Gen. Del., Flefcher, Ohio
EICHHOLTZ, James H.
ELLIOTT, William L.
457 Sheridan Sf., Ridgeville, Indiana
ELTON, Richard N.
Fifchville, Conn.
ELY, Edward W., Jr.
204 Myrfle Ave., Jersey Cify, N. J.
EMANUEL, Louia
Oakwood, Texas
EMMONS, Paul H.
Olive Hill, Tenn.
ENDERLE, Henry J.
R. D. No. 4, Mansfield, Ohio
ENGLISH, William E., Jr.
Line Road, Laichmonf, Penn.
ENQUIST, Harold G.
II4 W. 5fh Sf., Boone, Iowa
ESCHAN, Donald C.
5l9 Maple Ave., Newporf, Ky.
ESPARZA, William
I34 Wesf 4fh Sf., Piffsburg, Calif.
EVERETT, James H.
Roufe No. I, Arp, Texas
FAGAN, Frank T.
I8II Orleans Sf., Chicago, Ill.
FARRAR, George A.
I5I3 W. 84fh Sf., Los Angeles, Calif.
FEDELE, Anfhony T.
I27 Culione Sf., Albany, N. Y.
FEELY, Frank L.
FERENC, Roman
663 2nd Ave., New Kensingfon, Penn.
FIFIELD, William A.
Box I92, Lake Cify, Iowa
FISHER, Harold G.
330 So. Jackson, Fresno, Calif.
FLOWERS, Raymond Frederick
I003 Poplar, Cenfralia, Ill.
FORMAN, Ira J.
20 Main Sf., Bingham Canyon, Ufah
FORTUNE, James B.
Pikeville, Kenfucky
FOSTER, Kennefh E.
Whife Cloud, Michigan
FOSTER, Roberl M.
Ness Cify, Kansas
FRANCISCO, John
Easf Seansif Sf., Providence, R. I.
FRIES, Archie
305 No. Maple Ave., Fresno 2, Calif.
GABEL, Richard N.
ew sw asfh sf., oklahoma cify, Okla.
GARLAND, James C.
Kansas Cify, Missouri
GARRY, Charles E.
I34 Franklin Ave., Harfford, Conn.
GATTERDAM, James G.
I32 So. Champion Ave., Columbus 5, Ohio
GERMAN, Roberf G.
Rf. No. I, Sumas, Washingfon
GLENN, James L.
2626 Wesf Armifage Ave., Chicago, Ill.
GHIO, Augusf
3746 Clinfon Sf., San Diego, Calif.
GIERZEWSKI, Raymond W.
l42I N. Rockwell Sf., Chicago, Ill.
ROSTER OF CREW
GLOEDE, Harvey E.
Rf. No. I, Box No. 524, Racine, Wis.
GLOVER, Amos L.
Rf. No. 3, Box No. 67, Marianna, Florida
GITTINS, Norman
Smifhfield, Ufah
GOCHNEAUR, Lee D. -
II448 Euclid Ave., Cleveland Il, Ohio
GOINS, W. T.
908 I9fh Sf., Cleveland, Tenn.
GONTARZ, Theodore
I44 Cross Sf., Mefhuen, Mass.
GOODWIN, Cloal R.
330 W. l3fh Sf., Ada, Okla.
GORE, Vance
Ash, Norfh Carolina
GREEN, Devere J.
2I7 E. Linsey Blvd., Flinf, Michigan
GREENAGE, Roberf F.
5l8 Gay Sf., Denfon, Md.
GREGG, Roscoe H. '
Rf. No. 5, Box I09 W. Oklahoma Cify,
730 Wesf 2nd Sf., Ada, Oklahoma
GRIFFIN, John W. I
Henderson, Kenfucky
GRIGER, Sfeve J.
2785 So. 9fh' Sf., Omaha, Neb.
GROSS, Samuel C., Jr.
