Noble (APA 218) - Naval Cruise Book

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+3 ll1',r'9l sk R' If 4 5, Tu. x xx W. . xt-1,255.1-1E,E,,t,. 36 IIER LIFE I 27 November 1944 U.S.S. Noble commissioned at 1400 at pier 27, San Francisco, California, and left immediately for Oakland Supply De- pot to load stores. 1-5 December At I-Iunter's Point, San Francisco, Cali- fornia for fitting out. 7 December Proceeded to Mare Island to load ammu- nition. In pea soup fog, soon finds the value of her Radar in avoiding near- collision with another ship. 10 December Sailed for San Pedro for ffshakedownw cruise. 11-28 December Shaking down- new crew in San Pedro waters. 29 December-13 January, 1945 Amphibious training operations at San Diego, Oceanside and adjacent waters. New Year's at San Diego. 14-15 January, 1945 At Bethlehem Steel Co., Yard, San Pedro, California, final fitting out. 24 January Sailed for San Francisco to pick up new LCMS. ' 25-30 January In San Francisco Bay. Loaded two LCM 6s for Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. 30 January Sailed alone from San Francisco en route Fo Afulagi, Florida Island, Solomon Is- an s. 31 January-1 February Winds of gale velocity and high seas caused first sea sickness and helped an unseasoned' crew to early get their sea legs . 5 February Sighted MAUNA KEA peak, Island of Hawaii, T.I-I., after playing about with large unidentified target, the first contact at sea. A 12 February Passed within sight of Little Makin Is- land, Gilbert Islands. At 734 crossed the Equator into South Pacific area. During Full Moon slipped silently passed the Jap held Islands of Nauru and Ocean. 13 February About ,fif ty Shellbacks initiated some 450 pollywogs into the Ancient Order of the Deep in an impressive ceremony. 14 February Dropped anchor in Purvis Bay, Florida Island, Solomon Islands. 23 February-11 March Maneuvers, gunnery, loading and landing exercises in Iron Bottom Bay, around historic Savo Island and adjacent waters. 12-14 March Anchored off' BUNINA POINT, Guadal- canal and embarked 1409 officers and men of the 6th Marine Division. THE PACIE IC 15 March Sailed with Task Group 53.11 en route to Ulithi Island, Caroline Islands. 21-26 March Anchored in Ulithi Lagoon. A 27 March Underway for invasion of Okinawa, Ry- ukyu Islands. 31 March Off' South West coast of Okinawa, com- menced final approach for assault land- ing. Easter Sunday Services held today. 1 April 1945 I CEaster Sundayj V At General Quarters almost continually. Landing effected at H-hour 0830. 5 April Mission completed, sailed from Okinawa to Pearl I-Iarbor with stopover at Saipan, Marianas Islands. 19 April Arrived Pearl Harbor, moored to buoys in East Lock until 6 may 1945. Enjoyed Hula show on board, several trips around the Island of Oahu, and liberty in Honolulu and Waikiki. 6-14 May OH' Maui Island, T.H., participating in practice day and night attack and load- ing maneuvers with squadron of Attack Transports. 14-16 May Pearl Harbor again. ' 17-27 May Round and round NII-IOA, T.I-I., in com- pany with U.S.S. New Kent CAPA 217j, simulating convoy movements for sub- marine maneuvers. Underway fueling of our two P.C. escorts. 29 May Sailed from Pearl Harbor en route to San Francisco and first leave! 2-29 June San Francisco Bay. Coveted leave or lib- erty for all hands. Several officers and men detached here. About 40 new men added to the crew. 29 June Sailed alone from San Francisco en route to Okinawa via Eniwetok and Ulithi with 1267 officers and men of Cub 17 aboard. 11-14 July Stopped over at Eniwetok. 18 July-8 August Anchored in Ulithi Lagoon. Despite the doubtful attractions of Mog-Mog Island, the Pearl of the Pacific , 22 days in the sweltering summer heat. of Ulithi La- goon with 1267 restless passengers aboard is no picnic. ' 8-12 August Last leg of the long trip to Okinawa. Again at Hagushi and again night air ral .