Hasfings, Florida
GUNS, Frank ini
72 Livingsfon Ave., Newark, N. J.
GUBERA, Frank A.
cfo Haskell Insf., Lawrence, Kansas
GUPTON, Lawrence J.
4579 Maybury Road, Defroif, Mich.
HAHN, Roberf M.
l726 So. l0lh Ave., Sioux Falls, S. D.
HALL, Calvin Wrisfon ,
l0l Miller Sf., Beckley, W. Va.
HALL, Harold E.
R. R. No. I, Bailey, Michigan
HALL, Henry Schuberfh, Jr.
R R. No. I, Downingfown, Penn.
HAMES, Marlin A.
2l80 Bush Sf., San Francisco, Calif.
HAMILTON, Elberf
.423 Lafimer Courf, Tulsa, Oklahoma
HAMMOND, Eldon L.
New Bosfon, Illinois
HAMMOND, James A.
HANOLD, Leanard H.
R. R. No. I, Sheldon, Wisconsin
HANCOCK, Julian R.
45l Irwin Sf., Ponfiac, Mich.
HANSON, Hermie A.
340 7fh.Ave. So, Fargo, N. D.
HARVEY, Norman W.
RFD No. 4, Tanquaneck, Penn.
HASKELL, Vernon John
527 "T" Sf., Bakersfield, Calif.
HASTINGS, Carlile H.
HAYES, Clifford P.
587 Capifal Ave., Aflanfa, Georgia
HAYMES, Richard R.
448 Belded Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.
HAYNES, William N.
HAYNIE, Charles K.
RFD No. I, Pacific Junclion, Iowa
HEARN, Raymond A.
Okla. or
35
H ERB ERT, Lionel M.
HEIDTMAN, Paul Sfewarf
3426 Nafional Ave., Defroif, Mich.
HENDERSON, Leo F.
P. O. Box 573, Hughson, Calif.
HENDERSON, Malvin B.
Soufh Hills Br., R.D. No. 9, Box 250, Piffsburgh I6, Pa
HERDEJURGEN, Bracey J.
l570 Munger Sf., Housfon, Texas
HERMINZEK, Harry F.
300 Harding Sf., Lafrobe, Penn.
HIBLAR, John J.
Rf. No. 3, Box 445, Tacoma, Wash.
HICKS, William E., Jr.
30l8 Lamp Ave., Sf. Louis, Mo.
HOARD, Ray
Auburn, Illinois
HODGE, Ervin W.
Redway Lodge, Garberville, Calif.
HODGE, Wade L.
Delay, Mississippi
HOEFLICKER, Edward J.
6l8 Arrin Sf., Bakersfield, Calif.
HOEFLINGER, John J.
825 54fh Sf., Brooklyn 20, N. Y.
HOERING, Thomas C.
3532 California Ave., Alfon, III.
HOLEMAN, Roberf
HOLMES, Chesfer C.
Mankafo, Kansas
HOLZWARTH, Aaron E.
Brownsville, Minnesofa
HUBBARD, Vernon Lee
203 S. W. Kenyon Sf., Des Moines, Iowa
HORNER, Donald Edward
90l Ecorse Rd., Ypsilanfe, Mich.
HUGHES, D. M.
l45 Easf 60fh Sf., Los Angeles, Calif.
HULBERT, L. G. ,
Rf. No. I, Box No. 30, Hemef, Calif.
HUNTINGTON, Collis P., Jr.
I073 Commercial Ave., Coos Bay, Oregon
HURLEY, James Donald
I53 Sanbaurn Sf., Fifchburg, Mass.
HURSH, Thomas W.
Prue, Oklahoma
HURTADO, Francisco V.
938 Nicherson Ave., Trinidad, Colo.
HUTCHINGS, Donald R.
cfo Elms Hofel, Excelsior Springs, Mo.
IKERD, Merville O.
Rf. No. 4, Box I967, Modesfo, Calif.
IRWIN, Warren E.
P. O. Box I97, Birmingham, Iowa
JACKSON, Ralph E.
JAMRUCK, Sfanley M. I
I746 N. 9fh sf., E. sf. Louis, III.
JEFFORDS, Morfimer
II9 Progress Sf., Providence, R. I.
JAUERNIG, James D.
R. No. 4, Burlingfon, Kansas '
JENSEN, Ernesf R.
JERNIGAN, John W.
R. No. I, Trenfon, Texas'
JOHNSON, Ralph
l75 63rd Ave., W. Rulufh, Minn.
JOHNSTON, am L.
226 So. 4fh Wesf, Brigham Cify, Ulah
36
JONES, Frederick M.
I2l2 Good St., Dallas Texas
JONES, George F.
JONES, William F.
JORDAN, James A. l
I743 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa
JOSEPH, Azzatte D.
Box I90, Ranger, Texas
J U DY, George W.
JUNGERS, Edwin E.
Hespers, Iowa
KALLENBERGER, Waldon lnl
Eureka, South Dakota
KALOKITUS, Albert W.
I6 Pulaski Ave., Shamakin, Penn.
KAYE, Kenneth I.
KAZEZSKI, Stanley lnl
KEARNS, Wayne T. .
l5I4 Madison St., Charleston, Illinois
KEELING, John L. . .
4l2 South Huntington Ave., Jamaica Plain,
KEMP, Don L.
4l4 So. Ist St., Zandy, Utah
KENT, Robert P. ' i
ll22 Del Paso Blvd., N. Sacramento, Callf.
KILBORN, Cecil O.
R. No. 5, Box 7884, Sacramento, Calif.
KILBRIDE, John P.
Bearing, Missouri
KIMBROUGH, John R.
Houlka, Mississippi
KISZTY, Andrew S.
50I7 Langhorn St., Pittsburgh, Penn.
KITZINGER, William E.
4I25 Woods Ave., Evansville, Indiana
KLATT, Paul F.
73I Union St., Monroe, Mich.
KLEPPIN, Felix E., Jr.
I3I6 N. I4th St., East St. Louis, Mo.
KOEHLER, Edwin L.
Caseyville, Illinois
KOHLHAAS, Dean P.
3I2 N. Garfield St., Algona, Iowa
KOCH, Frederick C.
2624 Upshur Drive, San Diego, Calif.
KORTZ, Joseph H.
West Clark St., Rt No. 2 Albert L
Mass.
7 y , ea, Minn.
KOSINSKI, Joseph P.
KRAUSE, Charles G.
2622 Rodge Ave., Ft. Wayne, Indiana
KRETSER, Ki.-nh ini
KROEPLIN, Herbert A.
409 Plunes St., Warsaw, Wisconsin
KRUEGER, Carl A. V .
KRUEGER, Melvin R.
23l7 4th St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
KUNDUS, Joseph R.
925 E. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, Ohio
LACKEY, -George V., Jr,
3I08 Coolidge Ave., Oakland, Calif.
LAFFERTY, Clell F.
R. R. No. I, Arlington, Ohio
LAHAY, Bernard J.
l806 Arcola Ave., Garden City, Mich.
LAKE, John E.
I764 Chestnut St., Redding, Calif.
ROSTER OF CREW
LAMB, James C.
Hubbell, Nebraska
LARSEN, Verner B.
I034 Treat Ave., San Francisco, Calif.
LARSON, Rudolph O.
52IV1La. Bill. N. Thier, River Falls, Minn.
LASCH, Robert H.
Rd. No. 5, Madiera, Ohio
LATHROP, Frederick M.
Old Boonton Rd., Denville, N. J.
LAWRENCE, James T. '
P. O. Box 588, Mena, Arkansas
LAWRENCE, LaVern E.
Henada, Ohio
LEACH, William F., Jr.
Rt. No. 3, Syersburg, Tenn.
LE BLANC, Roy J. .
35 West Charlotte St., Ecorse, Tenn.
LENNY, Albert T.
l07 North Burdish, Rt. No. 2, Opportunity, Wash.
LEPPARD, Thomas E.
l267 Glencoue Rd., Syracuse, N. Y.
LEVERONI, Mario E., Jr.
447 Green St., San Francisco, Calif. '
LEVINE, Donald lnl
I33 Smalley St., New Britain, Conn.
LEVINSKI, Joseph C.
2I57 Medburg Ave., Detroit ll, Mich.
LEWIS, David A.
208 N. Oak St., Owastonna, Minn.
LEWIS, Robert K.
West lst St., De Ridder, Louisiana
Llsowslcl, sen J.
2608 Evergreen Ave., Chicago, Ill.
uHll HJII
Route No. 4, Waterloo, Iowa
LIEN, Irvin N.
Box 64, Presho, South Dakota
LIMP, John L.
R. R. No. 3, Box I08, Huntingburg, Indiana
LONGCOR, Oliver B.
R. R. No. 2, Bustington, Iowa, cfo Mr. Rasa
LOU KIDES, Michael H.
LYONS, David
lIl0 Hugh St., Fort Wayne, Indiana
MAPLES, Raymond V.
Rt. No. 2, Westville, Oklahoma
MARINELLI, Joseph lnl
6335 Race St., Philadelphia, Penn.
MARSHALL, R. E.
92l Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles- 46, Calif.
MATH ESON, Malcolm lnl
MATTHEWS, R. W., Jr. I
525 So. ,Coronado St., Los Angeles 5, Calif.
MAYER, Steven L. '
Baring, Missouri
McBRIDE, Joseph P.
l20 Orange St., Chelsea, Mass.
MCBRIDE, Virgil D.
837 Pine St., Fulton, Missouri
MCCANN, Wagene R.
27l4 Duffin St., San Bernardino, Calif.
MCCASLAND, Jarold C.
923 Curtis St., Ranier, Colorado
MCCLUSKEY, Russel C. '
Beach Star Rt., Box 20, Bellingham, Wash.
MCCRAW, Harold K.
826 Peach St., Abilene, Texas
Hand
McHOOD, E.
Rt. No. 2, Belton, Texas
McKlLLIP, James L.
MCMAHON, James J.
I293 Cambridge St., Cambridge, Mass.
MENICHETTI
78 Bedford St., New York City, N. Y.
MESSINGERI, Raymond P.
63 Delano Ave., Yonkers 65, N. Y.
MICHAEL, Bobby W.
Rt. No. I., Marietta, Oklahoma
MIELKE, Charles E.
Box I38, Sidney, Montana
MILLER, Ralph W.
MILLER, Robert G.
MILLER, Robert P.
MILLS, J. A.
Rt. No. 6, Box 496-A, Olympia, Wash.
MINTZ, Reginald A. ' .,
MOLELLA, Fred A.
43 Abbot St., Springfield, Mass.
Moons, J. T. I
236 Monroe St., Clarksdale, Mass.
MONAHAN, W. J.
48l5 So. Ward St., Chicago 9, III.
Mokwooo, B. B. 5
Forbing, Louisiana
MOSER, Raymond P.
683I Kollenback St., Huntington Park, Calif
MOSCOWITZ, Arthur B.
MUNDIGLER, Roswell R.
8055 Illth St., West Allis, Wisconsin
MUNSEY, J. L.
l007 E. I7th Ave., Denver 5, Colorado
MUSSELMAN, R.
9344 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif.
MYERS, Thomas O., Jr.
382 Addison Ave., Clanhurst, Ill.
MYSKA, Edward J. ,
I05 Hayes St., New Britain, Conn.
NORBURY, Kenneth L.
Talihina, Oklahoma
NORRIS, Jack C.
5ll Peach Tree 8: Battle Ave., Atlanta, Ga.
NORRIS, W. G.
Valencia, Pennsylvania
NORTON, Donald M.
Auemade, Texas
NUZUM, Carl J.
RFD No. 4, Worthington, W. Va.
OLIVER, D. V.
l2l5 Henry St., Hanston, Texas
OCONNOR, Louis F.
New Cambria, Missouri
ODELL, Frank H.
67 So. Munn Ave., East Orange, N. J.
O LCOTT, Byron R.
OLTHOFF, Peter R.
RFD N. 2, Hesperia, Mich.
OSBORNE, Edward J.
649 E. Gerhard St., Philadelphia, Penn.
PALLET, R.
22l8 Pierce St., Detroit, Mich.
IIHU ll-I-ll
2227 E. 63 Rd., Long Beach, Calif.
PARRISH, "J" "B"
Rt. 8, Box 360, Ft. Worth, Texas
PATCHETT, K.
Box I, Oswego, Oregon
PATENAUDE, Joseph A. R.
l5l So. A Sf., Taffville, Conn.
PATTERSON, Frank A.
2lI2 Colby, Evereff, Wash.
PATTON, Charles W.
Rf. 2l, Box 359, Memphis, Tenn.
PAYNE, Donald E. u
P. O. Box 95, Royal Oak, Much.
PEASE, Edwin N. -
l40 Walnuf Ave., Redding, Callf.
FENCE, M. D.
Rd. No. 4, Eafon, Ohio
PERCIVAL, Walfer L. .
l2l3 Sewey Ave., Los Angeles, Callf.
PERKINS, Louis B., Jr.
2305 So. E. Taggerf Sf., Porfland, Oregon
PERDUE, Clyde W.
R. No. 2, Box l025, Albuquerque, New Mexico
PERSHALL, Billy J.
Eldorado, Kansas
PETERSON, Raymond M
30ll Malcolm Ave., Wesf Los Angeles, Calif.
PHILLIPS, George rn:
PHILLIPS, Kennefh R.
PHILPOT, Allen E. .
I46 Main Sf., Norfhanson, Malne
PHOENIX, Raymond J.
Bough Road, Cohows, N. Y.
PICKRODT, Henry P.
PINKERTON, Pickens P.
Rf. I, Tyler, Texas
PISCAGLIA, Frederick L.
690l Soufh Adams Sf., Peoria, Ill.
POLLZZIE, B. J.
lll6 Franklin Sf., Monroe, Mich.
PRITCHARD, William A.
205 B Sf., Youngsfown, Ohio
PRAWITZ, Loren E.
PUGHSLEY, Noah W.
l725 Navarro Ave., Lima, Ohio
QUINN, James C.
RANES, William B.
9255 llfh Sf., Cenferville, Iowa
RAQUINO, Lanny R.
REEDER, W. F.
8 N. Kresson Sf., Balfo, Mo.
REIN, George W.
2l9 W. 30fh Sf., Wilmingfon, Calif.
RENNELL, Clarence A.
l75 N. Rd. Norfh Adams, Mass.
RESAR, Sfeve lnl
RICHARDSON, Bruce H.
85 Essex Sf., Laurence, Mass.
RICHARD, Selwyn D.
Sf. Gabriel, Louisiana
RIDER, William R.
l0l2 83rd Sf. Terrace, Kansas Cify, Mo.
RIGGS, James C.
Monarch, Arkansas
ROBINSON, William E.
85 Essex Sf., Laurence, Mass.
ROBISON, John L.
Rf. l, Box l78, Palmeffo, Florida
RODRIGUES, Louis lnl
ROLLINS, Warren K.
ROSTER OF CREW
ROSE, Clyde L.
Rf. I, Box I, Spanish Fork, Ufah
RAUCH, Samuel
3225 llinville Ave., Box 67, New York Cify
SADBERRY, Henry lnl
600 Garfield Sf., Jackson, Mich.
SARGENT, Frederick E., Jr.
l836V2 W. 36fh Place, Los Angeles, Calif.
SAULTER, Vernon A. A
l700 Sherwood Sf., Missoula, Monf.
SAVAGE, George W.
SCAGLIA, Paul lnl
7576 Grand Ave., Kansas Cify, Mo.
SCH EM PP, John W.
SCHIEDEL, Charles A.
cfo W. L. Campbell, Golden Gafe Ave.,
Belvedere, Calif.
SCHLUETER, Raymond L.
Box 73, New Trenfon, Indiana
SCHMELLING, George G., Jr.
SCHUIER, William H.
l723 Markef Sf., Youngsfown, Ohio
SCI, Rosario R.
Old Cider Mill-Rd., Darieu, Conn.
SCHAUMBURG, Wallace D., Sr.
I3l l25fh Ave. N. W., Norfh Sf. Paul, Minn.
SCOTT, Beniamin lnl
362 Mass Ave., Bosfon, Wash.
SEDDON, Melvin H.
SEDERQUEST, John H., Jr.
I2 La Salle Sf., Wakefield, Mass.
SELBY, J. V.
2904 Sfeven, Louisville I2, Ky.
sHAlN, Alberf B. -
280 Gusdon Sf., Bridgeporf, Conn.
SHAVIES, Isaac
l624 l2fh Sf., Oakland, Calif.
SHIFFER, Lawrence E.
RFD No. I, Malfer, Illinois
SHIREY, Norman Hale
500 N. Chesfnuf Sf., Perry, Penn.
SHORT, Gordon lnl
SHORT, Henry lnl
2504 Filberf Sf., Oakland, Calif.
SILVA, Roberf H.
U.S.S. Moufrail, cfo San Francisco, Calif.
SIMMERMAKER, Bob lnl
l5l6 S. Union Ave., Tacoma, Wash.
SIMMONS, Roscoe B.
Rf. No. 4, Wenfenville, Norfh Carolina
SIMS, E. V.
Rf. No. I, Sfrafman, Texas
SIMPSON, Roger W.
l209 N. W., So. Spain Ave., Pendlefon, Oregon
SINGER, Gerald S.
SITES, Warnie E.
Pefersburg, Wesf Virginia
SLATER, Theodore W.
SMITH, James P.
Reedsporf, Oregon
SMITH, Raymond' L.
26lI No. Franklin Rd., Arlingfon, Va.
SNYDER, Philip R.
Rd. No. 2, Harrisville, Penn.
SOLEY, Verner M.
l605 E. Madison, Seaffle, Wash.
SORRELS, Gerald H.
Box No. 42, Abboff, Arkansas
SOUTHARD, Donald L.
I636 W. l5fh Sf., Anderson, Indiana
SPARKS, Girvan R. V
ll02 Sophia Sf., Carthage, Missouri
SPATES, Vernon L.
SPATOFORE, Emilio R.
SPENCER, Dallas C.
Roufe No. 2, Sheridan, Oregon
SPRENGER, William R.
STERLING, James F.
749 So. Clarkson Sf., Denver, Colo.
STEENBERG, Kennefh O.
II7 Park Sf., Wesfly, Wisconsin
STEWART, Douglas C.
3333 Brayfon Sf., Long Beach, Calif.
STOTTS, Arfhur L.
7l S. Wick Ave., Waferbury, Conn.
STOUT, James G.
STRICKLAND, Joseph lnl
283 W. Il8lh Sf., New York, N. Y.
STEWART, R. S.
I464 Pacific Sf., Redlands, Calif.
SUTTON, Clarence W.
Isl' Sf., Floreffe, Penn.
SUTTON, James O.
RFD No. 3, Box 32, Porfsmoufh, Virginia
surToN, John E.
Maffhews, Indiana
SWEENEY, Alfred C. -
5056 Winnernac Ave., Chicago, Ill.
SWEET, Harry L. ,
209 N. Franklin Sf., Springfield, Mo.
swear, Sfewarf c.
SYX, Ellis D.
I079 Grant Sf., So. Akron, Ohio
SZAFRAN, Eugene J.
l03 Walnuf Sf., Holyoke, Mass.
TANGEMAN, Roberf G.
lll8 Garden Sf., Hoboken, N. J.
TAYLOR, Kennefh E.
3l6 S. Walnuf Sf., Ames, Iowa
TAYLOR, Paul J. '
Rd. No. I, Aspers, Penn.
TOMMIE, "J"
TELLES, John P. -
Box No. I6, Benf, New Mexico
TENWINKEL, Richard J.
Easf Troy, Wisconsin
TEVIS, Warren R.
20l7 California Ave., Topeka, Kansas
THIEMSEN, Charles, Jr.
THOMAS, Dorian L.
R. R. No. 4, Sf. Maries, Idaho
THOMAS, Sherman
l8ll Sfaford Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.
THOMPSON, James R.
Wichila, Kansas
TIBBS, M. E.
Rf. 4, Box I79, Fairmonf, W. Va.
TITMAS, Frederick H.
8l3'f2 So. Teion Sf., Colorado Springs, Colo
TODD, James H., Jr.
R. R. 3, Charlesfown, Indiana
TOOLE, J. J.
4932 Renier Sf., New Orleans, La.
TOWNSEND, David S.
38
TOPPER, Harold L. .
Box 94, Orangeville, Ohio
TRICKEY, F. J.
467 W. Shaw Sf., Sf. Pefer, Minn.
TRAWEEK, B. B.
Beeville, Texas
TUCKER, Clarence T. i
I543 Ridgewood Ave., Toledo, Ohio
TURDO, Rocco A.
TURNER, Penis L.
TUTTLE Carroll E.
less Nibon Drive N. w., Grand Rapid., Mich.
URBAN, Arfhur J.
Box I63,'OId Ocean, Texas
URESTE, George Inl
Porf O'Connor, Texas
VAIL, Roberl' L.
R. R. 2, Effingham, Illinois
VANCE, James E. .
VAN OSDOL, K. G.'
5027 N. Roslyn Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana
VAUGHAN, Walter F.
Pixen, Missouri
VAUGHN, George W.
I47 Wesf 57fh SI., Los Angeles, Calif.
VAUGHN, Harry L.
VAUGHN, Woodrow W.
207 McNary Ave., Princefon, Ky.
VEDDER, William E. '
RI. 2, Box 2l0-A, Arlingfon, Texas
VIAU, Earl R.
I7 Johnson, Pawluckef, R. I.
VIDALES, Alexander Inl
l0I5 Chapmen Sf., Housfon, Texas
VISCO, Alphonse A.
74 Roger Ave., Lynn, Mass.
VOGTS, Marvin V.
Madison, Kansas
VOLKERDING, R. R.
Bafavia, Ohio
ROSTER OF CREW
WARREN, Hobarf D. I
l3ll I8fh S+., Defroil, Michigan
WALKER, Walfer R.
2I4 Easf Cedar Ave., Jefferson Cily, Mo.
WARWICK, James E.
Rf. No. I, Box 585, El Paso, Texas
WANAGEL, A. W.
2828 35+h Sf., Asforia, L. I., N. Y.
WASNAK, Alvin G.
304l 61h Sf. S. W., Anfon, Ohio
WATKINS, Donavan D.
70 Libby Sf., Clarksfon, Wash.
WEAVER, Billy H.
Bailey Heighfs, Nafchifaches, Louisiana
WEAVER, James "T"
P. O. Box l376, Pryor, Oklahoma
WEBER, Edward C.
Woycesburg, No. I, Ohio
WEBER, Vicfor A.
26I6 Libbell Sf., Cincinnafi, Ohio
WELCH, L. B.
490 Sf. River Range, l8, Mich.
WELLER, John H.
WENDT, John H.
New Lenox, III., cfo E. J. Bufzen
WHISLER, W. R.
2945 Jackson Blvd., Chicago IZ, Ill.
WHITACRE, Jonas D.
843 E. 43rd Sf., Cleveland, Ohio
WHITE, Charlie C.
WHITE, James V.
WHITE, William F.
WHITTED, Eliiah M.
WIERENGA, Charles H.
6I7 Oak Sf., Manesfigue, Mich.
WILES, H. E.
2l0 E. Samuel Ave., Peoria Heighls, Ohio
WILLIAMS, Charles N.
873 Campbell Si., Oakland, Calif.
r-'CU LLEN, James F.
.P. O. Box No. 24 Sloneham, Mass.
CUMMINGS, Paul D.
R. R. No.V3, Mansfield, Ohio
CUNDIFF, Edward, Jr.
RI. No. 4, Clarasville, Ohio
-CURCIO, Eugene B.
6552 La Mirada Ave., Hollywood, Calif..
CURLEE, Sferling
Box I3, Ilasca, Texas '
CURRAN, william
'3357 N. Second Sf., Milwaukee, Wis.
CURTIS, Roger K. .
'7024 Kesfer Ave., Van Nuys, Calif.
CZACHOROWSKI, Edward F.
'207 Boyd Ave., Jersey Cify, N. J.
'DALEY, James
.404 S. W. 35fh Sf., Oklahoma Cify, Okla.
DALY, James J.
'DAMATO, Henry J. I I
2l E. Day Sf., Easi Orange, N. J.
DANA, Leslie R., Jr.
DANIEL, Paul H.
WILLIAMS, James F.
I9I6 Schoff Rd., Cleveland, Ohio
WILLIAMSON, Harry V.
2707 Knighl' Ave., Rockford, III.
WILMS, W. L.
RFD No 2, Newfon Falk, Ohio
WILSON, Raymond L.
R. R. No. l, Caney, Kansas
WINTERS, Clarence M.
Williamsburg, Indiana
WISE, Howard R., Jr.
RFD No. 2, Mansfield, Ohio
WISE. J. R.
l7l4 Sfewarf Place, Nashville, Tenn.
WISEMAN, Quenfin H.
II00 Washingfon Ave., Alfon, Illinois
WISNIESKI, Harold J.
l505 E. 69fh Place, Chicago 37, Ill.
WOLF, John M.
IOI7 S Sf., Harrisburg, Penn.
WOOD, J. A.
87 N. Shirley, Ponfiac, Mich.
WOODS, Bernard J.
4l4 Baldwin Ave., Jersey Cify, N. J.
WOODS, Ralph E.
44ll N. Florrissanf SI., Sf. Louis, Mo.
WOOTEN, John L.
Sfar Roufe, Love Lady, Texas
WRIGHT, Charles E.
Sfevensville, Maryland
WUTTKE, Roberf T.
l37 N. Easf SI., Holyoke, Mass.
YOUNG, Arfhur F.
l409 N. Michigan Sf., Plymoufh, Indiana
WHITNEY, R. B.
l276 Ohamce Ave., Akron, Ohio
WURNMEST, R. E.
6l5 Ny. Main Sf., Kennefi, Mo.
ZIEMNIK, Edward F.
2389 Fremonf Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
DANSIE, Donald A.
Riverfon, Ufah
DANZI, Vincenf
392 New Hersey Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
DAVIDSON, James A.
RI. No. 4, Granger, Texas
DAVIES, Gerald L.
89I6 2nd Ave., Indewood, Calif.
DAVIS, Charles R.
I023 l0I'h Ave. So., Nampa, Idaho
DAVIS, Langford Wayde
Ri. No. I, Box HO2l2, EI Dorado, Ark.
DEAN, Melvin C.
Woodruff, Ulah
DEAN, Ralph Lee
DE ANGELIS, Gaefano
85 Barrows SI., Providence I, R. I.
DEAVOH RS, Theron H.
Decxeiz, Alvin
Ponchaioula, La. .
DEETER, Ray Leroy
3344 Kerckhofi Ave., San Pedro, Calif.
STONE, Dendle Edward
STRINGER, Brooks
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